Consumers Rank Verizon as Most Trusted Communications Company to Protect Customer Privacy, in Ponemon Institute Survey

Verizon, which supports millions of customers by managing billions of personal communications flowing through its networks each year, has been ranked as the most trusted U.S. communications company in the Ponemon Institute's annual Most Trusted Companies for Privacy Consumer Survey.

The survey by research firm Ponemon Institute asked more than 6,600 adult U.S. consumers which companies they thought were most trustworthy and which did the best job safeguarding personal information.  In addition to being the highest-ranked communications company, Verizon ranked 14th among all U.S. companies, up from 17th last year.

"At a time when the public's sensitivity to privacy-related issues is growing, consumer recognition of Verizon as both an overall most-trusted brand as well as an industry segment leader is an important achievement," said Dr. Larry Ponemon, the Ponemon Institute's chairman and founder. "The results of this year's Most Trusted survey support our belief that consumers will recognize and reward brands that invest in the programs, systems and policies designed to protect and respect their privacy."

Kathy Zanowic, chief privacy officer for Verizon, said: "Securing the privacy of our customers' information is of tremendous importance at Verizon. In an era when cyber issues are in the headlines every day, we are vigilant in ensuring that we maintain our customers' confidence and trust.  We are honored to again be named to this list and to be first in our industry category."

For more information on the survey, visit www.ponemon.org

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 91 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of approximately 222,900 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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