Verizon Deploys Fiber Optics, Electronics, Bringing Additional Advanced Technology, Services To Clearfield County

CLEARFIELD, Pa. -- Verizon Communications is investing more than $500,000 in two projects to modernize the local telecommunications network

and provide additional broadband capability to its customers in the Clearfield area. These projects are among the company's largest capital commitments in

Clearfield County this year.

In one project, Verizon is installing fiber-optic cable and electronic equipment in the rural Penfield area. The underground and aerial cables contain more than

408 fiber miles, or the total length if all the fibers in the cables were placed end to end. This advanced technology will serve residential and business customers

and provide additional broadband capability and reliability in the Verizon network.

In a separate project, Verizon is installing fiber-optic cable and an underground electronic storage facility on the Clearfield campus of Lock Haven University.

This advanced equipment will provide the university with high-speed, high-capacity connections to the Verizon network and enable distance learning for

Clearfield area students. The projects are expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2001. Fiber-optic systems use hair-thin glass strands and digital

technology to deliver high quality telephone services along with high-capacity/high-speed voice and data services.

"These projects are the latest evidence that Verizon is meeting its commitment to deliver a state-of-the-art telecommunications network throughout

Pennsylvania," said Daniel J. Whelan, president of Verizon Pennsylvania. "We are accelerating our construction schedules to provide rural and

urban customers with high-speed access to the Internet, work-at-home capabilities, as well as a host of other innovative advanced services."

Whelan said Verizon has made major strides in deploying advanced technology in its network:

• Investment in Verizon Pennsylvania's (formerly Bell Atlantic-Pennsylvania) network will reach $1 billion this year, totaling $3 billion in the past 3 years.

• Fiber miles in the Verizon Pennsylvania network increased from 911,308 in 1999 to 997,442 in 2000.

• Verizon Pennsylvania fulfilled its commitment to the state Public Utility Commission to convert all of its 218 switching offices to digital technology by the end

  of last year.

"Verizon is keeping its promises to Pennsylvania," Whelan said. "We are building and
enhancing a public telecommunications network in Pennsylvania that is the finest in the world and is a vital part of the commonwealth's economic

infrastructure."

In addition to deploying the latest technology, Verizon has spent tens of millions of dollars to open Pennsylvania's local telephone market to competition.

"We have irreversibly opened our markets to competition," Whelan said. "We can't force the long distance giants or anyone else to compete

here, but anyone who genuinely wants to enter our markets can do so."

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of

wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with nearly 109 million access line equivalents and more than 27.5 million wireless customers. Verizon

is also the world's largest provider of print and online directory information. A Fortune 10 company with approximately 260,000 employees and more than $63

billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon,

visit www.verizon.com.

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