Verizon Opens Data Network Engineering Facility in Southwest Baltimore

BALTIMORE --Baltimore has gained another high-tech operation, as Verizon today announced the opening of a national data network engineering

facility in the southwest part of the city.

In a special ceremony, Verizon officials joined Baltimore Deputy Mayor Laurie Schwartz, along with other city, state and business leaders for the grand opening

of the Verizon Advanced Data, Inc. Nationwide Engineering Center at 3701 Koppers Street.

Employees at the Nationwide Engineering Center plan and design Verizon's sophisticated communications networks that provide DSL (digital subscriber line)

and other high-speed data services. Currently, 130 engineers and specialists operate out of the new center. Verizon Advanced Data plans to add about 100

new management jobs at the facility within a year.

Verizon Advanced Data --an affiliate of Verizon Communications --oversees the planning, design and engineering of all Verizon's high-speed data network

services in areas of the U.S. where Verizon is an incumbent local telephone company.

"Today's official opening of the Nationwide Engineering Center is further proof of Verizon's commitment to Baltimore and Maryland," said William

R. Roberts, president of Verizon Maryland. "This center will house some of our company's brightest engineers, who are helping to develop the broadband

data networks that will fuel the Digital Economy."

"We are excited that Verizon has chosen to locate its advanced data center in Baltimore," said Deputy Mayor Laurie Schwartz. "High-speed

data links are the backbone of communication networks and to have Verizon's data center here and the jobs that come with it, is a plus for the city as it attempts

to stay on the cutting edge of technology."

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.

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