Verizon Earns FCC Approval To Offer Long-Distance Service to Consumers in Virginia

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

Virginia becomes the 11th state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions where Verizon has federal approval to offer long-distance service. Verizon can now offer long-distance in 47 states, which have approximately 90 percent of the company's phone lines nationwide.

"Consumers are reaping the full benefits of competition in the states where we have been allowed to offer our competitive long-distance plans," said Robert Woltz, president of Verizon Virginia. "Consumers in the Commonwealth soon will enjoy these same benefits.

"Competitors answer Verizon's entry into the long-distance market with their own long-distance offerings and accelerate their entry in the local markets as well," said Woltz. "Consumers are the biggest winners from this increased competition."

Verizon plans to launch its long-distance calling plans in Virginia early next month. (For more information on Verizon's long-distance offerings, visit the company's Web site at www.verizonld.com.)

"Verizon will offer a surprise-free menu of long-distance services that provide great value - particularly for consumers who don't currently subscribe to a long-distance plan," said Maura Breen, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Retail Markets. "We offer our customers the ease and convenience of having one supplier, one bill and easy-to-understand service packages designed to meet their unique calling needs."

Verizon has 9.8 million long-distance customers and is the country's fourth-largest long-distance company.

Later this year, the company plans to ask the FCC for approval to offer long-distance in Maryland, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. -- the three remaining jurisdictions of the former Bell Atlantic service area where the company is not yet authorized to provide long-distance.

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 135.0 million access line equivalents and 31.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and more than 236,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 35 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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