Verizon Wireless announced it has entered into an agreement with Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, to bring new Ringback Tones from the company's extensive catalog of chart-topping artists to Verizon Wireless Ringback Tone customers. With an extensive collection of 500 hot Ringback Tones, Universal Music Group is the newest resource for Verizon Wireless customers looking for the perfect Ringback Tone to replace the standard ring callers hear while they wait for their call to be answered. Verizon Wireless became the first national carrier to offer Ringback Tones when it introduced the service in Southern California and Sacramento last year.

With an entire catalog of popular music choices, Universal Music Group makes it easy for Verizon Wireless customers to select the Ringback Tone that best fits their personal style. By browsing through categories such as Rap, Hip-Hop, Soundtracks, Metal / Alternative, R&B / Soul, 80's, Classic Rock, Pop / Rock, Country, Club Hits, 70's, Oldies, 60's and Holiday, customers can set up their Ringback Tones to include a standard Ringback Tone (including the Verizon Wireless standard Ringback Tone), or choose different Ringback Tones for each caller based on the Caller ID, Group List or the time of day.

Universal Music Group fans will find it easy to choose the perfect Ringback Tone by simply visiting the Ringback Tones Web site at www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow/ringbacktones where they can register, browse and preview the latest Ringback Tones from the biggest names in the music industry today. Customers can also sign up to receive a TXT Alert whenever their selected artists release new Ringback Tones by visiting the My Alerts section of the site and selecting TXT notifications. Standard text messaging rates apply to TXT Alerts.

Signing up for Ringback Tones right from TXT Messaging-capable phones is easy: Send the TXT Message "RBT" to address "728." Reply to accept the service, and send the TXT Message "List" to "728" to receive a list of Ringback Tones available for purchase. A list of song ID codes will be sent to the phone as a TXT Message and customers can purchase a Ringback Tone by sending the song ID code as a TXT Message to "728." Standard text messaging rates may apply. From that point on, all callers will hear the new Ringback Tone. Customers can manage who gets to hear their Ringback Tone, purchase more tones and manage their accounts by visiting www.verizonwireless.com/getitnow/ringbacktones .

Ringback Tones from Universal Music Group are available to Verizon Wireless customers in select markets beginning today for a monthly fee of $0.99 per month. Each Ringback Tone purchased is $1.99, which provides unlimited use for one year. Both the monthly fee and cost for each tone appear on the customer's monthly bill. Verizon Wireless plans to continue to expand Ringback Tones across its nationwide network throughout 2005.