Verizon Online Introduces High-Speed Internet Access In Bluefield, Va.

BLUEFIELD, Va. - Verizon Online is raising the speed limit in Bluefield, Va., with the introduction of super-fast digital subscriber line (DSL) service for consumers and businesses.

Verizon is offering the high-speed Internet access service to customers in the 276 area code whose telephone numbers begin with 322 and 326.

Verizon residential customers also can take advantage of a $15 discount off the $49.95 monthly price of the entry-level DSL service when they order DSL as part of a package of services called Veriations^SM on at least one phone line.

In addition to DSL, the package includes Verizon long-distance, regional-toll service, local services and call management features like Caller ID.

"DSL provides customers with the speed they need to take full advantage of the Internet, for their small business needs, telecommuting, banking, online shopping and entertainment like games-on-demand," said Robert Woltz, president of Verizon Virginia. "The demand for Verizon Online DSL service has been tremendous. Now our customers in Bluefield can enjoy the benefits of turbo-charged Internet access."

Verizon Online Offers Choice of DSL Pricing Plans

Verizon Online offers three pricing plans for its most popular residential DSL service that offers maximum speeds of 768Kbps (kilobits per second) downstream and 128Kbps upstream.

• Consumers who order DSL service by Feb 28 and make a one-year commitment pay $39.95 a month.

• Consumers who order DSL service by Feb. 28 on the month-to-month plan pay an introductory price of $29.95 for the first six months, then the monthly price is $49.95.

• Consumers who purchase a Veriations bundle of Verizon services can get DSL service for $29.95 for the first six months and then it is $34.95 a month.

Local Verizon telephone customers who want to order basic or faster DSL service can get more information online at www.verizon.net or by calling Verizon at 1-800-927-3000.

Home Networking Promotion

Until March 15, Verizon is also offering a $50 rebate on a Linksys wired or wireless router for new residential customers. Both products allow DSL customers to create a local area network (LAN) that allows multiple home computers to share one DSL connection and they also provide a built-in firewall for added security. After the rebate, the wired router is $49.95 and the wireless router is $99.95.

Verizon Online DSL packages for consumers include a free do-it-yourself installation kit with a DSL modem, 10 MB (megabytes) of Web storage, 10 MB of e-mail storage and four e-mail boxes. Customers can be billed on their monthly telephone bills or credit cards. All
packages come with a 30-day, money-back guarantee.

Verizon Online DSL for Business Customers

Verizon Online offers five DSL packages with additional services to meet the broadband needs of businesses. Prices range from $59.95 to $159.95 a month. The entry-level package offers a maximum speed of 768Kbps downstream and 128Kbps upstream. Businesses that need to send and receive large files can take advantage of symmetrical speed packages with maximum connection speeds up to 768Kbps (megabits per second) in both directions.

Companies that subscribe to Veriations for Business, a bundle of Verizon business-level services on one bill, qualify for a 10 percent discount on DSL if they subscribe to the dynamic Internet protocol (IP) DSL service. The bundle includes FirmRate Plus or SimpleOptions long-distance calling plans, DSL and a local package such as WorkSmart, Centrex Plus or CustoPAK.

Business packages include the high-speed connection, domain name registration or transfer and DNS (Domain Name Service). Businesses can choose from a static IP address that allows them to host their own servers for e-mail and e-commerce applications or a dynamic IP address.

Verizon Online offers a wireless and a wired router that allows business customers to connect multiple computers to a single DSL line.

Verizon Online also offers businesses a robust portfolio of business e-mail and Web hosting services. Customers can save time by using the company's new point-and-click Web site tools to edit their own sites.

Technical Definitions

DSL service generally is available to homes and offices located within approximately three miles of Verizon's local switching center or "central office." Technical limitations may interfere with the ability of individual telephone lines, 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 Verizons' DSL equipment. Actual connection speeds will vary from the maximum speeds and often will be lower. Throughput or download speeds will be lower than connection speed and vary based on telephone line 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.

Verizon Online is a full-service Internet service provider, offering dial-up, DSL and dedicated Internet access services for residential consumers and businesses. DSL Internet access services are available in 23 states and the District of Columbia.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (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 135.8 million access line equivalents and 32.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and 229,500 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to 33 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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