Verizon Business Listed in Leaders Quadrant for U.S. Managed and Professional Network Service Providers

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Verizon Business has been listed by Gartner Inc., a leading industry analyst firm, in the leaders quadrant of a report entitled "Magic Quadrant for U.S. Managed and Professional Network Service Providers, 1H06."*

The latest Gartner Magic Quadrant examines network service providers that had annual network information technology (IT) service revenue of $200 million or more, directly provide IT management services in support of customer wide-area-networking (WAN) environments, and serve clients throughout the United States, among other key criteria.

A Magic Quadrant listing is significant because Gartner recommends companies use its report to find the right providers to meet their communications requirements.

"We believe our position in the Leaders Quadrant of this highly regarded industry evaluation underscores the innovation and investment Verizon Business has made in developing one of the most extensive portfolios of managed and professional networking services," said Nancy Gofus, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Verizon Business. "Our comprehensive global managed offerings, combined with our leading network management platform IMPACT and a customer-first service delivery model, offer enterprises a complete package."

According to Gartner, the percentage of large businesses that outsource network management and operation functions will increase from 30 percent in 2006 to 60 percent in 2010. Third-party network management can help businesses enhance service levels, reduce costs and improve network visibility.

Gartner considered a number of criteria in assessing companies for inclusion in the Magic Quadrant. In addition to ability to execute and completeness of vision, Gartner examined network IT services including management, maintenance, development and integration, consulting and expense management.

As part of its assessment methodology, Gartner placed considerable focus on the relationship between managed network services providers and their customers. Through a series of customer interviews, Gartner obtained detailed customer-specific information on experiences with each provider and the provider's execution capabilities. This information included the provider's alignment with customer business requirements, technical migration proficiencies and operational commitments.

"During the first six months of 2006, Verizon Business added significant capabilities to its managed services portfolio, with the introduction of expense management, managed wireless LAN and security assessment services," said Gofus. "As we finish 2006 and move into 2007, customers will benefit from additional portfolio enhancements, with services being added to our WAN-LAN, telephony, application, enterprise mobility and expense management services. In addition, Verizon Business will continue to enhance the functionality of its customer portal and other customer-service oriented applications."

Today, Verizon Business manages nearly 3,400 customer networks in 142 countries, including overseeing more than 25,000 non-Verizon connections from more than 60 network providers around the world. As the former MCI, the company received the 2005 Frost & Sullivan Customer Service Leadership Award and the 2005 InfoWorld 100 Award. Verizon Business leads the industry in service-level commitments and IMPACT, the company's management platform, underscores a legacy of service and innovation.

About the Magic Quadrant The Magic Quadrant for U.S. Managed and Professional Network Service Providers, 1H06 is copyrighted July 10, 2006, by Gartner, Inc. and is reused with permission. The Magic Quadrant is a graphical representation of a marketplace at and for a specific time period. It depicts Gartner's analysis of how certain vendors measure against criteria for that marketplace, as defined by Gartner. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in the Magic Quadrant, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors placed in the "Leaders" quadrant. The Magic Quadrant is intended solely as a research tool, and is not meant to be a specific guide to action. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Verizon Business Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large business and government customers worldwide. Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced technology and professional service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.
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* Gartner Research "Magic Quadrant for U.S. Managed and Professional Network Service Providers, 1H06" by E. Goodness, D. Neil and D. Willis. July 10, 2006