Verizon Invests $346,000 to Better Serve Oil City, Titusville, Pa. Area Customers

OIL CITY, Pa. - Verizon customers in the area between Oil City and Titusville will soon have improved communications as the result of a $346,000 investment the company is making in its local telecommunications network.

Verizon is installing fiber-optic and associated electronic equipment between Oil City and Titusville. This cable will speed delivery of advanced services to local homes and business customers and provides increased survivability and reliability in the Verizon network. The company expects to complete this project by the end of this year.

In addition, Verizon continues to install fiber-optic cable throughout the commonwealth. Fiber-optic systems use hair-thin glass fibers and digital technology to deliver high-quality telephone service along with sophisticated data communications services.

"The Oil City project underlines Verizon's commitment to build and maintain a state-of-the-art telecommunications network throughout Pennsylvania," said James V. O'Rourke, president and CEO of Verizon Pennsylvania. "We continue to upgrade our infrastructure to provide rural, suburban and urban customers with better quality service, as well as the platform for high-speed access to the Internet, work-at-home capabilities and a host of other innovative services."

Verizon has invested nearly $8 billion in its telecommunications network across the commonwealth over the last nine years.

"We are building an advanced telecommunications network that will stimulate job and income growth and will make Pennsylvania one of the most attractive locations for corporations and individuals," O'Rourke said.

In addition to deploying the latest technology, Verizon offers a complete range of telecommunications services, including local, regional and long-distance calling, as well as high-speed data and Internet and wireless services.

"The level of telecom competition in Pennsylvania today is unprecedented," said O'Rourke. "Competition and Verizon's entry into the long-distance market have benefited consumers, who now can choose from many providers for all their communications needs."

A Fortune 10 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $67 billion in revenues and 221,000 employees. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with more than 139 million access line equivalents and 36 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is the third largest long-distance carrier for U.S. consumers, with nearly 16 million long-distance lines. The company 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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