More Pennsylvanians Have Access to Fast, Affordable Verizon High Speed Internet Service

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- More consumers and businesses across Pennsylvania now have access to Verizon High Speed Internet, based on digital subscriber line (DSL) technology, allowing them to quickly download movies or large files, share photos or video with friends and family, and create their own Internet content.

Consumers and small businesses also can take advantage of some great bundle offers of Verizon voice, High Speed Internet (HSI), DIRECTV® and Verizon Wireless services.

Verizon recently completed the installation and testing of equipment at its Chapman Lake central switching office near Carbondale in Lackawanna County.  As a result, Verizon HSI service now is available from all of the company's 504 central switching offices across Pennsylvania.

"This is a significant milestone for our customers across Pennsylvania," said Gale Y. Given, president of Verizon Pennsylvania. "More residents in urban, suburban and rural parts of the state have access to affordable and reliable high-speed Internet service.  Our ongoing broadband investment in Pennsylvania will pay dividends in the future and keep the state moving forward, economically and technologically."

Operating under an alternative regulatory plan approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), Verizon has significantly invested in its Pennsylvania network to expand the availability of broadband services to its customers.  More than 85 percent of the customers served by Verizon Pennsylvania and 70 percent of those served by Verizon North (in areas served by the former GTE) have access to broadband services, exceeding deployment benchmarks outlined in the company's PUC-approved plans.

According to PC Magazine's 2009 readers' survey, Verizon HSI scored higher than the average Internet service provider score in overall service satisfaction and beat the average provider's score in fees charged.  Verizon HSI also needed fewer repairs than the average provider, including several major cable companies, the survey found.

Verizon's entry-level HSI service offers speeds of up to 1 Mbps (megabit per second) downstream and 384 Kbps (kilobits per second) upstream.*  Consumers who want faster speed can order Verizon's offering of up to 3 Mbps downstream and 768 Kbps upstream.  The up-to-3 Mbps service delivers download speeds 50 times faster than dial-up.  

Verizon offers consumers and small businesses an array of triple-play bundles – featuring voice and Internet services delivered over Verizon's 99.9 percent reliable network, and DIRECTV® service.  For consumers, a 3 Mbps HSI triple-play bundle is only $94.99 per month** with a one-year agreement.

The company also offers double-play bundles as well as quad- and triple-play bundles featuring different Verizon Wireless calling plans.  In addition, Verizon now includes thousands of free Wi-Fi hot spots for qualifying customers to use when traveling across town or the country.

New consumer voice and HSI customers ordering qualifying double-, triple- or quad-play bundles are eligible for their choice of a Compaq Mini netbook*** (valued at $299) or $150 back via a Verizon Visa Prepaid card**** along with the other incentives.

Existing Verizon customers who add either new home voice or High Speed Internet in a qualifying bundle are eligible to receive a $100 Verizon Visa Prepaid card along with the other incentives.  

For small business, a triple-play of Verizon HSI for Business, Freedom for Business and award-winning DIRECTV for Business is $119.98 for the first year of a three-year agreement.

Verizon also offers its non-bundled HSI service to residential voice customers at $19.99 per month for speeds of up to 1 Mbps/384 Kbps and $29.99 per month for up to 3 Mbps/768 Kbps when customers sign a one-year agreement.

Verizon HSI customers also receive access to an extensive portfolio of additional services, including Verizon Online Backup and Sharing, the Verizon Parental Control Center; and the Verizon Internet Security Suite.  

Consumers can get more information about Verizon's High Speed Internet service by visiting www.verizon.com or by calling 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966).  Customers who use self-service ordering tools and order online at www.verizon.com/connected will receive additional savings.

For information about Verizon Small Business HSI service and bundles, visit http://smallbusiness.verizon.com or call 1-888-649-9500.  For news, resources and more tools for Verizon's business customers, visit the Verizon Small Business Center at http://business.verizon.net.

* Internet speeds refer to the connection speed between the user's location and Verizon's central office. Actual surfing speeds will vary based on many factors and may be lower than connection speed.

** Plus applicable taxes and fees.

***  Compaq Mini netbook available with a $299.99 coupon redeemable online at HP Home & Home Office while supplies last.  Valid credit card required.  Customer pays taxes, shipping and handling.  Must sign up by April 17, 2010, and activate service by May 31, 2010.  Must have service for 60 days and no past due balance.  Coupon sent within 90 days of activation date and requires redemption within 60 days of receipt.  For residential customers new to Verizon voice and High Speed Internet service.  

**** Verizon Visa Prepaid cards -- New or existing customers who qualify for the $150 or $100 Verizon Visa prepaid card issued by MetaBank™ pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. must sign up by April 17, 2010 and activate service by May 31, 2010.  Must have service for 60 days and no past due balance.  Prepaid card is sent within 90 days of activation date. For residential customers new to Verizon voice and High Speed Internet service.  

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 89 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 more than 230,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.  

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news.  To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

SOURCE Verizon