With the Power of Lucent Technologies, Verizon Wireless Extends Personalized Ringback Tone Service Throughout Nationwide Network

Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless service provider,and Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today announced that VerizonWireless has deployed Lucent's MiRingBack application across itsnetwork nationwide to support the company's popular Ringback Toneservice which was deployed nationally in June 2005.

Verizon Wireless' Ringback Tone service enables subscribers toselect from a wide variety of chart topping music - ranging fromhip-hop, classic rock to country western or college fight songs - orother audio content to play to incoming callers while they are waitingon the line for their call to be answered. Ringback Tones from VerizonWireless also include a jukebox feature that enables customers tocreate a playlist of songs for their Ringback Tones where a song fromthe playlist is randomly selected for playback with each incomingcall. Customers can also designate Ringback Tones to a specific timeof day, or select certain Ringback Tones for days such as birthdaysand holidays.

"Lucent's expertise in creating intelligent ring tone applicationsenabled us to rapidly complete roll out of our Ringback Tone service,offering our customers the ability to personalize their phones andexpress their individuality," said Ted Casey, associate director ofmusic for Verizon Wireless. "With the MiRingBack application, we areable to offer our customers a variety of call-control features,including the ability to select personalized time-of-day and specialday music to define callers individually or callers belonging togroups. With the special day feature, customers can choose a birthdayRingback Tone to play on their birthday, or a holiday tone to play onselect days during the holiday season."

Lucent's MiRingBack application allows a tune or message to beplayed to the calling party. Callers to the customer's phone hear theselected content -- such as the latest hit song -- until the call isanswered. Ringback Tone subscribers can also customize their RingbackTones with a variety of options, such as music clips, sound effectsand celebrity messages. Lucent's MiRingBack application isnetwork-based so there is nothing to download to the phone.

"MiRingBack blends new multimedia capabilities with VerizonWireless' nationwide Ringback Tone service, bringing customers a widevariety of the most popular music currently available," said Lisa DeLaurentis, vice president for Lucent Technologies. "MiRingBack'ssuperior technology gives Verizon Wireless another way to attractsubscribers and deliver a personalized entertainment experience."

The MiRingBack application runs on Lucent's Enhanced MediaResource Server (eMRS), a highly reliable, carrier-grade, mediaresource server platform.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliablewireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers.Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint ventureof Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. Topreview and request broadcast-quality video footage andhigh-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to theVerizon Wireless Multimedia Library atwww.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Lucent Technologies

Lucent Technologies designs and delivers the systems, services andsoftware that drive next-generation communications networks. Backed byBell Labs research and development, Lucent uses its strengths inmobility, optical, software, data and voice networking technologies,as well as services, to create new revenue-generating opportunitiesfor its customers, while enabling them to quickly deploy and bettermanage their networks. Lucent's customer base includes communicationsservice providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. For moreinformation on Lucent Technologies, which has headquarters in MurrayHill, N.J., USA, visit www.lucent.com.