Verizon Online Expands Availability of High-Speed Internet Access in Hawaii

HONOLULU - Verizon Online has introduced its super-fast digital subscriber line (DSL) Internet access service for consumers and businesses in nine new areas in Hawaii:

• Royal Kunia, Oahu (prefix 688)
• Keahi, Oahu (prefix 499)
• Kaaawa, Oahu (237)
• Papaikou, Big Island (prefix 964)
• Naalehu, Big Island (prefixes 929 and 939)
• Volcano, Big Island (prefixes 967 and 985)
• Kawaihae, Big Island (prefixes 880 and 882)
• Kekaha, Kauai (prefix 337)
• Kaunakakai, Molokai (prefix 553 and 642)

Verizon has further expanded the reach of DSL in local communities where it was already available by provisioning more than 125 remote terminal sites throughout the state. As a result, many customers who previously could not get DSL due to distance limitations may now qualify.

"If you wanted DSL service in the past but it wasn't in your neighborhood, now's the time to check with us on current availability," said Mel Horikami, Verizon Hawaii president. "We're especially pleased to now offer DSL on the island of Molokai for the first time."

Last year, Verizon Online supercharged its consumer DSL service by lowering the monthly price, increasing the connection speed and adding MSN software and Web services. The company has 2.7 million lines in service nationwide.

Current Consumer Offer Includes Tripled Upstream Speed and Wireless Router Rebate

Verizon Online now offers DSL connection speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps (megabits per second) downstream and 384 Kbps (kilobits per second) upstream, up from 128 Kbps for consumers, without a price increase. The first month of DSL is free when ordered online. Consumers have a choice of payment plans for their DSL service:

• $34.95 a month for stand-alone DSL service
• $29.95 a month as part of a qualifying local and long-distance Verizon package

Verizon Online DSL with MSN Premium service (a $9.95 per month value) includes:

A free do-it-yourself installation kit with a DSL modem

• Round-the-clock technical support
• MSN Premium software (a $99 annual value)
• 9 e-mail accounts
• 10 MB (megabytes) of Web space

MSN Premium offers security protection to help stop spam and viruses. It also includes improved photo-editing and organizing tools and MSN Video. Verizon Online DSL customers can watch streaming video from MSN Premium content partners that include more than 250 baseball games a month, NBC, Showtime, Discovery Communications and NHL.com (National Hockey League). More information about MSN Premium is available at www.verizon.net/betterway.

New Verizon Online DSL customers are eligible for a full rebate on a $99.95 wireless router until July 17. A router allows customers to share their high-speed connection and build a firewall by linking multiple home computers. Also, printers, scanners and files can be added to this wireless local area network (LAN). There's no additional monthly charge for networking two or more computers on the same DSL line.

Current DSL residential customers who want the increased 384 Kbps upstream speed should call 1-800-567-6789. Verizon Hawaii customers who want to order DSL can log on to www.verizon.com, call 643-3456 (residential) or visit a Verizon Plus store. Customers can be billed for DSL on their monthly Verizon telephone bill. The service comes with a 30-day, money-back guarantee.

Business DSL Price Reduced

Verizon Online lowered its DSL price to make it easier for businesses to turbo-charge their Internet connection. Now, Verizon's business-grade 1.5Mbps/384Kbps packages start at $59.95 per month for DSL with a dynamic IP (Internet protocol) address and $79.95 a month for a static IP address, a savings of $30 to $40 a month.

A static IP address gives businesses a permanent IP address, enabling them to host a Web site and an e-mail server as well as provide virtual private network (VPN) applications for employees who work remotely. Business DSL packages include domain name e-mail boxes (username@yourcompany.com), and unlimited remote dial-up access at no additional charge.

Business customers who order DSL by June 30 will receive their choice of 10,000 airline miles on American, Delta or United Airlines or a $225 American Express Gift Cheque. Plans and pricing information are available at http://biz.verizon.net/pands/dsl/ or by calling 643-4411.

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 http://www.verizon.com.

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DSL service generally is available to homes and offices located within approximately three miles of Verizon's local switching center or "central office." Some technical limitations may interfere with the ability of individual telephone lines to get DSL, even when the lines are within three miles of a DSL-equipped central office.

Downstream and upstream speeds describing Verizon Online's DSL services are maximum connection speeds between the customer's computer and Verizon's DSL equipment. Actual connection speeds may vary from the maximum speeds and may be lower than the advertised line rate. Throughput (download and upload) speeds will be lower than connection speeds and vary based on the telephone line's condition and distance from Verizon's central office, home or office wiring and the server or router speed of sites visited on the Internet, among other factors.