Verizon to Open Customer Service Center in Pittsburgh to Support FiOS Internet and TV Services

Verizon will open a new customer service center in downtown Pittsburgh to support the company's fiber-optic-based, award-winning FiOS suite of services.  The company expects the center, which will be staffed by approximately 200 full-time employees and located at 416 Seventh Ave., to open in late May 2011.

Employees in Verizon's new Fiber Solutions Center (FSC) - the first in Pennsylvania - will support consumer and business customers who purchase new broadband products and video services provided over Verizon's all-fiber-optic network as well as customers with services provided over Verizon's fiber/copper-based network.  Employees will answer technical questions, assist customers in trouble-shooting problems, and diagnose and correct problems remotely.  The center will take calls from customers across several states served by Verizon.

"In a competitive industry like ours, providing great customer service is a must, and this new center reinforces Verizon's commitment to our customers and to the Pittsburgh region," said Gale Y. Given, president of Verizon Pennsylvania.  "Verizon's FiOS services are game changers for consumers and businesses, and the employees at this new center will help customers understand why FiOS Internet and TV are the superior choices for their broadband and video needs."

FiOS TV and FiOS Internet services are delivered over Verizon's all-fiber network, which brings fiber optics directly into people's homes - something cable companies' networks do not do.  Fiber delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming and next-generation interactive services. 

FiOS Internet service delivers downstream speeds of up to 50 Mbps* (megabits per second) and upstream speeds of up to 35 Mbps - upload speeds cable competitors can't equal. 

Verizon launched FiOS TV in Pittsburgh in September 2009, and the service currently is available to residents and business across more than 30 city neighborhoods.  Verizon plans to expand its FiOS services to all city households within the next five years.  Overall, FiOS TV is available to more than 380,000 households in nearly 100 communities across southwestern Pennsylvania.

FiOS TV was recently selected as the top-ranked residential television service in the East region for 2010 by J.D. Power and Associates, capturing the top spot for the third year in a row.  The service received five Power Circle Ratings - the top rating - in overall satisfaction, performance and reliability, and offerings and promotions. 

Verizon is remodeling several floors of its Seventh Avenue building for the new downtown center.  The company has begun the hiring process and will start training new employees in January for the full-time positions, which include generous benefits. 

Prospective employees interested in positions at the center or in other current employment opportunities at Verizon can visit www.verizon.com/careers and create an online resume, apply for openings or set up an agent that can notify them when new jobs become available.

* NOTE:  Actual (throughput) speeds will vary.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 93 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 195,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

####