Verizon Receives Franchise Approval to Offer FiOS TV in Montgomery County, Maryland

ROCKVILLE, Md. - The long wait will soon be over for Montgomery County residents eager for cable TV competition, thanks to a Montgomery County Council vote today (Nov. 28) authorizing Verizon to offer its fiber-optic powered FiOS TV in the county.

Verizon plans to begin offering FiOS TV by the end of December to more than 75,000 households in parts of the county where it has upgraded to an all-fiber network.  The company will announce pricing and packages soon.

Verizon delivers FiOS TV over the nation's most comprehensive all-digital, fiber network.  Only Verizon's FiOS network has earned the certification of the independent Fiber to the Home Council for providing fiber all the way to customers' homes.

"Today's action by the Montgomery County Council is the perfect holiday gift for residents who soon will be able to choose their cable provider as easily as they choose their phone company," said William R. Roberts, Verizon Maryland president.  "Competition drives innovation, value and service quality, and it puts the consumer in control.

"Verizon will compete aggressively for Montgomery Countians' business with our FiOS services, which are fueled by our lightning-fast fiber-optic network."

Montgomery County joins the Maryland counties of Anne Arundel and Howard, and the cities of Laurel and Bowie, in endorsing consumer choice and competition, bringing to more than 630,000 the number of Maryland households in areas where Verizon has a local franchise to offer television service.  The company currently offers FiOS TV in Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, and in Bowie.  In addition to Maryland, the company provides FiOS TV in parts of California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Virginia.

FiOS TV is designed to be a formidable competitor to cable and satellite, offering a broad collection of all-digital programming, two dozen high-definition channels, video on demand and more.  It is delivered over Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises network, which has industry-leading quality and reliability.  Fiber delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. 

In addition to FiOS TV, Verizon's fiber network also allows the company to offer consumers and businesses high-speed FiOS Internet Service at download speeds of up to 30 mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds up to 5 mbps.*  FiOS Internet Service currently is available to many consumers and small businesses in Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George's counties.

* NOTE: actual (throughput) speeds will vary.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a New York-based Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 57 million customers nationwide.  Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks.  Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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