Verizon Expands Voice Mail Systems To Better Serve Pennsylvania Customers

HARRISBURG -- Verizon Communications has invested about $2 million to provide more reliable telecommunications service to its customers in the central and western areas of Pennsylvania.

Verizon recently expanded the capacity of its Harrisburg and Pittsburgh voice mail systems, state-of-the-art computers that route and store messages for residential and business customers,to meet the increased demand for voice mail services. This upgrade will increase reliability for Verizon voice mail customers in these areas and accommodate future growth.

"This project underscores Verizon's commitment to build and maintain a state-of-the-art telecommunications network throughout Pennsylvania," said Daniel J. Whelan, president of Verizon Pennsylvania. "We continue to upgrade our infrastructure to provide rural, suburban and urban customers with better quality service, as well as the platform for high-speed access to the Internet, work-at-home capabilities and a host of other innovative advanced services."

Verizon will continue to make a substantial investment in Pennsylvania's telecommunications network in 2002. The company has invested approximately $3 billion in the commonwealth over the last three years.

"We are building an advanced telecommunications network that will stimulate job and income growth and will make Pennsylvania one of the most attractive locations for corporations and individuals," Whelan said.

In addition to deploying the latest technology, Verizon recently launched an array of long-distance calling plans for Pennsylvania consumers and businesses. In September 2001, Verizon received federal approval to compete in Pennsylvania's long-distance market. The company now offers Pennsylvanians a complete range of telecommunications services, including local, regional and long-distance calling, data, high-speed Internet and wireless services.

"The level of telecom competition in Pennsylvania today is unprecedented," said Whelan. "Verizon's entry into the long-distance market is accelerating that competition. And consumers are the winners, because they will see real savings in their pockets, just as consumers in other states have benefited when full competition became a fact of life."

Verizon Communications

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 132.1 million access line equivalents and 29.4 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and approximately 247,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.