Verizon Online Introduces High-Speed Internet Access In Western Virginia

ROANOKE, Va. -- Verizon Online is raising the speed limit in Roanoke and other western Virginia communities with today's introduction of super-fast digital subscriber line (DSL) service for consumers and businesses.

Besides Roanoke, customers in the following communities can enjoy the benefits of Verizon's high-speed Internet access service: Bedford, Blacksburg, Cave Spring, Christiansburg, Norton, Radford, Salem, Staunton and Pulaski.

To see if a phone line qualifies for DSL, customers should go to www.verizon.net.

Additionally, DSL service is available to Verizon customers throughout much of Northern Virginia, Greater Richmond and Hampton Roads.

Customers have the option of picking up a do-it-yourself installation kit with a DSL modem at a Best Buy store for $99 after the manufacturer's rebate.

"DSL provides customers with the speed they need to take full advantage of the Internet, whether they use it for their small business, telecommuting, or shopping and banking online," said Robert Woltz, president of Verizon Virginia. "Now our customers in can enjoy the benefits of turbo-charged Internet access."

Verizon Online Offers Choice of DSL Pricing Plans

Verizon Online offers three pricing plans for its most popular residential DSL service that offers a maximum speed of 768Kbps (kilobits per second) downstream and 128Kbps upstream.

• With a one-year commitment, new customers pay $39.95 a month if they order DSL by Dec. 31. The first month is free when the service is ordered online.

• On the month-to-month plan, the first six months of DSL service are $29.95 if customers order by Dec. 31, then the monthly price goes to $49.95. In addition, the first month is free when the service is ordered online.

• DSL service is $39.95 a month for new customers who buy a modem at Best Buy. The first month is free when the DSL service is ordered in the store at a broadband kiosk.

Local Verizon telephone customers who want to order basic DSL service or faster DSL service, can get more information online at www.verizon.net or by calling Verizon at 1-800-567-6790.

Verizon Online DSL packages for consumers include a free do-it-yourself installation kit with a DSL modem -- except for customers who purchased a modem at Best Buy, 10 MB (megabytes) of Web storage, 10 MB of e-mail storage and four e-mail boxes. Customers can be billed on their monthly telephone bills or a credit card. All packages come with a 30-day, money-back guarantee.

Consumers with more than one computer can also buy a router r that enables multiple computers to share one DSL connection within their home and provides a built-in firewall for added security.

Verizon Online DSL for Business Customers

Verizon Online offers six DSL packages to meet the broadband needs of small and medium-size businesses. The packages range from speeds of 768Kbps downstream and 128Kbps upstream to 7.1Mbps (megabits per second) downstream and 768Kbps upstream. Prices range from $59.95 to $204.95 a month.

Business packages include the high-speed connection, six domain name e-mail boxes, domain name registration or transfer and DNS (Domain Name System). Verizon Online offers wireless and wired routers that allow small and medium-size businesses to connect multiple computers to a single DSL line.

Verizon Online also offers businesses a robust portfolio of business e-mail and Web hosting services. Customers can save time by using the company's new point-and-click Web site tools to make their own edits.

Technical Definitions

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 block individual telephone lines from using DSL, even when the lines are located within three miles of a DSL-equipped central office.

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

Verizon Online is a full-service Internet service provider, offering a complete selection of dial-up, DSL and dedicated Internet access services for residential consumers and small and medium-size businesses. Verizon Online DSL service is available in 27 states and the District of Columbia.

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 135.0 million access line equivalents and 31.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and more than 236,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 35 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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