Verizon Invests $1.1 Million to Better Serve New Jersey's Middlesex County Customers

FRANKLIN PARK, N.J. - Verizon customers in areas of Middlesex County soon will have improved communications as the result of a $1.1 million investment the company is making in its call-switching center here. Verizon is installing new equipment, including advanced power systems that enable the company to provide critical telecommunications services in the event of a commercial power disruption, such as those that occurred last year during Hurricane Isabel and the Northeast blackout.

The equipment also allows Verizon to more efficiently monitor power systems and diagnose potential network power problems, thus increasing reliability in the Verizon network. The company expects to complete the project in May.

The Franklin Park center also serves Verizon customers in portions of North, South and East Brunswick, and Franklin.

"Verizon's investment in power systems is critical to supplying dial tone and other customer services in an emergency," said Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey. "During the hurricane and blackout, Verizon's New Jersey call-switching centers converted automatically to our backup power systems. As a result, our customers' phones kept working."

In addition to the Franklin Park project, Verizon continues to install fiber-optic cable and other advanced telecommunications equipment throughout the Garden State. Verizon has deployed more than 1.75 million fiber miles in New Jersey, enough to circle the earth more than 70 times.

The company also invests in advanced technology to help conserve energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase the security and reliability of Verizon's telecommunications network from Weehawken to Wildwood. Verizon is working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to save energy and protect the environment.

In addition to deploying the latest technology, Verizon has spent tens of millions of dollars to open New Jersey's local telephone market to competition.

"Verizon has a long history of investment in this state and service to our customers and communities," Bone said. "We will continue to play a vital role in New Jersey's future, just as we have for more than a century."

Verizon Communications

A Fortune 10 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.

####