Verizon Wireless expands mobile banking options

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and ATLANTA, GA — Verizon
Wireless, the nation’s leading wireless company with the nation’s most
reliable wireless voice and data network, and mobile banking and
payments enabler Firethorn Holdings, LLC (www.firethornmobile.com [1]),
a Qualcomm company (NASDAQ: QCOM), announced today that customers of
major financial institutions, including Wachovia, SunTrust, FirstBank,
and BancorpSouth, now have access to their accounts in the palms of
their hands.

With Verizon Wireless’ mobile banking offering powered by
Firethorn, customers can now access and manage their financial
relationships while on-the-go for a seamless, real-time and secure user
experience, including checking bank account balances, transferring
funds between accounts within the same bank, and reviewing and paying
bills for those bills already set up through the financial
institution’s online account service.

The Firethorn application is secure and utilizes both PIN and
device lock-out capabilities, which are in addition to the security
that is already incorporated by the financial institution. As another
layer of security, customers will need to register with their financial
institution’s online banking service in order to use mobile banking.

Verizon senior vice president of consumer products Jim
Straight said, “After announcing our relationship with Firethorn two
months ago, we’re making mobile banking a reality for our customers.
And whether our customers prefer to bank at Wachovia, SunTrust,
FirstBank or BancorpSouth, they can now do so wherever they go because
Firethorn and their financial institution partners provide a secure,
easy-to-use and flexible mobile banking application that delivers a
superior customer experience.”

Financial institutions that have joined the Firethorn network
include: Wachovia (NYSE: WB), SunTrust Bank (NYSE: STI), Regions
Financial (NYSE: RF), BancorpSouth (NYSE: BXS), Synovus (NYSE: SNV),
FirstBank, Arvest Bank, and America First Credit Union.

Firethorn chief executive officer Tripp Rackley said, “Viewing
balances, making transfers and paying bills on-the-go is an exciting
first step for millions of Verizon Wireless customers. Together with
Verizon Wireless and our financial partners, we are helping to define
the market for mobile financial services.”

The Firethorn application is currently available on several
phones from Verizon Wireless, including the Chocolate and enV by LG, LG
VX8700, LG VX8600, LG VX9400, and the Samsung SCH-a950. The companies
expect to make the application available on additional devices in the
coming months. Verizon Wireless customers can find the Firethorn
application in the Get Going or Tools on the Go virtual shopping aisle
of the Get It Now^{®} virtual store by clicking on “Get New App” and then “Business/Tools.”

The mobile banking application is free, but application
download, usage or megabyte charges may apply. Customers should check
with their financial institution for availability and instructions on
how to access their accounts through the mobile banking application.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and
services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2
JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com [2].  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless
operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network,
serving 63.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and
largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is
headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 68,000 employees nationwide.
The company 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 [2].
To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and
high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the
Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia [3].  

About Firethorn
Firethorn Holdings, LLC, now
a Qualcomm company (Nasdaq: QCOM), is the preferred mobile financial
services enabler supported by the nation’s leading financial
institutions, mobile network operators, merchants, retailers and
brands. Firethorn integrates text- and application-based banking, bill
payment, remote and proximity payments, coupons, marketing, ticketing
and peer-to-peer transfers into a cohesive, interactive system – the
Mobile Consumer Wallet. As a neutral, inclusive third-party provider,
Firethorn is focused on building the premier mobile banking and
payments ecosystem – the Firethorn Network. Firethorn Network partners
gain the ability to improve customer retention, generate revenue and
enhance brand equity.

For more information on Firethorn, visit www.firethornmobile.com [1] or call 678.507.2500.

####