Verizon Offers Enhanced Financing Options for Large-Business Customers

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Economic stimulus legislation approved by Congress earlier this year provides additional incentive and more financing flexibility for Verizon Business customers considering network upgrades.

Under the 2008 Economic Stimulus Act (H.R. 5140), corporate customers can receive accelerated or "bonus" depreciation for certain equipment, including voice and data gear, ordered, invoiced and placed into service during 2008. Verizon Credit, Verizon's wholly owned financing subsidiary, offers qualifying commercial businesses more affordable financing terms and increased buying power as they look to accelerate their transition to modern Internet protocol (IP) technology by leasing or buying new equipment.

"This is an ideal time to purchase or lease voice and data equipment," said Nancy Gofus, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Verizon Business. "The federal government's stimulus package has created tangible incentives for businesses looking to replace or upgrade equipment to support their transformation to IP. Such flexible financing options are an important component of our solutions-oriented approach to meeting customers' unique and often complex business requirements."

Verizon Credit offers flexible financing for purchased equipment, which together with bonus depreciation provides important additional incentive for businesses to upgrade technologies. Verizon Credit can also offer lower lease rates to Verizon Business customers if bonus depreciation is available.

Leveraging World-Class Equipment Options and Professional Services Expertise

Verizon Business and its predecessor companies have sold, installed and maintained customer premises equipment for more than 25 years. The company has more than 85 resale and distributor agreements with leading equipment providers and approximately 1,200 vendor-trained, expert field engineers.

Leveraging its vast selection of equipment and networking options, Verizon Business professional services personnel work closely with customers to assess, plan design and implement advanced, IP-based solutions to meet a wide range of business objectives. Verizon Business delivers a standardized set of more than 50 professional services through 2,700 consultants covering five practice areas - security services, information technology services, network integration and engineering, IP communications, and contact center services.

Visit the Verizon Business Web site for more information on bonus depreciation and the company's portfolio of customer premises equipment.

Note: Verizon Business and Verizon Credit do not provide tax or accounting advice. Please consult with your accounting or tax professional to learn more about how financing can potentially benefit your organization. Actual pricing and tax benefits will vary based on transaction details.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), operates the world's most connected public IP network and uses its industry-leading global-network capabilities to offer large-business and government customers an unmatched combination of security, reliability and speed. The company integrates advanced IP communications and information technology (IT) products and services to deliver leading enterprise solutions including managed services, security, mobility, collaboration and professional services. These solutions power innovation and enable the company's customers to do business better. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.

####

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.