Verizon FiOS Internet for Business Receives SMB Excellence Award From Global Technology Research Firm

Verizon FiOS Internet for Business - the ultra-high-speed, fiber-optic-powered broadband solution for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) - has been honored by the global technology research firm IDC with an SMB Excellence Award for product excellence and program creativity.  The flexibility of FiOS Internet for Business, which is offered as a stand-alone service or in a complete multiservice (Internet, TV and voice) bundle, was considered especially important as a way to meet businesses' diverse needs.

Matt Davis, director of small business and consumer services research for IDC, said that Verizon FiOS Internet for Business is transforming the SMB communications and information technology marketplace by uniquely offering the kind of high-bandwidth connections that were previously beyond the financial reach of most small businesses. 

"Without question, FiOS Internet for Business allows more SMBs to take advantage of advanced new business applications that can help them run more efficiently and more productively," Davis said.  "Our research indicates that bandwidth-hungry applications, such as videoconferencing, real-time document sharing and data network-based backup, will be increasingly vital to small businesses in the future.  FiOS Internet for Business is equipped and priced to enable immediate adoption of these capabilities today."

Monte Beck, vice president for small business strategy and planning for Verizon said, "Receiving the IDC SMB Excellence Award confirms what our customers tell us - that FiOS is a game-changing solution for small businesses that need reliable, super-fast downstream and upstream broadband connections to run the online applications that are essential to their daily business operations." 

FiOS Internet for Business offers download speeds of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps.*  The service is provided via the company's all-fiber-optic network, which transports broadband, video and voice services at the speed of light directly to small and medium-sized businesses, office buildings, retail outlets and business parks. 

"Beyond the attractive pricing and performance of the core FiOS data and voice services, what also sets small business offerings from Verizon apart from cable providers is its television service to business," said Davis.  "This is rare among business communications service providers with a telecom-pedigree and effectively counters one of the bundled service benefits that emerging cable company competitors have begun to offer."

Small and medium-sized businesses can also take advantage of a bundled package of Verizon FiOS Internet for Business (20 Mbps downstream/5 Mbps upstream); FiOS TV Enhanced for Business (139 local, regional and national TV channels); Verizon Internet Security Suite and Verizon Online Backup and Sharing services (valued at $11.99 per month)**; and one standard business phone line with unlimited nationwide calling and up to five calling features for $129.99 per month for one year with a three-year agreement, in select areas.  This bundled offer ends January 16, 2010. 

Verizon also offers similar triple-play bundled promotions to small businesses needing multiple telephone lines and faster broadband connections. 

Verizon small-business broadband customers also have free access to more than 14,000 Wi-Fi hot spots in airports, cafes, retail stores, convention centers and other public places across the country.

Verizon offers a broad selection of solutions to businesses of all sizes.  For medium- to large-sized businesses, additional dedicated Internet options such as Internet Dedicated Access (for higher bandwidth applications), Ethernet-based Internet access and Managed Internet services and hardware are available.  For more information, visit http://mediumbusiness.verizon.com/ or call 1-800-201-1452.

In addition to Internet, TV and phone service, Verizon also offers small businesses encryption solutions, online collaboration, the ability to host online meetings, and much more.  For more information, visit http://smallbusiness.verizon.com/ or call 1-888-649-9500.  For news, resources and more tools for Verizon's business customers, visit the Verizon Small Business Center at http://business.verizon.net, a one-stop online portal with easy access to free webinars, tools such as collaboration and a platform for small businesses to network. 

* NOTE: actual (throughput) speeds will vary based on factors including computer configuration and network/Internet congestion.

** NOTE: Verizon small-business broadband customers will get an applicable credit of $11.99 per month for 12 consecutive months.

About IDC SMB Excellence Awards
The IDC SMB Excellence Awards are granted to technology providers who in IDC's view are serving the SMB market in innovative ways, providing advanced technology capabilities to firms with fewer than 1000 employees. Nominees for the IDC SMB Excellence Award are evaluated on the basis of three key criteria: the creation of products and/or programs that specifically address the unique needs of SMBs; the business implications of these products or programs for the nominated firm; and the competitive impact of these products or programs. The award recipients are selected by IDC's SMB Research team in consultation with the IDC analysts that follow the relevant technology market associated with these products or programs.

About Verizon
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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