Verizon Earns Federal Approval to Offer Long-Distance Service in Connecticut

NEW YORK - Verizon Communications earned federal approval today to offer long-distance service in Connecticut, the third of the company's Northeast states to pass muster with the Federal Communications Commission.

''We're pleased that the FCC has recognized that Verizon's local telephone network in Connecticut is open,'' said Thomas J. Tauke, Verizon senior vice president of External Affairs and Public Policy. ''This decision confirms yet again that Verizon has done its part to open all its local markets to competition, and that Connecticut consumers and businesses are entitled to the benefits of added long-distance competition.''

Verizon expects to receive the remaining license approvals to offer long-distance service from the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control soon.

Verizon is the nation's fourth largest long-distance provider with more than 5.2 million customers in 38 states.

On June 21, Verizon filed an application with the FCC seeking approval to offer long-distance service in Pennsylvania. The company also plans to seek long-distance approval in New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont by the end of the year.

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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 112 million access line equivalents and 27 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with approximately 260,000 employees and more than $65 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