Verizon Provides Communications Services for the 2004 Democratic National Convention

BOSTON - Through its advanced communications networks, Verizon will help connect viewers and listeners around the country and the world as thousands of news media report on the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the party's national political convention at the FleetCenter here July 26-29. This is the first national political convention to be held in Boston.

Outfitting the venue is like creating a new communications system for a small city. As the primary provider of communications services, Verizon will provide convention organizers, delegates and news media representatives with a wide variety of products and services - ranging from basic dial tone to sophisticated high-capacity data, Internet access and broadcast circuits.

Boston 2004, the city's host committee, is anticipating 35,000 visitors, including nearly 5,000 delegates, for the July convention. More than 10,000 Boston-area residents have volunteered to assist official convention staffers in a variety of capacities. Some 15,000 credentialed media representatives from around the world are expected to cover the event.

"Verizon has been working with the host committee for more than a year," said David Passafaro, president of Boston 2004. "Verizon has helped us plan for what we know will be a very successful event for this city."

Donna Cupelo, Verizon region president for Massachusetts and Rhode Island, said, "We are doing whatever it takes to help our city shine. We are proud to help make Boston's first national political convention a huge success for our city and our country."

Rod O'Connor, chief executive officer, 2004 Democratic National Convention Committee, said, "Verizon's experience in large-scale projects such as this has already proven invaluable. With the eyes of the world focused on the FleetCenter, we know we can rely on Verizon to help us deliver a great event for our party and our nation."

Paul Lacouture, president of Verizon Network Services group, said, "Our employees are working round-the-clock to provide a customized network and a wide range of services. Verizon has the size, scope and expertise to fulfill the needs of such significant, national events."

More than 200 Verizon managers and technicians are working to install the equivalent of 4,000 miles of cabling. The company is mobilizing five "mini-central offices" on portable trailers to handle call-routing for the equivalent of more than 8,000 voice-grade lines. Verizon will connect nine separate facilities around Boston being used for the Democratic National Convention, including the FleetCenter, media facilities and administrative offices.

In addition, more than 100 broadcast circuits have been deployed over Verizon's fiber-optic network to handle the requirements of live television broadcasts. High-speed Internet access will provide the media with the necessary bandwidth to support digital darkrooms and the transmission of large image files. Multiple OC-12 SONET rings will interconnect each convention venue, thereby providing diverse routing.

Throughout the convention, Verizon will staff a command center at the FleetCenter. News outlets with requests for special circuits or other services in connection with the event should contact Verizon's Democratic National Convention Web site at www.verizon.com/dnc or 1-877-DNC04-VZ (1-877-362-0489).

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.

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