Town of Hempstead, N.Y. Approves Video Franchise Agreement with Verizon

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Consumers in Hempstead, are one step closer to having choice for subscription television, following a unanimous vote today (April 4) by the Hempstead Town Board to award a video franchise to Verizon for its FiOS TV service.

FiOS TV is Verizon's state-of-the-art fiber optic television service that will be delivered via the company's new, fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network.

As with all video franchise agreements awarded in the state, the agreement between the Town of Hempstead and Verizon is subject to the approval by the New York State Public Service Commission.

"This is great news for the residents of Hempstead, who will have more choice for their video entertainment," said Monica Azare, Verizon senior vice president for New York. "Verizon commends Hempstead's Town Board and Supervisor Kate Murray for their dedication to bring choice and control to their residents. They recognize the technological advantage and competitive benefits, as well as the distinctive edge in economic development and quality of life that fiber and Verizon's FiOS TV will bring to Hempstead.

"We look forward to similarly successful negotiations with other towns and villages on Long Island and elsewhere in the state," said Azare.

Television viewers in Hempstead will join other New York communities as they pave the way for competition and choice in the television market. The Long Island community of Massapequa Park voted Sept. 26, 2005 to grant Verizon the first franchise in the state. The Rockland County Villages of Nyack, South Nyack and Upper Nyack have also awarded video franchises to Verizon.

Verizon has also obtained video franchises for communities in California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania, as well as state-issued franchises in Texas, Virginia and Indiana, covering more than 1.3 million households.

Verizon launched FiOS TV Sept. 22, 2005 in Keller, Texas, unveiling a broad collection of all-digital programming with more than 390 channels and more on the way.

FiOS TV is a state-of-the-art video service designed to be a formidable competitor to cable and satellite. It is delivered over Verizon's FTTP network, which has industry-leading quality and reliability. Fiber delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. The Verizon FTTP network, the largest of its kind in the country, is currently under construction in more than half of the states where the company offers landline communications services, including more than 200 New York communities.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks; and one of the nation's premier wireline networks, serving home, business and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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