Verizon Invests $4.4 Million To Better Serve Westborough, Ma. Area Customers

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. - Verizon customers in the Westborough area will have improved communications as the result of a $4,375,000 investment the company is making in its local call-switching center, including an upgrade of the facility's power systems.

This advanced equipment enables Verizon to provide critical telecommunications services in the event of commercial power disruptions, such as those that recently occurred during Hurricane Isabel and the Northeast blackout.

The improved power systems installed in Verizon's Westborough center also will allow technicians to more efficiently monitor the systems' operation, diagnose network power problems and support high-speed, high-capacity services for business and DSL (digital subscriber line) Internet service.

In addition, Verizon is expanding its Westborough facility to increase reliability and capacity in the Verizon network and accommodate future growth. The company will expand the first floor of its existing center to make room for new digital equipment that supports high-speed, high-capacity services for consumers and businesses and DSL (digital subscriber line) high-speed Internet service.

Verizon worked closely with Westborough officials to ensure that the new construction conforms to community requirements. The Westborough call-switching center currently serves approximately 18,000 telephone lines. Verizon plans to complete the project by the end of 2004.

During the past three years, Verizon has invested more than $2 billion in its network that serves Massachusetts.

"The Westborough project demonstrates Verizon's commitment to build and maintain an advanced telecommunications network throughout the Bay State," said Donna Cupelo, region president for Verizon Massachusetts/Rhode Island. "We continue to invest in our state-of-the-art infrastructure to maintain service excellence, as well to provide a platform for high-speed access to the Internet, work-at-home capabilities and a host of other advanced services.

"Whether we're making significant network upgrades or offering new services and packages of local, long-distance and broadband services, Verizon is committed to meeting the communications needs of consumers and businesses," said Cupelo.

A Fortune 10 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $67 billion in revenues and 221,000 employees. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 137.6 million access line equivalents and 34.6 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is the third largest long-distance carrier for U.S. consumers, with 14.6 million long-distance lines. The company is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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