Verizon Eliminates Charge for Touch Call Service In North Carolina

DURHAM, N.C. -- Beginning Nov. 15, separate Touch Call charges on Verizon phone bills in North Carolina will

disappear. At the same time, Verizon's rates for basic monthly service will increase modestly.

Verizon currently charges North Carolinians 68 cents a month for Touch Call service. The charge dates back to the

introduction of Touch Call service more than 20 years ago.

"Local phone service from Verizon remains a tremendous value," said Joe Foster, Verizon's vice president for

regulatory and governmental affairs. "Verizon's basic residential rates in North Carolina are generally lower than

they were 10 years ago."

The modest increase in local rates will vary depending on the exchange. Most residential customers will see increases of

less than a dollar for basic monthly service. For example, basic rates for residential customers in Durham will rise 68

cents, from $12.81 a month to $13.49. The same rates for businesses in Durham increase $1.70, from $32.04 to $33.74.

Verizon's rate changes follow an annual review by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. This annual review is

conducted according to the North Carolina price regulation plan for Verizon.

Verizon serves some 355,000 access lines in North Carolina, primarily in Durham and the western part of the state.

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 125 million access line

equivalents and more than 28 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world.

A Fortune 10 company with about 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.

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