Verizon Provides Communications Services For the 2004 Republican National Convention

NEW YORK - 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 Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden, Aug. 30 - Sept. 2. This is the first Republican National Convention to be held here.

Outfitting the venue is like creating a new communications system for a small city. As the NYC Host Committee 2004's primary partner for 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 lines to sophisticated high-capacity data and broadcast circuits.

New York City is anticipating 50,000 visitors, including more than 4,800 delegates, for the August convention. Some 15,000 media representatives from around the world are expected to cover the event.

A campaign is currently under way to enlist more than 8,000 New Yorkers to volunteer and assist official convention staffers in a variety of capacities.

NYC Host Committee 2004 Chief Operating Officer Maureen J. Reidy said, "The New York City Host Committee has changed light bulbs, erected walls and applied hundreds of gallons of paint to a refurbished Farley Post Office Building. And we have built a bridge to tie in the convention center and the work area for thousands of journalists. However, without Verizon's technology and expertise we could not successfully propel New York City and the 2004 Republican Convention into homes and neighborhoods around the world."

Bill Harris, chief executive officer for the 2004 Republican National Convention, said, "Already providing service to some of the most demanding customers in the country, Verizon brings the reliability and experience required to serve the Republican National Convention and ensure the flawless execution of this important event for the party and the country."

Paul Crotty, Verizon's group president for New York and Connecticut said, "We are pleased to help make this important event a success. Our involvement will help support the convention as an economic development opportunity for our city." The convention is expected to generate $250 million in direct spending in the New York metropolitan region.

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 300 Verizon technicians and managers are installing the equivalent of 40,000 miles of cabling. The company is in the midst of deploying the equivalent of two fully equipped central offices - one for each of the two primary convention sites. These fully redundant sites are capable of handling call routing for the equivalent of more than 12,000 voice-grade lines.

In addition, hundreds of point-to-point 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 movement of large image-file transmissions.

Throughout the convention, Verizon will staff a command center at Madison Square Garden. News outlets with requests for special circuits or other services in connection with the event should contact Verizon's Republican National Convention Web site at www.verizon.com/rnc or 1-877-RNC04-VZ (877-762-0489).

Verizon Communications

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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