Verizon Introduces Flexible, Upgradable Service for Small Businesses in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions

NEW YORK -- For small businesses, success depends on their ability to be flexible and efficient while they

control costs. Verizon's new FlexGrow service for businesses with 10-20 phone lines is designed with precisely those

needs in mind.

FlexGrow is a "channelized" T-1 service, now available in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions, which

integrates voice and high-speed data over a single T-1 facility. Each T-1 facility has the capacity for 24 voice grade

channels. These channels are configured in one of four options, combining voice channels and "bonded" DS0

channels for dedicated high-speed data transmissions.

FlexGrow service supports applications such as analog voice dedicated data access, transactional data traffic, Internet

access and bulk file transfers. It is designed for small businesses or businesses with branch offices with

telecommunications requirements of 10 to 20 voice lines and high-speed Internet access. FlexGrow can be upgraded, making

it ideally suited for businesses that have outgrown their current communications systems or who need to consolidate and

simplify their services.

"FlexGrow is less complicated, more efficient and easier to manage than the multiple services which many companies

have to serve a variety of communications needs," said Rahman Karriem, executive director-data solutions and

emerging technologies for Verizon. "FlexGrow does the job of multiple communications and at a more affordable

price."

FlexGrow operates through an integrated access device or channel bank, a piece of equipment at the customer's location

that combines voice and data over one T-1 line. Customers have the option of setting up the service using Verizon's

access equipment or another vendor's equipment with their FlexGrow service. The integrated access device must be

compatible with Verizon's central office equipment if they chose to provide their own equipment.

Verizon's FlexGrow comes in a variety of configurations, enabling businesses to choose the speed and capacity that best

meets their needs. Bundling voice and data services into one Verizon platform creates operating and cost efficiencies.

• FlexGrow 256 -- Provides four DS0 channels bonded into one 256 kilobits per second (Kbps) channel for

  high-speed data access with 20 channels available for voice service.

• FlexGrow 384 -- Provides six DS0 channels bonded into one 384 Kbps channel for high-speed data access with 18

  channels available for voice service.

• FlexGrow 512 -- Provides eight DS0 channels bonded into one 512 Kbps channel for high-speed data access with

  16 channels available for voice service.

• FlexGrow 768 -- Provides 12 DS0 channels bonded into one 768 Kbps channel for high-speed data access with 12

  channels available for voice service.

A full range of voice features is available with FlexGrow, including Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, Caller ID, Three-way

Calling and Ultra Forward.

FlexGrow provides dedicated, point-to-point, high-speed Internet access. FlexGrow customers who select Verizon Online as

their Internet service provider have a direct, high-speed connection to the Internet for a flat rate. Verizon Online

offers dedicated Internet access via FlexGrow at speeds of 256 Kbps, 384 Kbps, 512 Kbps, and 768 Kbps. This service is

ideal for businesses that have applications with predictable traffic levels and that require guaranteed bandwidth.

FlexGrow is available in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Maine,

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and New York. Rates vary depending on the service options

selected.

Businesses can get more information about FlexGrow by visiting Verizon's Web site at www.verizon.com/smallbiz or by calling 1-800-256-2609.

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 132.1 million access line

equivalents and 29.4 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A

Fortune 10 company with more than $67 billion in annual revenues and approximately 247,000 employees, Verizon's global

presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on

Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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