Verizon Online Adds New High-Speed Lane to the Internet for Consumers and Businesses

NEW YORK - Verizon Online continues creating the best value in broadband by introducing a new DSL (digital subscriber line) speed option for consumers and businesses.

The new DSL service offers a maximum connection speed of 3 Mbps (megabits per second) downstream and 768 Kbps (kilobits per second) upstream and is available today in 12 New England and mid-Atlantic states and in the District of Columbia. The company plans to offer 3Mbps DSL service later this year in the remaining 11 states where it now offers up to 1.5 Mbps DSL service.

"Today's broadband customers are looking for higher speeds to support working from home, multi-player gaming and e-mailing large files like photographs, but most of all, they're looking for a great value," said John Wimsatt, vice president of broadband for Verizon Online. "Now they have an additional, super-fast option from Verizon, with some of the industry's best broadband prices."

Consumer DSL

Verizon Online will offer the new higher maximum connection speed to qualifying consumers for as low as $39.95 a month when purchased as part of a package of Verizon calling services. Consumers can get more information about Verizon Online DSL at 1-800-PICK-DSL.

The company will continue to offer a maximum connection speed of 1.5 Mbps/384 Kbps to consumers in 23 states and the District of Columbia, for as low as $29.95 a month.

Business DSL

Small and medium-sized businesses can also take advantage of the new speed option from Verizon Online. The business packages include all the tools needed for business grade access to the Web, including domain name e-mail boxes (username@yourcompany.com), round-the-clock technical support and unlimited remote dial-up service. Additionally, Verizon Online offers businesses a choice of dynamic or static IP (Internet protocol) routing for $89.95 per month and $129.95 a month, respectively. Unlike dynamic DSL, a static IP address gives businesses a permanent IP address for hosting a Web site and an e-mail server, as well as providing virtual private network (VPN) applications for employees who work remotely.

Verizon Online offers business-grade DSL service in packages up to a maximum of 7.1 Mbps and up to a 20 percent discount on DSL monthly service to businesses that subscribe to a qualifying bundle. Business customers interested in revving up their DSL service can contact their Verizon representative at 1-888-649-9500.

"Advancements like increasing the speed for DSL, and the introduction of products like voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and fiber to the premises are examples of how Verizon Online is positioned to meet our customers' broadband needs now and in the future," said Wimsatt.

Verizon Online is initially rolling out the new service to qualifying consumers and businesses in Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, the District of Columbia and parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Verizon Communications

A Dow 30 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $68 billion in annual revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

####

DSL service generally is available to homes and offices located within approximately three miles of Verizon's local switching center or "central office." Some technical limitations may interfere with the ability of individual telephone lines to get DSL, even when the lines are within three miles of a DSL-equipped central office.

*Downstream and upstream speeds describing Verizon Online's services are maximum connection speeds between the customer's computer and Verizon's DSL equipment. Actual connection speeds may vary from the maximum speeds and may be lower than the advertised line rate. Throughput (download and upload) speeds will be lower than connection speeds and vary based on the telephone line's condition and distance from Verizon's central office, home or office wiring and the server or router speed of sites visited on the Internet, among other factors.