South Jersey Consumers Have Even More Reasons to Celebrate the New Year: Verizon's FiOS Arrives, Bringing a New Choice for TV in 11 Gloucester County Communities

NEWARK, N.J. - Gloucester County consumers have yet another reason to ring in the New Year as Verizon announced Tuesday (Jan. 8) that its industry-leading FiOS TV and broadband products are now available in parts of 11 Gloucester communities, with more to come soon.

The company is bringing consumers an alternative to cable with its FiOS TV and broadband services, which are provided on the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network straight to consumers' homes.

"It's time to celebrate with a New Year's resolution:  Cut your cable and take advantage of Verizon's FiOS -- a spectacular network for 2008 and beyond," said Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey.   "FiOS TV brings something to consumers they've never had before, with incredible pictures and sound clarity and innovative new services - all from a brand they know and trust."

Verizon is taking orders for FiOS TV in parts of Deptford, Franklin, Glassboro, Mantua, Monroe, National Park, Pitman, Washington Township, West Deptford, Woodbury and Woodbury Heights.  With today's announcement, Verizon now offers FiOS TV in nearly 270 New Jersey communities, with many more scheduled to go online later this year. 

"Verizon is the only company providing fiber all the way to homes and businesses, where it makes a huge difference in the voice, Internet and TV service customers receive," said William Foshay, general manager for Verizon's New Jersey region.  "FiOS is the most reliable voice, the best TV picture quality and the fastest Internet.  Period. "

Bone added, "We've harnessed the speed and capacity of fiber-based broadband with the power of broadcast to create a revolutionary, new entertainment experience."

New Jersey consumers can check online at www.verizon.com/nj/savebig  to see if FiOS TV is already available in their area, or to request that Verizon contact them when FiOS TV becomes available.  Customers also can call their local Verizon sales office or 1-877-4-FIOS-TV (1-877-434-6788).

Service Highlights

Verizon's FiOS TV Premier package delivers 200 all-digital channels, including 29 high-definition (HD) channels in the South Jersey market and access to more than 10,000 on-demand titles, 60 percent of which are free. 

All Verizon FiOS TV-eligible customers in New Jersey have the option to trim their monthly bill by bundling FiOS TV service, FiOS Internet service and the Verizon Freedom Essentials voice service - all for about $95 a month.  In addition, consumers who sign up by February 3 and have the service installed by March 1 are also eligible for a free Magnavox 19-inch LCD high-definition TV.

Verizon offers three set-top boxes: standard definition for $4.99 per month; high definition, which includes HD channels, for $9.99 per month; and a dual-tuner, HD-capable digital video recorder for $12.99 per month.

Verizon also offers innovative features not available from other providers, such as Home Media DVR (digital video recorder) and FiOS TV Widgets.  Home Media DVR has a multi-room DVR feature enabling up to three simultaneous viewings of recorded programs without requiring customers to set up a complex home network or buy extra equipment.  Customers also can access photos and music on their PCs and play them on their TV.  FiOS TV Widgets is a free interactive feature that provides viewers with local weather and traffic information while they're watching their favorite shows.

Delivered over Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network, FiOS TV is a formidable competitor to cable and satellite.  Verizon's FTTP network delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen.  The company's fiber network also delivers Internet download speeds of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps, as well as high-quality voice service.*

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 24 x 7 technical assistance by phone from its specialized Fiber Solutions Centers.

* NOTE: actual (throughput) speeds will vary.

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 63.7 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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