Verizon to Hire 100 New Consumer Sales Consultants, Train More Fiber Technicians to Meet Consumer Demand for Verizon's Broadband Products

TAMPA, Fla. - Because of increasing consumer demand for both Verizon DSL and FiOS Internet and TV service in the Tampa Bay region, Verizon is seeking 100 new consumer sales consultants for its downtown sales center on Zack Street.  The company also plans to train over 400 additional fiber technicians for the region to add to the strength of the Verizon network and customer support teams.

Quarterly independent studies of 7,500 consumers conducted by comScore reveal that starting in the third quarter of 2005, total broadband connections for Verizon in the Tampa Bay area market have outstripped Bright House's broadband connections, a trend that has held up in each subsequent study.  Additionally, a recent Philadelphia Bulletin story points to a national consumer survey of more than 34,000 people who gave Verizon the highest overall satisfaction score of any of the 29 broadband Internet service providers rated, further helping to explain the strong demand locally.  Both DSL and FiOS Internet service were included.

To keep pace with consumer demand for Verizon services, 100 sales consultants will be hired for the Zack Street sales center.   Salaries for the positions, which are now being filled, range from $10-$16 per hour based on relevant sales experience.  The sales consultants will also have the potential to earn significant monthly bonuses based on sales incentives, and they will receive benefits including medical and dental coverage, 401(k) savings plan, tuition reimbursement and vacation. 

Successful applicants will also sell other popular Verizon services, such as basic voice offerings, FiOS TV, Freedom calling plans and DIRECTV packages, among others.  Interested job applicants can go to www.verizon.com/careers and click on "Search All Job Openings Now" and then select the location "US-FL Statewide."  Once an applicant has applied for a position,   he or she can schedule testing online.

 More than 400 additional fiber technicians from within Verizon's existing ranks will be trained to install FiOS products in significant portions of four west central Florida counties.  New hires may also be added during the year, based on the response from   the Verizon technicians and on continuing market demand for FiOS.  Ultimately, more of Verizon's field workforce will be engaged this year in the installation and service of FiOS-based products.

"The Tampa Bay area continues to demonstrate a strong demand for the best technology available and that's what we offer," said Alan Ciamporcero, Verizon's Southeast region president.  "Whether it's DSL, FiOS or the basic home phone line and the services it provides, our continuing investment in technology is strengthening the region's telecommunications options while also strengthening the economy through more jobs.  It really is a great situation for our market – and there is still more to follow."

At the end of last year, Verizon had 7 million broadband customers nationally, including 687,000 FiOS Internet customers.  The total represents an overall increase of 35.7 percent compared with year-end 2005.  Currently, DSL service is available in nearly 85 percent of Verizon's Florida service territory.  Verizon's all-fiber network, which delivers FiOS services, is available to over 417,000 premises in the state, and it will be extended this year to at least 162,000 single-family homes, multi-dwelling units and small businesses.  

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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