FCC Ruling Boosts Verizon's Ability to Compete for Large Business Customers

WASHINGTON - Large businesses and long-distance carriers in 46 markets will reap
the benefits of competition in telecommunications services as a result of a ruling issued today by
the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).

The ruling grants Verizon Communications the ability to charge market-driven prices for
some special services it offers to these customers, giving the company the same flexibility that its
competitors already have. The ruling affects dedicated point-to-point services purchased by
large business customers and long-distance carriers for telecommunications services between
states. For example, these services include dedicated high-speed lines these customers use to
connect to multiple locations across the country.

"Competition in the special services market is fierce with dozens of companies in the
hunt," said Tom Tauke, vice president for public policy and external affairs for Verizon. "This
ruling acknowledges that intense competition and gives us the ability to set prices based on
market demand rather than regulatory fiat."

Previously, Verizon's prices for these services were controlled by price regulations. The
ruling affects the company's offerings in such metropolitan areas as New York, Washington,
Philadelphia, Tampa, Dallas-Fort Worth and Los Angeles.

"This is good news for us and our large business customers," said Eduardo Menasce,
president of Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group. "Today's FCC ruling levels the competitive
playing field for these special access services by giving us the flexibility to offer more
competitive prices while providing highly customized solutions for our largest customers."
The ruling applies to 43 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) and three states. Complete
pricing flexibility was granted in 10 of the MSAs and Delaware. Partial pricing flexibility was
granted in the remaining MSAs, Maryland and Vermont. A complete list of the markets appears at the end of this release.

###

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 nearly 109 million access line equivalents and more than 27.5 million wireless
customers. Verizon is also the world's largest provider of print and online directory information. A
Fortune 10 company with approximately 260,000 employees and more than $63 billion in annual
revenues, 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.