Verizon Network Continues to Operate Well As Major Winter Storm Strikes Northeast

NEW YORK - Verizon Communications' network in the Northeast continues to operate well as Mother Nature hurls a late-winter blast.

In some areas, the company's network has experienced unusually high calling volumes, and several call-routing centers in Massachusetts were running on backup power this morning, continuing to provide dial tone following the loss of commercial power.

"We prepare for situations such as these, and so far those preparations are paying off," said John Bell, Verizon senior vice president for Network Operations. "All of our call-routing centers have backup power in the form of batteries, diesel generators and/or turbine generators - so these centers will continue providing dial tone in the event we lose commercial power somewhere."

Verizon also has crews standing by to repair any network damage that might occur. Crews are already at work repairing minor cable damage in parts of New England and upstate New York.

Bell said that Verizon generally sees high call volumes when there is inclement weather. The increase is the result of youngsters being out of school and on the Internet instead, and of people telecommuting and accessing their companies' computer networks.

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 nearly 109 million access line equivalents and more than 27.5 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the world's largest provider of print and online directory information. A Fortune 10 company with approximately 260,000 employees and more than $63 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.