Verizon Invests $660,000 To Better Serve Massachusett's Newton Area Customers

NEWTON, Mass. - Verizon customers in the Newton area will soon have improved communications as the result of a $660,000 investment the company is making in its call-switching center here.

Verizon is installing new digital equipment in its Newton center to provide additional capacity and reliability in the Verizon telecommunications network. This equipment will enable Verizon to meet rising demand for high-speed, high-capacity data services such as DS-1, DS-3 and SONET (synchronous optical network) connections for local business customers.

SONET rings also provide multiple routes for voice and high-speed data services and are self-healing, automatically rerouting telecommunications transmissions in the event of a service disruption.

Verizon also is installing new power systems in its Newton center to support high-speed, high-capacity services for businesses and DSL (digital subscriber line) high-speed Internet service. The power equipment also keeps the Verizon network running in the event of a commercial power outage. The company plans to complete the projects by the end of September.

During the past three years, Verizon has invested more than $2 billion in its network that serves Massachusetts.

"This project demonstrates Verizon's commitment to build and maintain an advanced telecommunications network throughout the Bay State," said Donna Cupelo, region president for Verizon Massachusetts/Rhode Island. "We continue to invest in our state-of-the-art infrastructure to maintain service excellence, as well to provide a platform for high-speed access to the Internet, work-at-home capabilities and a host of other advanced services.

"Whether we're making significant network upgrades or offering new services and packages of local, long-distance and broadband services, Verizon is committed to meeting the communications needs of consumers and businesses," said Cupelo.

Verizon Communications

A Fortune 10 company, 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 136.6 million access line equivalents and 33.3 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is the third-largest long-distance carrier for U.S. consumers, with 13.2 million long-distance lines, and the company is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. With approximately $67 billion in annual revenues and 227,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

####