New Jersey Dazzled by the Light: Verizon's FiOS All-Fiber-Optic Network Now Passes More Than 1 Million Homes and Businesses in the State

FREEHOLD, N.J. - The communications revolution is moving at light speed in New Jersey as Verizon announced today that it has passed more than 1 million homes and businesses in the state with FiOS, the nation's most-advanced digital, all-fiber-optic broadband network.

The company expects to pass more than 400,000 additional homes and businesses in New Jersey during 2008. 

Verizon made the announcement as New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine joined Verizon Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg at a ceremony in Freehold to officially open the company's newest fiber solutions center, a state-of-the-art customer-service facility that provides one-stop shopping for all fiber-related sales and customer-service needs. 

To date, Verizon has added about 100 jobs at the Freehold facility and expects to have up to 400 employees working there by the end of 2008.

"New Jersey is now among the most-fibered states in the nation," Seidenberg said.  "Not only is the Verizon fiber-optic project bringing hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents and businesses unequalled FiOS Internet and TV service, but just as important, this project means real jobs and the economic boost that comes with them."

Verizon's FiOS network offers state-of-the-art fiber optics directly to customers' homes and businesses.  This is unlike cable TV systems and has never been done on a large scale before in the United States.   Since bringing FiOS to New Jersey just two years ago, Verizon has deployed the network in about 250 cities and towns, and now provides service to as many communities in the state as cable companies that have been in business for decades but choose not to compete against one another.

Virginia Ruesterholz, president of Verizon Telecom, said, "Verizon is the only company providing fiber all the way to homes and businesses where it makes a huge difference in the voice, Internet and TV service customers receive.  FiOS is the most reliable voice, the best TV picture quality and the fastest Internet.  Period."

Verizon started large-scale construction of its fiber network in New Jersey in 2005.   Since that time, the company has passed more than 1 million premises with its FiOS network in urban, suburban and rural areas throughout the state.  

Verizon is employing nearly 2,000 technicians and contractors to deploy and install FiOS service around New Jersey.   The company passes nearly 40,000 homes each month with new fiber.  

About a year ago, Verizon put construction of the network into high gear after Corzine and the state Legislature approved a new statewide video franchise law.   The consumer-focused measure replaced the traditional, antiquated town-by-town franchise process.   As a result, Verizon pledged a $1.5 billion-dollar investment in fiber in New Jersey.  Hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents now benefit from video choice and competition.

"The governor and legislative leaders truly delivered for consumers in this state," said Ruesterholz.  "Others doubted and asked, 'If you build it, will they come?'  Well, in New Jersey, the answer is absolutely 'yes' when you're talking about Verizon's FiOS."

Product Information

The company's FiOS TV Premier package delivers 200 all-digital channels for $42.99 per month.  The package includes 28 high-definition (HD) channels in the New Jersey market and access to more than 10,000 on-demand titles.  All Verizon FiOS TV-eligible customers in New Jersey have the option to trim their monthly bill by bundling FiOS TV service, FiOS Internet service and the Verizon Freedom Essentials voice service - all for under $95 a month.

Consumers can check online at www.verizon.com/fiostv to see if FiOS TV is available in their area, or to request that Verizon contact them when FiOS TV becomes available.  Customers also can call their local Verizon sales office or 1-877-4-FIOS-TV or 1-877-434-6788.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, 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 63.7 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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