Verizon Invests $1.4 Million To Better Serve Delaware County Customers

MEDIA, Pa. - Verizon customers in Upper Darby, Springfield, Lansdowne and Glenolden will receive improved, more reliable phone service as the result of a $1.4 million investment to upgrade and expand the capacity of the company's telecommunications network in these communities.

In Upper Darby Township, Verizon recently installed new copper cable from its Upper Darby telephone switching office at Township Line Road and Bewley Avenue south along Township Line Road to Childs Avenue. Verizon is also replacing existing copper cable along Chester Pike between Gardner Avenue and Hinkson Boulevard in Glenolden. In Lansdowne, the company is replacing cable from its switching office, located at Lansdowne Avenue and Baltimore Pike along Baltimore Pike to Providence Road and along a portion of Woodlawn Avenue. In addition, Verizon will soon replace existing copper cable in Springfield Township.

Verizon expects to complete the projects by the end of this year. The new cables will provide more reliable connections for voice and data communications and will accommodate future growth to meet the rising demand for local and long-distance calling and Internet access.

"These projects underscore 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. Last September, Verizon received federal approval to provide long-distance service in the commonwealth. 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 133.8 million access line equivalents and approximately 29.6 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and nearly 248,000 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.

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