Verizon Deploys Advanced Electronic Equipment To Better Serve Montgomery County, Pa. Customers

NORRISTOWN, Pa. -- Verizon customers in areas of Montgomery County near Philadelphia will benefit from added telecommunications capacity and reliability as the result of a $3 million investment to upgrade and expand the company's telecommunications network.

Verizon recently installed advanced electronic equipment that enables the company's fiber-optic cables to carry up to16 times more voice and data transmissions. The fiber cables carry DS-1, DS-3 and SONET (synchronous optical network) services, which allow businesses to transmit data at very high speeds. SONET rings also provide multiple routes for voice and high-speed data services and are self-healing, automatically rerouting telecommunications transmissions in the event of a service disruption.

Verizon installed the new equipment, known as dense wave division multiplexers in its network between Norristown and King of Prussia, Ardmore and Wayne and Bryn Mawr and Ardmore. This equipment also will help Verizon meet increasing demand for future high-capacity data and long-distance services without digging up streets to install additional cable. The company plans to deploy similar equipment throughout the Philadelphia metropolitan area and other parts of Pennsylvania.

In addition to its latest Montgomery County investment, Verizon continues to install fiber-optic cable throughout the commonwealth. Fiber-optic systems use hair-thin glass fibers and digital technology to deliver high-quality telephone service along with sophisticated data communications services. Verizon Pennsylvania ranks fourth among the nation's local telephone companies in fiber-optic cable installed in its network, according to reports compiled by the Federal Communications Commission.

"This project underscores Verizon's commitment to build and maintain a state-of-the-art telecommunications network throughout Pennsylvania," said Daniel J. Whelan, president of Verizon Pennsylvania. "We continue to upgrade our infrastructure to provide rural, suburban and urban customers with better quality service, as well as the platform for high-speed access to the Internet, work-at-home capabilities and a host of other innovative services."

Verizon is continuing to make a substantial investment in its Pennsylvania telecommunications network in 2002. The company has invested approximately $3 billion in the commonwealth over the last three years.

"We are building an advanced telecommunications network that will stimulate job and income growth and will make Pennsylvania one of the most attractive locations for corporations and individuals," Whelan said.

In addition to deploying the latest technology, Verizon offers Pennsylvanians a complete range of telecommunications services, including local, regional and long-distance calling, data, high-speed Internet and wireless services.

"The level of telecom competition in Pennsylvania today is unprecedented," said Whelan. "Verizon's entry into the long-distance market last October is accelerating that competition. And consumers are the winners, because they are seeing real savings in their pockets, just as consumers in other states have benefited when full competition became a fact of life."

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 135.1 million access line equivalents and 30.3 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and approximately 241,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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