Verizon Online Introduces High-Speed Internet Access In Five Communities in Central Massachusetts

BOSTON - Verizon Online is raising the speed limit in five communities in central Massachusetts with the introduction of super-fast digital subscriber line (DSL) service for consumers and businesses.

Verizon is offering the high-speed Internet access service to customers in the towns of Ayer, Groton, Hudson, Sudbury, and Townsend.

Verizon residential customers can take advantage of a $15 discount off the $49.95 monthly price of the entry-level DSL service when they order DSL as part of package of services called Veriations^SM. In addition to DSL, the package includes Verizon long-distance, regional-toll service, local services and call management features like Caller ID, on at least one home phone.

"DSL provides customers with the speed they need to take full advantage of the Internet, for their small business needs, telecommuting, banking, shopping online and entertainment like games-on-demand," said Linda Mahoney, regional public affairs director for Verizon. "Now our customers in these additional Massachusetts communities can enjoy the benefits of turbo-charged Internet access."

Verizon Online Offers Choice of DSL Pricing Plans

Verizon Online offers three pricing plans for its most popular residential DSL service that offers maximum speeds of 768Kbps (kilobits per second) downstream and 128Kbps upstream. The first month is free for all the plans below.

• Consumers who order DSL service by Dec. 31 and make a one-year commitment pay $39.95 a month beginning the second month.
• Consumers who order DSL service by Dec. 31 on the month-to-month plan pay an introductory price of $29.95 for the second through the sixth month, then the monthly price goes to $49.95.
• Consumers who purchase a "Veriations" bundle of Verizon services can get DSL service for $29.95 for the second through the sixth month and then it becomes $34.95 a month.

Local Verizon telephone customers who want to order basic DSL service or faster DSL service can get more information online at www.verizon.net or by calling Verizon at 1-800-567-6789.

Microsoft's® Xbox Live Rebate Offered to New Customers

New residential customers have a choice of receiving a $50 rebate towards a Microsoft Xbox Live subscription, an Xbox console or a $25 virtual MasterCard® for making online purchases.

All Verizon Online DSL packages for consumers include a free do-it-yourself installation kit with a DSL modem, 10 MB (megabytes) of Web storage, 10 MB of e-mail storage and four e-mail boxes. Customers can be billed on their monthly telephone bills or a credit card. All packages come with a 30-day, money-back guarantee.

Consumers with more than one computer can also buy a router that enables multiple computers to share one DSL connection within their home and provides a built-in firewall for added security.

Verizon Online DSL for Business Customers

Verizon Online offers six DSL packages to meet the broadband needs of small and medium-size businesses. The packages range from speeds of 768Kbps downstream and 128Kbps upstream to 7.1Mbps (megabits per second) downstream and 768Kbps upstream. Prices range from $59.95 to $204.95 a month.

Companies that subscribe to "Veriations for business," a bundle of Verizon business-level services on one bill, qualify for a 10 percent discount on their DSL service with a dynamic IP address. The bundle includes FirmRate Plus or SimpleOptions long-distance calling plans, DSL and a local package such as WorkSmart, Centrex Plus or CustoPAK.

DSL business packages include the high-speed connection, six domain name e-mail boxes (yourname@yourcompany.com), domain name registration or transfer and domain name service (DNS). Verizon Online offers wireless and wired routers that allow small and medium-size businesses to connect multiple computers to a single DSL line.

Verizon Online also offers businesses a robust portfolio of business e-mail and Web hosting services. Customers can save time by using the company's new point-and-click Web site tools to edit their own sites.

Technical Definitions

DSL service generally is available to homes and offices located within approximately three miles of Verizon's local switching center or "central office." Some technical limitations may interfere with the ability of individual telephone lines to get DSL, even when the lines are within three miles of a DSL-equipped central office.

Downstream and upstream speeds describing Verizon Online's DSL services are maximum connection speeds between the customer's computer and Verizon's DSL equipment. Actual connection speeds will vary from the maximum speeds and often will be lower. Throughput or download speeds will be lower than connection speeds and vary based on telephone line condition and distance from Verizon's central office, home or office wiring and the server or router speed of sites visited on the Internet, among other factors.

Verizon Online is a full-service Internet service provider, offering a complete selection of dial-up, DSL and dedicated Internet access services for residential consumers and businesses. Verizon Online DSL service is available in 27 states and the District of Columbia.

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 135.0 million access line equivalents and 31.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and more than 236,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 35 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

####