Verizon Invested More Than $626 Million in Its Landline Infrastructure in Maryland and the Nation's Capital in 2010

Consumers and businesses are reaping the benefits of Verizon's continued significant communications and computing infrastructure investment in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Verizon invested more than $626 million throughout the region in the company's landline communications network and information technology (IT) infrastructure in 2010.

"For decades, Verizon has been a leading player in Maryland and D.C., helping to fuel the region's sustained economic development through aggressive investment in the latest technology for both consumers and businesses," said William R. Roberts, Verizon's president in Maryland and Washington, D.C.  "From the smallest home to the largest business, Verizon's networks and technology touch lives, and our substantial investments benefit our customers, employees, suppliers and communities."

Verizon's major landline infrastructure programs last year included:

• Continued deployment of the company's award-winning, 100 percent fiber-optic FiOS TV and FiOS Internet services.  In 2010, Verizon extended FiOS service to more customers across the region, with the services available to nearly 1.4 million area homes and businesses at year's end.

• Enhancements that further differentiate FiOS services from the competition.  FiOS TV provides a host of innovative, interactive features including an advanced interactive media guide; social TV, news, sports and entertainment widgets; DVR management via broadband or cell phone; multi-room Home Media DVR; and more.  In 2010, Verizon:
• Launched Flex View, which enables FiOS TV customers to take on-demand video programming outside of the home and view it on various portable devices, including a growing number of compatible smartphones, tablets and laptops.

• Revved up FiOS Internet speeds to 150 megabits per second for downloading and 35 Mbps for uploading - the fastest mass-market speeds in the country.
• Introduction of a new speed tier of Verizon High Speed Internet service (using DSL technology), with download speeds at 10 to 15 megabits per second, for many Maryland and D.C. customers.
• Deployment of fiber-optic links to wireless providers' cell sites throughout the region as these carriers expand their infrastructure to meet ever-growing demand for wireless broadband and advanced 4G services.  In 2010, Verizon deployed fiber optics to connect more than 900 of these sites in Maryland and D.C.

Verizon Business provides information technology and communications services to many medium- to large-business and government customers throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C.  In 2010, the company continued to implement its "everything-as-a-service" strategy, introducing new cloud computing and security offerings and a host of industry-specific innovations.

"Verizon's continued robust network and IT investment is driving the next generation of cloud computing services, which will benefit consumers and businesses alike by making new capabilities available to anyone, anywhere at the touch of a fingertip - on a laptop, smartphone or tablet computer," said Roberts.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 94.1 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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