Verizon FiOS Internet Gives a Big Boost to Wi-Fi Network in Midtown Manhattan's Bryant Park

It's only fitting that the New York City park with perhaps the highest Wi-Fi usage in the city should also have a super-fast network for Internet access.

That's why Bryant Park has chosen Verizon FiOS Internet to power its popular Wi-Fi network.  The installation of Verizon's up-to-50 megabits per second (Mbps) Internet service took place over the past week, and it serves not only park patrons who use their laptops and mobile devices, but also those shoppers and skaters who will visit the more than 160 shops and ice skating rink that are set up in the lawn area for the park's transformation during the upcoming holiday season.

Located in midtown Manhattan at 42nd Street and Avenue of the Americas, Bryant Park has a heavily-used Wi-Fi network, with thousands of people visiting the park each day for their lunch breaks, business meetings, leisurely strolls, or passing through on their way to other midtown destinations.

"The FiOS enhancement to our free Wi-Fi network will be welcomed by the multitudes of laptop-carrying park visitors," said Dan Biederman, executive director of the Bryant Park Corporation.  "FiOS will address the demands placed on the Wi-Fi system by upgrading the most crucial aspect of Internet access - speed." Verizon's up-to-50 Mbps FiOS Internet service is supporting the park's in-house Wi-Fi network, powering the two antennas that cover the park's six acres of open space.  The super-charged FiOS service is available at the seating areas; the kiosks where the public can purchase sandwiches and snacks; and during this holiday season, the ice skating rink and more than 160 temporary shops. The FiOS Internet installation replaces Internet connections that had been provided by another telecom carrier. "At any one time, you could have several hundred users accessing the Internet from Bryant Park's free Wi-Fi network," said Kevin Service, Verizon vice president for operations in New York City.  "Our FiOS Internet with up-to-50 megabits capacity is powerful enough to handle that and more."

(Testing out the Verizon FiOS 50 megabit Internet Service that now powers the free Wi-Fi service in Manhattan's Bryant Park are: (from left) Christopher Levendos (standing), Verizon executive director - NYC FiOS Franchise Management; George Townley, director of Information Systems, Bryant Park Corporation; Jerome Barth, director of Park Operations, Bryant Park Corporation; Kevin Service, Verizon vice president for operations, New York City; and Michael Leddy, Business Development manager for Verizon.)

The Bryant Park Corporation, whose staff also manages the 34th Street Partnership business improvement district, and Verizon have begun discussions to have Verizon's FiOS Internet service power Wi-Fi in Herald Square and Greeley Square parks. 

Verizon FiOS Internet is a leader in providing the fastest broadband connections, delivering Internet access with maximum downstream connection speeds of up to 50 Mbps and upstream connections of up to 25 Mbps.  Customers with FiOS Internet service of 20 Mbps or higher may also be eligible to receive free Wi-Fi service in thousands of locations nationwide.  FiOS Internet also provides a gateway to other valuable Verizon services, including Verizon Internet Security Suite, Verizon Online Backup & Sharing and Premium Technical Support.  FiOS Internet is available to 11.5 million homes and businesses in 16 states.

Bryant Park Corporation (BPC) is a not-for-profit, private management company and a cooperating business improvement district of neighboring property owners. It was established by Mr. Biederman and Andrew Heiskell, with support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. BPC was formed to restore historic Bryant Park, which had suffered a severe decline in conditions in the 1970s.

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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