Verizon Customers in Delaware Can Now Get Unlimited Direct-Dialed Local, Regional and Domestic Long-Distance Calling

WILMINGTON, Del. -- Verizon customers in Delaware can now take advantage of one of the best deals in home calling services -- the Verizon Freedom unlimited all-distance calling package. The new package, launched throughout the state today, includes unlimited direct-dialed local, regional and long-distance calling plus the most popular call-management features for one low monthly price.

The Verizon Freedom calling package covers all direct-dialed domestic calls as well as calls to Canada and United States territories. Also included at no extra charge are five of Verizon's most popular call-management features: Home Voice Mail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, Three-Way Calling and Speed Dialing of eight numbers. The package costs $54.95.

"The main advantage of the Verizon Freedom calling package is its simplicity," said Jill Wagner, vice president of consumer marketing for Verizon. "Since we launched the package in several states in the first quarter of the year, the sales of Freedom have eclipsed our initial projections by a wide margin. With this package, customers can just make the call -- or as many calls as they want -- any time, and talk for as long as they like.

"When Verizon launched long-distance, we promised to give customers the services they want, packaged the way they want them, and to keep things simple," she said. "Our customers want flat-rated, comprehensive packages, and the Verizon Freedom calling package is the answer. Verizon Long Distance has quickly become the third-largest nationwide provider of long-distance service, and we're aiming for the top."

In addition to unlimited all-distance calling the Verizon Freedom plan offers, customers can also add an unlimited DSL option for an additional $29.95 a month -- a $5 monthly discount off the normal $34.95 price.

Jeff Kagan, telecommunications industry analyst, said, "Customers love bundled services, but hate watching the clock. The future is not just about the simplicity of bundles, but also about buckets of minutes and unlimited minutes for a flat fee. Verizon is tapping into one of the most important trends in the industry today. It is a very competitive offering and will keep Verizon on the cutting edge."

Verizon broke new ground last year with full-service packages that include calling, wireless service and Internet access at significant discounts.

The unlimited long-distance calling allowance, provided by Verizon Long Distance, includes direct-dialed calls to anywhere in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific. The Verizon Freedom package may be combined with certain Verizon international calling plans.

The new package will simplify customer bills. A single line item will cover all relevant package charges, and call detail will not be provided, except as an option where required by state regulations.

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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