Verizon CEO Says Digital Life is Converging on Company's Multimedia Networks

LAS VEGAS - Speaking today at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show here, Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg will outline the unique role his company is playing in delivering a total broadband experience to customers and how Verizon's new multimedia networks are evolving to ultimately deliver digital content on any device -- anywhere, anytime.

"The high-tech industry has long had a vision of networks capable of delivering 100 megabits to the home," Seidenberg said in remarks prepared for delivery at 11 a.m. Pacific time. "Today we are delivering on that vision. Our unique fiber architecture has the two-way capabilities and multimegabit speeds the digital customer wants. Our FiOS TV product is fully digital from day one, with tons of high-definition content. All of that is good news for the electronics industry, because it fuels the market for faster home PCs and high-definition TVs."

Seidenberg's presentation will include demonstrations showing how music, photos and videos - in fact, any digital content - can be shared across every network and device a consumer uses, from a plasma television to a PC, and even to a Verizon One phone. His presentation also will include demonstrations of the company's newest services, including V CAST Music and FiOS TV.

V CAST Music, a new service announced this morning by Verizon Wireless, transforms the way consumers enjoy music. (See separate news release.) V CAST Music offers Verizon Wireless customers the ability to download music over the air directly to their wireless phones or straight to their Windows^® XP PCs and transfer digital music between the PC and the phone. Consumers can search, browse and buy music both on their phones and on their PCs (a unique feature that distinguishes V CAST Music from all other music download services, which offer only one or the other option); preview tracks; and use alerts to receive mobile messages when a selected artist releases a new track or album.

The demonstrations also will highlight the interactivity of FiOS TV, the new all-digital video service offered over Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network, and the customization and control that Internet protocol TV will allow customers to enjoy. This will include a review of IPTV's customized programming options, its advanced commercial applications, its future interactive features like Fantasy Football alerts and on-screen caller ID, and a media manager service that will tie FiOS TV into customers' home networks.

"Looking ahead," said Seidenberg, "we are developing the operating systems, applications and next-generation TV experience that will give customers access to all their digital content on any device, any network, any time they want - in a way that's as intuitive and transparent to the customer as the telephone or the Internet is today."

Seidenberg will also announce that FiOS TV is expanding into additional communities in Texas, where the company has state-issued franchise authority to offer video. (See separate news release.)

Verizon's FTTP network is now deployed in close to 800 communities in more than half the states Verizon serves. As of the end of 2005, this network passed 3 million homes, and the company plans to pass 3 million more by then end of 2006, covering around 20 percent of its residential customer base.

"Customers are endlessly creative in imagining ways for broadband and mobility to transform their lives and change the way our society works," Seidenberg said. "Verizon's job is to make sure that - whatever great communications idea anyone can come up with - our networks can help make it happen."

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 49.3 million customers nationwide, and one of the nation's premier wireline networks, serving home, business and wholesale customers in 28 states. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 215,000 and generates annual revenues of more than $71 billion from four business segments: Domestic Telecom, Domestic Wireless, Information Services and International. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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