Verizon Wins Cisco 2010 Global Service Provider Partner of the Year Award

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., March 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon has been named a recipient of a Cisco Partner Summit global award for Service Provider of the Year.

Verizon has also received two theater awards for the U.S. and Canada: Service Provider Partner of the Year and Collaboration Partner of the Year.  Additionally, the company has received three regional U.S. service provider awards: Service Provider Partner of the Year, Service Provider Managed Services Partner of the Year and Service Provider Collaboration Partner of the Year; and has been named U.S. Collaboration Partner of the Year for the central region.

The awards were presented earlier this month at Cisco's annual partner summit in New Orleans.

"Cisco is proud to partner with so many well-respected and industry-leading organizations worldwide, and it is my privilege to recognize Verizon as a Cisco Partner Summit global award winner," said Edison Peres, senior vice president – worldwide channels, Cisco. "The Service Provider of the Year award presented to Verizon recognizes its outstanding achievement as a Cisco channel partner in 2010."

Nicola Morris, Verizon vice president of enterprise strategy and marketing, said: "Verizon and Cisco have a long legacy of collaboration, and last year marked another milestone in delivering integrated business solutions to enterprises worldwide.  These awards, particularly recognition as a top global service provider, underscore the value customers place on Verizon solutions built on Cisco technology.  Strategic collaboration with companies such as Cisco will only grow in importance as we continue to deliver on our 'everything-as-a service' strategy."

During 2010, Verizon expanded the scope and depth of its offerings based on Cisco technology, becoming the first U.S.-based global service provider to begin field trials of Cisco unified communications and collaboration applications via a cloud-based model.  In addition, Verizon continued to enhance and broaden its Cisco-based portfolios for IP trunking and voice over IP and contact centers.

A Cisco Gold and Managed Services Master Partner, Verizon has an extensive worldwide service, sales and support team.  Approximately 2,100 employees hold nearly 5,400 Cisco qualified specialist certifications in borderless networking, collaboration and data center architecture.

Cisco Partner Summit global awards are designed to recognize the exemplary channel partners who demonstrate best-in-class business practices and serve as a model to the industry. Areas of consideration consist of innovative practices, applications successes, unique programs, problem solving and sales approaches.  All winners are selected by a group of Cisco worldwide channels and regional theater executives.

Cisco Partner Summit awards are presented at three levels: regional, theater and global.  Cisco Partner Summit global awards reflect the top-performing channel partners within a specific technology market across several geographic regions.  Cisco Partner Summit U.S. and Canada regional awards reflect a partner's performance in a given geographic region.

Verizon is a global leader in driving better business outcomes for enterprises and government agencies. Verizon delivers integrated IT and communications solutions via its high-IQ global IP and mobility networks to enable businesses to securely access information, share content and communicate. Verizon is rapidly transforming to a cloud-based "everything-as-a-service" delivery model that will put the power of enterprise-class solutions within the reach of every business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: 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 94.1 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 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon