Verizon lowest churn again 2006 1st quarter

[ruby]

Verizon for the sixth consecutive quarter posted the lowest customer turnover rate in the wireless industry. In the first quarter of 2006, Verizon Wireless posted a churn rate - the percentage of customers who leave their carrier quarterly - of 1.18%, an industry record.

According to the most recent earnings announcements issued by the nation's largest wireless carriers, churn rates were as follows:

Carrier Q1 2006 Churn Rate
Verizon Wireless 1.18%
Carrier A 1.9%
Carrier B 2.1%
Carrier C 2.7%

Leveraging its greatest asset - its network - Verizon Wireless continues to lead the industry by offering the highest quality products and services while introducing innovative technology solutions. Since 2000, the company has invested more than $30 billion to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and add new services. Moreover, the company's customer service - on the phone, in stores, and online - ranks at the top of more third-party surveys than any other wireless carrier.

In addition to the leading the industry in customer turnover rates, Verizon Wireless also added 1.6 million retail customers in the first quarter of 2006, more than any other carrier.