Verizon Information Technologies' AAIS Software Earns 2001 InfoVision Award for Advancement in Application Services

TAMPA, Fla. - Verizon Data Services has received the 2001 InfoVision Award for developing a suite of software that enables telecommunications companies to quickly and efficiently provision narrowband, broadband and special design services.

The award was presented recently in Chicago at the National Communications Forum, sponsored by the International Engineering Consortium.

Verizon Data Services was recognized for its Assignment, Activation and Inventory System (AAIS) telecommunications software in the Application Services category. The annual InfoVision Awards recognize applications, products, and services based on technological advancement, industry impact, and end-user marketability and adoption.

AAIS is a graphical, modular, easily integrated suite of systems that provides telecommunications companies with the ability to quickly and efficiently provision narrowband, broadband and special design services. The suite's robust, scalable, three-tier architecture also can lower operating and personnel costs.

AAIS answers the business need to integrate the provisioning and administration of voice, and broadband networks at a competitive cost. The AAIS software can be used by incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs), next-generation local exchange carriers (including competitive local exchange carriers or CLECs), next generation backbone carriers and broadband carriers. The system is scalable and able to meet the needs of all telecommunications carriers regardless of size.

Verizon Information Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Verizon Data Services, offers AAIS and other operations and business support solutions for licensing to telecommunications providers, as well as IT outsourcing services.

"As companies roll out AAIS, they will quickly see that our people are passionate about developing technology solutions that solve specific needs," said Mike Luebke, president of Verizon Information Technologies, Inc. "Because we have proven AAIS software inside our own communications environment, users can be assured it offers unequalled performance and reliability."

The prestigious InfoVision award comes on the heels of another recent win. Verizon's AAIS software product won Best in Show Telecom Operating System at SuperComm.

Verizon Information Technologies Inc.

Verizon Information Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of Verizon Data Services, itself a subsidiary of Verizon Communications, a Fortune 10 communications and technology company with approximately $65 billion in annual revenue. Verizon Data Services has more than 30 years experience in the development of telecommunications software solutions and management of information technology, across a variety of platforms and within a range of industries. By leveraging the skills of more than 14,000 IT professionals, Verizon Information Technologies provides OSS and BSS telecommunications software products, IT outsourcing services, transaction processing, network management, telecommunications software systems, and healthcare payor transaction processing and communications industry software. Verizon Data Services' eight data centers handle millions of transactions daily with industry-leading availability, reliability and security. For additional information, visit http://www.VerizonIT.com.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 128.5 million access line equivalents and 28.7 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with 256,000 employees and approximately $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.