Verizon Expands Availability of Its TV Service to 19,000 More Households in Montgomery County, Maryland

POTOMAC, Md. - Consumers in more Montgomery County communities now have video choice, as Verizon announced Thursday (March 22) that its industry-leading FiOS TV service is available to 19,000 more households in Potomac, Chevy Chase, North Bethesda, Randolph Hills and the Montrose area.

The expansion comes as consumers continue to respond enthusiastically to Verizon's FiOS TV launch in the county in December.  FiOS TV service also is available in portions of the communities of Bethesda, Burtonsville, Colesville, Garrett Park, Glen Echo, Kensington, Silver Spring and Wheaton. A total of 90,000 households in the county now have access to FiOS TV.

Consumers are continuing to switch from cable to Verizon's TV service, which is provided on the nation's most advanced all-fiber-optic network straight to customers' homes. Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network has industry-leading quality and reliability. This leading-edge network alone has earned the certification of the independent Fiber to the Home Council for providing fiber all the way to customers' homes. It also delivers Internet download speeds of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 5 Mbps, as well as high-quality voice service.*

"Our commitment is to bring these great, new products to as many communities and consumers in Maryland as quickly as possible," said William R. Roberts, president of Verizon Maryland. "New customers tell us they love the service and are happy to tell their cable providers goodbye."

To experience FiOS TV live, Verizon will make its advanced theater-quality video service available at the Westfield Montgomery mall beginning in late April.

Consumers can check online at www.verizon.com/fios to see if FiOS TV is already available in their area or to request that Verizon contact them when FiOS TV is available.

Consumers also can call their local Verizon sales office or 1-877-4-FIOS-TV (1-877-434-6788). 

Service Highlights

Verizon's FiOS TV Premier package delivers more than 200 all-digital channels for $42.99 per month.  Maryland customers have access to 24 high-definition (HD) channels and 8,600 on-demand titles, 60 percent of which are free. Sports fans subscribing to FiOS TV Premier also will receive Mid-Atlantic Sports Network at no extra charge.   MASN carries the Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles and Ravens and various NCAA teams.

Verizon offers three set-top boxes: standard definition for $4.99 per month; high definition, which includes HD channels, for $9.99 per month; and a dual-tuner, HD-capable digital video recorder for $12.99 per month.

Verizon also offers innovative features not available from other providers, such as Home Media DVR (digital video recorder) and FiOS TV Widgets.  Home Media DVR, at $19.99 per month, has a multiroom DVR feature enabling up to three simultaneous viewings of recorded programs without requiring customers to set up a complex home network or buy extra equipment.  Customers also can access photos and music on their PCs and play them on their TVs. 

In addition to Maryland, Verizon currently offers FiOS TV in parts of California, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and New Jersey.  

"Our all-fiber-optic upgrade is a complete transformation of Verizon's communications network," said Roberts.  "We're offering consumers the very best services at competitive prices with Verizon's unmatched reliability and great customer service."

The value of FiOS TV extends to the installation and customer support.  Specially trained Verizon technicians will install the service and acquaint subscribers with FiOS TV features and services.  Verizon is waiving the installation fee for up to three existing TV outlets, and there is no charge to install a needed optical network terminal at the subscriber's home.  Charges for other installation services, such as additional outlets, may apply.  Verizon provides 24x7 technical assistance by phone from its specialized Fiber Solutions Centers.

* NOTE: actual (throughput) speeds will vary.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 59 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which operates one of the most expansive wholly owned global IP networks, and Verizon Telecom, which is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 242,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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