Verizon Business Expands Ultra-Long-Haul (ULH) Network to Asia-Pacific Region

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Verizon Business is expanding its ultra-long-haul (ULH) network to enhance communication services for companies doing business in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region.

The company will deploy 155 kilometers (96.3 miles) of ULH network in Japan between Tokyo and Maruyama. The latest ULH expansion, part of Verizon Business' planned 2008 investment to advance the company's industry-leading global network capabilities, complements Verizon Business' pioneering deployments of the high-capacity optical technology in the United States and Europe.

ULH transports information (data, video, voice) over long distances more reliably and quickly because it requires fewer signal regenerators.

"Expansion of our ULH network reflects Verizon Business' commitment to meet the evolving needs of our business and government customers worldwide," said Joe Cook, vice president of global network engineering and planning for Verizon Business. "We're constantly improving on our already exceptional network reliability and speed."

The company already has deployed and activated more than 51,500 kilometers (32,000 miles) of ULH in the U.S. and plans to add 6,437 kilometers (4,000 miles) by year-end. New key routes are Seattle to Portland, Ore.; Denver to Dallas; New York City to Baltimore; St. Louis to Memphis, Tenn.; Indianapolis to Nashville, Tenn.; Atlanta to Mobile, Ala.; Buffalo, N.Y., to New York City; Portland, Ore., to Sacramento, Calif.; and Boston to New York City.

In Europe, Verizon Business completed 3,100 kilometers (1,926 miles) of ULH network in late 2007 on the core backbone network and turned up service in April of this year. Main network hubs are located in London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris and Brussels.

When completed, the ULH network will extend 80,467 kilometers (50,000 miles). ULH enhances delivery of high-bandwidth applications such as video, wireless, high-speed Internet, multimedia content distribution, real-time imaging, storage networking and Web services. With its ability to transmit signals up to 2,000 kilometers (approximately four times farther than traditional technology) without regeneration, ULH allows elimination of thousands of pieces of equipment and physical connections among network elements. This improves network performance and efficiency while also allowing quicker network restoration and provisioning. 

Capable of delivering both 10 gigabits-per-second (Gbps) and 40 Gbps signals, the Verizon Business ULH system enables delivery of next-generation services such as MPLS, SONET and synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH), as well as IP. As the company deploys 40 Gbps on selected routes, customers benefit from enhanced overall performance and responsiveness on those routes.

Initially announced in 2004, Verizon Business was the first major communications service provider to deploy an extensive ULH network in the United States.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), operates the world's most connected public IP network and uses its industry-leading global-network capabilities to offer large-business and government customers an unmatched combination of security, reliability and speed.  The company integrates advanced IP communications and information technology (IT) products and services to deliver leading enterprise solutions including managed services, security, mobility, collaboration and professional services.  These solutions power innovation and enable the company's customers to do business better. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.

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