Verizon Online DSL Customers Can Share The Power with a 2Wire HomePortal Gateway

NEW YORK and SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Responding to customers who want maximum efficiency from their Verizon Online DSL

connections, Verizon Online is offering its first home networking product. Beginning today, through an agreement with

2WireTM, Inc., Verizon Online will offer the HomePortal^TM 100 gateway.

The HomePortal uses existing home telephone wiring to create a local area network (LAN) that connects multiple personal

computers and laptops to a single DSL connection. It also enables communication and data transfer among additional

networked devices like printers or scanners, at home. The HomePortal gateway also has built-in firewall protection for

an extra layer of security, as well as virtual private network (VPN) capability for customers who want to access a

corporate network when working from home.

"Broadband opens up a whole world of new services, including video conferencing, interactive games and home

monitoring while speeding up every transaction," said John Wimsatt, vice president -- marketing for Verizon Online.

"Verizon Online is offering 2Wire's HomePortal to its DSL product portfolio because of the added value it brings to

our DSL service."

"With more than 50 percent of DSL households having multiple computers, Verizon Online DSL customers can now enjoy

the benefits of a secure home network," said Michael Hickerson, vice president of sales and service for 2Wire.

"We're pleased to work with Verizon Online to provide their customers with a simple solution for sharing high-speed

Internet access today. We look forward to working with Verizon Online to develop and deliver future killer broadband

applications."

Verizon's HomePortal Market Trial

Verizon Online conducted a market trial earlier this year using the HomePortal with a cross-section of DSL residential

customers who had multiple computers. "The network system works extremely well. And there are no more fights for

computer time at night," said market trial participant Andrea Barron of Boston.

The do-it-yourself 2Wire gateway doesn't require any additional wiring. It plugs into the main computer, the DSL modem

and a phone jack. Software available on a CD-ROM must be loaded on each of the PCs or laptops that are part of the home

network.

Additionally, the HomePortal gateways create a platform to deliver a host of future broadband-powered applications, such

as home automation and parental security controls.

Verizon Online offers the 2Wire HomePortal 100 to its customers for $199.95. Verizon customers who want more information

or to order the 2Wire gateway should call toll-free 1-877-483-3596 if they previously had Bell Atlantic service or

1-877-483-3648 for former GTE customers.

A change to a higher bandwidth service is not necessary to use the gateway product. However, bandwidth is shared when

two or more users are online and working at the same time, so customers may want to consider upgrading their DSL service

to maximize their DSL experience.

Verizon Online is a full-service Internet service provider, offering a complete suite of dial-up, DSL and dedicated

Internet access services for residential consumers and small and medium-size businesses. Dial-up and dedicated Internet

access from Verizon Online is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. DSL Internet access services are

available in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Verizon Online also offers businesses a robust portfolio of Web

hosting and outsourced business services across the country.

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 125 million access line

equivalents and approximately 28 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the

world. A Fortune 10 company with about 260,000 employees and more than $65 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.

2Wire, Inc. (www.2wire.com) is dedicated to developing integrated products that

deliver broadband content and services throughout the home. 2Wire's full suite of broadband solutions, which includes

the award-winning line of HomePortal residential gateways, provides consumers with a simple, flexible way to leverage a

broadband connection to enable feature-rich Internet , telephony, entertainment, and other services to be delivered to

computers, phones and entertainment equipment.

2Wire was named Technology Partners Technology Outlook "Investor's Choice" for the second consecutive year.

The company has also been recognized as one of the Hot 100 Private Companies by Upside magazine. 2Wire's HomePortal

wireless residential gateway was awarded Best of Show honors at CES (Consumer Electronics show) 2001.

2Wire, the 2Wire logo and HomePortal are trademarks of 2Wire, Inc.©2001, 2Wire, Inc.

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