Verizon Launches Customer-Designed Long-Distance Plans in 36 States

DALLAS -- Verizon is introducing flat-rate long-distance plans, designed with customer input. Consumers and businesses in 36 states now have new

choices from Verizon for simple long-distance plans that are easy to understand with low flat rates and no minimums or monthly charges.

"Our new plans have the same low rates around the clock, making them the simplest and easiest to understand in the nation," said Maura Breen,

president, Verizon Long Distance. "We're committed to bringing consumers and businesses more simple, innovative choices in their long-distance services.

"No one else offers so many uncomplicated flat-rate plans without monthly recurring charges or minimums. The plans were designed by consumers and

appeal to anyone who makes long-distance calls. It's long distance without a calculator or clock. It's simple -- one company, one bill and one low rate,"

Breen said.

New Plans

Timeless^sm is a 10-cents-per-minute calling plan without monthly recurring charges or minimum usage fees. The low flat rate applies to

direct-dialed, state-to-state long-distance calls -- all day, every day.

SmartTouch^sm allows customers in selected states to buy long-distance time in advance for 8 cents per minute for state-to-state,

direct-dialed calls. There's no monthly fee or even a paper bill. Customers get a SmartTouch fund update every time they make a long-distance call, by calling

"0-0" or through the Web site -- www.getsmarttouch.com.

FirmRate^sm appeals to businesses that spend less than $100 per month on long distance. Calls are just 9 cents per minute for

direct-dialed, state-to-state domestic long-distance calls. There are no monthly recurring charges, minimum usage fees or long-term commitments required.

Optional term plans are available with lower per-minute rates.

"Verizon offered a suite of flat-rate plans without monthly recurring charges in New York and New Yorkers responded enthusiastically, with 1.4 million

customers signing up in the first year. Now callers in other states can get in on the best of those 'surprise-free' long-distance plans," said Breen.

In addition to introducing the new plans, Verizon is reducing the monthly recurring charge for its existing Worldwide Saver calling plan from $4.95 a

month to $3 a month. International rates to many countries have been reduced, as well.

Verizon will help customers find the best plan for them, based on their individual calling patterns. To find out about the plans, customers can call

1-888-483-4410 or visit a local Verizon Phone Mart. SmartTouch is only available through the Web site -- www. getsmarttouch.com.

Verizon is currently the fourth-largest long-distance company, offering service in 37 states to more than 4.9 million customers. The Telecommunications Research

and Action Center, a consumer watchdog agency, reported last fall that New York consumers are saving about $220 million annually on their phone bills

because of telecommunications competition there. Approximately half the savings, $120 million, comes from the lower long-distance rates enjoyed by Verizon

Long Distance customers -- savings of up to $10 a month per customer.

Timeless and FirmRate plans are available in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota,

Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The plans will be introduced in

Hawaii on March 12.

The SmartTouch plan is available in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New

Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

The new long-distance calling plans are offered by Verizon Select Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Verizon Communications Inc.

Verizon Communications Inc. (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 nearly 109 million access line equivalents and more than 27.5 million wireless customers. Verizon

is also the world's largest provider of print and online directory information. A Fortune 10 company with approximately 260,000 employees and approximately

$63 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on

Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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