Verizon Deploys Fiber Optics, Electronics, Bringing Additional Advanced Technology, Services To Laurel Area

LAUREL, Del. -- Verizon Communications recently has invested $69,000 to expand and modernize its

local telephone network in the Laurel area of Sussex County. This represents one of the company's major fiber-optic

projects in Sussex County last year.

Verizon installed fiber-optic cable and electronic equipment along Route 9 between U.S. Route 13 and County Road

478 northwest of Laurel, providing increased bandwidth and reliability for residence and business customers. The

aerial and underground cables contain a total of 134 fiber miles, or the total distance if all of the fibers in the cable

were placed end to end.

"Our mission is ensuring that Delaware's citizens have full access to the opportunities of the new

economy," said Joshua W. Martin III, president of Verizon Delaware. "Verizon is committed to building

a telecommunications network that is second to none and to delivering the benefits of advanced technology to

everyone."

Fiber-optic systems use hair-thin glass strands and digital technology to deliver high quality telephone services as well

as high-speed/high-capacity voice and data services.

Martin said Verizon has accelerated its investment in telecommunications infrastructure throughout the First State:

• Investment in the company's Delaware network since 1995 exceeds $450 million.

• Miles of fiber in the state increased by 43 percent from 88,827 miles in 1999 to more than 127,000 miles today.

• The company deployed 68 SONET (Synchronous Optical Network) rings in its Delaware network in 2000.

  SONET rings provide multiple choices of high-speed voice and data services and are self-healing, automatically

  rerouting telecommunications transmissions in the event of a service disruption.

• Verizon Online DSL service was launched in Delaware in January 2000. DSL is a high-speed connection to the

  Internet that enables users to surf the World Wide Web at speeds much faster than today's fastest analog modems.

  Today, more than 70,000 Delaware households are able to get Verizon Online DSL.

"Telecommunications-intensive information and service sectors have driven Delaware's economy in recent years

and are predicted to increase in importance," Martin said. "Verizon's investment in telecommunications

infrastructure will enhance Delaware's ability to stimulate economic growth, attract new jobs and businesses and

provide the opportunity to shape our state's future in the 21st century."

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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