Verizon Invites Mid-Atlantic Customers to Cut the Cable and Integrate Calling, Internet and DIRECTV Programming

NEW YORK - The best value in voice, broadband Internet access and digital TV programming has arrived for Verizon customers from New Jersey to West Virginia, giving them an opportunity to save money and cut away from their cable company forever.

Starting this week, Verizon customers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C, who combine a new DIRECTV® programming package with local, regional and long-distance calling services, and who also get their Internet access from Verizon Online will save up to $370 a year - compared with purchasing the same or equivalent Verizon services at individual, standard rates.

Verizon customers can select various combinations of local, regional toll and long-distance calling, as well as dial-up or high-speed Internet access, adding savings progressively. The more services customers buy in the bundle, the bigger the savings compared with the price of the same services sold separately. Initially, customers will receive the respective savings on their Verizon and DIRECTV billing statements. Verizon and DIRECTV expect to have coordinated billing later this year on a single Verizon bill.

With Verizon's combination calling, Internet and digital entertainment bundle in the market, it makes sense for customers to compare Verizon's price for the bundle with prices of cable TV companies and other carriers.

Verizon's bundled offer, which includes a free three-room DIRECTV system and standard installation for new DIRECTV customers, is available by calling Verizon service centers in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, using the number on customer bills.

"Now, East Coast customers from Presque Island to Virginia Beach have a clear choice for digital TV programming, voice and data communications," said Bob Ingalls, president of Verizon's Retail Markets Group. "With Verizon they get convenient one-stop shopping from a brand name that consumers know and trust for their most important communications, and they can get a great deal at the same time.

"Sales of the package in the Northeast, Florida, Texas, the Northwest and Great Lakes regions have been successful and are exceeding our expectations," he said. "Customers clearly perceive the value of our new bundle and are affirming our strategy. We are confident customers in the mid-Atlantic area will be taking advantage of the offer as well."

Steve Cox, executive vice president of sales, distribution and business development for DIRECTV Inc., said, "By leveraging the strength of both brands along with our combined, compelling array of voice, video and data services, we offer consumers in Verizon service territories a package that is hands down a superior value and alternative to cable."

Customized Packages an Option

Verizon has a strategic marketing agreement with California-based DIRECTV. Service was first offered in Rhode Island in February and progressively became available in New York, New England, California, Florida, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan throughout the spring. Verizon's Freedom with DSL and DIRECTV bundle includes unlimited nationwide calling and high-speed DSL and over 130 top entertainment channels including local channels in a package comparable to those offered by some cable TV competitors, but at a lower price.

In addition to the variety of calling and Internet services available from Verizon, customers will have the ability to purchase a full complement of DIRECTV services, including access to more than 225 channels; the wide selection of sports subscriptions like the NFL SUNDAY TICKET^TM; DIRECTV digital video recording technology; several channels of high-definition programming; and DIRECTV-delivered local channels in all major markets.

DIRECTV

DIRECTV is the nation's leading digital multichannel television service provider with more than 12.6 million customers. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTV). The DIRECTV Group is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment, broadband satellite networks and services, and global video and data broadcasting. The DIRECTV Group is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd.

The NFL SUNDAY TICKET is a registered trademark of the National Football League and its affiliates.

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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