Verizon Expands Fast, Affordable DSL-Enabled High Speed Internet Service to More Than 270 Additional Residents in Salem, W. Va., Area

More Harrison 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, Verizon's bundles of HSI, Verizon Freedom unlimited local and long-distance calling and DIRECTV service offer consumers attractive solutions that beat rival offers from cable companies.

Verizon recently installed equipment to provide High Speed Internet service, based on digital subscriber line (DSL) technology, to more than 270 lines in the Jarvisville, Lake Floyd, Marshville Road and Cascara Road/Rt. 23 areas. 

"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 Salem area means that more customers have access to affordable High Speed Internet service, backed by the reliability and security of Verizon's network."

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.  Locally, Verizon customers in Bridgeport, Clarksburg, Salem and other parts of Harrison County 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.

According to PC Magazine's 2008 readers' survey, Verizon High Speed Internet beat the average cable provider's score in reliability, the likelihood of a customer choosing an Internet service provider, as well as the associated costs and fees for the service.

Verizon's cost-effective bundles - voice  and Internet services delivered over the company's 99.9 percent reliable network, and satellite TV service - start at $79.99 per month.*  DIRECTV features more than 130 high-definition channels, plus more than 200 all-digital channels. 

New Verizon and DIRECTV customers who sign up for a Verizon bundle of up-to-3 megabits-per-second (Mbps) High Speed Internet service, Freedom Essentials unlimited local and long-distance calling plan and DIRECTV's HD DVR^TM for $119.99 per month (after rebate) for one year will also get 2009 NFL SUNDAY TICKET^TM only on DIRECTV.  New Verizon and DIRECTV customers who sign up for the same package with DIRECTV's PLUS DVR^TM  in standard definition pay $109.99 per month (after rebate) for one year and will also get 2009 NFL SUNDAY TICKET^TM.

Additionally, new customers who order a one-year bundle that includes Verizon's up-to-3 Mbps/768 Kbps (kilobits per second) Internet service will receive their choice of a free Compaq Mini netbook (valued at $299.99) or Flip Ultra^TM camcorder (valued at $149.99) when signing up for a one-year contract.  These promotional offers continue through Sept. 19.

Verizon also now includes thousands of free Wi-Fi hot spots for customers to use when traveling around town or across the country.  Customers who order or already have Verizon bundles that include Verizon Freedom Essentials and High Speed Internet service of up to 3 Mbps receive access to the free Wi-Fi hot spots.  Prices for Verizon Freedom Essentials and up-to-3-Mbps HSI start at $69.99 per month.

In addition to the value-priced bundles, Verizon will continue to offer its non-bundled HSI service to Verizon voice customers at a guaranteed price of $17.99 per month for speeds of up to 1 Mbps/384 Kbps, and $29.99 per month for up to 3 Mbps/768 Kbps** for as long as they keep the service, when they sign a two-year agreement; or three months free with a one-year agreement.

Verizon HSI customers also receive access to an extensive portfolio of value-added services, including 250 MB (megabytes) of free Verizon Online Backup and Sharing, which provides useful disaster-recovery support; free parental controls through the Verizon Parental Control Center; and the Verizon Internet Security Suite which provides comprehensive online protection from spyware and viruses for as little as $5.99 a month or $59.99 for one year and includes a firewall, a pop-up-blocker and privacy manager software to help keep customers safe from hackers and phishing attacks.  

Consumers can get more information about Verizon's High Speed Internet service by visiting www.verizon.com/residential or by calling 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966).

Verizon High Speed Internet for Business packages offer a choice of speeds, static IP addresses, remote dial-up access, networking and domain name e-mails.  Area businesses can get more information about service availability and pricing by calling 888-649-9500 or visiting http://smallbusiness.verizon.com.

* Plus applicable taxes and fees.
** 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.

####