FiOS Broadband and TV Services Now Available to More Residential Consumers in North Texas

IRVING, Texas - More North Texas consumers now can subscribe to Verizon's ground-breaking FiOS services, delivered over the company's all-digital fiber-optic network all the way to consumers' homes.

During the last year, Verizon expanded its industry-leading fiber-optic network in Allen, Bartonville, Colleyville, Double Oak, Flower Mound, Frisco, Grapevine, Keller, Plano and Watauga, bringing the reliability, power and capacity of fiber optics directly into more people's homes.

The initial expansion covers more than 27,000 households, and Verizon will continue to expand its FiOS services to more consumers in these communities throughout the year.

"Verizon's FiOS services have been enthusiastically received here in North Texas, and we've responded by expanding our fiber-optic network to customers who have asked for the services but live in neighborhoods just outside our traditional service areas," said Trinidad Aguirre, Verizon's president for the South West region.  "These customers will be the big winners because Verizon's FiOS services bring choices that they've never had before."

Eligible consumers in these ten communities now can experience FiOS TV, with more than 425 total channels in North Texas, including more than 100 high-definition (HD) channels - more than any area cable TV provider - and super-fast FiOS Internet service with downstream speeds of up to 50 megabits per second (Mbps).

A downloadable podcast featuring Aguirre discussing the latest expansion of FiOS TV in North Texas is available at http://verizon.mediaseed.tv/Story.aspx?story=36628.

Verizon delivers FiOS TV and FiOS Internet over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network straight to customers' homes and businesses, providing stunning picture-and-sound quality, a broad spectrum of content diversity, interactive features and the fastest Internet speeds, creating the ultimate home-entertainment experience. 

"With our superior product and great promotional offers, there's never been a better time to switch," said Aguirre.

Information on packages, prices and current promotions is available at www.verizon.com/fios.  North Texans also can call 1-888-SAY-FIOS (888-729-3467) for more information or to see if they qualify to order FiOS services.

FiOS TV service highlights include:

• More than 425 all-digital channels grouped by genres such as entertainment, sports, news, marketplace, movies and family, making it easy for audiences to find their favorite programming.
• More than 100 HD channels in North Texas, with extraordinary clarity and theater-quality sound.
• An industry-leading library of more than 14,000 VOD titles, 8,500 of which are available at no charge.  The VOD library includes more than 1,200 HD titles per month.
• A unique Home Media DVR that now allows customers to stream recorded HD programs to six other TV sets equipped with HD set-top boxes throughout the home.  The feature, which is also available for standard-definition programming, includes the ability to watch three separately recorded shows on three sets at the same time, plus pause recorded programming in one room and continue watching in another.

Broad programming choices for Hispanic, African-American, Asian, Russian and other multicultural audiences are available in every market.  And because FiOS TV has so much capacity, it has become an important outlet for emerging and independent networks to showcase their diverse programming.

The value of FiOS TV extends to the installation and customer support.  Specially trained Verizon technicians will install the service and acquaint subscribers with FiOS TV features and services.  Verizon is waiving the installation fee for up to three existing TV outlets, and there is no charge to install a needed optical network terminal at the subscriber's home.  Charges for other installation services, such as additional outlets, may apply.  Verizon provides live 24 x 7 technical assistance by phone from its Fiber Solutions Centers.

FiOS Internet delivers download speeds of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps.  In 2008, Verizon's FiOS Internet service was named the top pick in PC Magazine's 2008 readers' survey and also was named a winner in PC World Magazine's The 100 Best Products of 2008.  It was the second year in a row that the broadband service made both lists.