'Bon Jour,' 'Guten Tag,' 'Buongiorno,' 'Annyung Haseyo,' 'Konnichi Wa,' 'Cheerio': Verizon Callers Can Talk All They Want Using New Unlimited Country-Calling Plans

NEW YORK - "Unlimited calling" takes on new meaning today as Verizon Long Distance customers now can select one of six countries and call as often as they like - and talk for as long as they like -- for a low, fixed monthly price.

Verizon callers, already familiar with packages that offer unlimited local, regional and domestic long-distance calling, can enjoy the same calling freedom between the U.S. and the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Japan or South Korea. Between now and September 17, unlimited calling to the U.K. will cost $34.95 a month and to the other countries, $44.95. After the introductory period, the prices go up $5.

Along with unlimited calling to these selected countries, customers also get preferred rates on all other international calls.

"The oceans have represented the final barrier to liberation from worry over the cost of calling," said Mark W. Adams, executive director of consumer marketing for Verizon. "Our breakthrough long-distance calling packages hit the market four years ago and took the worry out of domestic calling.

"Now, with the new International Choice Unlimited Country Plans, keeping in touch with friends or loved ones in Glasgow, Düsseldorf, Cannes, Naples, Kyoto or Seoul is just as worry-free and economical as calling Seattle or Atlanta has become," he said.

The new plan complements other international plans already available. The International Choice Plan with City Rates, for example, costs $4 a month and offers per-minute rates for as low as 10 cents to France and 8 cents to Mexico.

"Customers can do the math and buy the international plan that fits their circumstances, factoring the monthly and per-minute charges for the various plans," Adams said, "but for high-volume calling, the new plans can save both money and worry."

Verizon anticipates that customers who will take advantage of the new plan will include people who have recently moved to the U.S. from overseas as well as long-term visitors, or who live permanently in the U.S. and have close ties to family and friends overseas.

Verizon Communications Inc.

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of more than 210,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom serves customers based in 29 states with wireline telecommunications services, including broadband and other services. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 43.8 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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