RNS Number:4831I
Bell Atlantic Corp
4 April 2000
CONTACT:
John Killian
Bell Atlantic
212/395-1152
Melissa Stimpson
Vodafone Airtouch
44-16-3568-2465
VERIZON WIRELESS OPENS FOR BUSINESS WITH NEW SIMPLIFIED
NATIONWIDE PRICING
Customers Also to Benefit from New Messaging, Wireless Internet Initiatives
NEW YORK, NY - On its first day of business, Verizon Wireless today
introduced new nationwide flat-rate pricing options for consumers and
businesses who want competitive, predictable coast-to-coast pricing with no
roaming or long distance charges. These new SingleRate SM plans give customers
one of the industry's lowest entry points for flat-rate digital wireless
service that works virtually anywhere on the country's premier wireless
network.
Verizon Wireless is the new wireless leader formed by the combination
of Bell Atlantic Corp.'s (NYSE: BEL) and Vodafone AirTouch Plc's (LSE:VOD;
NYSE: VOD) U.S. wireless properties - including PrimeCo Personal
Communications and AirTouch Paging assets - completely changing the national
wireless competitive landscape.
Verizon Wireless products and services will be available in GTE Corp's
(NYSE:GTE) cellular and PCS markets that will become part of the new company
following the close of the Bell Atlantic - GTE merger, which is targeted for
the second quarter.
"Customers of Verizon Wireless can expect innovative, competitively-priced
voice and data products and services of the highest quality, and best-in-class
customer service," said Denny Strigl, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless.
"Today's introduction of new SingleRate products is only the beginning of what
we will provide to our customers."
Introducing SingleRate
The new family of five flat-rate, simplified price plans provides one of
the best values in the industry for a national wireless flat-rate plan - $35
per month for 150 minutes. SingleRate eliminates long distance and roaming
charges across the country, effectively making every wireless call a local
call.
Customers who choose these national all-inclusive options can select large
bundles of minutes based on their usage requirements - up to 1,500 minutes for
$150 monthly access. A big advantage for Verizon Wireless customers is that the
size and scope of the company's coast-to-coast network allows convenient
digital features like caller ID and message waking indicator to be available
whenever customers are on the Verizon Wireless digital network as they travel
across the country.
SingleRate is conveniently available at 1,100 company-owned retail stores
and kiosks, and at more than 10,000 retailers and authorized agents across the
country.
"We designed SingleRate to be the best, all-inclusive national pricing plan
available today," said Lowell McAdam, chief operating officer for Verizon
Wireless. "Its introduction provides customers who demand local calling across
a national footprint with the best choice in wireless."
SingleRate Plans Monthly Monthly Minutes
Access Included
SingleRate 150 $35 150 minutes
SingleRate 400 $55 400 minutes
SingleRate 600 $75 600 minutes
SingleRate 900 $100 900 minutes
SingleRate 1500 $150 1500 minutes
New Audiovox Digital Phone Makes Debut; Company to Buy One Million Handsets
Customers choosing the new SingleRate plans will enjoy the features and
functionality of the new Web-capable Audiovox CDM-9000 tri-mode digital
phone, which is available exclusively for Verizon Wireless SingleRate
customers. The company has committed to an initial purchase of one million
of these handsets from Audiovox, due to the expected customer demand for the
service.
The Audiovox CDM-9000 weighs just 4.8 ounces, and features a Web
browser with two soft-touch navigational keys for easy access to the
Internet, vibrating alert and alarm clock, voice-activated dialling, data
capabilities, enhanced phone book and memory caller ID with name, short
message service, voice mail notification and a choice of 15 audible rings
including 11 distinct melodies.
Also available to new SingleRate customers is the popular, Web-enabled
Motorola StarTAC TM 7868 tri-mode digital phone. These two phones are the
exclusive handsets available for the new SingleRate plans.
As an incentive to buy the new tri-mode (analog and CDMA digital, 800
mhz/digital 1900 mhz) phones, new Verizon Wireless and existing customers will
receive a $30 mail-in rebate off the phone's retail price of $199.99 for the
Audiovox 9000, and the tri-mode StarTAC's $249.99 price. Current Bell
Atlantic Mobile, Vodafone AirTouch and PrimeCo customers will also receive
an additional $30 instant credit through company-owned locations when they
upgrade to the new SingleRate plans.
New Services On the Way
Verizon Wireless will be rolling out a number of major products and
services over the next several months, focused on providing customers with
value and simplicity while building awareness for the new name and brand.
For example, the company is planning to introduce the nation's first
coast-to-coast two-way short messaging service (SMS) during the third
quarter. The service will allow Verizon Wireless' digital customers to send
and receive instant text messages to each other on their phones, similar to
the popular SMS wireless feature in Europe and Asia. Customers will be able
to send interactive messages to friends, family members, business associates
and clients from their phones to PCs, from PCs to their phones, and to/from
two-way enabled wireless phones.
Internet Everywhere Through New Portal Strategy
The wireless data market is expected to grow from $1.8 billion last
year to $13.2 billion by 2003, with up to 25 million wireless data users
expected nationwide by 2002, according to the Yankee Group.
As the strong customer demand for wireless Internet access and services
continues to grow, Verizon Wireless expects to build on the already strong
wireless Internet offerings available from the individual companies that are
combining into the new company by giving customers the benefit of wireless
multimedia data services.
To satisfy this customer demand for wireless data, Verizon Wireless
plans to introduce a complete range of customized services - messaging,
enhanced voice services, desktop applications, information services and
e-commerce via audio, text, and graphics - through a broad selection of
Web-enabled wireless phones and handheld devices.
"The goal is to use the wireless phone as the centerpiece of information
and services for our customers anytime, anywhere," said McAdam, "and to
allow customers to set up and receive personalized, integrated content when
they want it."
Key elements of the Verizon Wireless data strategy include:
* To launch an "Internet Everywhere" Internet access platform and portal during
the third quarter. The portal would be branded exclusively as Verizon
Wireless and would run on the same platform with the global Vodafone AirTouch
portal, also currently being developed. Today, the company announced
InfoSpace has been chosen to design the portal and provide the platform. The
portal will be the gateway to Web-based information, financial services,
e-commerce and e-care. Verizon Wireless also announced plans to offer content
from the following providers:
> E*Trade, to provide customers with wireless stock quotes and trading
> Strategy.com TM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MicroStrategy(R) (NASDAQ:
MSTR), to provide personalized finance, weather and news alerts, using
multiple message delivery options - wireless phone, email, pager and
landline phone
* To actively establish agreements with other world-class companies and
strategic content partners to bring more Internet-based information and
functionality to the handset by making it an e-commerce tool
* To provide the highest quality applications and services, with both global and
location-specific content
* To provide global access to information to the largest wireless customer base
in the nation
* To offer a superior wireless data transmission system over CDMA
In separate news releases today, Verizon Wireless also announced the
following:
* A new marketing and branding effort in support of the Verizon Wireless
launch;
* A planned investment of $3 billion on Verizon Wireless' new nationwide
wireless network in 2000, the largest to date of any wireless carrier;
* New appointments to Verizon Wireless leadership and an overview of the senior
management team.
The press releases can be found on Verizon Wireless'web site
(http://www.verizonwireless/mediacenter). All were issued over PR Newswire this
morning.
VERIZON WIRELESS TO INVEST MORE THAN $3 BILLION IN ITS
NETWORK IN 2000; WILL INTRODUCE COAST-TO-COAST SHORT
MESSAGING
Coast-to-Coast CDMA Digital Network Lays the Groundwork For Highest
Quality Service, Aggressive SingleRate Pricing, Wireless Internet Access
NEW YORK, NY - Verizon Wireless, the new company formed by the U.S.
wireless interests of Bell Atlantic Corporation (NYSE: BEL) and Vodafone
AirTouch Plc (LSE: VOD; NYSE: VOD), today unveiled plans to continue to
strengthen its network to provide the nation's best wireless service for its
rapidly growing customer base. The two companies today begin operating as one
company along with PrimeCo Personal Communications. Later this quarter, when
Bell Atlantic and GTE Corporation (NYSE:GTE) are targeting the close of their
merger, Verizon Wireless will be further strengthened by the properties of GTE
Wireless. At that time Verizon Wireless will serve nearly 90% of the U.S.
population and 96 of the top 100 U.S. wireless markets.
The new company, including GTE Wireless, plans to invest more than $3
billion in its nationwide network in 2000. This capital investment, one of the
largest ever announced in the industry, will further expand the digital
footprint and increase capacity for wireless voice and data services provided
to the new company's more than 24 million customers. Planned network
enhancements, technology trials and new services include:
* Introduction of the nation's first wireless two-way short messaging
service
* Testing of third generation network technology through field trials
* Rapid expansion of its CDMA digital network
* Wireless network support for General Motors' OnStar personal calling
feature
* Deployment of Over-the-Air provisioning via its CDMA digital network
According to Richard Lynch, executive vice president and chief technical
officer of Verizon Wireless, the new company plans to leverage its scale and
maximize the value of its $3 billion investment in volume network equipment
purchases to accelerate the rapid deployment of CDMA service and to lay the
groundwork for third generation (3G) services.
"Continued investment in our CDMA network will enable Verizon Wireless to
extend CDMA digital voice and data services to areas in the footprint where
they aren't available today," said Lynch. "In addition, this investment will
allow the company to quickly introduce new services including two-way short
messaging capabilities. In June, we are scheduled to begin testing the next
generation of wireless technology through field trials with our infrastructure
vendors. In these trials, we will demonstrate data access speeds of 144 kbps."
New Services and Revenue Opportunities
In collaboration with infrastructure vendors Lucent Technologies and
Nortel Networks, Verizon Wireless will be the first wireless carrier in the
country to offer nationwide two-way short messaging service (SMS). Initially,
the service will be delivered using Kyocera and Motorola handsets. The service
introduction is planned for the third quarter of 2000. Advanced two-way
messaging enables mobile users to send text messages to other compatible
mobile handsets or other Internet users. Messages can even be sent while the
subscriber is on a voice or data call. Subscribers have the ability to either
compose their own messages using the keypad or to select a standard message
that is stored in their handset. Other features associated with two-way SMS
include Delivery Confirmation indicating that a message has been received and
User Acknowledgement which allows the subscriber to respond to common
inquiries (i.e. Press 1 for Yes and Press 2 for No). The new service will
extend mobile communications to more interactive applications that benefit
from two-way messaging, such as "email-on-the-run" to keep in close contact
with friends, family and business associates.
General Motors' OnStar will be one of the first national customers to
take advantage of the new company's coast-to-coast network when OnStar extends
its portfolio of market-leading, in-vehicle services this year to include a
personal calling feature. Verizon Wireless has an agreement with General
Motors to provide the backbone wireless network for the personal calling
feature, which OnStar estimates will be carried by more than four million
vehicles nationwide within the next three years.
Over the next few months, Verizon Wireless expects to implement plans to
accelerate the deployment of Over-The-Air (OTA) provisioning via its CDMA
digital network. OTA provides for remote activation and telephone number and
area code changes. It will soon be enhanced to provide updates to the software
in wireless phones, ensuring that Verizon Wireless' customers remain on the
company's preferred network as they travel. Future enhancements will allow the
company to perform diagnostics and software upgrades on wireless phones.
Comprehensive Suite of Data Services
Verizon Wireless offers easy-to-use wireless access to the Internet via
its CDMA digital network. Featuring Web-enabled digital wireless phones that
have built-in modems, Verizon Wireless customers can surf the Web, send and
receive e-mail, get real-time stock market analysis and quotes, and set up
customized personal Web pages. Delivered over Verizon Wireless' network,
customers also gain menu-driven wireless connectivity to Web-based content
providers on demand, such as on-line travel information and reservations,
real-time airline flight status reports, and door-to door travel directions.
In addition to CDMA data, Verizon Wireless offers one of the nation's
largest Cellular Digital Packet Data networks (CDPD). CDPD offers Internet
access at data speeds of up to 19.2 kbps and is often the preferred choice for
heavy wireless Internet users who require an "always on" connection. Delivered
via laptops, handheld PDAs and Window CE devices, CDPD is ideal for a variety
of applications, including wireless credit card verification and automated
teller machines, and remote meter reading.
Digital Migration
After GTE Wireless assets join the new company, Verizon Wireless' digital
wireless network covers more than 75% of the company's potential customer
base. At the same time, Verizon Wireless continues to operate the largest,
most ubiquitous analog wireless network in the country. This dual-network
advantage allows Verizon Wireless to migrate subscribers to the company's CDMA
digital network quickly and at the same time provide existing and new
customers with superior analog coverage in parts of the country where
competing national carriers have yet to build out their networks.
*CDMA has proven itself as the best, most spectrally-efficient digital
service in the industry. Customers enjoy the excellent voice quality, inherent
enhanced features and the convenience of data embedded in the basic service.
Plus, the technology offers a clear and cost-effective path to 3G
technologies," said Lynch. "Network quality has been and will remain our
number one focus, and to this end, we will build aggressively until CDMA
digital voice and data reach every part of our footprint."
Network is the Product
In 1999, the companies that will make up Verizon Wireless won prestigious
customer satisfaction awards in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New
York, San Diego, Seattle and St.Louis. Lynch expects this list of cities to
grow in 2000 as Verizon Wireless executes its aggressive network plan and
customers begin to reap the benefits of its premier service.
"Our new company's name, Verizon Wireless, comes from two roots - the
Latin 'veritas,' which means truth, and also connotes certainty and
reliability; and 'horizon' which signifies the possibilities ahead," said
Lynch. "Verizon Wireless' plans to build its reputation and legacy upon
unparalleled network engineering combined with cutting-edge technology, which
will enable it to deliver superior wireless voice and data services that can
be accessed virtually anywhere in the country."
In separate press releases today, Verizon Wireless also announced the
following:
* A new marketing and branding effort in support of the Verizon Wireless
launch;
* The introduction of new, nationwide flat-rate SingleRate pricing plans
for consumers and businesses, as well as a series of wireless data-related
initiatives;
* New appointments to Verizon Wireless leadership and an overview of the senior
management team.
The press releases can be found on Verizon Wireless'web site
(http://www.verizonwireless/mediacenter). All were issued over PR Newswire
this morning.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the
U.S. with over 16 million wireless voice and data customers and nearly 4
million paging customers. The new coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed
by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Bell Atlantic
Corp.(NYSE:BEL) and Vodafone AirTouch Plc (LSE:VOD; NYSE:VOD). The new
company includes the assets from Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular,
PrimeCo Personal Communications and AirTouch Paging.
Verizon Wireless will be further strengthened by the addition of the U.S.
wireless assets of GTE Corp. (NYSE:GTE) when it completes its merger with Bell
Atlantic. When the merger is complete, the new company will have a footprint
covering nearly 90% of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the
top 100 U.S. markets.
Verizon Wireless, headquartered in New York City and Bedminster, NJ, is
30,000 employees strong.
VERIZON WIRELESS INTRODUCES NEW BRAND WITH
NATIONAL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
Contemporary New Ads Encourage Consumers to "Join In" the Wireless Generation
NEW YORK, NY - Verizon Wireless, the new company formed by the
combination of Bell Atlantic Corp.'s (NYSE: BEL) and Vodafone AirTouch
Plc's (LSE:VOD; NYSE: VOD) U.S. wireless properties, is today kicking off
a new national branding campaign to introduce consumers to the country's
newest and largest wireless telecommunications company. Verizon Wireless
will have more than 24 million customers, including GTE Wireless customers,
following the close of the Bell Atlantic - GTE merger, which is targeted for the
second quarter.
The multi-media campaign, created by Bozell New York and tagged "Join
In," includes broadcast, print and radio and is targeted at both consumers
and businesses. The first of four national network television ads will
appear today, followed by print and radio beginning Wednesday.
Verizon Wireless comes from two roots - the Latin "veritas," which
means truth, and also connotes certainty and reliability; and "horizon,"
which signifies the possibilities ahead. Along with the name is a red and
black logo design that helps to communicate the feeling.
"The ads introduce our leadership position as the largest wireless
carrier in the U.S. At the same time, the ads communicate that size is
only a virtue if it gives customers more - more coverage, more choice and
better prices," said Debra Carroll, vice president of marketing for
Verizon Wireless.
The new ads are designed to break through the clutter and not only
deliver on the promise of more, but to serve it up to customers in a way
that brings peace and simplicity to a complex wireless world.
The tone of the campaign is confidence - the trait of a market leader
-and it uses the voice of James Earl Jones to deliver that confidence. The
tone of the campaign is also inclusive. Everyday people are depicted
throughout all the multimedia elements, and the campaign will invite you
to "Join In" to be part of this great, new wireless movement.
There is a mnemonic device being used that creatively reflects the
brand - peace and simplicity; and is also the first letter of the
company's name -Verizon Wireless. The device is a peace sign, and it's the
thread throughout the campaign.
Bozell New York, which has handled the Bell Atlantic Mobile
advertising account for five years, was tapped for this branding
assignment.
"We have always been proud to steward the Bell Atlantic Mobile brand,
and we could not be more pleased to have been entrusted with the launch
campaign for this exciting new telecommunications company," said Tom
Bernardin, president of Bozell New York.
In separate news releases today, Verizon Wireless also announced the
following:
* A planned investment of $3 billion on Verizon Wireless' new nationwide
wireless network in 2000, the largest to date of any wireless carrier;
* The introduction of new, nationwide flat-rate SingleRate pricing plans
for consumers and businesses, as well as a series of wireless
data-related initiatives;
* New appointments to Verizon Wireless leadership and an overview of the
senior management team.
The press releases can be found on the Verizon Wireless web site
(http://www.verizonwireless/mediacenter). All were issued over PR Newswire
this morning.
VERIZON WIRELESS INTRODUCES SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
NEW YORK, NY - Verizon Wireless, the new company formed by the U.S. wireless
interests of Bell Atlantic Corporation (NYSE: BEL) and Vodafone AirTouch Plc
(LSE: VOD; NYSE: VOD), today introduced its new executive management team,
headed up by Denny Strigl, who will serve as president and CEO.
"We have assembled a leadership team with an extraordinary combination of
experience, insight and talent from all the organizations involved in this
venture," said Strigl. "There is no other management team in the industry better
qualified to successfully lead this new organization."
Key corporate executives reporting to Strigl include:
* Lowell C. McAdam, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
* Richard J. (Dick) Lynch, Executive Vice President & Chief Technical Officer
* Edward (Ted) Langston, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
* David H. (Dave) Benson, Vice President - Strategic Planning
* Roger Gurnani, Vice President - Information Systems & Chief Information
Officer
* Marc C. Reed. Vice President - Human Resources
* S. Mark Tuller, Vice President - Legal & External Affairs and General
Counsel
* James J. (Jim) Gerace, Vice President - Corporate Communications
As Verizon Wireless' chief operating officer, Lowell McAdam has overall
responsibility for Verizon Wireless customer-facing sales and service
operations. His management team includes:
* Rick Conrad, President - Northeast Area
* Gary Schulman, President - Mid-Atlantic Area
* Jack Plating, President - Southeast Area
* Annette Jacobs, President - Great Lakes Area
* Benjamin E. (Ben) Kahmoff, President - South Central Area
* Nancy Hobbs, President - Southwest Area
* Brian J. Shay, President - Northwest Area
* Robert A. (Bob) Young, President - Paging
* Daniel S. (Dan) Mead, Vice President - Customer Care
* Debra Carroll, Vice President - Marketing
* Gary T. Ream, Vice President - Centralized Services
Full biographical background on each of the executives can be found on
Verizon Wireless' web site at http://www.verizonwireless.com
In separate press releases today, Verizon Wireless also announced the following:
* A new marketing and branding effort in support of the Verizon Wireless
launch;
* The introduction of new, nationwide flat-rate SingleRate pricing plans for
consumers and businesses, as well as a series of wireless data-related
initiatives;
* A planned investment of $3 billion on the Verizon Wireless' new nationwide
Wireless network in 2000, the largest to date of any wireless carrier.
The press releases can be found on Verizon Wireless' web site
(http://www.verizonwireless/mediacenter). All were issued over PR Newswire this
morning.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S.
with over 16 million wireless voice and data customers and nearly 4 million
paging customers. The new coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the
combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Bell Atlantic Corp.(NYSE:BEL) and
Vodafone AirTouch Plc (LSE:VOD; NYSE:VOD). The new company includes the assets
from Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, PrimeCo Personal Communications
and AirTouch Paging.
Verizon Wireless will be further strengthened by the addition of the U.S.
wireless assets of GTE Corp. (NYSE:GTE) when it completes its merger with Bell
Atlantic. When the merger is complete, the new company will have a footprint
covering nearly 90% of the U.S. population. 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top
100 U.S. markets.
Verizon Wireless, headquartered in New York City and Bedminster, NJ, is
30,000 employees strong.
END
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