Verizon Invests $1.6 Million to Upgrade Telephone Network Serving Lone Rock and Spring Green

SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. - Verizon Communications has invested more than $1.6 million to expand and modernize two telephone switching centers serving Lone Rock and Spring Green.

As a result of the upgrade, Caller ID and several other new services will become available to Verizon customers later this month.

Work on the two projects has been underway for over a year and will be completed Nov. 14. A similar project was completed earlier this year in Plain. The centers house digital switches, state-of-the-art computers that route calls, and other advanced telecommunications equipment.

"Verizon is committed to providing a telecommunications network in Wisconsin that is second to none," said Andy Whitt, manager-network operations for Verizon in Wisconsin. "Our investment in the telecommunications infrastructure in Lone Rock and Spring Green will enhance the area's ability to stimulate economic growth while attracting new jobs and businesses."

Verizon, which serves more than 400,000 customers in Wisconsin, has been a leader in deploying advanced technology throughout the state. Verizon's investment in its Wisconsin network exceeded $95 million last year, bringing the total investment over the past five years to more than $411 million.

Starting Nov. 14, Caller ID, Anonymous Call Rejection, Automatic Busy Redial, Call Block, Special Call Acceptance and other new services will be available to Verizon customers.

Caller ID permits a customer to see who is calling before the phone is answered. Customers use a display unit that is built in or attached to the phone. Caller ID shows when a friend or family member is calling and can deter harassing calls. The display unit also keeps a record of calls received.

Callers with unlisted phone numbers and others who wish to protect their privacy can prevent their numbers from appearing on a Caller ID unit. This can be done on a per-call basis by dialing *67 (or 1167 on a rotary phone) before placing the call. This service is called Selective Blocking - Per Call and is automatically on the phone line at no charge.

Other new advanced services include:

Anonymous Call Rejection: This service, which can be activated by Caller ID customers, blocks incoming calls when callers have prevented their phone number from being displayed on a Caller ID unit. Callers hear an announcement telling them their call will not go through unless they allow their number to be displayed.

Automatic Busy Redial: This service keeps trying a busy number for up to 30 minutes, eliminating the need for the caller to keep redialing the number. When the call can go through, the person trying to call is alerted with a special ring.

Automatic Call Return: Callers enter the code *69 on their phone and it automatically dials the number of the last call received, whether the call was answered or not.

Call Tracing: By entering *57 after a threatening or harassing call, the caller's number is captured by Verizon's phone equipment. If the customer reports the call to law enforcement, Verizon can provide the number to authorities investigating the incident. No subscription is required.

Call Block: This security feature rejects calls from up to 12 numbers chosen by the customer. The caller hears a recorded message when the call is not completed.

Special Call Acceptance: This allows a customer to select up to 12 phone numbers from which they want to receive calls. Callers that dial from a phone number not on the list will hear an announcement that the called party is not presently accepting calls.

Special Call Forwarding: Customers can use this customized call forwarding service to specify which calls (from as many as 12 different numbers) should be forwarded. Customers do not need to have regular Call Forwarding to subscribe to this service.

VIP Alert: This service identifies with a special ring those callers (up to 12 phone numbers) selected by a customer as "Very Important People."

Many of the call features are available at package discount rates. These services may not be available to all customers. Customers may notice a slightly different pitch in their dial tone and busy signal.

For more information or to order service, customers can go to the Verizon Web site, www.verizon.com. Residential customers also can call 1-800-483-4000 and business customers can call 1-800-483-5000.

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 128.5 million access line equivalents and 28.7 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with 256,000 employees and approximately $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.