Verizon Wireless Customers Get Free Personalized, Timely Traffic Information from July 2nd through July 6th

BEDMINSTER, NJ and SAN RAFAEL, CA – Verizon Wireless, the nation’s leading wireless provider and operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless network, today announced that its customers planning to hit the road this July 4th weekend can sign up to receive free TXT alerts about traffic conditions on their TXT Messaging-capable phones from Autodesk Location Services, a division of Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK).  Travelers using the new Verizon Wireless TXT Traffic Alert Service can choose their preferred routes and designate which times of day they would like to receive traffic update alerts.  With Verizon Wireless TXT Traffic Alert Service, customers can save time, gas costs, and frustration this holiday weekend by staying informed of changing traffic information. 

To register, Verizon Wireless customers simply login to http://www.vtext.com, Verizon Wireless’ TXT Messaging companion Web site, and select which traffic alerts they wish to receive.  The service is being offered at no cost to Verizon Wireless customers during the July 4th Holiday Weekend (July 2nd – July 6th, 2004).  Beginning July 7th, 2004, Verizon Wireless customers can pay as they go for TXT Traffic Alerts, which are just $0.02 for each message received, or select from several bundled plans, including $2.99 per month for 100 messages, $4.99 per month for 250 messages and $9.99 per month for 1,000 messages sent or received. 

“Traffic alerts are a much-anticipated addition to our  popular lineup of TXT Alerts, which include weather, sports scores, news, and stock information,” said Jim Straight, vice president of wireless Internet and multimedia services for Verizon Wireless.  “Our own research, as well as industry analyst reports – such as IDC’s analysis published this March – has repeatedly found traffic information to be among the most highly desired by wireless subscribers.”

“This is the first in a series of value-added services Autodesk Location Services is powering for Verizon Wireless,” said Joe Astroth, executive vice president, Autodesk Location Services.  “The new Verizon Wireless TXT Traffic Alert Service will help Verizon Wireless customers make alternative plans  by letting them know about difficult  traffic conditions in advance, giving them more time for fun over the long weekend.”

Verizon Wireless products and services are available in more than 1,200 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, at participating Circuit City and RadioShack locations and on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the nation’s leading provider of wireless communications.  The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 40 million customers.  Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).  Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.  To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless.

About Autodesk Location Services
Autodesk Location Services http://www.autodesk.com/locationservices, a division of Autodesk, Inc., provides a complete solution that enables wireless network operators to quickly and reliably offer location-based services to their subscribers.  Its offering consists of a highly-scaleable, open standards-based platform, market-ready applications, content integration and professional services.  Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc. http://www.autodesk.com, is the world’s leading design software and digital content company. Autodesk offers solutions for professionals in building design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media, and wireless data services. By delivering progressive products and services, Autodesk helps customers create, manage, and  share resources maximizing  the value of their digital data throughout the lifecycle of their projects.