Verizon Customers in Washington and Oregon Can Now Get Unlimited Direct-Dialed Local, Regional, Domestic Long-Distance Calling -- and More

EVERETT, Wash. - Verizon customers in Washington and Oregon can now take advantage of one of the best deals in home calling services -- the Verizon Freedom unlimited all-distance calling package. The new package, launched throughout these states today, includes unlimited direct-dialed local, regional and long-distance calling, plus the most popular call-management features - all for one low monthly price.

Verizon also offers Freedom packages that enable customers to incur additional benefits. For example, customers automatically qualify for additional value and savings when purchasing Verizon Online high-speed Internet access and DIRECTV's digital television service.

The DIRECTV component is available by visiting any Verizon Plus store, or by calling 877-TRY-PLUS. Later this year, customers will be able to purchase DIRECTV service by contacting their local Verizon customer service and sales number. Initially, customers will receive the respective bundled discount for Verizon and DIRECTV services on each company's billing statements. Verizon and DIRECTV expect to have coordinated billing later this year on a single Verizon bill.

The Verizon Freedom calling package covers all direct-dialed domestic calls as well as direct-dialed calls to Canada and certain United States territories. Also included at no extra charge are five of Verizon's most popular call-management features: Home Voice Mail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, Three-Way Calling and Speed Dialing. The package costs $64.95 per month. Additional taxes and charges apply.

Verizon customers can select various combinations of local, regional toll and long-distance calling, dial-up or high-speed Internet access and DIRECTV, adding savings progressively. The more services customers buy in the bundle, the bigger the savings when compared with the price of the same services sold separately.

"The main advantage of the Verizon Freedom calling package is its simplicity," said Judy Verses, Verizon senior vice president, national marketing. "Since we launched the package in several states last year, sales of Verizon Freedom have eclipsed our initial projections by a wide margin. With this package, customers can just make the call -- or as many calls as they want -- anytime, and talk for as long as they like.

"When Verizon launched long-distance, we promised to give customers the services they want, packaged the way they want them, and to keep things simple," she said. "Our customers want flat-rated, comprehensive packages, and the Verizon Freedom unlimited-calling package is the answer."

In addition to unlimited direct-dialed all-distance calling, customers can add unlimited DSL (digital subscriber line) Internet access for an additional $29.95 a month - a savings of $60 a year off the regular price of $34.95 a month.

In addition to Washington and Oregon, the package was simultaneously launched today in Idaho and Wisconsin.

Jeff Kagan, telecommunications industry analyst, said, "Customers love bundled services, but hate watching the clock. The future is not just about the simplicity of bundles, but also about buckets of minutes and unlimited minutes for a flat fee. Verizon is tapping into one of the most important trends in the industry today. It is a very competitive offering and will keep Verizon on the cutting edge."

The unlimited long-distance calling allowance, provided by Verizon Long Distance, includes direct-dialed calls to anywhere in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific. The Verizon Freedom unlimited package can be combined with certain Verizon international calling plans for additional savings.

The new package will simplify customer bills. Customers can sign up for Verizon Freedom by visiting www.verizon.com/unlimited. A single-line item that's the same every month will cover all relevant package charges, and call detail will not be provided, except as an option where required by state regulations.

Verizon Communications

A Dow 30 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $68 billion in annual 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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