From Marblehead to Tonawanda to Orient Point -- Verizon Adds DIRECTV's Programming to Calling Services, Internet Packages in New England and New York

NEW YORK and BOSTON - The best bet in calling, broadband Internet access and digital TV is arriving in New York and New England.

Starting today (3/8), Verizon customers who purchase various combinations of local, regional and long-distance calling services or who also get their dial-up or high-speed DSL Internet access from Verizon will save up to $370 a year - compared with purchasing the same or equivalent Verizon services at individual, standard rates -- when they include DIRECTV® programming in their Verizon package.

"Now, New York and New England customers have a clear choice for digital TV, voice and data communications," said Bob Ingalls, president of Verizon's Retail Markets Group. "With Verizon they get convenient one-stop shopping from a brand name that consumers know and trust for their most important communications, and they can get a great deal at the same time."

Verizon estimates that its bundled price for unlimited calling, Internet access and entertainment with one TV set will beat by $5 to $20 the prices of the major cable companies that provide voice, Internet and video services. In addition, DirecTV is offering a new promotional discount of an additional $10 off programming packages purchased with Verizon packages through July 17. New customers also receive a three-room installation by DIRECTV at no charge.

Verizon has a strategic marketing agreement with California-based DIRECTV -- first activated last month in Rhode Island - and is offering discounted service bundles that can be customized to meet customers' individual needs. Verizon's Freedom with DSL and DIRECTV bundle includes unlimited nationwide calling and high-speed DSL in a package comparable to those offered by some cable TV competitors. The monthly savings for Verizon customers vary depending on the competitor's services compared and not including temporary promotional discounts.

Customers who do not need unlimited calling can customize their service package by combining DIRECTV, calling and Internet packages with overall discounts at lower monthly costs, an option not available in one-size-fits-all cable bundles.

Verizon's latest offer is now available in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and Connecticut, in addition to Rhode Island. Verizon will roll out similar bundles soon in the mid-Atlantic states, and nationally later this year. Additional information is available at www.verizon.com.

Steve Cox, executive vice president of sales, distribution and customer acquisition for DIRECTV Inc., said, "By leveraging the strength of both brands along with our combined, compelling array of voice, video and data services, we offer consumers in New York and New England a service package that is hands down a superior value and alternative to cable."

In addition to the variety of calling and Internet services available from Verizon, customers will have the ability to purchase a full complement of DIRECTV services, including access to more than 225 channels; the wide selection of sports subscriptions like the NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM; DIRECTV digital video recording technology; several channels of high-definition programming; and DIRECTV-delivered local channels in all major markets.

"We know that customers want to be able to order all their communications services with one call and pay for them with just one check," Ingalls said. "We enriched our offer over the past year with our Verizon Freedom Unlimited all-distance, flat-rate calling plan. And now with DIRECTV programming, we continue to have the package to beat - a package we will promote aggressively."

Verizon customers can select various combinations of local, regional toll and long-distance calling as well as dial-up or high-speed Internet access, adding discounts progressively. The more customers buy, the bigger the discount from the price of the same services sold separately. Verizon and DIRECTV expect to have coordinated billing later this year on the Verizon bill.

Verizon is aggressively marketing its services in the Northeast, reinforcing the quality, reliability and value of its network-based services in response to challenges by local cable companies now making early forays into cable telephony and by other telephone companies attempting to lure customers with discount calling plans.

DIRECTV

DIRECTV is the nation's leading digital multichannel television service provider with more than 12.2 million customers. DIRECTV, the Cyclone Design logo and TOTAL CHOICE are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corp. (NYSE: HS). Hughes is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment, broadband satellite networks and services, and global video and data broadcasting. Hughes is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd.

The NFL SUNDAY TICKET is a registered trademark of the National Football League and its affiliates.

Verizon Communications

A Fortune 10 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $68 billion in annual revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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