Verizon Announces Unlimited Usage, Fixed Fee Packages for Small Businesses in New York and Massachusetts

NEW YORK - Starting today, Verizon frees small businesses in New York and Massachusetts from per minute usage charges and spiraling telecommunications bills by introducing Verizon Freedom^SM for Business, a calling package that offers unlimited usage for a fixed monthly fee. This package includes unlimited, direct-dialed local, regional and domestic long-distance calls. As with other Verizon packages, the new plan qualifies customers for significant discounts on toll-free, DSL and Verizon Wireless services -- all on one convenient bill.

Verizon Freedom for Business elminates the per minute usage fees associated with business calls. The flat monthly rate gives small businesses the predictability they need to accurately budget their telecommunications costs and enables them to save money as well.

The new calling package is part of Verizon's strategy to increase its focus on the small business market segment and deliver products and services that meet the needs of these companies.

"This is not a temporary promotion. Eliminating usage charges is a fundamental change in the way we do business," said Michael Hassett, Verizon's vice president for business marketing. "We don't want customers to have to think about the costs associated with making business calls. And, we know they would rather be growing their business than spending time each month reviewing the charges on their bill.

"Designed for small businesses with two to 10 lines, Verizon Freedom for Business offers unprecedented flexibility at very competitive rates, easy to understand packages and bundles and the convenience of getting all the charges on one bill," said Hassett.

Value, Simplicity, Flexibility Equal Freedom for Small Businesses

Verizon Freedom for Business includes unlimited direct-dialed local, regional and domestic long-distance, billed on ONE-BILL for $38, plus local line charges. Long-term commitments are not required; nor is there an expiration date. The Verizon Freedom package also qualifies customers for additional discounts on the most popular services for small business. Optional bundles include a 20 percent discount on DSL, inbound toll-free calls at 6 cents per minute, and a 10 percent discount on Verizon Wireless service.

For additional information, Massachusetts and New York customers can visit the Verizon Website at www.verizonfreedomforbusiness.com, or call us at 1-866-424-6659.

Verizon Communications

A Fortune 10 company, 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 136.6 million access line equivalents and 33.3 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is the third-largest long-distance carrier for U.S. consumers, with 13.2 million long-distance lines, and the company is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. With approximately $67 billion in annual revenues and 227,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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