Verizon Raises Earnings Targets To Reflect Termination of NorthPoint Merger Agreement

NEW YORK -- Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) revised its earnings guidance for 2001 and 2002 to reflect the impact of its termination yesterday of its merger agreement with NorthPoint Communications (Nasdaq:NPNT) and steps it is taking to compete outside its current wireline footprint.

Verizon will meet its merger commitments for expansion through a variety of means, including its acquisition of OnePoint Communications Corp. and its strategic relationship with Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc. The company also plans to serve its large business customers outside its current territory and will expand its network in selected locations to serve them and other new customers as well.

For 2001, Verizon will target 2001 earnings per share (EPS) growth of approximately 8 percent, with earnings ranging from $3.13 to $3.17 per share. These figures include the impact of competitive initiatives outside its footprint. Verizon had been targeting EPS growth in the 5-6 percent range, including dilution resulting from the NorthPoint merger, with earnings ranging from $3.06 to $3.10 per share.

For 2002, Verizon is now targeting EPS growth of approximately 12 percent, with full-year EPS ranging from $3.49 to $3.54 per share. These figures also reflect the impact of competitive initiatives. The company had been targeting EPS growth in the 11.5-12 percent range, including NorthPoint dilution, with earnings ranging from $3.41 to $3.46 per share.

Verizon also said that its target range for fourth quarter 2000 earnings remains 76 to 78 cents per share.

Verizon will address its earnings targets and its expansion strategy in a conference call at 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time today. To listen to the call or view related materials, go to www.verizon.com/investor.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), formed by the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE, 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 more than 101 million access line equivalents and more than 26 million wireless customers. A Fortune 10 company with more than 260,000 employees and approximately $60 billion in 1999 revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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