Verizon Online Brings Internet Home For Verizon's West Virginia Customers

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Connecting to the Internet is now a local call for Verizon customers in West Virginia who use the company's Internet access service.

Verizon Online today is introducing a single Internet access dial-up number --
1-500-699-9900 -- that can be used from within any of the Verizon service areas in the Mountain State to connect to the Internet without long-distance charges. Verizon provides wireline service to most communities in the state, serving over a half-million customers.

This marks the debut of Verizon Online dialup Internet access service in West Virginia. Verizon Online also offers broadband Internet access services in parts of the state via DSL (digital subscriber line) and other high-speed data communications.

"With our single statewide dial-up number, Verizon Online now can bring the information superhighway into any home we serve in West Virginia," said Gale Given, president of Verizon West Virginia. "We offer world-class Internet access service that is now more accessible. And Verizon keeps it simple. Customers can add their monthly Verizon Online charges to their local telephone bill."

Verizon Online first introduced a 500 dial-up number in New York and New England in 2001. The service is popular and growing, with more than half of Verizon Online customers using the 500 number service.

When a Verizon Online customer dials the 500 number from a Verizon phone anywhere in West Virginia, the call is routed automatically to the company's closest Internet connection point. The call will be free unless the customer has Thrifty Caller service, which includes a charge for every completed outgoing local call.

"We expect that West Virginians will love the convenience of one easy-to-remember, dial-up number to reach the Internet. It's simple and easy to get connected to the world," Given said.

Verizon Online offers unlimited dial-up Internet access for $22.95 a month. The service includes:
• Five MB (megabytes) of Web space for storing files and photos or creating a personal Web site.

• SpamDetector(r) to help control unwanted junk e-mail.

• Free technical support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• A Photo Center for sharing pictures online with friends and family.

• Access to more than 28,000 newsgroups.

To subscribe or get more information about Verizon Online's dial-up Internet access service, consumers can call 1-800-638-2026 or visit www.verizon.net.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon is the largest phone company in the United States and the nation's largest wireless company, 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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