Verizon Online Introduces New, Low-Priced Annual DSL Service Plan and Combination Modem and Broadband Router for Home Networking

NEW YORK - Verizon continues to offer the best value in consumer broadband by extending its lowest prices for Verizon Online DSL Internet access service to customers who agree to subscribe to an annual DSL service plan. In addition, those customers will receive a free combination modem and router "home gateway," enabling them to share the DSL connection among multiple computers in their homes.

Previously, only customers who purchased DSL as part of a package of local and long-distance calling services received the lowest prices -- $29.95 a month for basic service and $39.95 for a higher-speed option.

Qualifying new and existing Verizon Online DSL customers nationwide now can receive DSL service with a maximum connection speed of 1.5 Mbps (megabits per second) downstream and 384 Kbps (kilobits per second) upstream for just $29.95 a month when subscribing to an annual service plan or when purchasing the service as part of a package of Verizon local and long-distance calling services. Other customers will pay $34.95 a month for this service.

The company also now offers a new, higher maximum connection speed of up to 3 Mbps downstream and768 Kbps upstream in a dozen Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states for $39.95 a month with an annual service plan or as part of a package of Verizon calling services. Other customers who qualify for this plan will pay $44.95 a month. The company plans to expand this higher-speed offering to the rest of its service territory soon.

"Now there are more ways than ever to save on home broadband service with Verizon," said John Wimsatt, vice president of broadband marketing for Verizon. "We're rewarding customer loyalty by extending our low, package pricing to those who make a one-year commitment with us. And we're offering a superior home-networking value to these customers as well."

Verizon Online's new gateway combines two pieces of equipment - a DSL modem and a four-port broadband router - into one sleek device that provides both a high-speed DSL connection and the ability to share that connection among multiple computers inside the home. It can work as a wired or wireless router, depending on the customer's needs and preferences.

The gateway is included at no additional charge with Verizon Online's annual service plan and costs $49.95 for qualifying customers purchasing DSL as part of a Verizon calling package. The gateway is $99.95 for customers who do not purchase DSL with a calling package or select an annual service plan.

"The free gateway is an incredible value for customers who sign up for our annual service plan," said Wimsatt. "It helps simplify the creation of a home network that will let everyone in the household get the most out of a single broadband connection. Also, we don't charge extra per month or per computer connection for customers who network their home computers. An extra benefit is that the gateway is one streamlined device that frees up space on your desktop and reduces the tangle of wires that can frustrate any computer user."

Customers must have a wireless adapter card for each additional computer they want to connect wirelessly to the home gateway.

New Verizon Online DSL customers get their first month of service free when they order online at www.verizon.net. The service includes:

• Round-the-clock technical support
• MSN Premium software ($99 annual value) with parental controls, virus protection, pop-up guard and a variety of popular MSN services
• 9 e-mail accounts
• 10MB (megabytes) of Web space
• A 30-day money-back guarantee

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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