The Future of Television on Display in Long Beach

Consumer electronics fans are well aware of the new wave of Internet-connectible televisions and add-on media player boxes that are coming to market.  But what they may not know is that the advanced features and functions that these devices promise are standard fare on Verizon FiOS TV today - without having to buy add-on hardware or hassle with its installation.

Rich, interactive widget applications; watching Web video on the TV; streaming personal multi-media (photos, music, home video) from the home computer to the TV screen; multi-room DVR viewing; and now, Flex View multi-screen (TV-PC-Smartphone) video: These are all available for hands-on testing at the Friday (Nov. 19) opening of the redesigned Verizon Plus store in Long Beach.

"The unique, leading-edge features that make FiOS TV such an incredibly different experience from anything else available also serve to make it an incredibly rich value for our customers," said Margaret Serjak, president of operations for Verizon California. "The latest interactive applications and entertainment capabilities are already built in to FiOS TV and included with the service. Before investing thousands of dollars in a new connectible HD TV or hundreds more for an add-on TV box, we think it makes sense to see and try FiOS TV, and then decide."

The Verizon Plus store in Long Beach, located at 14 E. Willow St., is one of several California stores being redesigned to give customers a true connected-home experience through Verizon's array of advanced fiber-optic network and wireless network products.  In addition to FiOS TV, visitors can test drive FiOS Internet - offering the nation's only symmetric broadband speeds (35/35 Mbps or 25/25 Mbps) - and the new FiOS Flex View multi-screen video feature that empowers users to watch their content whenever and wherever they choose on the TV, the computer or their mobile device. 

Visitors will also be able to try out Verizon Wireless smartphones and tablets powered by the largest and most reliable 3G network in America. Beginning Nov. 19, Verizon Wireless customers can add a new 3G smartphone on a secondary line and receive a credit equal to the cost of adding a line to a Nationwide Family SharePlan. The $9.99 monthly credit for the new line can save customers nearly $240 per line over the life of the two-year contract. 

Other Verizon Plus stores undergoing redesign are located in Victorville, Oxnard, Pomona and West Covina. An opening event for the West Covina store, at 326 S. California Ave., will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 20).

Long Beach City Councilmembers Dee Andrews and Gerrie Schipske and Verizon California executives will headline the 11 a.m. grand reopening ceremony at the Verizon Plus store in Long Beach. The Cabrillo High School steel drum band will provide the musical backdrop for the grand opening, which will be followed by product demonstrations and the presentation of a $15,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to the United Cambodian Community in support of the organization's efforts to advance literacy.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, awards grants each year to organizations working to promote literacy in California.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: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 93 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 more than 195,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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