Verizon Earns FCC Approval To Offer Long-Distance Service to Pennsylvanians

WASHINGTON - Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) today received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to offer long-distance service in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is the fourth state in the Northeast where Verizon has received the approval required by the federal Telecommunications Act to offer long-distance service.

"Today's FCC action takes Pennsylvania to a new level of telecom competition," said Daniel J. Whelan, president of Verizon Pennsylvania. "The state's already-robust telecommunications marketplace will flourish as competitors attack the local market with renewed vigor, while Verizon competes for long-distance customers. And consumers will be the big winners."

"With this ruling, Pennsylvania consumers and businesses will be able to get a full palette of telecommunications services from Verizon, a company they know and trust," said Tom Tauke, Verizon senior vice president of public policy and external affairs. "Until now, Pennsylvanians could buy the whole range of their telecommunications services - from local to regional calling, long-distance and data services - only from our competitors.

"Verizon now will be able to offer the same range of services, and we look forward to doing just that," said Tauke.

"Verizon will offer a surprise-free menu of long-distance services that provide great value - particularly for consumers not currently subscribing to a long-distance plan," said Maura Breen, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Retail Markets. "We plan to help our customers harness the power of telecommunications with one supplier, one bill and easy-to-understand service packages designed to meet their unique calling needs."

Pennsylvania brings to 40 the number of states in which Verizon is able to offer long-distance service. Verizon recently announced that it had six million long-distance customers and is the country's fourth largest long-distance company.

On Sept. 5, Verizon notified the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities that it intends to file an application with the FCC in December to offer long-distance services in that state. The company also plans to seek long-distance approval in New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont by the end of this year.

Verizon Communications

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 125 million access line equivalents and approximately 28 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with about 260,000 employees and more than $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.