Verizon Widens Availability of Its Fastest DSL-Enabled High Speed Internet Service in Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA (Map) - Latest Expansion Brings Verizon's Up to 7.1 Megabits-per-Second Service to More Than 1 Million State Households; Broadband Price Guarantee, Bundles of Voice, Internet and Satellite TV Services Great Choice for Cost-Conscious Consumers

PHILADELPHIA, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- To satisfy the growing broadband needs of Pennsylvania consumers, Verizon continues to expand the availability of its fastest High Speed Internet (HSI) service, which delivers Internet download speeds of up to 7.1 megabits per second (Mbps). Verizon's 7.1 Mbps HSI service - delivered over digital subscriber line (DSL) technology - is available to some 232,000 more Pennsylvania households, bringing the number of homes that can order the service in the commonwealth to more than 1 million.

"Our competitively priced consumer broadband service delivers tremendous value," said Gale Y. Given, president of Verizon Pennsylvania. "The expansion of our fastest Verizon High Speed Internet service, either stand-alone or bundled with Verizon Freedom unlimited local and long-distance calling and DIRECTV, will help consumers keep a handle on their household budgets by providing greater value than what cable companies offer."

Verizon's cost-effective bundles -- voice and Internet services delivered over the company's 99.9 percent reliable network, and satellite TV service -- start at $79.99 per month.* DIRECTV features more than 130 high-definition channels, plus more than 200 all-digital channels.

New Verizon voice customers who order a one-year bundle that includes either its up to 3 megabits per second (Mbps)/768 kilobits per second (Kbps) or up to 7.1 Mbps/768 Kbps Internet service will receive their choice of a free Compaq Mini netbook (valued at $299.99) or Flip Ultra(TM) camcorder (valued at $149.99) when signing up for a one-year contract. This promotional offer continues through Aug. 15.

"We're helping consumers keep a handle on their household budgets by providing greater value than what cable companies offer," said Given. "Our bundles give consumers High Speed Internet connections perfect for file sharing and sending and receiving large amounts of data; unlimited local and long-distance phone service; plus the all-digital-quality of DIRECTV service."

In addition to the value-priced bundles, Verizon will continue to offer its non-bundled HSI service with a lifetime price guarantee of $17.99 per month for speeds up to 1 Mbps/384 Kbps, $29.99 per month for up to 3 Mbps/768 Kbps, and $39.99 per month for the 7.1 Mbps/768 Kbps** when consumers sign a two-year agreement.

Verizon High Speed Internet service is the company's most popular and most widely available broadband data service, available to more than 25 million households in parts of 24 states and the District of Columbia. In Pennsylvania, Verizon customers can get High Speed Internet service as long as their homes or businesses are located within approximately three miles of the nearest Verizon switching office.

According to PC Magazine's 2008 readers' survey, Verizon High Speed Internet beat the average cable provider's score in reliability, the likelihood of a customer choosing an Internet service provider, as well as the associated costs and fees for the service.

Verizon HSI customers also receive access to an extensive portfolio of value-added services, including 250 MB (megabytes) of free Verizon Online Backup and Sharing, which provides useful disaster-recovery support.

The company's popular Verizon Internet Security Suite (VISS) provides comprehensive online protection from spyware and viruses for as little as $5.99 a month or $9.99 for one year and includes a firewall, parental control, pop-up blocker and privacy manager software to help keep customers safe from hackers and phishing attacks.

Customers can also obtain a combination offer of Verizon Online Backup and Sharing and Verizon Internet Security Suite for $8.99 per month.

VISS also is the winner of the Info Security Products Guide's 2009 Global Product Excellence in Internet Security Solutions Customer Trust Award, which recognizes VISS as one of the best products for Internet security worldwide.

Verizon also offers its broadband customers free parental controls through VISS and has launched a Parental Control Center offering tips and tools for parents on how to protect their children when they're online. The center features simple downloading of the parental-control software and tutorials on subjects such as social networking and safe surfing for kids. Links are available to Web sites for organizations like WiredSafety, the largest cybersafety organization, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Cyber Tipline. The center is available at www.verizon.net/parentalcontrol.

In addition, customers can protect their home-entertainment and communications investments by subscribing to a comprehensive suite of device protection plans such as Protection Pak Enhanced, which, in cases of a malfunction, cover the repair or replacement of all eligible computers, telephones and TVs in a customer's home, regardless of the device's place of purchase or age. Coverage is less than $1 a day.

Customers can obtain more information about Verizon's High Speed Internet service by visiting www.verizon.com/highspeed or by calling 1-800-VERIZON.

For more information about Verizon Small Business HSI service and bundles, visit smallbusiness.verizon.com or call 1-888-481-0387.

* Plus applicable taxes and fees.

** Download speeds may vary.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 86 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 237,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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