Verizon Invests $600,000 to Better Serve New Jersey's Camden County Customers

HADDONFIELD, N.J. - Verizon customers in the communities of Haddonfield and Laurel Springs now have improved communications as the result of a $600,000 investment the company has made to increase the reliability and capacity of its local telecommunications network.

Verizon recently installed about two miles of fiber-optic cable containing 216 fibers and associated electronic equipment between the company's Haddonfield and Laurel Springs call-switching centers. In addition, Verizon has installed about one-and-a-half miles of cable containing 216 fibers to provide broadband service to neighborhoods in the Laurel Springs area. The cables contain a total of 750 fiber miles, the total distance if all of the fibers in the cable were placed end to end.

This advanced equipment will provide increased high-speed capacity for business parks, financial institutions and government offices and will enable future growth of residential services in the Haddonfield and Laurel Springs areas. The fiber-optic cable also will increase the survivability of Verizon's advanced telecommunications network.

In addition to the Camden County project, Verizon continues to install fiber-optic cable and other advanced telecommunications equipment throughout the Garden State. At the end of 2002, the company had deployed 1.69 million fiber miles in New Jersey, enough to circle the earth more than 65 times.

"Verizon is the only telecommunications company in New Jersey committed to substantial levels of investment in information-age technology," said Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey. "Our capital investment over the past three years totals more than $3 billion. That is more than $2.5 million dollars a day that helps to jump-start New Jersey's economic engine and deliver information technology to consumers, entrepreneurs and competitors who use our network."

The company also invests in advanced technology to help conserve energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the security and reliability of Verizon's telecommunications network from Weehawken to Wildwood. Verizon is working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to save energy and protect the environment.

"Our investment in the Verizon network is a clear expression of confidence in New Jersey at a time when capital commitments to foster economic growth, improve education and attract new businesses are more important than ever," Bone said.

In addition to deploying the latest technology, Verizon has spent tens of millions of dollars to open New Jersey's local telephone market to competition.

"Verizon has a long history of investment in this state and service to our customers and communities," Bone said. "We will continue to play a vital role in New Jersey's future, just as we have for more than a century."

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 135.8 million access line equivalents and 32.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and 229,500 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 30 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

####