Verizon Expands Fast, Affordable, DSL-Enabled High Speed Internet Service to More Than 200 Residents in the Elkview, W. Va., Area

More Kanawha County consumers and businesses now have access to Verizon High Speed Internet (HSI), allowing them to quickly download movies, share photos or video with friends and family, and create their own Internet content. 

In addition, consumers who have been waiting to disconnect their cable connections or enter the world of broadband are going to like what Verizon is offering them for the rest of this year.  The company is introducing new deals for HSI, allowing consumers to take advantage of big savings and get great broadband and entertainment services.

Verizon recently installed equipment in the 4700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue to provide High Speed Internet service, based on digital subscriber line (DSL) technology, to more than 200 lines in the Elkview area. 

In addition to the Elkview site, the company has expanded HSI service to 31 new locations so far in 2009, including Mount Nebo in Nicholas County; Mount Storm in Grant County; Albright in Preston County; Eleanor in Putnam County; the Elm Grove area of Wheeling; the Mannington area; Hodgesville, near Buckhannon; the Salem area of Harrison County; the Hedgesville area of Berkeley County; and parts of Morgan County.  Customers in more than 460 locations throughout Verizon's West Virginia service area now can choose High Speed Internet service.

"Verizon is enabling more residents and businesses across West Virginia to make the high-speed connections that are important to them," said B. Keith Fulton, president of Verizon West Virginia.  "Verizon's investment in the Elkview area means that more customers have access to affordable High Speed Internet service, backed by the reliability and security of Verizon's network."

New customers can order a triple-play bundle with up to 3 Mbps (megabits per second)* High-Speed Internet, DIRECTV® PLUS DVR package and Freedom Essentials (unlimited local and long-distance calling) for just $75 per month for the first three months.  HSI is free for three months, providing a value-packed bundle at a rate unmatched in the market.  Included in that price are 200 all-digital channels, a free DVR upgrade, SHOWTIME® for one year, and thousands of free Verizon Wi-Fi hot spots.  Pricing in months four through 12 is only $99.99 per month for those selecting the 3 Mbps HSI service.  Double-play bundles with new 3 Mbps High Speed Internet download speeds are also eligible for the special three-months-free HSI offer with a one-year commitment. 

Verizon also has an exciting offer on broadband service for customers who do not want a service bundle with unlimited voice calling plans.  Existing or new voice customers adding HSI will enjoy three months of free service whenever they sign up during the fall season.  Following the end of the three months, customers will pay only $19.99 per month for up to 1 Mbps service.  Monthly pricing for up to 3 Mbps service will be $29.99.  Both the bundle and non-bundled offers require a one-year agreement.

All up to 3 Mbps packages also provide customers free access to more than 14,000 Verizon Wi-Fi hot spots around the country, including various retail and high-traffic locations, to help keep customers connected away from home.  Visit www.verizon.com/wifi for a full listing of Wi-Fi hot spots and for more details.

Verizon has also beefed up other aspects of its value added services, providing a range of products to help customers protect their digital treasures, entertainment equipment and their families when online.  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.    

Consumers interested in learning more about all of Verizon's value-added services can go to www.verizon.net/shop.  Consumers interested in learning more about the fall offers can go to www.verizon.com/bundles.

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.

* Download speeds may vary.

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 87 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 235,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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