Verizon Deploys Advanced Technology to Help the World Watch U.S. Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20

WASHINGTON - To help the news media transmit the images, sounds and words of President Bush's inauguration to audiences around the world, Verizon is deploying an array of advanced services and fiber-optic technologies - including the largest video switching center operated by any telecommunications company in the country.

Verizon, the primary supplier of wireline services for the ceremony on Jan. 20, has assigned a special team of technicians, engineers, customer-service representatives and managers to install voice circuits, DSL broadband lines, video connections and other services.

In addition to the advanced fiber-optic technology Verizon already has in place here, Verizon technicians have deployed an additional 5,000 feet of temporary fiber-optic links to several rooftop camera locations and corner camera platforms. Also, Verizon employees are installing more than 40,000 feet of coaxial cable to broadcasters' cameras and production vehicles located in the field.

To make better use of existing fiber-optic facilities and to handle the expected demand of about 200 video lines to link field locations with station or network broadcast facilities, the company is deploying specialized electronics that enable fiber-optic cables to carry much more information than they were designed for. These technologies, which use different wavelengths of laser-generated light, are known as: time division multiplexing (TDM), wave division multiplexing (WDM), coarse wave division multiplexing (CWDM) and dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM). Verizon also expects to provide some high-definition TV circuits for several TV networks.

While many news media outlets and government agencies have already ordered video, broadband or voice circuits, Verizon expects there will be some unanticipated demand for data lines on the days leading up to the inauguration or on the day itself. To meet that need, Verizon has pre-deployed about 90 DSL broadband Internet access links. This will allow a media outlet that needs DSL service to order and receive it almost immediately - bypassing the normal ordering and installation process.

Overall, Verizon expects to install about 500 voice circuits, in addition to the DSL lines and video connections.

"This is a very important event, and we are using the best technology and service processes available to make sure the news media as well as government officials have what they need to communicate on Jan. 20," said Jeannie Diefenderfer, Verizon senior vice president of national services. "And we also realize there are going to be needs that won't arise until that day - so we are doing everything we can to be ready and flexible to help our customers."

To handle normal demands from news media outlets covering the nation's capital, Verizon operates in Washington the Audio Visual Operations Center (AVOC). It is the largest video-switching center operated by any telecommunications company in the country. In advance of the inauguration this year, Verizon upgraded the center by adding new digital transmission and switching equipment.

In addition to technicians normally assigned for work in the Washington area, the company has assigned 14 technicians to work full-time on inauguration orders and related network construction. Verizon has also established a dedicated center to handle orders from the news media.

[Note: If you represent a news media outlet and you need to order service from Verizon, you can call 866-303-2202 during normal business hours.]

Verizon Communications Inc.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. With a diverse work force of approximately 208,000, Verizon has four business units: Domestic Telecom serves customers based in 29 states with wireline telecommunications services, including broadband, nationwide long-distance and other services. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 42.1 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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