Verizon Announces Broadband VoIP Phone Service

[dave () farber net]

___

Dave Farber  +1 412 726 9889



 ..... Forwarded Message .......
From: david.e.young () verizon com
To: dave () farber net
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 10:44:15 -0400
Subj: Verizon Announces Broadband VoIP Phone Service


Dave,

For IP, if you wish...


=======================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        Media contacts: 
July 22, 2004                                                

Eric Rabe
212-395-0500
eric.rabe () verizon com

Bobbi Henson                                                                                        
212-395-0500
bobbi.henson () verizon com
                                                        
John Vincenzo
617-743-4119
john.r.vincenzo () verizon com


Verizon Rings in Next Generation of Voice Services with VoiceWing Broadband Phone Service 

Verizon Beats the Competition With Most Extensive Commercial Launch of Residential Voice-Over-IP in America, Offering 
It Nationally With Area Codes Covering 139 Markets in 33 States and the District of Columbia

NEW YORK - Digital subscriber line (DSL) and cable-modem broadband users across America now can take advantage of the 
latest in voice communications technology from Verizon.  Starting today, VoiceWing, Verizon's 
voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) broadband phone service, is available nationally in the largest initial commercial 
offering of a residential VoIP service in America.

Because VoiceWing is provided over the Internet, customers can choose a phone number from an extensive list of area 
codes in 139 markets in 33 states and the District of Columbia.  VoiceWing subscribers can make calls over any 
broadband Internet connection and manage their calls from any computer with Internet access - regardless of where it is 
located.  The service also provides a variety of advanced call-management features such as enhanced call forwarding and 
call logs that itemize all calling activity. 

"We recognize that along with cost savings, customers want the enhanced features that new technologies bring," said Bob 
Ingalls, president of Verizon's Retail Markets group.  "Our wide range of features makes managing calls simple and 
convenient." 

 VoiceWing Pricing, Availability and Features
VoiceWing allows consumers to make unlimited local and long-distance phone calls within the United States and certain 
territories and to benefit from low per-minute international calling rates.  

VoiceWing is priced at $39.95 per month; however, discounts are available.  For instance, subscribers to Verizon Online 
DSL can get VoiceWing for $34.95 a month.  Those subscribers can also benefit from an introductory price of $29.95 a 
month for the first six months if they order VoiceWing by Oct. 31.  Users of other broadband services will get an 
introductory price of $34.95 for the first six months of service if they order VoiceWing by Oct. 31.

Verizon provides VoiceWing subscribers with an adapter that allows them to use their own telephone with their DSL or 
cable modem connection to make VoiceWing calls.  There is a one-time set-up fee of $39.95, and a one-time shipping and 
handling charge for shipping the adapter. 
Verizon offers customers a 30-day money-back guarantee on its VoiceWing service.
VoiceWing is available to customers anywhere in the continental United States and can be purchased at 
www.verizon.com/voicewing or by calling 1-800-270-5369.

One attractive feature of VoiceWing is that customers can choose their own area code.  It doesn't have to be the area 
code where customers live.  
 VoiceWing telephone numbers are available today with a variety of area codes from the following states:  Alabama, 
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, 
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, 
North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and in the 
District of Columbia.

        VoiceWing provides customers not only traditional services such as voice mail, caller ID and call waiting, but 
also advanced features that give them unprecedented control of  their communications by accessing a special Web page 
called the Personal Account Manager.  The features include:
·        Call Logs - Itemize all calling activity.  Call Logs list the caller name, telephone number (if available), 
date, time-of-day, location and duration of every incoming and outgoing call made.  Users can easily transfer contact 
information directly into their VoiceWing Personal Address Book.

·        Voice Mail - Allows customers to view and play their messages by clicking on the "new voice mail messages" 
link on the home page.  Messages can be stored for up to 14 days.

·        Click-to-Dial - Automatically dials any telephone number, including numbers saved in the Call Logs or Address 
Book.  By clicking on a "hyperlink" phone number, VoiceWing will dial the number.   When dialing is complete, the 
customer's VoiceWing phone will ring, indicating the user should pick up the handset.

·        Speed Dial 10 - Lets users enter or change speed dial shortcuts on their VoiceWing phones or on their 
computers. 

·        Enhanced Call Forwarding - Directs calls to another telephone number anytime.  By saving Call Forwarding 
settings on a customer's Personal Account Manager, VoiceWing calls can quickly be re-directed to another number.  

·        Feature Scheduling - Allows users to schedule call forwarding or a call back for a specific date and time of 
day.

·        Personal Address Book - Stores information about a user's most frequent contacts directly on the Personal 
Account Manager.  The Click to Dial feature can then be used with the Address Book.  

·        Alternate Telephone Number - Customers can make every call they get from out-of-town family and friends a 
local call by choosing an Alternate Telephone Number in their family and friends' area code.  The Alternate Telephone 
Number is routed directly to the customer's primary VoiceWing number.  There is a monthly charge for Alternate 
Telephone Numbers.


"VoiceWing is a critical part of Verizon's broadband leadership strategy," Ingalls said.  "It will bring us new 
broadband and voice services customers, and it will give our existing customers new ways to get the most from their 
broadband connections.  Our pricing and features meet or beat our competition, and our availability is one of the best 
in the industry.  With VoiceWing, we are embracing the future, and we will continue to introduce a steady stream of new 
products that puts the power of broadband to work for our customers."  

VoiceWing is provided through Verizon Long Distance.

A Dow 30 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, 
with approximately $68 billion in annual revenues.  Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and 
wireless communications in the United States.  Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as 
measured by directory titles and circulation.  Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless 
communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe.  For more information, visit 
www.verizon.com.

####

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts 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.

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