Verizon's Network Investment in New Hampshire Yields Solid Results during 2000

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- New Hampshire consumers and businesses are served by one of the most

advanced telecommunications networks in the country, thanks to an aggressive network investment program by

Verizon during 2000.

The company this year spent more than $145 million to modernize, expand, and upgrade its New Hampshire network.

The funds were used primarily to expand the company's fiber-optic facilities as well as equipping call-routing centers

with the most up-to-date software and hardware. Verizon's 126 switching centers throughout the state already use

digital technology systems. The company's network in New Hampshire is valued at close to $2 billion.

"Verizon's state-of-the-art network provides our New Hampshire customers with the benefits of the latest

telecommunications applications and unsurpassed reliability," said J. Michael Hickey, president of Verizon New

Hampshire.

Nationwide, Verizon invests more than $12 billion annually in its telecommunications network, which is one of the

most advanced in the world and features an industry leading 8.3 million miles of fiber-optic systems.

In New Hampshire, Verizon added nearly 12,000 miles of fiber-optic cable this year. This brings Verizon New

Hampshire's overall fiber-optic network to more than 145,000 miles or enough to circle the Earth almost six times.

Fiber-optic systems use laser-generated light pulses and digital technology to provide greater capacity, higher

transmission speeds and better quality for voice, video and data transmitted over the network.

"Verizon's state-of-the-art telecommunications continues to position New Hampshire for future economic

growth," Hickey said. "The attractive combination of Verizon technology and service has helped bring

thousands of 'new economy' jobs to New Hampshire."

This past year, the University of New Hampshire began using Verizon's advanced data network to offer low cost,

video-based distance learning and high-speed Internet access to many rural schools in the state.

"We are proud of our role in bringing the benefits of telecommunications to every corner of New

Hampshire," said Hickey.

Verizon also continued its aggressive efforts to open the local telephone market to competition in New Hampshire by

investing in advanced computer systems and providing space for competitor's equipment in Verizon's switching centers

throughout the state. "Due mainly to our efforts, competitors providing local phone service now have access to

more than 75 percent of the state's telephone access lines and that is good news for New Hampshire

consumers," he said. Verizon has led the nation in opening local telephone markets and satisfying the

requirements of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

In New Hampshire, more than 80 companies are authorized to sell local phone service. Verizon is required to open its

local markets before it can gain federal approval to sell long distance in a given state.

In December 1999, Verizon won approval to offer long-distance service in New York, becoming the first regional

Bell company to satisfy federal requirements to offer long distance in its service area. The result was significant choice

and savings for New York consumers. Over 1.2 million of them are getting lower prices and clear, surprise-free long

distance calling plans from Verizon. The consumer group TRAC (Telecommunications Research and Action Center)

has estimated that New Yorkers this year saved approximately $220 million as a result of new choices for both

long-distance and local services.

In the second half of next year, Verizon plans to seek approval to provide long-distance service to New Hampshire

consumers.

Through Verizon Foundation, Verizon this year gave more than $400,000 in grants to 50 nonprofit programs

throughout New Hampshire. In addition, Verizon employees volunteered thousands of hours to these programs.

"Verizon and its employees have a long tradition of giving in this state," Hickey said. "Our roots

remain firmly planted in the diverse neighborhoods where we work and live, and our commitment to service is a vital

part of the Verizon promise to all our customers."

Hickey noted other milestones the company achieved in New Hampshire during 2000:

• Introduced Verizon Online DSL, a high-speed Internet service, to selected areas in the state.

• Enhanced the reliability of Verizon's telecommunications network throughout the state with additional fiber-optic

  facilities, called SONET rings, that provide high-speed capacity and a self-healing feature that automatically reroutes

  phone calls and data in the event of a fiber cut.

• Named by Business New Hampshire Magazine as New Hampshire Business of the Decade in the business service

  category.

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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