Verizon Is Expanding Fast, Affordable, DSL-Enabled High Speed Internet Service to More Than 17,000 Consumers in New Neighborhoods in 17 Massachusetts Communities

Thousands more Massachusetts residents and businesses now have access to Verizon High Speed Internet (HSI), allowing them to quickly download movies, share photos or videos with friends and family, and create their own Internet content.

Verizon has installed testing equipment and high-capacity data circuits in additional neighborhoods in 16 more communities to provide High Speed Internet service, and will add additional neighborhoods in a 17th community in the spring - for a total of 17,000 lines.  

The 16 communities are Adams, Athol, Barre, East Longmeadow, Falmouth, Hampden, Holyoke, Ludlow, North Brookfield, Provincetown, Quincy, Rutland, Shelburne Falls, Southbridge, Sturbridge and Wellfleet.  The 17th community is Roxbury.

Verizon is enabling more residents and businesses to make the high-speed connections that are important to them," said Donna Cupelo, president of Verizon's New England region.  "Verizon's investment in these 17 Massachusetts communities means that more customers have access to affordable High Speed Internet service, backed by the reliability and security of Verizon's network."

Consumers can bundle their HSI service - which is based on digital subscriber line (DSL) technology - with voice or DIRECTV service, or both, to take advantage of big savings on great broadband and entertainment packages. Consumers can get more information on Verizon's HSI service or other money-saving bundles by calling 1-888-214-4460 or visiting www.verizon.com/morereliable.

"We have some great promotional offers in place right now for new customers, so this is the perfect time to sign up for Verizon High Speed Internet service," said Cupelo.

Verizon is offering the first six months of HSI free when ordering Verizon's up-to- 1, 3 or 7.1 megabits per second (Mbps)* service as part of a one-year agreement with the company.  The offer expires Jan. 16, 2010.

The six-months-free offer also extends to consumers who choose to bundle their up-to- 3 or 7.1 Mbps HSI service with Verizon Freedom Essentials unlimited domestic long-distance calling and award-winning DIRECTV service.

New customers can order a triple-play bundle with up-to- 3 or 7.1 Mbps HSI, DIRECTV®PLUS DVR package and Freedom Essentials (unlimited local and long-distance calling) for just $70 per month** for the first six months.  During the second six months of an annual plan, the bundle with up-to-3 Mbps service is $94.99 per month, and the bundle with up-to-7.1 Mbps service is just $10 more, at $104.99 per month.

A double-play bundle that combines up-to- 3 or 7.1 Mbps HSI with Verizon Freedom Essentials unlimited domestic long-distance calling - and free HSI for the first six months - also is available for $40 per month for the first six months of the plan.  During the second six months of an annual plan, the bundle with up-to-3 Mbps service is $69.99 per month, and the bundle with up-to-7.1 Mbps service is just $10 more, at $79.99 per month.

With these 3 Mbps and 7.1 Mbps packages, customers also get free access to thousands of free Verizon Wi-Fi hot spots around the country, including various retail and high-traffic locations.  A full listing of the Verizon Wi-Fi hot spots can be found at www.verizon.net/hotspots.

Verizon HSI also provides a gateway to other valuable services.  For example, five times more storage space has been added to the Verizon Online Backup and Sharing service at the same low prices.  For just $8.99 per month, customers can now get 25 gigabytes of storage and Verizon's Internet Security Suite, which offers extensive online protection from spyware and viruses while also providing firewall protection, parental controls, pop-up blocker and privacy manager software.  In addition to more storage, both services now support Mac computers. 

To help ensure customers are protected from unexpected repairs or replacement costs, Verizon offers its Protection Pak Enhanced package covering repair and replacement on all eligible in-home TVs, PCs and phones - regardless of brand, age or place of purchase - for just $19.99 per month.    

Verizon High Speed Internet service, which is delivered on a dedicated line from Verizon's central switching office to the customer's home or business, is the company's most widely available broadband data service, with more than 25 million households qualifying for HSI in parts of 24 states and the District of Columbia.  Verizon customers can get Verizon's High Speed Internet service as long as their homes or businesses are located within approximately three miles of the nearest DSL-enabled Verizon switching office.  The service is backed by live, 24 x 7 customer service and technical support.

* Internet speeds refer to the connection speed between the user's location and Verizon's central office. Actual surfing speeds will vary based on many factors and may be lower than connection speed.

** Plus applicable taxes and fees.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 89 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 230,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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