May 3, 2001 –

RESTON, Va. -- Verizon Online today announced new service offerings that include higher speeds, more Web storage, more mail boxes and price cuts for Verizon Online's fastest DSL (digital subscriber line) connections. The options went into effect on May 1.

"This is good news for customers with high-end needs such as videoconferencing, downloading video and audio clips or doing complex telecommuting work," said John Wimsatt, vice president - marketing for Verizon Online. "Graphics, games and multi-media applications are becoming progressively more sophisticated. With faster response times, home users will get the full benefit of these applications."

All the new Verizon Online packages include the DSL line, 10 MB (megabytes) of Web storage, four e-mail boxes, a free DSL modem and a free Logitech Express Cam PC camera with a one-year commitment.

Verizon's basic service is for customers who want increased performance for surfing the Net and downloading e-mail. This service, priced at $49.95 a month, enables maximum connection speeds of 768Kbps downstream and 128Kbps upstream. The service is an affordable way to get high-speed Internet access and to provide e-mail boxes to several members of the household. A free PC camera comes with purchase of the service so families can create a photo gallery on-line in their free personal Web space or do other fun things.

A $39.95 DSL plan will continue to be offered, but new customers will pay a nonrefundable $200 setup charge. A free PC camera will not be offered under this plan. The price existing customers pay for this plan does not change.

Another plan has been designed for customers who regularly download large files, such as MP3 music files and video clips or streaming video. This plan, priced at $59.95, offers all the benefits of the entry-level service, plus maximum connection speeds of up to 1.5Mbps downstream and 128Kbps upstream. This option is new to the former GTE territory and is similar to an offering that had been priced at $99.95 in the former Bell Atlantic territory.

In response to the growing number of telecommuting customers, another package -- priced at $69.95 -- will bring the a synchronous Internet connection to the home for users who are sending and downloading large files. This package provides maximum connection speeds of 384Kbps/384Kbps, allowing the customer to transmit large files to the office or clients in record time and enabling real-time videoconferencing from the comfort of the den. This option is new to the former Bell Atlantic territory and had been priced at $92.95 in the former GTE territory.

Die-hard gamers will seek a competitive advantage over their opponents with the hyper-fast connection of the $79.95 package. At up to 1.5Mbps/384Kbps maximum connection speeds, it also will appeal to customers wanting home networks. This option is new to both the former GTE and Bell Atlantic territories.

These packages are currently available today throughout the Verizon Online service territory except in California and New Jersey, where we expect to offer them later this year.

Verizon Online has included additional e-mail boxes in these packages to allow customers to set up separate e-mail accounts for various members of the household. Multiple e-mail boxes can be used to organize their communications for different needs. For instance, separate mailboxes can be used for school, work and personal correspondence.

"Data customers are getting more sophisticated in their personal use of the Web," said Wimsatt. "By raising the amount of Web storage to 10 MB, we allow our customers the freedom to post up to 100 pictures on their personal Web space. The PC camera will allow them to e-mail video postcards or broadcast live video to family and friends across the globe."

Verizon will waive the set-up fee for customers who order the new Verizon Online DSL packages at $49.95 and more in combination with selected Verizon dial-tone bundles, including popular services such as call waiting, three-way calling and voice mail.

New customers sign one-year contracts and will pay a fee for early cancellation. There is no price change for existing customers. Verizon will honor all current contracts. Customers can get more information on Verizon Online's DSL services at Verizon's Web site: www.verizon.com/dsl.

All the downstream and upstream speeds describing Verizon's DSL services are theoretical maximum connection speeds between the customer's computer and Verizon's DSL equipment. Actual connection speeds will vary from the maximum speeds and often will be lower. Throughput or download speeds refer to the speed at which data is transferred to a customer's computer from the Internet and are lower than connection speeds. Download speeds will differ based on numerous factors, including the length of the customer's line (or distance) from telephone company facilities, condition of the phone line and inside wiring, network and Internet congestion, and the server and Web-site configurations of the Internet sites visited.

Kilobits per second (Kbps) and megabits per second (Mbps) are measures of how fast data is transmitted. The data rates for "downstream" and "upstream" refer to the maximum connection speeds between a customer's computer and Verizon's DSL equipment.

Verizon Online is a full-service Internet service provider, offering a complete suite of dial-up, DSL and dedicated Internet access services for residential consumers and small and medium-size businesses. Dial-up and dedicated Internet access from Verizon Online is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. DSL Internet access services are available in 26 states and the District. Verizon Online also offers businesses a robust portfolio of Web hosting and Managed Messaging services across the country.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 112 million access line equivalents and 27 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with approximately 260,000 employees and more than $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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