US: Verizon Wireless congratulates its customers who are winners of QUALCOMM’s inaugural 3G cdmA-List Awards ™ Program, a program recognizing leading companies, public agencies and non-profit organizations for their innovative and impactful wireless data solutions. Verizon Wireless’ winning customers are using NationalAccess (formerly Express Network) — the company’s high-speed data network—to run solutions that increase productivity and efficiency.

With more than 120 nominations, the judges recognized 11 A-List Winners yesterday at an exclusive ceremony at CTIA Wireless IT & Entertainment 2003. Five of the eleven 2003 A-List Winners are Verizon Wireless customers. Two awards — one for innovation and the other for impact — were presented for each of the five categories represented: Small Companies, Medium Companies, Large Companies, Government and Non-Profit Organizations. Verizon Wireless customers won in the following categories: Medium Companies: A-List Innovation – CROSSMARK – This business services company deployed a consumer packaged goods sales force automation solution that employs Verizon Wireless’ NationalAccess high-speed data network, which enables its national sales force to increase speed-to-shelf at retail locations and drive market share at the point-of-purchase.

Large Companies: A-List Innovation – PPL Electric Utilities (NYSE: PPL)- Based on Machine-to-Machine communications, this Automated Meter Reading solution relies on the NationalAccess high-speed data network to transport real-time electricity-use data from meters at customer facilities back to the company’s operations center. PPL Electric Utilities is using the technology for about 6,000 business customers who receive electric service at 480 volts and above.

Public Agencies: A-List Impact – Broward County, Fla. Sheriff’s Office - A laptop equipped with a Verizon Wireless data card, which replaced a manual system, provides child protective investigators with access to Florida’s child reporting database, allowing investigators to respond to child abuse allegations and expedite reporting on child abuse cases.

Non-Profit Organizations: A-List Innovation – YouthPlaces - Using the NationalAccess high-speed data network and bar code scanning technology, youth coordinators at this youth development center in Pittsburgh, Penn. can track the attendance and activities of more than 5,000 children annually.

A-List Best of Show: CSX Transportation Inc. – Railroad conductors wear mobile computers equipped with wireless data cards, allowing the wireless exchange of work order completion and scheduling information between the conductors and railroad offices.

“We congratulate our winners on their deserved recognition,” said Cindy Patterson, vice president of enterprise data sales for Verizon Wireless. “We believe these customers serve as a benchmark for other organizations on how to reap the benefits of wireless data services.” The Innovation Awards were presented to organizations demonstrating creative concept and approach for their wireless data solutions, as well as innovation expressed through unique adaptations to an existing wireless deployment, or for completely new solutions. The Impact Award honored organizations for their respective wireless data solutions demonstrating meaningful results and which have made a significant financial, humanitarian or industry impact.