Verizon Nationwide Network Ready for Increase in Calls on Mother's Day - the Busiest Sunday of the Year

NEW YORK - Ever since the first Mother's Day in 1914, calling mom has been an American tradition on the second Sunday in May. While the technology used to transmit phone calls today is vastly different from the equipment used back then, one thing has remained unchanged: Sons and daughters still call mom on Mother's Day, making it the busiest Sunday of the year on the Verizon local and long-distance network.

Based on statistics from the past several years, Verizon's nationwide network will handle about 1.2 billion calls this Mother's Day -- about 13 percent more than an average Sunday when the network handles about 1 billion calls.

"We always make sure our network is there for callers - businesses, people during emergencies, or anyone just making a call," said Paul Lacouture, president of Verizon's Network Services Group. "It is nice to think that one of the things we're doing is helping sons and daughters easily stay connected with their mothers."

Today, with plans like the new Verizon Freedom packages, sons and daughters don't have to cut their Mother's Day calls short to save money. The popular new packages of Verizon local and long-distance service allow callers to make an unlimited number of calls of any length for one flat monthly rate. Customers can call the Verizon business office via the number listed on their phone bills to ask about the Verizon Freedom plans.

Lacouture added that even with the surge in calls on Mother's Day, the Verizon network is engineered and built to handle the added volume, and is supported with backup electrical power in the event a storm or other problem interrupts commercial power at Verizon's central switching offices.

The Verizon network operates at a reliability factor of 99.999 percent.

During the week, calling traffic does get much heavier with the average daily volume on the Verizon network reaching about 1.5 billion calls.

Verizon can help out on Mother's Day in other ways, too. Verizon's pre-paid calling cards offer low-priced calling from any number or payphone, and are available from most 7-Eleven stores and other outlets.

Anyone looking for more traditional, last-minute shopping ideas and local gift-delivery can call a helpful Verizon LiveSource operator on 411. LiveSource operators can help find a specific florist, candy store or other shop in the same area where a customer's mother lives.

In addition, sons and daughters can also visit Verizon SuperPages.com at www.superpages.com to search for local stores and gift ideas.

Verizon Communications

A Dow 30 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $68 billion in annual revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States. Verizon 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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