Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in North Carolina Can Now Sign Up for Unlimited Calling Packages From Verizon at One Low Monthly Price

DURHAM, N.C. - Small and medium-sized businesses in North Carolina can now sign up for Verizon Freedom for Business packages that offer unlimited usage for a fixed monthly fee, plus additional savings with a one-year commitment.  Business owners can pick the calling package that best meets their local and long-distance calling needs.

"Eliminating per-call or per-period usage charges is a fundamental change in the way we do business, and we are excited to bring these savings to our customers," said John Ferrell, Verizon's general manager-operations for the Southeast region. "We don't want our small-business customers to have to think about the costs associated with making business calls and getting unpredictable monthly bills. We know that when they are on the phone, they want to be focused on the call, not on how many minutes have gone by or how much the call will cost."

According to Ferrell, the new calling packages are part of Verizon's strategy to fully support the success of the small-business market segment and deliver products and services that meet the needs of these companies.

Verizon Freedom for Business offers unprecedented flexibility at very competitive rates. Depending on the Freedom package, customers can get unlimited direct-dialed regional, domestic and long-distance calls, and key features like Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, Three-Way Calling, Caller ID and Voicemail. Additionally, businesses can add Verizon High Speed Internet for Business for up to 20 percent off per month when bundled with Verizon Freedom for Business, if the one-bill option is selected.

For $9 to $12 per month, or $5 to $8 per month with a one-year commitment, small-business owners can make unlimited regional toll calls.

The most robust Freedom package, which includes unlimited regional toll and long-distance calling, is priced at $24 to $27 per month, or $20 to $23 per month with a one-year commitment. The prices vary based on whether local calling is included in the monthly line charges.

Long-term commitments are not required, and this is not a limited-time offer. Prices for the calling plans are in addition to the monthly cost of the line itself. Taxes and fees also apply.

Verizon offers a variety of products and services that allow small businesses to customize the solutions they need to better compete in the marketplace, including innovations like the business toolbar and e-mail encryption. For news, tools, and information specific to small business visit Verizon's Small Business Center at http://business.verizon.net.

For additional information about these calling packages please visit www.verizon.com/yourbusiness30 or call Verizon at 888-447-1357.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 59 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which operates one of the most expansive wholly owned global IP networks, and Verizon Telecom, which is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 242,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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