More Than 17,700 Additional Households, Primarily in Pinellas and Polk Counties, to Gain Access to FiOS

Consumers in several Tampa Bay area communities  will have access to the fastest, most consistent, most reliable broadband connection available in America as Verizon, starting Tuesday (April 17), makes FiOS service available to more than 17,700 additional households over the next several months.

Consumers in these new "open for sale" addresses, located primarily in Pinellas and Polk counties, will have a competitive alternative to their traditional cable provider.  (Note: See end of release for a list of affected communities.)  In addition to offering broadband service that is the most reliable such service at all times, according to testing by the Federal Communications Commission, Verizon's all-fiber network also delivers a TV service rated higher in overall reliability by Verizon customers than cable and satellite customers rate their TV services (based on ChangeWave Research, 2011). 

Now, Tampa Bay-area consumers can add the most reliable and consistent over-the-top viewing experience on FiOS broadband according to Netflix; borderless video viewing driven by Flex View and FiOS TV Online; more than 30,000 on demand titles; crystal-clear high-definition TV; the MY FiOS app for account and entertainment management possibilities no matter where they are;  access to new home monitoring and management services via Home Monitoring and Control - and more.  As a result, the value delivered by the all-fiber network and Verizon is difficult to match.

"We know that consumers in these communities have been waiting for FiOS to become available to them for some time," said Jeanmarie Milla, Verizon's Florida region operations president.  "Starting immediately and continuing over the next few months, we believe these customers will discover the difference a life on FiOS offers, including the fastest Internet available, crystal-clear HD TV, highly reliable voice services and an entertainment experience that is not limited to any one device or location."

Verizon will contact residents directly when the company completes the required fiber splicing and other engineering work and launches FiOS service.  Areas affected will include:  

PINELLAS COUNTY - approximately 8,000 households.  Communities include St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Seminole, Clearwater, Countryside, Dunedin, Largo/Indian Rocks and Tarpon Springs.

POLK COUNTY - approximately 8,000 households.  Communities include Lakeland, Haines City, Winter Haven and Mulberry.

SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTIES - approximately 800 households.  Communities include east Bradenton, Nokomis and North Port.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY - approximately 600 households in Plant City.

With the latest additions, FiOS service will be available to more than 1.17 million households in the area.

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 consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with nearly 108 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 194,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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