Verizon Answers Western Maryland's Need for Speed With Super-Fast DSL Service

MCHENRY, Md. - Many Western Maryland Web surfers now can zip past the slow dial-up lane into the fast lane with the rollout of Verizon's DSL (digital subscriber line) service in 23 communities.

Since Sept. 2003, Verizon has expanded its DSL network to bring the service to 150,000 lines serving households and businesses in the region.

At today's press conference, state and local officials joined Verizon Maryland President William R. Roberts to celebrate Verizon Online's DSL availability in Western Maryland. The event was held simultaneously at three Western Maryland colleges and Verizon's Annapolis office using the company's distance-learning technology.

"Verizon's commitment to expand its super-fast Internet capabilities in Western Maryland has exciting potential for rural Maryland businesses and residents," said Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. "Verizon has stepped up to the plate to provide a valuable broadband technology tool to Western Maryland."

Roberts said, "DSL is becoming an essential communications and economic development tool. Verizon has worked hard to bring Western Maryland consumers and businesses fast, affordable DSL service over the past year, and we'll continue to roll out DSL service aggressively here and across the state in coming months."

Aris Melissaratos, secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, said, "Verizon has stepped up to the plate to provide a valuable broadband technology tool to Western Maryland. This technology will greatly enhance the ability of small and large businesses to transmit large volumes of information very quickly - a critical component for stimulating business development across Maryland."

According to Maryland Del. George Edwards of Garrett County, "Verizon is delivering on its broadband promise to meet rural Maryland businesses' needs for high-speed communications. This is an extremely important opportunity that levels the playing field for businesses in rural areas of the state and will spur economic growth and development."

Last year, Verizon Online supercharged its consumer DSL service by lowering the monthly price, increasing the connection speed and adding MSN software and Web services. The company also expanded its DSL service to an additional 10 million new lines.

"Verizon Online offers an unbeatable combination - affordable high-speed Internet access, compelling content, great services and MSN Premium," Roberts said.

"Our customers really can experience the Internet fast lane to listen to music, play games, shop, work from home or countless other things," he added. "We're pleased to bring the benefits of Verizon Online DSL with MSN Premium to Western Maryland."

Verizon Online DSL with MSN Premium Consumer Offer

Verizon Online offers DSL connection speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps (megabits per second) downstream and 128Kbps (kilobits per second) upstream for consumers. The first month of DSL is free when ordered online. Consumers have a choice of payment plans for their DSL service:

• $34.95 a month for stand-alone DSL service
• $29.95 a month as part of a qualifying local and long-distance Verizon package

Verizon Online DSL with MSN Premium service includes:

• A free do-it-yourself installation kit with a DSL modem (customers can install DSL at their convenience without having to wait for a technician)
• Round-the-clock technical support
• MSN Premium software (a $99 annual value)
• 9 e-mail accounts
• 10 MB (megabytes) of Web space

MSN Premium packs additional punch with security protection to help stop spam and vanquish viruses. It also includes improved photo-editing and organizing tools and MSN Video. Verizon Online DSL customers can watch streaming video from MSN Premium content partners that include NBC, Showtime, Discovery Communications and NHL.com (National Hockey League). More information about MSN Premium is available at www.verizon.net/betterway.

Customers can be billed for DSL on their monthly Verizon telephone bill or a credit card. The service comes with a 30-day, money-back guarantee. Local Verizon telephone customers who want to order DSL service or get more information can go online at www.verizon.net or call Verizon at 1-800-PICK-DSL.

Businesses can choose from a variety of DSL speeds and plans to get turbo-charged Internet access service that is tailored to meet the needs of business. Plans and pricing information is available at http://biz.verizon.net/pands/dsl/.

Verizon Online Home Networking

Verizon Online DSL customers can share their high-speed connection and build a firewall by linking multiple home computers with a Linksys wired ($79.95) or wireless router ($99.95). Also, printers and scanners can be added to this wireless local area network (LAN). There's no additional monthly charge for networking two or more computers on the same DSL line.

Technical Definitions

DSL service generally is available to homes and offices located within approximately three miles of Verizon's local switching center or "central office." Some technical limitations may interfere with the ability of individual telephone lines to get DSL, even when the lines are within three miles of a DSL-equipped central office.

Downstream and upstream speeds describing Verizon Online's DSL services are maximum connection speeds between the customer's computer and Verizon's DSL equipment. Actual connection speeds may vary from the maximum speeds and may be lower than the advertised line rate. Throughput (download and upload) speeds will be lower than connection speeds and vary based on the telephone line's condition and distance from Verizon's central office, home or office wiring and the server or router speed of sites visited on the Internet, among other factors.

Verizon Online is a full-service Internet service provider, offering a complete selection of dial-up, DSL and dedicated Internet access services for residential consumers and businesses. Other business-grade services include business e-mail, Web site services and Internet security services. Verizon Online DSL service is available in 23 states and the District of Columbia.

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 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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