Good News to Online Backup Users and Providers: Verizon Broadband Better Than Ever With Free Wi-Fi

July 27, 2009

Millions of High Speed Internet and FiOS Users Now Provided Access to Thousands of on-the-go, Wi-Fi Hot Spots Across the U.S.

NEW YORK, July 27 /PRNewswire/ - Verizon continues to enhance its broadband service capabilities for consumers to offer competitive advantages over rival communication providers.

Since the beginning of the year, Verizon has introduced faster downstream and unprecedented upstream speeds for its all-fiber-optic FiOS Internet service; expanded the reach of its digital subscriber line-based Verizon High Speed Internet (HSI) service; and started offering mini netbook computers to customers as part of select bundle promotions.

And starting Monday (July 27), the company will expand Internet connection capabilities for millions of Verizon broadband customers by providing them free access to thousands of Wi-Fi connections across the U.S., reflecting the company’s sharp focus on developing and deploying broadband and entertainment services.

“Wherever they go - across town or across the country - Internet users today want the freedom and flexibility of staying connected online whenever they want,” said Mike Ritter, chief marketing officer for Verizon Telecom. “In addition to providing in-home broadband networks and the nation’s most reliable 3G wireless network, we’re now offering even more connections with fast, free Wi-Fi that customers can use in their local communities and when traveling across the country.”

New Verizon FiOS Internet customers who order an up-to- 25/15 Mbps* (megabits per second) or faster connection, or new HSI customers who order an up-to- 3 Mbps/768 Kbps* (kilobits per second) or up-to- 7.1 Mbps/768 Kbps* connection, can connect to the new Verizon Wi-Fi hot spots, at no additional charge as part of their broadband service.

The new Wi-Fi service is also available free of charge for existing FiOS Internet customers with up-to-20 Mbps or faster packages and existing HSI customers who have either an up-to-3 Mbps or up-to- 7.1 Mbps package.

Free Verizon Wi-Fi hot spot locations include hotels, airports, restaurants, coffee shops, retailers, convention centers and public locations across the U.S. For a list of hot spot locations, visit www.verizon.net/hotspots.

“Our new free Wi-Fi connections are an ideal complement to our current netbook promotion that really enhances the value and functionality of the netbook,” said Ritter. “We’re making it more enticing for customers to want to use Verizon broadband services by giving them the mobility tools they need to stay connected more often and in more places.”

Wi-Fi Access Made Easy For Verizon Broadband Customers

Qualifying FiOS Internet and HSI customers can log on to www.verizon.net and use their Verizon username and password to download software for free Wi-Fi access at the Verizon hot spots.

Verizon broadband services are available to more than 25 million homes in parts of 24 states and the District of Columbia.

FiOS Internet and HSI also provide a gateway to other valuable Verizon services, including Verizon Internet Security Suite, Verizon Online Backup & Sharing and Premium Technical Support.

* 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 be lower than connection speed.

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 87 million customers nationwide. Verizon’s Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network. Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 235,000 and last year generated consolidated operating 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

CONTACT:
Eric Rabe
+1-908-559-3500
eric.rabe@verizon.com
or
Bill Kula
APR
+1-972-718-6924
william.kula@verizon.com
Web Site: http://www.verizon.net/hotspots http://www.verizon.net/
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/094251.html