DSL Costs Less and Goes Further with New Pricing Option and Linksys Wireless Routers from Verizon Online

NEW YORK -- Verizon Online just made high-speed Internet access more affordable and more useful. Customers can now choose Verizon's new, $39.95 monthly pricing option and Linksys wireless routers for sharing one digital subscriber line (DSL) connection among multiple computers at home.

"Verizon doesn't charge extra for every computer you connect to a router, or any additional monthly router maintenance fees, the way many cable TV companies and other DSL providers do," said Andrea Custis, group president -- sales and marketing for Verizon Advanced Services. "We encourage customers to get as much value as possible from their DSL, and home networking is a great way to get everyone at home doing more, learning more and having more fun online."

Consumers who order Verizon Online DSL service before Dec. 19 can now choose between two pricing options for its most popular DSL service package:

• $39.95 a month, every month, with an annual commitment (early termination fee applies)

• $29.95 a month for the first three months, then $49.95 thereafter with no annual commitment and no termination fee

In addition, customers in New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania can receive Verizon Online DSL service for $34.95 a month when they sign up for the Veriations^sm All plan that includes DSL, wireless, long-distance and local and regional toll services from Verizon.

All DSL access options include a do-it-yourself installation kit with a modem, a 30-day money-back guarantee and no activation charges.

Verizon Online now also sells and supports wireless routers for the home from Linksys.

"Just imagine -- no more arguments over whose turn it is to use the DSL," said Custis. "A wireless router gives you the freedom and flexibility of sharing one DSL connection among multiple computers anywhere within its range in your home -- even outside on the porch or patio."

Residential customers can choose between the Linksys EtherFast Broadband Router for $99.99 or the Linksys Wireless Broadband Router for $179.99. Verizon provides a free Ethernet cable needed for the connection to the modem with each router purchased. Required wireless network cards and wireless USB adapters from Linksys are also available for $89.99 each. PC World magazine awarded the Linksys Wireless Router its World Class Award for best networking product for the past two years and recently recognized it as the best overall hardware product for 2002.

Customers can see if their telephone line qualifies for DSL service by visiting Verizon Online's Web site at www.verizon.net.

"We're continuing to expand the availability of DSL around the country, so it's a good idea to keep checking our Web site to see if your line now qualifies," Custis said.

Verizon is one of the nation's leading broadband providers with more than 1.5 million DSL lines in service. Verizon Online is a full-service Internet service provider, offering a complete suite of dial-up, DSL and dedicated Internet access services for residential consumers and small and medium-size businesses. Dial-up and dedicated Internet access from Verizon Online is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. DSL Internet access services are available in 27 states and the District. Verizon Online also offers businesses a robust portfolio of Web hosting and business e-mail services across the country.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 135.1 million access line equivalents and 30.3 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and approximately 241,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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