Verizon Earns State Commendations for Excellent Service in Four New York City Areas

NEW YORK - The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC), recognizing Verizon's ongoing commitment to exceptional customer service, has commended the company for providing excellent local phone service in four areas of the city during 2005.

The commendations for service excellence reflect Verizon's dedication to developing and improving its New York telecommunications network. The PSC recognized Verizon for its operations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Northern Manhattan and, for the third year in a row, Southern Manhattan. The commendations are part of the PSC's annual program to recognize local telephone companies throughout the state when they exceed tough service standards for customer repair reports and customer complaints to the PSC.

"Our goal is to provide the best possible service to all of our customers," said Monica Azare, Verizon senior vice president for New York and Connecticut. "These commendations from the PSC recognize the dedication and hard work of Verizon's employees, who work day and night, often under difficult circumstances, to ensure the happiness and satisfaction of our customers.

"I thank the Public Service Commission for this recognition, and congratulate the Verizon employees for their dedication to upholding the service-quality edge in New York," Azare added.

The PSC's commendations recognize Verizon's continued commitment to enhancing its network, including the company's significant investment in its new fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network, which is bringing exciting new FiOS Internet Service and FiOS TV to communities across the state. The network, the largest of its kind in the country, is currently under construction in more than half of the states where the company offers landline communications services, including more than 200 New York communities

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks; and one of the nation's premier wireline networks, serving home, business and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

####