Verizon Customers in New York and Massachusetts Can Get Unlimited Direct-Dialed Local, Regional and Domestic Long-Distance Calling

NEW YORK, NY — Verizon customers in New York and Massachusetts now can take advantage of one of the best deals in home calling services -- the Veriations Freedom package, a bold new offer that delivers the ultimate in simplicity. The new package includes unmeasured, unlimited direct-dialed local, regional and long-distance calling plus the most popular call-management features for one low monthly price.

The Veriations Freedom package covers every kind of direct-dialed domestic call a person can make -- local, regional and long-distance calling - as well as calls to Canada and U.S. territories. At no extra charge, the package includes five of Verizon's most popular call-management features: Home Voice Mail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, Three-Way Calling and Speed Dialing of eight numbers. In Massachusetts, the package costs $54.95 and in New York it's $59.95.

"The glory of the Veriations Freedom package is its simplicity," said Jill Wagner, vice president of consumer marketing for Verizon. "Since we launched the Veriations Freedom package in New Jersey and Pennsylvania three weeks ago, we have taken tens of thousands of orders, eclipsing by a wide margin our estimate of the package's popularity.

"For customers in New York and Massachusetts, it should be even more popular," Wagner said. "Customers in downstate New York can forget about measured local services, and customers in eastern Massachusetts don't have to fuss over what nearby areas they call the most. With this package, they can just make the call...or as many calls as they want, any time, for as long as they like.

"When Verizon launched long distance, we promised to give customers the services they want, packaged the way they want them, and to keep things simple," she said. "Our customers want flat-rated, comprehensive packages, and the Veriations Freedom package is the answer. It's no wonder that Verizon Long Distance is now the third largest nationwide provider of long-distance service."

According to Wagner, the new package equals rivals' packages in features, meets or beats them in value.

"For simplicity and value, we win," she said. "Our customers get a pre-assembled package at a great price from the most reliable company in the business."

Verizon broke new ground last year with Veriations All package that includes calling, Internet access and wireless service, at significant discounts. The Veriations All package already is available in New York and Massachusetts and can include the Veriations Freedom calling package as a basic plan, to which Internet access and wireless calling are added. The new package also can be combined with just Internet access or Wireless service at great discounts. Verizon also is launching the Veriations Freedom and Veriations All packages today in Virginia. [See related news release, "Verizon Introduces Unlimited Calling Plan and Powerful Package of Calling, Internet Access and Wireless Services, At Up to 30 Percent Discount," available at www.verizon.com/news.]

"Customers love bundled services, but hate watching the clock," said Jeff Kagan, telecommunications industry analyst, about the Veriations Freedom package. "The future is not just about the simplicity of bundles, but also about buckets of minutes and unlimited minutes for a flat fee. Verizon is tapping into one of the most important trends in the industry today. It is a very competitive offering and will keep Verizon on the cutting edge."

The unlimited long-distance calling allowance, provided by Verizon Long Distance, includes direct-dialed calls to anywhere in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific. The Veriations Freedom package may be combined with certain Verizon international calling plans.

The new package will simplify customer bills. A single line item will cover all relevant package charges and call detail will not be provided, except as an option where required by state regulations.

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.

####