Verizon's Managed Communications Solution Now Available Nationwide

NEW YORK - Verizon today announced nationwide availability of its Managed Communications Solution for small-and-medium-sized- business customers within the company's serving area. The hybrid service combines Internet protocol (IP) features, reliable data network services and remote management, bringing the economic and network advantages of IP to small and mid-sized businesses considering a migration to IP telephony.

Initially introduced last fall in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, Verizon Managed Communications Solution is a unique IP-PBX solution that seamlessly integrates Verizon network services, round-the-clock system management and the Alcatel Omni PCX Office PBX.

"The Managed Communications Solution was designed make it easy for businesses to take a rational and incremental migration to IP solutions," said Philip Nutsugah, director of product development for Verizon's Business Solutions Group. "The solution gives them the elegance of IP features as well as a reliable connectivity for their own customers, employees and suppliers."

Businesses with multiple locations, wide area networks supporting their data transmissions and remote-access requirements can now leverage those underutilized networks for voice traffic, thus saving on toll charges and minimizing network complexity. Verizon's target market also includes business customers with from 20 to 200 employees who need to upgrade their network or have plans to integrate their voice services into their network design or future expansion plans.

Perfect for businesses with limited or no resources to dedicate to IT support, Verizon is offering managed support from a remote service center toll-free 24/7 and providing services such as four-hour response time, remote diagnostics, configuration backup, alarm monitoring, monthly reports and on-demand reports. The Alcatel Omni PCX Office can effortlessly integrate traditional telephone equipment (both analog and digital sets) and the new IP station equipment over the customer's data network. In addition to LAN ports, the systems have ports for analog trunks and broadband access.

"This flexibility plus the attractive financing terms remove the barriers to small businesses hoping to move towards the future with an IP solution," said Nutsugah. "The alliance with Alcatel allows us to offer our customers one of the best solutions in IP technology while providing them the ongoing support they require.

"The Omni PCX's ability to accommodate legacy systems and the easy installation process is particularly attractive to businesses that cannot afford major disruptions to their communications," said Nutsugah.

Mallory Ventures/Inforonics, a managed service provider with 24/7 call center support located in Littleton, Mass., was one of the first customers to install the Managed Communications Solution. Tom Pellegriti, chief financial officer said, "The cutover was smooth, the downtime was minimal, the training was helpful, and our customers weren't impacted," he said.

To make it easier for customers to take advantage of Managed Communications Solution, Verizon is offering zero percent interest lease rates to qualified customers through Verizon Credit. The lease terms can be designed to co-terminate with the tariff terms of the networks services that support the system.

As a sales channel, Verizon now offers the full Alcatel voice product portfolio to the U.S. market. Small and medium-sized businesses interested in exploring voice-over-IP technology can contact their local Verizon Business Partnership Center for a communications review, return on investment analysis and product demonstration or can contact Verizon via the web at www.verizonmarketing.com/bsg.

Verizon Communications Inc.

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of 214,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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