High-Speed Internet Access Now Available in Georgetown From Verizon Online

GEORGETOWN, Texas - The speed limit along I-35 remains unchanged, but it has dramatically increased for local Internet users with the arrival of high-speed Internet access from Verizon Online.

The Internet unit of Verizon introduced its digital subscriber line (DSL) service in Georgetown this week, bringing an end to the "world wide wait" computer users endure when they dial into the Internet with an analog modem.

Verizon Online DSL service is available to many customers whose telephone number begins with the following prefixes: 763, 819, 863, 864, 868, 869, 930, 931, 942, 943 and 948. Due to technical limitations, customers should check to see if the service is available on their phone line. In Georgetown, the service initially will be available to approximately two-thirds of Verizon's local telephone customers.

"The popularity and demand for high-speed Internet access continues to soar among veteran and first-time Internet users," said Jimmy Shields, area manager-customer operations for Verizon in Georgetown. "People will enjoy the time-saving benefits of DSL. From small business applications and online shopping to downloading video clips and telecommuting, DSL provides the speed necessary to take full advantage of the Internet."

Verizon Online will demonstrate its DSL service for customers between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 20 during a technology fair at the Sun City Texas Ballroom.

DSL provides consumers and businesses with high-speed Internet access and remote access to corporate networks at speeds much faster than a traditional 56 kilobits per second (Kbps) dial-up modem. With DSL, customers also can use their phone and surf the Internet simultaneously over the same telephone line. And unlike cable modem service, in which neighbors share their bandwidth on a "party line," DSL gives customers a dedicated path to Verizon's switching center serving their neighborhood.

Four Internet DSL Packages Give Consumers Great Choice

Verizon Online offers four DSL packages for consumers, beginning with a $49.95 per month plan that provides maximum connection speeds of up to 768 Kbps, the most popular Verizon Online package.

In addition, Verizon Online offers packages for consumers priced at $59.95, $69.95 and $79.95. Those packages offer higher connection speeds and a few more features.

All Verizon Online DSL packages for consumers include 10 megabytes of Web storage, 10 megabytes of e-mail storage and four e-mail boxes. Charges for the service are conveniently included on a customer's monthly telephone bill.

Customers who order Verizon Online DSL service by Dec. 31 will save $250 in activation and modem charges. In addition, the company has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Customers also will receive a free Logitech Express Cam PC camera if they sign up online at www.verizononline.net or purchase Verizon Online DSL with a bundle of local telephone services from Verizon Texas.

Customers can call 1-877-483-5070 to find out if DSL service is available on their line and to order service. They also can check availability online at www.verizononline.net.

Verizon Online also offers five DSL packages for small and medium-sized business customers. The packages include the high-speed connection and a static Internet protocol (IP) address, which allows business customers to host their own servers for applications such as e-mail and Web sites. The business packages range from $69.95 to $169.95 and include six domain name e-mail boxes, domain name registration or transfer and DNS (Domain Name System).

Technical Definitions

DSL generally is available to homes and offices located within approximately three miles of a Verizon neighborhood switching center - or "central office" - provisioned for DSL service. Some technical limitations may block DSL from individual telephone lines, even when they are within the three-mile radius.

The downstream and upstream speeds describing Verizon Online's DSL services are theoretical maximum connection speeds between the customer's computer and Verizon's DSL equipment. Actual connection speeds will vary from the maximum speeds and often will be lower. Throughput or download speeds refer to the speed at which data is transferred to a customer's computer from the Internet and are lower than connection speeds. Download speeds will differ based on numerous factors, including the length of the customer's line (or distance) from telephone company facilities, condition of the phone line and inside wiring, network and Internet congestion, and the server and Web-site configurations of the Internet sites visited.

Kilobits per second (Kbps) and megabits per second (Mbps) are measures of how fast data is transmitted.

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 28 states and the District. Verizon Online also offers businesses a robust portfolio of Web hosting and outsourced e-mail services across the country.

Verizon Communications

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 125 million access line equivalents and approximately 28 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with about 260,000 employees and more than $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.