Verizon's Wired and Wireless Network Investments in California Exceeded $1.16 Billion in 2009

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of California consumers and businesses are reaping the benefits of Verizon's $1.167 billion investment in the company's wired network and wireless network expansion and enhancement programs throughout the state in 2009.  Verizon invested $682 million in its wired network and $485 million in its wireless network.

"Every year, Verizon makes significant capital investments in its wired and wireless network infrastructure in California," said Tim McCallion, president of the West region for Verizon.  "These investments not only add to the quality of our customers' personal and professional lives, they also contribute to the economic vitality of our state."

In 2009, Verizon expanded the availability of its revolutionary fiber-optic-powered FiOS TV and FiOS Internet services and its copper-network–based Verizon High Speed Internet products, and strengthened Verizon Wireless' statewide coverage while enhancing access to its 3G high-speed wireless services throughout California.

Verizon built new FiOS network facilities reaching nearly 166,000 more households, expanding availability of its FiOS TV and FiOS Internet services to more than 1.15 million premises in more than 85 cities and communities across Southern California.  FiOS services are now available to more than 1 million single-family homes, nearly 90,000 apartments and condominiums, and more than 46,000 businesses.

Verizon High Speed Internet (HSI) service is now available to nearly 2.8 million residential customers and 504,000 small businesses in California.  In 2009, Verizon broadened the availability of its fastest tier of HSI service – up to 7.1 megabits per second (Mbps) – to more than 152,000 additional customers in the communities of Chino, Fort Irwin, Granada Hills, Hemet, Hesperia, Huntington Beach, La Verne, Los Gatos, Los Serranos, Mammoth Lakes, Moreno Valley, Norwalk, Oxnard, San Dimas and Westwood.  In all, more than 1.3 million California consumers and nearly 200,000 small businesses now have access to Verizon's fastest tier of HSI service, in addition to HSI tiers of up to 3 Mbps and up to 1 Mbps.

"Our network investments are paying off by increasing customer access to the most advanced broadband and entertainment products for the home, by providing our employees good jobs with valuable wage-and-benefit packages, and by delivering highly secure, rock-solid network services that enable businesses to thrive," McCallion said.

Bundles Built for Small Business

Small businesses are the backbone of the state's economy, and Verizon has a long history of fulfilling their communications needs.  Verizon offers a broad range of small-business double- and triple-play bundle solutions that include the essential services of wired and wireless business phone, broadband Internet and TV.  The company also offers services to help protect computers, provide off-site business data backup and storage, encrypt business e-mail and file attachments, and conveniently build business productivity through online virtual meetings and collaboration with colleagues and clients.

New triple-play-bundle customers get a free modem/wireless router for their business, plus free Verizon Wi-Fi access at thousands of hot spots across the country.

In addition, new small-business customers who subscribe to a qualifying Verizon triple-play bundle by April 17 have a choice of selecting either a toll-free 800 number or the Verizon Internet Security Suite and Verizon Online Backup & Sharing with 25 gigabytes (GB) of data storage capacity – with no monthly charge for 12 months.  More information, special offers and a vast array of free business resources are available online through the Verizon Small Business Center portal at www.business.verizon.net.

New FiOS Bundles Packed With More Speed and More HD

Verizon has introduced an array of new FiOS triple-play residential bundles that deliver from  40-plus to 90-plus HD TV channels, broadband speeds from up to 15/5 Mbps  to up to 50/20 Mbps, plus unlimited nationwide home phone service.  There is also a $20 per month discount off the price, which is guaranteed not to change for two years, if the bundles are ordered online with a 24-month service agreement ($480 total savings over 24 months).

New FiOS triple-play bundle customers get a free wireless router for their home, and qualifying bundles also receive free nationwide Verizon Wi-Fi access.  Every customer has free access to the FiOS TV Widget Bazaar – a marketplace for widgets that enable on-screen viewer interaction with Facebook, Twitter, KODAK Gallery, HSN and other services on the TV.

High Speed Internet Bundles Offer Speed and Value

Consumers looking for a combination of fast Internet speeds and great value should take a look at Verizon's copper-network-based High Speed Internet (HSI) bundle packages.

For a limited time, qualifying customers can order double- or triple-play bundles with up to 7.1 Mbps HSI for the same price as bundles with up to 3 Mbps HSI service – a $10 per month rate reduction.  In addition, new customers ordering qualifying HSI double- or triple-play bundles are eligible to receive a $150 Verizon Visa® prepaid card* along with other incentives, like free Verizon Wi-Fi access in at thousands of hotels, airports, restaurants, coffee shops, retailers, convention centers and other public places across the country.

Bundles eligible for these offers include a triple-play featuring Verizon Freedom Essentials home phone service with unlimited nationwide calling, up to 3 Mbps or 7.1 Mbps HSI (where available) and DIRECTV's CHOICE XTRA + DVR™, including a free DVR upgrade and free SHOWTIME® for one year; or the double-play with Verizon Freedom Essentials and up to 7.1 Mbps HSI (where available).  One-year Verizon agreements and two-year DIRECTV agreements apply.

Customers who choose to use self-service ordering tools and order online at www.verizon.com/connected will receive an additional $5 discount per month for 12 months – a bonus savings of $60 for the year.

* $150 back via Verizon Visa® prepaid card issued by MetaBank™ pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Use where Visa debit cards are accepted.  Must have service for 60 days with no past due balance.  Card will be sent within 30 days of qualification date.  Other terms and conditions apply.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 91 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of approximately 222,900 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon