Wireless Priority Service (WPS), a federal program allowing priority network access to our national security and emergency personnel, is being made available on the Verizon Wireless network this month.  Subscribers located in select areas of the country including Washington DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia, Chicago, parts of Los Angeles, and Southern Florida can expect the service to be available this month.  New markets will continue to be added until completion expected by the end of 2006.

?If an event were to occur and trigger increased traffic on wireless networks, it is critical for those responding to the emergency to be able to get through as fast as possible,? said Mike Maiorana, vice president of the government team at Verizon Wireless. ?Verizon Wireless is pleased to support the Government's mission by making this important resource available to those charged with caring for our public safety and security.?

To qualify for WPS with Verizon Wireless, personnel must receive approval from the National Communication System (NCS).  Once your eligibility is confirmed, WPS users must dial *727 then the 10-digit telephone number.  This will automatically place the call into a high-priority status.  Calls placed by individuals without WPS will still be given access to the Verizon Wireless network.