Verizon and the National Federation of Independent Business Form Alliance to Help Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Nationwide

WASHINGTON -- Verizon has established a new working relationship with the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's largest advocacy organization representing small and independent businesses here and in all 50 state capitals.

This alliance between the NFIB and Verizon will allow the two organizations to exchange ideas and feedback that will better help small and independent businesses across the country.

"Verizon is an avid supporter of the small- and medium-sized business community," said Eric Fitzgerald Reed, director of market issues and policy for Verizon. "We offer solutions for every business and provide exclusive content on Verizon Online's Business Center (http://business.verizon.net) where small- and medium-sized business owners can enroll in classes and get advice from leading management experts.

"We expect to work closely with NFIB to further engage the small- and medium-sized business community," Reed said.

Todd Stottlemyer, president and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business, said, "It's great that a company like Verizon continues to keep coming up with new and cost-efficient products and services for the small-business community. We appreciate their support and their forward thinking -- small businesses create two-thirds of the new jobs in our country -- and we look forward to our newfound alliance."

NFIB's Small-Business Summit is being held at the Grand Hyatt, 1000 H Street, NW, in Washington June 18-20. Verizon is providing wireless voice and data broadband Internet connections to attendees via EV-DO links furnished by Verizon Wireless.

Reed will be Verizon's representative in engaging NFIB activities and members in promoting small-business success, especially by offering Verizon's guidance on issues of putting telecommunications to work in the business and getting the best value for the telecommunications dollar.

Verizon offers various products and services that allow small businesses to customize the solutions they need to better compete in the marketplace. Solutions like high-speed broadband access, e-mail encryption and communications management tools like iobi Professional, are becoming increasingly critical for small businesses seeking to integrate the latest wireline and wireless communications technologies. Analyst firm Frost & Sullivan recently cited Verizon for offering one of the most robust portfolios of products and services to small businesses. For more information visit www.verizon.com.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, 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 53 million customers nationwide. Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks. Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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