More than 1 Million Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Turn to Verizon Long-Distance Service

NEW YORK -- More than 1 million small and medium-sized businesses now use Verizon long-distance service -- another milestone for the company, the nation's third-largest long-distance provider after just three years in the business.

"We have increased our focus on this important segment of the business market," said Chris McKay, executive director for Product Development for Verizon. "During the past three months, we have introduced a series of bundled packages, products and services that are specifically designed to meet both the voice and increasingly complex data needs of these customers.

"In addition, in several key market regions, we have increased the size of our sales force for small and medium-sized businesses so that we can provide more individualized service."

Among the new products and services are:

• Business Connections, which combines Verizon's long-distance service with an on-demand conferencing service, Conference Connections. The process for the conference set-up is automated, doesn't require an operator, and can be established at virtually any time.

• Verizon's Veriations for Business, which combines Verizon's long-distance service, local service and high-speed Internet access. Customers who select these packages receive discounts on Internet access and can add other services such as Verizon Wireless and popular calling features such as voice mail and Caller ID.

Verizon business customers can now also consolidate all charges for these various products and service on one bill. Customers can also view online all their Verizon charges, including Verizon Wireless charges, and pay their bills electronically via the Web.

Verizon Long-Distance now serves more than 10.4 million customers in 47 states, and the company's long-distance service is available to more than 90 percent of its local phone lines nationwide. Verizon plans to offer long-distance soon in three additional jurisdictions -- Maryland, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Verizon's ONE BILL, Business Connections and Veriations for Business packages are not available in all areas. Small and medium-sized businesses can sign up for Verizon long-distance service on the company's Website, www.verizonld.com.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) 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 135.8 million access line equivalents and 32.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and 229,500 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 30 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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