Verizon Business Wins Contract With New York City to Provide State-of-the-Art Emergency Communications Services

NEW YORK - Continuing a decades-long relationship with New York City, Verizon Business has begun work on implementing a new Enhanced 911 system designed to provide the city's police, fire and emergency medical personnel with state-of-the-art technology to help them locate and communicate with 911 callers.

Verizon Business will provide the new system under a seven-year contract valued at as much as $195 million.  The agreement with the city has an option for two two-year extensions, including upgrades in network and equipment technology to ensure that the system remains state of the art.  A key feature will enable New York City's Police Department (NYPD) and Fire Department (FDNY), and the FDNY's Emergency Medical Services division for the first time to share redundant, dual-dedicated switches to receive and process E-911 calls

"Building on our experience in providing mission-critical communications services, Verizon Business is committed to assisting the city in protecting and serving the residents and visitors of the Big Apple,'' said Alex Coleman, group president for Verizon Business' government and education organization. "Once the city migrates to the new system, New Yorkers will know that their call for help will be handled by one of the most sophisticated, resilient and reliable E-911 systems available today."

Verizon Business is overseeing implementation of a turnkey, fully managed E-911 service for the city that includes a new fiber-optic network, dedicated switches, routers, Centrex voice services and Ethernet Private Line data network services.  Once the new system is operational, Verizon Business will provide network monitoring and technical support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Implementation of the first phase of the new E-911 system has begun and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.  All operations are currently planned to be migrated to the new system in 2008.

Verizon Business, with its predecessor companies, has provided 911 network services to New York City since 1968.

Verizon Business is one of the largest providers of advanced data, Internet and voice communications services in the United States and around the world.  Verizon Business offers local-to-global-to-local network capabilities coupled with a broad range of telecommunications products and services, including managed network services and systems integration, to all levels of government. Verizon Business' Government and Education organization offers state and local agencies and institutions of primary and higher education one-stop shopping for their communications or connectivity needs. The company has built the next-generation services that are helping to transform the way state and federal government customers -- and their constituents -- do business.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large business and government customers worldwide.  Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced technology and professional service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.

####