| 2008-03-05 | Contract/Agreements | Converged Wide Area Infrastructure Serves as Law Firm's Collaboration Highway
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., March 5 /PRNewswire/ Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, one of the largest and most technologically advanced business law firms in the mid Atlantic and Southeast, will be able to better communicate and collaborate both internally and with clients, using advanced Internet protocol (IP) networking and collaboration services provided by Verizon Business.
Under terms of a new three year contract, Verizon Business is providing Winston Salem, N.C. based Womble Carlyle with an MPLS based Private IP network, effectively linking the law firm's 11 offices and more than 1,300 employees, including 530 attorneys.
The new Womble Carlyle network is based on Verizon Business' Private IP service, one of the company's fastest growing offerings. It replaces several regional networks previously used by Womble Carlyle and, for the first time, provides the firm with a standardized wide area infrastructure.
The converged network architecture delivers improved quality and ease of management, and supports office to office and office to client collaboration via audio and video conferencing. By eliminating Womble Carlyle's need to manage and maintain multiple voice, video and data networks, the new network enables the firm to operate more efficiently and better serve clients.
Additionally, the collaborative tools enable Womble Carlyle to reduce travel and share legal documents electronically, thereby trimming costs and helping to preserve the environment.
"Our network, spanning five states and the District of Columbia, serves as the foundation for our growing law firm," said Sean Scott, chief information officer, Womble Carlyle. "We understand the potential of technology and how it can support our business critical applications. Verizon Business has delivered a scalable, flexible and highly reliable IP based infrastructure that enables our attorneys and staff to focus on meeting the requirements of our customers and protecting their interests."
In addition to supporting high quality voice communications, as well as conferencing and instant messaging applications, the new IP network provides the foundation for Womble Carlyle's proprietary case and document management service, as well as WombleNet, the firm's intranet. These critical business tools enable attorneys from any of the firm's offices to easily share information and seamlessly collaborate.
"The Private IP network deployed for Womble Carlyle highlights the dynamic flexibility and quality this platform offers," said Stephen P. Young, senior vice president, corporate and government market sales, Verizon Business. "The service can easily meet the requirements of a wide range of customers, from a multinational corporation with hundreds of global sites to a regional company with sites in the U.S. Womble Carlyle has chosen a secure, reliable and scalable platform to support its current and future technology and business objectives."
Verizon Business offers a broad portfolio of IP based services that enable companies to meet business objectives and manage complex networks and critical applications. Verizon Business' comprehensive offerings, available on a managed or do it yourself basis, can be combined to create effective solutions to fulfill the requirements of enterprises of any size, in any industry.
About Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
Established in Winston Salem in 1876, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC, is a full service business law firm serving a wide range of regional, national and international clients in industries that include financial services, commercial real estate, information technology, health care, manufacturing and telecommunications, as well as educational institutions and governmental bodies and agencies. The firm consists of 530 lawyers in 11 offices in Winston Salem, Charlotte, Greensboro, Research Triangle Pa |
| 2008-03-04 | Contract/Agreements | RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Overture Networks, a leading developer of converged packet access solutions, today announced that Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) has certified the Overture Networks ISG 5100 and ISG 45+ for Ethernet service offerings over Verizon Businesss global network infrastructure.
The Overture Networks ISG product family is purpose-built for the customer edge and first level aggregation points and provides Ethernet and TDM-based services over any underlying infrastructure. The ISG 5100 is a multipurpose, multi-slot chassis that provides access and aggregation for connections ranging from 1 Mbps to 1 Gbps. The ISG 45+ provides 10/100 Ethernet access to the customer and a single DS3 uplink to the network.
According to Vertical Systems Group's latest research, revenues from Carrier Ethernet services worldwide currently exceed $9.1 billion and will top $30 billion by 2012. This sizeable market opportunity is currently served by both fiber and copper deployments. The Overture Networks ISG product family provides support for Ethernet services over a variety of connections types ranging from T1/E1, DS3/E3, OC-3/STM-1, OC-12/STM-4 and Gigabit Ethernet.
"We are delighted that Verizon Business has chosen Overture Networks to provide solutions in the Ethernet services arena, said Jeff Reedy, president and CEO of Overture Networks. Overture has an excellent record of innovation and global deployments where we have helped providers deliver a diverse set of services that leverage their business expertise and expand their market opportunities.
About Overture Networks Inc.
Headquartered in the high-tech center of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, Overture Networks is relentlessly focused on providing solutions at the ever-expanding edge of the access network. The company enables network service providers and enterprises to stretch the edge of their networks to increase revenues, decrease costs and ensure a smooth migration to next generation networking. With its patent protected and award winning ISG family of products. Overture Networks uniquely combines the packet-switched and circuit-switched worlds into a single architectureat cost points that make it extremely attractive for offering Carrier Ethernet Services to any size locationover copper, fiber or optical transport. For more information, visit www.overturenetworks.com.
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| 2008-02-26 | Merger/Acquisition | FairPoint Communications, Inc. today announced the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued a written order approving FairPoint's proposed acquisition of Verizon's wireline business in New Hampshire, subject to certain conditions. This is part of a larger, previously announced transaction in which FairPoint would also acquire Verizon's wireline operations in Maine and Vermont. FairPoint has now received written orders from all three states approving FairPoint's acquisition of Verizon's wireline business. FairPoint previously received the necessary approvals from the Federal Communications Commission. Completion of the transaction is subject to satisfaction of other conditions to closing and closing of the related financing transactions.
"We are deeply gratified that after 13 months since announcing our agreement to acquire Verizon's northern New England wireline operations, we now have all of the required regulatory approvals necessary to close the transaction," said Gene Johnson, chairman and CEO of FairPoint Communications. "Today we finish this chapter in our company's evolution. Subject to satisfaction of certain conditions and closing of related financing transactions, we now expect to close the transaction on March 31, 2008."
FairPoint and Verizon are in the process of reviewing today's written order for any additional provisions or changes not covered in the previously announced stipulation with the staff of the New Hampshire PUC. |
| 2008-02-26 | Contract/Agreements | $60 Million Contract Award Consolidates, Upgrades Three Networks
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ Verizon Business has completed the design and implementation of a new fully managed Internet protocol based network for the United States Postal Service, consolidating three previously distinct networks to control costs and consolidate bandwidth while bringing the benefits of advanced IP services.
Verizon Business was successful in competing for the USPS PITN Network Upgrade Project, valued at $60 million and covering 30 months, to build and manage the new Postal Information Technology Network (PITN). The project includes the redesign, upgrade and management of network services for approximately 300 mail processing facilities; upgrades to the existing information technology administrative network; and the design, implementation and management of new network services at 188 U.S. Postal Inspection Service locations.
Verizon Business will continue to provide the Postal Service with a variety of managed network services through a network operations center (NOC) in Cary, N.C. With the PITN award, Verizon Business will manage more than 30,000 devices and more than 17,000 wide area network circuits for the Postal Service.
"Public trust in the mail system is critical, and this is another case where Verizon Business expertise and technology are helping the Postal Service serve its customers, whether by tracking a package or helping to reduce mail fraud," said Susan Zeleniak, group president, Verizon Federal, the sales organization within Verizon Business dedicated to serving federal government customers. "Verizon Business continues to work with our customers to implement advanced technologies to meet their current and future needs."
As part of the project, Verizon Business will also help the United States Postal Inspection Service migrate from its existing frame relay network to a next generation IP network based on multi protocol label switching (MPLS). This new network implements quality of service (QoS) routing to incorporate advanced IP based security features designed to protect and prioritize sensitive law enforcement communications. These include push to talk radio over IP, live video multicast service and IT applications supporting critical services such as background checks and incident response.
In addition, the company is migrating large USPS mail processing facilities and the Postal Service administrative network to a new more robust network with multiple layers of redundancy to provide resilient network connections for USPS business critical mail processing systems.
The critical data traffic will ride on the Verizon Business vBNS+ (Very High Performance Backbone Network Service) network, which is dedicated primarily to government and educational institutions with high performance network requirements. This new postal network also incorporates the latest in security by leveraging Group Encrypted Transport Virtual Private Network (GET VPN) technology to provide any to any connectivity between remote Inspection Service sites without the need to go through a central hub, thus reducing overall bandwidth requirements, controlling costs and providing rapid scalability.
Verizon Business has a long history with the Postal Service. Through the U.S. Postal Service Managed Network Services (MNS) contract, awarded in 1997, the company established one of the world's largest private networks for the Postal Service. This state of the art network, which Verizon Business manages round the clock, 365 days a year, supports many aspects of the Postal Service, from operations to administration.
In addition to helping the Postal Service efficiently and cost effectively deliver mail, the network also helps the Postal Service inform and manage its nearly 700,000 employees, one of the largest civilian workforces in the nation. Postal Service employees use the network to store and distribute document |
| 2008-02-21 | Contract/Agreements | Jordan's Furniture and Verizon Create Unique Marketing Agreement Verizon Acquires Naming Rights of Jordan's IMAX Theaters; Will Build
Lifestyle Store Within Jordan's Furniture Complex in Reading
BOSTON, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire/ When Jordan's Furniture shoppers try out a new easy chair or select other furniture for their new home theater setup, they can soon try out Verizon's new FiOS TV service in the store. And they can do it without having to leave the comfort of the chair or sofa they are sitting in.
Verizon and Jordan's Furniture Thursday (Feb. 21) announced a unique marketing agreement under which Verizon will construct a Verizon lifestyle store within the Jordan's Furniture complex in Reading, Mass. The store will feature Verizon's revolutionary new FiOS voice, Internet and TV services, and visitors can experience the services in the comfort of Jordan's beautiful furniture.
In addition, Verizon has acquired the naming rights of Jordan's two IMAX Theaters, in Reading and Natick, Mass, and the company's Motion Odyssey Movie Theater in Avon, Mass.
The multidimensional sponsorship will provide millions of New England's IMAX viewers and Jordan's shoppers the opportunity to experience and order premier FiOS products and services throughout New England. The partnership is a comprehensive, across company integration of marketing initiatives, opportunities and promotions.
"This is a perfect example of a win win situation," said Eliot Tatelman, president and chief operating officer of Jordan's. "Verizon and Jordan's win because of the multitude of on site and on screen opportunities that are available for cross promotion. However, most importantly, the customers win because of the additional products now available under one roof. Customers will be able to literally experience Verizon technology, all in the comfort of the furniture showrooms of Jordan's."
At Jordan's, consumers will be able to experience FiOS TV live on an HDTV set and test drive FiOS Internet, something they can't do online or over the phone.
"There is great synergy between the two companies, and we are very excited about all of the future possibilities," said Tatelman.
Brenda Sowers, Verizon's director of alternate channel sales, said: "This is a unique, powerful branding and marketing opportunity to promote Verizon and our exciting FiOS services. Verizon and Jordan's are two formidable brands in the New England marketplace, and our marketing partnership is a natural fit."
In addition to the Verizon lifestyle store soon opening in Reading, customers can now visit Verizon at one of the company's staffed kiosks at Jordan's Furniture at Beantown in Reading, on Bourbon Street in Natick, or coming soon to the Jordan's Avon, Mass., location. Some of the opportunities within the sponsorship deal include pre movie Verizon commercials customized in the IMAX format and customer coupon offers for Jordan's and Verizon's products and services.
Jordan's Furniture operates a 275 seat IMAX 3D Theater in Natick, as well as a 500 seat IMAX 3D Theater in Reading, and the Motion Odyssey Movie Theater in Avon. Jordan's Furniture, New England's largest furniture retailer, is a division of Berkshire Hathaway.
For more information, log on to http://www.jordans.com.
FiOS TV is Verizon's new fiber optic television service, which offers a better quality picture, more high definition and on demand programs, and more reliable service at competitive prices to more than 400,000 households in some 63 Massachusetts communities.
FiOS TV is delivered over Verizon's fiber to the premises (FTTP) network, which has industry leading quality and reliability. Verizon is the first company to offer such a network, connecting homes and businesses directly to fiber optics on a widespread scale.
In addition to FiOS TV, Verizon's fiber network also allows the company to offer consumers and businesses high speed FiOS Internet service at down |
| 2008-02-15 | Contract/Agreements | Only Wireless Company Honored for Excellence in "Green" IT Practices
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ What does it mean when a company "goes green"? For Verizon Wireless, it means lower energy usage, power consumption and emissions, as well as environmentally friendly options that improve the customer experience.
In recognition of the company's "green" IT practices, Verizon Wireless was the only wireless carrier named to IDG Computerworld's first ever list of top Green IT Companies for 2008. The honor is part of Computerworld's inaugural Green IT Companies feature in its Feb. 18 issue and online at Computerworld.com.
"At Verizon Wireless, we view going 'green' as important not only for the environment and our business, but also for our customers," said Ajay Waghray, chief information officer at Verizon Wireless. "Energy saving initiatives make us more efficient and enable us to provide improved products and services for our customers. One example is Verizon Wireless' 'green bill,' available in our online customer account system, My Account, which puts detailed usage and billing information at our customers' fingertips in real time. In addition to eliminating monthly mailings, saving paper and reducing the carbon footprint that results from the mailing process, they will find more useful ways to organize and analyze their account information than with any paper bill."
In recognizing the company, Computerworld noted Verizon Wireless deployed more than 7,000 thin clients in 12 call centers nationwide, reducing energy consumption and cooling costs. Power consumption tests at the company's Chandler, Ariz., call center showed a 62.5 percent overall decrease in energy usage after deployment. Verizon Wireless also rolled out power management software on 61,000 managed desktops companywide that enables automatic shutdown and sleep schedules. The initiative accounted for a 24 percent reduction in both PC power consumption and CO2 emissions. In addition to pursuing energy saving technology in call centers, Verizon Wireless has also implemented virtualization technology in its data centers. This approach, coupled with the higher energy efficiency of the new servers, significantly decreases electricity and cooling costs.
"Being 'green' is not just saying you're conscious about the environment and its challenges. In today's business world, it's about efficiency, power consumption and applying those green principles to smart business decision making," said Don Tennant, editorial director, Computerworld. "The companies recognized in our first Top Green IT Computing issue have taken a serious look at how they impact the environment and how they can address those challenges with good business sense."
The Top Green IT Companies have been selected by Computerworld for implementing smart, efficient strategies to achieve "green IT." Companies were measured against a set of criteria developed by Computerworld and green IT experts that identified how organizations are working to reduce energy consumption in IT equipment and are using technology to conserve energy and lower carbon emissions.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: http://www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast quality video footage and high resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. s.server=server() s.channel="news release" s.pageName="news_release_idg's computerworld names verizon wireless as one of the top green it companies" s.prop2="109" s.prop3="02 15 2008" /************* DO NOT ALTER ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE ! ******** |
| 2008-02-14 | Contract/Agreements | N.Y. PSC Confirms Verizon's Video Franchise With the Town
NEW YORK, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ Residents of the Rockland County Town of Ramapo are a major step closer to having a real choice for their cable television service, thanks to a recently approved agreement authorizing Verizon to offer its FiOS TV service, delivered over the most advanced fiber optic network straight to customers' homes.
The New York Public Service Commission on Wednesday (Feb. 13) issued an order confirming Verizon's video franchise with the town, which had granted the company a franchise late last year. The commission has the authority to review franchise agreements between local governments in New York and cable service providers, such as Verizon, to make sure the agreements comply with statewide rules and regulations.
"The PSC's confirmation of the franchise agreement for the Town of Ramapo brings us closer to providing the choice and competition that New York consumers demand," said Monica Azare, Verizon senior vice president for New York and Connecticut. "Competition like this drives innovation and value, and puts the consumer in control.
"We look forward to launching FiOS TV in the town soon and offering more New York consumers the benefits and innovation that our service provides," she added.
The Town of Ramapo's franchise covers parts of the unincorporated communities of Hillcrest, Ladentown, Monsey, Tallman, Viola, Northeast Ramapo and Western Ramapo. Each incorporated area of the Town, as well as all other incorporated areas of New York, must conduct its own negotiations with Verizon for a video franchise.
Ramapo is joining 98 other New York communities that are paving the way for competition and choice in the television market. Verizon also has secured video franchises in the Rockland County communities of Nyack, South Nyack, Upper Nyack, Grandview on Hudson, Clarkstown, Orangetown, Piermont, Airmont, the town of Haverstraw, West Haverstraw, Chestnut Ridge, Spring Valley, the village of Haverstraw, Suffern and Hillburn. Verizon also has video franchises in the Orange County town of Newburgh; the Westchester County communities of Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Tarrytown, Irvington, the Town of Greenburgh, Eastchester, Mount Kisco, Elmsford, Port Chester, Tuckahoe, White Plains, Rye Brook, North Castle, Mount Vernon, Mount Pleasant, Yonkers, Scarsdale, Bronxville, New Rochelle, Cortlandt, Peekskill, Buchanan, Rye, Larchmont, the village of Mamaroneck, the town of Mamaroneck, Pelham Manor, Sleepy Hollow, Briarcliff Manor, the town of Ossining and the village of Ossining; and on Long Island in the villages of Massapequa Park, Cedarhurst, Laurel Hollow, Lynbrook, Mineola, East Rockaway, Farmingdale, Valley Stream, Freeport, Williston Park, New Hyde Park, Sands Point, Bayville, Old Field, Floral Park, South Floral Park, Garden City, Nissequogue, Poquott, East Williston, Head of the Harbor, Mill Neck, Stewart Manor, Centre Island, Malverne, Huntington Bay, The Branch, Oyster Bay Cove, Flower Hill, Great Neck Estates, Great Neck Plaza, Great Neck, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Munsey Park, North Hills, Plandome, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock, Thomaston, Bellerose and East Hills; and in the towns of North Hempstead, Huntington, Smithtown, Hempstead, Oyster Bay and Islip.
Verizon's FiOS TV is a formidable competitor to cable and satellite, offering a broad collection of all digital programming, 31 high definition (HD) channels in the New York market and access to more than 10,000 on demand titles, 60 percent of which are free.
Verizon's fiber network delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. In addition to FiOS TV, Verizon's fiber network also delivers Internet download speeds of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up t |
| 2008-02-13 | Contract/Agreements | PRNewswire/ China Mobile announced today that it is set to join LTE (Long Term Evolution) trials already being carried out by Vodafone and Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone.
The resultant three way operator trials will focus on LTE FDD (the Frequency Division Duplex version of LTE) for use with paired spectrum allocations and TD LTE (the Time Division Duplex version of LTE) as an evolution of current TD SCDMA technology to enable the exploitation of unpaired spectrum globally.
The trials are designed to explore the performance of LTE with different spectrum types as a potential next generation mobile technology. They will provide an opportunity to adopt a harmonised access platform with global scale and high performance inter working with the existing technologies of all three companies.
The availability of LTE FDD and TD LTE systems will enable an effective and low cost solution for both paired and unpaired spectrum. Multi mode devices will create regional and global roaming opportunities. This also raises the prospect of providing greater interoperability between different global operators offering customers greater convenience and seamless global roaming.
The LTE technology, which is still being tested and standardised is designed to deliver mobile data networks with higher speeds and throughput performance, lower latency, global roaming, and improved efficiencies. LTE is an evolution of existing 3G (WCDMA, TD SCDMA and CDMA) cellular networks and has the advantage of offering inter working with existing 3G technologies.
"China Mobile is happy to work with Vodafone and Verizon Wireless to explore TD LTE together with FDD LTE as a high performance and low cost evolution option from our current networks. This will help to build an ecosystem that could result in a win win situation for the whole industry to meet the growing customer demand for wireless broadband," said Mr. Sha Yuejia, China Mobile's Vice President.
"Verizon looks upon LTE as a singular opportunity to align wireless carriers on a 4G technology which will support the desires of customers to have a common experience, with any device of their choosing, anywhere in the world. We look forward to working closely with China Mobile and Vodafone, sharing trial results, and ultimately planning compatible networks with them, and all the other worldwide carriers who are considering the deployment of LTE," said Richard Lynch, CTO for Verizon.
"Vodafone relishes the opportunity of working alongside China Mobile as well as Verizon Wireless in the development of LTE FDD/TDD technology, and we're looking forward to assessing the results of the trials. We fully support China Mobile's efforts to explore LTE as a potential candidate for its future wireless broadband needs," said Steve Pusey, Vodafone's Global Chief Technology Officer.
About China Mobile
Officially established on April 20th, 2000, China Mobile Communications Corporation (herein after called "China Mobile" or "the Company") has been playing a leading role in the development of the mobile communications industry in China and holds an important position in the international arena as well. After over ten years of efforts, China Mobile has established a comprehensive network with large coverage, high quality, rich variety of businesses and first class customer services. It ranks the first in the world in terms of the network scale and the customer base. For more information, please visit http://www.chinamobile.com .
About Vodafone
Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile communications group with over 252 million proportionate customers as at 31st December 2007. Vodafone currently has equity interests in 25 countries across five continents and a further 40 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit http://www.vodafone.com .
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the most relia |
| 2008-02-11 | Contract/Agreements | Customer Votes Demonstrate Global Wholesale Service Success
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ Verizon Business has received a 2008 Global Wholesale Carrier Excellence award from ATLANTIC ACM, a leading telecommunications research consultancy and benchmarking firm. Verizon Business was recognized for "best in class data quality" for its wholesale carrier services, including transport (Ethernet and wavelength), ATM/Frame and IP Transit.
The announcement was made at the 30th annual Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC) conference, held recently in Honolulu.
ATLANTIC ACM's 2008 awards are derived from more than 600 wholesale customer evaluations of global carriers collated for the new edition of ATLANTIC ACM's Global Wholesale Carrier Report Card. The annual survey asks carrier reseller customers to rank approximately 15 service providers in categories including brand, sales representatives, provisioning, network performance, customer service, billing, and numerous product quality and price categories. Verizon Business tied with Sprint in the 2008 evaluations, sharing the highest average score across all data products.
"Verizon Business certainly deserves recognition for its scores in this year's Global Wholesale Report Card study," said Fedor Smith, vice president, ATLANTIC ACM. "The award for data quality is representative of Verizon Business' strong performance across several voice and data products. Verizon Business also placed very high in several service categories, including brand, provisioning, network performance and billing."
Derek Welford, group president, international partner solutions, Verizon Business, said, "The fact that these awards are voted for by our wholesale customers makes them all the more meaningful. We're committed to meeting the needs of our wholesale customers around the world. Awards such as this recognize that our commitment to service excellence is succeeding."
About ATLANTIC ACM:
Boston based ATLANTIC ACM is a leading provider of strategic research and consulting services serving the telecommunications and information industries. In addition to producing the industry's principal benchmarking, sizing and opportunity studies, the company assists clients in evaluating telecommunications opportunities for successful investment, market entry, and long term planning. For more information, visit ATLANTIC ACM's website at http://www.atlantic acm.com.
About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large business and government customers worldwide. Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced communications, security and other professional service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. For more information, visit http://www.verizonbusiness.com. s.server=server() s.channel="news release" s.pageName="news_release_verizon business receives atlantic acm global wholesale carrier excellence award" s.prop2="109" s.prop3="02 11 2008" /************* DO NOT ALTER ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE ! **************/ var s_code=s.t();if(s_code)document.write(s_code); // |
| 2008-02-01 | Contract/Agreements | Verizon has partnered with Make It Work Inc., the Neighborhood Computer Support company(TM), to offer MIW's award winning at home technology services to their customers in the Palm Springs area.
Make It Work offers same to next day appointments and supports all home technology including PCs and Macs, home networks, printers, iPods(R), home theaters, and nearly everything else that beeps, clicks, or hums in your home.
"When our customers in the Coachella Valley ask for help connecting Verizon services to other technology in ways that go beyond a standard installation, we are now able to refer them to Make It Work," said Kathy Koelle, general manager for Verizon's West Coast Region. "The relationship between Verizon and Make It Work allows us to offer full service home technology solutions to our customers."
"I'm excited and equally proud to be launching our services in the Palm Springs area," said Eric David Greenspan, chief executive officer of Make It Work. "Being raised in Palm Springs, and with most of my family still residing there, I have a special connection to the Desert."
Make It Work's team of charismatic and professional Neighborhood Technology Consultants and their fleet of red and white Mini Coopers provide at home technology services throughout Southern California, including Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties.
Make It Work has been recognized for their extraordinary level of customer service and was named 'Software Services Company of the Year' by the Southern California Technology Council, 'Best of' in the Santa Barbara Independent Readers poll, and 'One of the fastest growing private companies in America' by Inc. Magazine in their 2007 Inc. 5000 list.
About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 66 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 235,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com.
About Make It Work
Make It Work, Inc., the Neighborhood Computer Support company, has a laser like focus on two objectives. First, make sure that their customers' home technology works the way they want it to. And second, leave customers feeling absolutely delighted with the experience. Make It Work can help with PCs and Macs, home networks, printers, iPods(R), home theaters, and nearly everything else that beeps, clicks, or hums in your home. Make It Work's team of professional Neighborhood Technology Consultants and their fleet of red and white Mini Coopers now provide at home technology services throughout Southern California, including Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego counties. For more information, visit http://www.makeitwork.com. s.server=server() s.channel="news release" s.pageName="news_release_make it work(r) launches award winning residential tech service to palm springs area; partners with verizon to maximize potential of verizon services" s.prop2="109" s.prop3="02 01 2008" /************* DO NOT ALTER ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE ! **************/ var s_code=s.t();if(s_code)document.write(s_code); // |
| 2008-02-01 | Contract/Agreements | Verizon has partnered with Make It Work Inc., the Neighborhood Computer Support company(TM), to offer MIW's award winning at home technology services to their customers in the Palm Springs area.
Make It Work offers same to next day appointments and supports all home technology including PCs and Macs, home networks, printers, iPods(R), home theaters, and nearly everything else that beeps, clicks, or hums in your home.
"When our customers in the Coachella Valley ask for help connecting Verizon services to other technology in ways that go beyond a standard installation, we are now able to refer them to Make It Work," said Kathy Koelle, general manager for Verizon's West Coast Region. "The relationship between Verizon and Make It Work allows us to offer full service home technology solutions to our customers."
"I'm excited and equally proud to be launching our services in the Palm Springs area," said Eric David Greenspan, chief executive officer of Make It Work. "Being raised in Palm Springs, and with most of my family still residing there, I have a special connection to the Desert."
Make It Work's team of charismatic and professional Neighborhood Technology Consultants and their fleet of red and white Mini Coopers provide at home technology services throughout Southern California, including Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties.
Make It Work has been recognized for their extraordinary level of customer service and was named 'Software Services Company of the Year' by the Southern California Technology Council, 'Best of' in the Santa Barbara Independent Readers poll, and 'One of the fastest growing private companies in America' by Inc. Magazine in their 2007 Inc. 5000 list.
About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 66 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 235,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com.
About Make It Work
Make It Work, Inc., the Neighborhood Computer Support company, has a laser like focus on two objectives. First, make sure that their customers' home technology works the way they want it to. And second, leave customers feeling absolutely delighted with the experience. Make It Work can help with PCs and Macs, home networks, printers, iPods(R), home theaters, and nearly everything else that beeps, clicks, or hums in your home. Make It Work's team of professional Neighborhood Technology Consultants and their fleet of red and white Mini Coopers now provide at home technology services throughout Southern California, including Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego counties. For more information, visit http://www.makeitwork.com. s.server=server() s.channel="news release" s.pageName="news_release_make it work(r) launches award winning residential tech service to palm springs area; partners with verizon to maximize potential of verizon services" s.prop2="109" s.prop3="02 01 2008" /************* DO NOT ALTER ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE ! **************/ var s_code=s.t();if(s_code)document.write(s_code); // |
| 2008-01-31 | Contract/Agreements | Verizon Wireless, the company with the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, today announced the availability of BlackBerry(R) Professional Software, a wireless e mail and data solution specifically designed for small and medium sized businesses. Based on the core functionality of BlackBerry(R) Enterprise Server, BlackBerry Professional Software gives smaller organizations enterprise grade security, control and performance for a fraction of the cost.
"Our small business customers now have a mobility solution that allows user friendly wireless access to e mail, calendar, Internet, and intranet applications with advanced security," said Rob Miller, vice president marketing for Verizon Wireless. "BlackBerry Professional Software from Verizon Wireless addresses the needs of small businesses for an in house solution that is affordable, simple to install and easy to manage."
Providing access for up to 30 wireless users, BlackBerry Professional Software can be installed onto a company's in house Microsoft(R) Exchange or IBM(R) Lotus(R) Domino(R) messaging and collaboration server, eliminating the need for additional hardware and operating system licenses. The solution tightly integrates with the messaging server to provide synchronized and secure wireless access to e mail, calendar, contacts, notes, tasks, and other applications.
BlackBerry Professional Software provides smaller companies with the protection that is trusted and accredited by organizations around the world. BlackBerry Professional Software also provides support for Java and Internet based applications. As a result, customers can develop custom Java or Internet based applications for mobile employees and use any of the thousands of third party applications developed for the BlackBerry platform.
BlackBerry Professional Software is available from Verizon Wireless for up to five users for $549.99, or $849.00 for up to 10 users. Both options can be expanded to support up to 30 wireless users with the purchase of additional standard Client Access Licenses (CALs) and can easily be upgraded to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server as the organization grows. The software is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. Existing Verizon Wireless customers using BlackBerry Enterprise Server Small Business Edition can upgrade to BlackBerry Professional Software at no charge by going to http://www.blackberry.com/go/professionaldownload and downloading the software. Customers who opt for the BlackBerry Professional Software will want to choose from Verizon Wireless Nationwide Email Calling Plans starting at $79.99 monthly access for 450 voice minutes and an unlimited data allowance for e mail and Web browsing.
Verizon Wireless offers a host of business applications and solutions for a variety of industries from distribution, construction, manufacturing, and healthcare to retail, professional services, government, and public safety. To learn more about Verizon Wireless' offerings for business customers, customers can go to http://www.verizonwireless.com or contact their Verizon Wireless Sales Representative at 1 800 VZW 4BIZ.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: http://www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast quality video footage and high resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer |
| 2008-01-28 | Earnings/Dividends | Significant Gains in All Strategic Areas; Verizon Wireless Leads Industry in Key Metrics; Continued Strong FiOS and Enterprise Strategic Services
Growth
NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/
4Q 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
37 cents in EPS and 62 cents in adjusted EPS (non GAAP), compared with
4Q 2006 EPS of 48 cents and 52 cents, respectively, from continuing
operations.
$23.8 billion in revenues, up 5.5 percent; up 5.6 percent on an
adjusted basis (non GAAP).
Wireless
2.0 million total net customer additions, 1.9 million net retail
customer additions; 65.7 million total customers, 63.7 million retail
(non wholesale) customers; 6.9 million retail net adds in 2007, the
most of any carrier.
1.20 percent total churn, 0.94 percent retail post paid churn
industry leading customer loyalty.
13.3 percent increase in total revenues; data revenues up 53.0
percent; service ARPU up for quarter and full year; highest ever data
ARPU in the quarter; 43.6 percent EBITDA margin on service revenues
(non GAAP).
Wireline
226,000 net new FiOS TV customers, 943,000 total FiOS TV customers at
year end; Verizon now has more than 1 million FiOS TV customers.
264,000 net new broadband connections, including 245,000 net new FiOS
Internet customers; 8.2 million total broadband connections, up 17.9
percent from year end 2006.
25.1 percent increase in revenues from strategic services at Verizon
Business.
YEAR END 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
$1.90 in 2007 EPS and $2.36 in adjusted EPS, compared with 2006 EPS of
$1.88 and $2.06, respectively, from continuing operations.
$93.5 billion in total 2007 revenues, up 6.0 percent from 2006; up 6.1
percent on an adjusted basis.
$26.3 billion in cash flows from continuing operations in 2007, up
14.2 percent from 2006.
$17.5 billion in 2007 capital expenditures.
Note: Comparisons are year over year unless otherwise noted. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to reflect comparable results. See the accompanying schedules and http://www.verizon.com/investor for reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for non GAAP financial measures cited in this news release. Discontinued operations include Verizon Information Services, as well as Verizon's interests in Verizon Dominicana C. por A. and Telecomunicaciones de Puerto Rico, Inc. The dispositions of these non strategic businesses were completed on Nov. 17, 2006; Dec. 1, 2006; and March 30, 2007, respectively.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) today reported continued strong quarterly financial and operational results, as the company again produced significant gains in strategic growth areas such as wireless, broadband, data, video and global IP.
Verizon reported fourth quarter 2007 earnings of 37 cents in fully diluted earnings per share (EPS). This compares with fourth quarter 2006 earnings of 48 cents per share before income from discontinued operations that have since been divested.
On an adjusted basis (non GAAP), fourth quarter 2007 earnings were 62 cents per share from continuing operations. This is a 19.2 percent increase, compared with 52 cents per share from continuing operations in the fourth quarter 2006.
On an annual basis, Verizon reported 2007 EPS of $1.90, compared with $1.88 per share from continuing operations. On an adjusted annual basis, 2007 EPS was $2.36, a 14.6 percent increase, compared with 2006 EPS of $2.06 from continuing operations.
Special items reflected in fourth quarter 2007 EPS are: 16 cents per share for severance and other related expenses recognized as a result of workforce reductions that began in the fourth quarter and will continue throughout 2008; 5 cents per share for taxes and expenses associated with an increase in the distributable earnings from the company's Vodafone Omnitel N.V. investment, including cash distributions received in December 2007; 2 cents |
| 2008-01-24 | Contract/Agreements | 'Innovative Access' Initiative Enables More Than 13,000 City Residents to Surf the Web
NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ The U.S. Conference of Mayors recognized Verizon Thursday (Jan. 24) for creating an Internet access program that enables more than 13,000 Elizabeth residents to surf the Web.
At a Conference of Mayors meeting in Washington, Verizon was praised for its partnership with the city of Elizabeth. Under a program called Innovative Access Expanding Opportunities and Creating Effective Services, Verizon provided more than $200,000 in computer equipment and deeply discounted Internet access rates for the city's libraries. The city, in turn, is making Internet access available to tens of thousands of residents, including more than 13,000 who are participating in the Innovative Access program at the libraries.
The Elizabeth Main Public Library installed 200 computer stations throughout the building. All are networked through the Innovative Access program.
"This is a prime example of how Verizon and a city government can work together in bringing state of the art technology to city residents, including those who can least afford it," said Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey.
"We're utilizing the tremendous power behind our Access New Jersey program to help make these connections possible," said Bone, "and we're working with mayors from around the state to make our cities and towns more competitive in the high tech global marketplace."
The Innovative Access program uses Verizon's Access New Jersey network, which connects with points around the state and around the world. Over the past several years, Verizon has invested more than $150 million in the program. The initiative has been used in multiple ways including connecting families in New Jersey with military members stationed abroad, as well as connecting researchers in the Panamanian rain forest with numerous classrooms in New Jersey.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 63.7 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more information, visit http://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 http://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. s.server=server() s.channel="news release" s.pageName="news_release_u.s. conference of mayors applauds verizon for creating internet access program in the city of elizabeth" s.prop2="109" s.prop3="01 24 2008" /************* DO NOT ALTER ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE ! **************/ var s_code=s.t();if(s_code)document.write(s_code); // |
| 2008-01-23 | Contract/Agreements | Area Consumers That Verizon Offers NFL Network and Other Great Sports Programming
TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ Verizon and Joey Galloway are teaming up to remind Tampa Bay area consumers that if they want to have the most advanced cable sports offerings in the area, they need to "pass" their TV service to Verizon.
"We are very excited to welcome Joey Galloway to the Verizon FiOS family," said Suri Surinder, Verizon's senior vice president and general manager for operations in the Southeast. "While Joey is known for his speed on the field, this is not a fast talking exercise. Our rapidly growing TV customer base in the area knows that the pitch he will deliver is right on point FiOS TV provides consumers with the most versatile sports channels via ultra clear fiber based transmissions, including a high definition picture that is unparalleled."
Tampa Bay area radio stations will begin broadcasting ads today that feature Galloway, the star NFL wide receiver, and highlight the sports offerings on FiOS TV, including NFL Network. Print ads will also be featured over the next couple of months, and Galloway's likeness will be featured on various digital billboards. The sentiment of the ad campaign is best represented by a Galloway quote that will appear in the print ads: "I switched to Verizon FiOS from Bright House to get NFL Network. You should too!"
Verizon offers 11 sports channels on its FiOS TV Premier offering, including ESPNU, ESPN Classic, Versus and NFL Network, as part of the $42.99 monthly stand alone price. Customers with a high definition set top box can also view NFL Network HD plus four other high definition sports channels as a part of the 31 HD channels FiOS TV offers overall. By year end, Verizon will increase the number of HD channels to 150.
In addition to the standard sports package provided by FiOS TV, customers can also add a 14 channel premium sports package for $7.99 per month, offering three Fox college sports channels, the Tennis Channel, the Golf Channel and Fox Sports Espanol, among others. To view the full lineup, customers can visit http://www.verizon.com/fiostv.
Verizon, providing FiOS services on the nation's most advanced digital all fiber optic network, now offers FiOS TV in each of the six counties it serves in west central Florida.
Verizon Communications Inc. , headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 63.7 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more information, visit http://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 http://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. s.server=server() s.channel="news release" s.pageName="news_release_verizon and joey galloway team up to tout verizon fios tv service" s.prop2="109" s.prop3="01 23 2008" /************* DO NOT ALTER ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE ! **************/ var s_code=s.t();if(s_code)document.write(s_code); // |
| 2008-01-23 | Contract/Agreements | Town Approves Video License for Verizon; 2,000 More Households Soon Can Get FiOS TV
WAYLAND, Mass., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ Residents of Wayland are a major step closer to having another choice for their cable television services, thanks to a newly approved agreement authorizing Verizon to offer its FiOS TV service via the most advanced all digital, fiber optic network straight to customers' homes.
The Board of Selectmen in Wayland granted a cable franchise to Verizon Tuesday (Jan. 22), paving the way for video choice for approximately 2,000 more Massachusetts households.
The board's vote brings to 64 the total number of Massachusetts communities where Verizon's FiOS TV is or will soon be available.
"We are thrilled to be able to bring FiOS TV to residents in Wayland," said Donna Cupelo, Verizon region president for Massachusetts and Rhode Island. "Since the launch of FiOS TV in Massachusetts last year, we are continuing our efforts to meet the consumer demand for cable TV choice."
FiOS TV is the company's new fiber optic television service, which offers a better quality picture, more high definition and on demand programs, and more reliable service at competitive prices.
Verizon currently offers FiOS TV to more than 400,000 households in 61 Massachusetts communities (see list below) as well as other locations in New York, New Jersey, California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia.
"As a result of this new franchise, consumers in Wayland will be able to choose their cable provider as easily as they choose their phone company," said Cupelo. "Competition drives innovation, value and service quality, and it puts the consumer in control."
Verizon is currently in negotiations with several other communities in Massachusetts to obtain additional franchises. For more information on the Verizon franchise process in the state, log onto http://www.verizon.com/ma.
Verizon research indicates 87 percent of Massachusetts residents favor more competition and choice for video services. Independent studies have shown that competition in the video market brings enormous benefits to consumers in the form of reduced prices, better packages and improved service.
The Wayland franchise agreement contains provisions for the network's future growth; financial support and capacity for educational and government access channels; cable service to government buildings; and other important benefits to the town, including insurance, indemnification and enforcement protections.
"Verizon will compete aggressively for subscribers in Wayland with our FiOS services, which are fueled by our lightning fast fiber optic network," Cupelo said. Verizon soon will begin its door to door sales campaign in Wayland, explaining to local consumers the many advantages of FiOS TV.
Verizon is the first company to offer a fiber to the premises (FTTP) network, connecting homes and businesses directly to fiber optics on a widespread scale.
FiOS TV offers a broad collection of all digital programming, more than two dozen high definition channels, video on demand and more. Fiber delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen.
In addition to FiOS TV, Verizon's fiber network also allows the company to offer consumers and businesses high speed FiOS Internet service at download speeds up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds up to 10 Mbps.*
* NOTE: actual (throughput) speeds will vary.
(FiOS TV is available in Acton, Andover, Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Boxborough, Boxford, Braintree, Burlington, Canton, Dedham, Dunstable, Framingham, Franklin, Georgetown, Hamilton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lincoln, Littleton, Lexington, Lynn, Lynnfield, Marion, Marlborough, Marshfield, Mattapoisett, Medf |
| 2008-01-15 | Contract/Agreements | Verizon Private IP Improves Resiliency and Supports Business Growth
READING, England, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ Ahlstrom a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of high performance, fiber based materials has selected Verizon Business to streamline and fully manage its worldwide communications.
A fully managed Verizon Private IP solution will provide a secure, high speed network to connect 25 of Ahlstrom's key locations to enable secure access to business critical applications such as SAP and e mail, as well as supplying backup connections for additional business resiliency.
Ahlstrom employs more than 6,500 people in more than 20 countries on six continents. The company has expanded rapidly over recent years, via both investment and acquisition, in support of its vision of becoming the global source for fiber based materials. This aggressive growth curve had led to a proliferation of different networks and systems around the globe, all of which needed to access centrally hosted business critical applications such as production planning, supply chain management and logistics tools to facilitate the smooth running of business operations.
To support its ongoing growth, Ahlstrom decided to consolidate its global network infrastructure with a single service provider. Quality of service and network resilience were critical concerns, as was the ability to prioritise traffic according to business needs. The objective was to optimize performance across the network and minimize any potential downtime.
In addition, Ahlstrom was keen to enhance its collaborative capabilities both internally between its sales offices and production facilities, and externally with key suppliers and customers. Finally, by opting for a fully managed solution, Ahlstrom hoped to be able to focus its attention on its own business goals, rather than on network infrastructure.
The Verizon Business solution was chosen as the best fit for all of Ahlstrom's requirements. "Both the Verizon Business proposition and the team were right for us," said Markku Kuronen, Ahlstrom's IT development manager. "The resilience offered by the Verizon Business solution exactly matched our requirements, and the service levels and pricing were excellent. What was especially pleasing was how flexible the team was, and how well they listened, and responded to our needs."
Kuronen continued: "We also found the migration experience extremely and unexpectedly positive. We migrated each site during working hours, but both users and the IT department agree that there was minimal disruption to everyday operations."
Vesa Hamalainen, director of corporate information technology at Ahlstrom, added: "As well as providing top end performance, the total cost of ownership of the Verizon Business solution, even with migration cost included, will be less than that of the service it replaced."
Pekka Inkinen, sales director, Verizon Business, said, "Ahlstrom demands a lot from its network and needed a partner able to support its current and future business objectives. Verizon Business' solid experience in supporting multinational companies, coupled with our broad product and service portfolio, enabled us to tailor the perfect solution to support Ahlstrom's goals."
About Ahlstrom
Ahlstrom is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of high performance fiber based materials. Nonwovens and specialty papers, made by Ahlstrom, are used in a large variety of everyday products, such as filters, wipes, flooring, labels, and tapes. Based upon its unique fiber expertise and innovative approach, the company has a strong market position in several business areas in which it operates. Ahlstrom's 6,500 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2006, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.6 billion. Ahlstrom's share is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchang |
| 2008-01-15 | Contract/Agreements | Verizon Private IP Improves Resiliency and Supports Business Growth
READING, England, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ Ahlstrom a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of high performance, fiber based materials has selected Verizon Business to streamline and fully manage its worldwide communications.
A fully managed Verizon Private IP solution will provide a secure, high speed network to connect 25 of Ahlstrom's key locations to enable secure access to business critical applications such as SAP and e mail, as well as supplying backup connections for additional business resiliency.
Ahlstrom employs more than 6,500 people in more than 20 countries on six continents. The company has expanded rapidly over recent years, via both investment and acquisition, in support of its vision of becoming the global source for fiber based materials. This aggressive growth curve had led to a proliferation of different networks and systems around the globe, all of which needed to access centrally hosted business critical applications such as production planning, supply chain management and logistics tools to facilitate the smooth running of business operations.
To support its ongoing growth, Ahlstrom decided to consolidate its global network infrastructure with a single service provider. Quality of service and network resilience were critical concerns, as was the ability to prioritise traffic according to business needs. The objective was to optimize performance across the network and minimize any potential downtime.
In addition, Ahlstrom was keen to enhance its collaborative capabilities both internally between its sales offices and production facilities, and externally with key suppliers and customers. Finally, by opting for a fully managed solution, Ahlstrom hoped to be able to focus its attention on its own business goals, rather than on network infrastructure.
The Verizon Business solution was chosen as the best fit for all of Ahlstrom's requirements. "Both the Verizon Business proposition and the team were right for us," said Markku Kuronen, Ahlstrom's IT development manager. "The resilience offered by the Verizon Business solution exactly matched our requirements, and the service levels and pricing were excellent. What was especially pleasing was how flexible the team was, and how well they listened, and responded to our needs."
Kuronen continued: "We also found the migration experience extremely and unexpectedly positive. We migrated each site during working hours, but both users and the IT department agree that there was minimal disruption to everyday operations."
Vesa Hamalainen, director of corporate information technology at Ahlstrom, added: "As well as providing top end performance, the total cost of ownership of the Verizon Business solution, even with migration cost included, will be less than that of the service it replaced."
Pekka Inkinen, sales director, Verizon Business, said, "Ahlstrom demands a lot from its network and needed a partner able to support its current and future business objectives. Verizon Business' solid experience in supporting multinational companies, coupled with our broad product and service portfolio, enabled us to tailor the perfect solution to support Ahlstrom's goals."
About Ahlstrom
Ahlstrom is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of high performance fiber based materials. Nonwovens and specialty papers, made by Ahlstrom, are used in a large variety of everyday products, such as filters, wipes, flooring, labels, and tapes. Based upon its unique fiber expertise and innovative approach, the company has a strong market position in several business areas in which it operates. Ahlstrom's 6,500 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2006, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.6 billion. Ahlstrom's share is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchang |
| 2008-01-15 | Contract/Agreements | Funding Supported Programs to Improve Literacy, Help Domestic Violence Victims, and Create Technology Based Learning Approaches in Wisconsin
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ Wisconsin nonprofits received more than $233,000 from the Verizon Foundation in 2007, enabling the 125 recipient organizations to improve basic literacy skills, create new and diverse approaches to technology based learning, and help domestic violence victims rebuild their lives.
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications and one of the largest corporate foundations in the world, awarded a total of $67.4 million in grants last year.
"Our efforts are rooted in a century old tradition of giving back to the communities we serve, guided by the firm belief that technology can have a profound and positive effect on social issues," said Paul Fuglie, Verizon vice president external affairs in Wisconsin. "Our foundation makes a positive difference by supporting and investing in the people and organizations striving to improve the quality of life in our communities where our customers and employees live and work.
"That difference can be made in the progress of our children as they study to meet the challenge of learning and working in the 21st century; in the lives of millions of Americans with low literacy skills who are unable to complete a job application or even read a menu; and in the lives of men and women who live in abusive and deadly situations and for whom a phone can open a line to hope," Fuglie said.
In 2007, the Verizon Foundation provided nearly $144,000 in direct grants to 17 nonprofit groups in Wisconsin. Grants included $50,000 to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to expand Thinkfinity.org educational resources in the state; $13,500 to Wisconsin Literacy Inc. to recruit and train new tutors; and $10,000 to Advocates of Ozaukee to expand domestic violence prevention resources.
Others receiving direct grants included Aspirus Health Foundation, Edgar School District, Forward Wisconsin, Hope Network, Marathon County Literacy Council, Menomonee Falls Library Friends, Merrill Wrestling Club, Portage Curling Association, Sun Prairie Chamber Foundation, The Women's Community, Two Rivers Main Street, Wausau Area Performing Arts Foundation, Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the Wisconsin Law Alumni Association.
In addition, 108 other organizations received more than $83,000 through the foundation's Verizon Volunteers program, which rewards employees with matching grants to nonprofits that employees donate to and support. Last year, Verizon employees volunteered more than 3,800 hours to nonprofit groups across the Badger State.
The Verizon Foundation is committed to improving literacy and K 12 education; fostering awareness and prevention of domestic violence; and promoting the use of technology in health care delivery. Under the foundation's Verizon Volunteer initiative, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, company employees and retirees have also contributed nearly 3 million hours of community service since Verizon's inception in 2000.
For more information on the foundation, visit http://www.verizon.com/foundation.
Verizon Communications Inc. , headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 63.7 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 238,000 and last yea |
| 2008-01-09 | Contract/Agreements | Verizon Stands Out With a Consolidated Set of Online Functions, Study by Customer Respect Group Says
NEW YORK, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ Verizon's Web site ranks No. 1 among the sites of 10 telecommunications providers by providing customers with a gratifying set of online tools for doing business with the company, according to a recent study conducted by The Customer Respect Group. The study focused on online account management and self help support.
Terry Golesworth, president of The Customer Respect Group, said, "We conducted an objective evaluation on 10 leading telecommunications Web sites to determine how well customers could self serve and manage their own accounts online. Verizon has built a Web presence that is, without any question, the best available, providing a level of customer service and support that exceeds all other providers."
The Customer Respect Group is an international research and consulting firm that focuses on how corporations treat their online customers. In the organization's most recent study, Verizon's account management and online help portals surfaced as the most user friendly sites that also give customers the information they need for effective online transactions. The study is the only one to bring an objective and consistent measure to the analysis of corporate performance from the online customers' perspective.
"We're honored to receive the No. 1 rating in such an important study," said Mark Studness, director of e commerce for Verizon. "The results underscore our commitment to providing the best online experience to our customers."
Verizon customers who prefer to manage their account online sign in to verizon.com/myaccount and are presented with the "My Account" portal, which allows them to click on any of the four service quadrants in the account window and go directly to the relevant service's Web site phone, Internet, TV or Verizon Wireless.
Each customer's "My Account" page is personalized with a summary of the customer's current services, or presents Verizon's best offer to add a new service. On average, more than 91,700 customers per day signed in to "My Account" in 2007 to manage their Verizon services.
Verizon's online support tool (help.verizon.com) offers information about all of Verizon's consumer products and services including FiOS Internet and FiOS TV, and other services such as the security suite and backup storage products. Customers can also get help with questions about Verizon Wireless or DIRECTV through instant redirects to relevant Web pages.
"On average, more than 56,900 customers per day visit our help center on help.verizon.com to find answers or fast facts," said Studness.
"Our industry leading Enhanced Customer Support Portal is smarter than ever, allowing customers to find information and answers faster," he said
Created on Nov. 1, 2001, Verizon's Web site has been a boon to customers and the company, opening a channel that more than 5.9 million customers use regularly and more than 518,000 visitors explore daily. In 2007, there were more than 189 million site visits, more than 884 million page views, and more than 1.27 million customers placing orders online. The company last year collected more than $1.68 billion in payments online, up 22 percent over 2006. Verizon offers a broad range of products and services for consumers as well as businesses. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com.
[See related news release from The Customer Respect Group at the group's Web site at http://www.customerrespect.com]
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 63.7 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which deliver |
| 2008-01-04 | Merger/Acquisition | FairPoint Communications, Inc. today announced the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted to approve an amended stipulation recommending the approval of the merger agreement between FairPoint and Verizon, with a few additional provisions. In addition to FairPoint, the amended stipulation was signed by Verizon New England Inc., the Advocacy Staff of the Maine PUC, the Office of the Public Advocate in Maine, Cornerstone Communications, LLC, Biddeford Internet Corp d/b/a Great Works Internet, Oxford Networks and the American Association of Retired Persons (with respect to certain aspects of the amended stipulation).
This was a major hurdle in Maine and the Maine PUC is expected to issue an order officially approving the transaction following deliberations on any remaining issues not covered in the amended stipulation agreement as modified.
FairPoint's acquisition of Verizon's wireline operations in Maine is part of a larger, previously announced transaction in which FairPoint would also acquire Verizon's wireline operations in New Hampshire and Vermont.
Commenting on the PUC's decision, Gene Johnson, FairPoint's chairman and CEO, stated, "The PUC's decision clearly demonstrates the Maine PUC has confidence in FairPoint's ability and desire to provide essential telecommunications and broadband services to the residents and businesses in Maine. We accept the conditions set forth in the negotiated agreement and we believe we can meet those conditions."
Johnson continued, "The PUC's decision will also allow FairPoint to make good on its commitment to create 280 new positions throughout Maine. We look forward to receiving approval from the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, the Vermont Public Service Board and the Federal Communications Commission and we remain committed to closing this transaction in a timely manner."
Several key conditions approved by the Maine PUC and most of which were noted in the December 21 amended settlement agreement include the following:
High Speed Internet Availability: FairPoint commits to expand its broadband initiative currently on record in Maine with a five year, $40 million investment. This, combined with the previously announced estimated $17.55 million investment, is expected to allow FairPoint to achieve a 90 percent broadband addressability rate within a five year period.
Financial Strength: As part of the settlement, Verizon will provide at or before closing a contribution to the working capital of the Verizon subsidiary merging into FairPoint. That contribution will increase working capital by $235.5 million in addition to the amount specified for working capital in the current distribution agreement. FairPoint will use this additional contribution from Verizon to reduce debt resulting from the transaction and to facilitate investment in infrastructure and improved services.
FairPoint has agreed to accept a condition requiring a reduction in the anticipated post merger dividend rate of 35 percent, beginning with the first full quarterly dividend to be paid after the merger closing date. The company would not be allowed to increase its dividend until certain financial conditions are met. FairPoint will be required to deploy the approximately $49.7 million resulting from this dividend reduction annually to permanently reduce the amount of debt incurred as part of the transaction. Additionally, FairPoint agreed that if it did not reach a debt to EBITDA ratio below 3.6 by December 31, 2011, then it will reduce debt by $150 million by December 31, 2012. Employee Matters: FairPoint previously agreed to honor existing collective bargaining agreements with respect to matters that are within FairPoint's control and is willing to extend such agreements on generally the same conditions in the current agreements for a period of at least two years.
In addition to receipt of a final order by the Maine PUC, completion of the transaction between FairP |
| 2007-12-21 | Merger/Acquisition | FairPoint Communications, Inc. , a leading provider of communications services to rural and small urban communities across the country, today issued a statement regarding the Vermont Public Service Board's (the Board) order denying approval of the transaction between FairPoint and Verizon, but inviting the parties to submit a revised proposal to address the Board's concerns. Under the terms of the merger agreement with FairPoint and Verizon, FairPoint would acquire Verizon's wireline operations in Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire. The transaction requires approval by the three states' regulatory agencies and by the Federal Communications Commission.
In its decision, the Board stated that, notwithstanding its denial of FairPoint's petition, it was open to FairPoint submitting revisions that addressed its concerns, particularly the adequacy of its financial resources. In addition to the concerns about financial resources, the Order also set out a number of conditions that FairPoint would have to meet to acquire the Verizon operations in Vermont. The Board also noted that it did not consider a recent stipulation agreement in Maine that had the effect of lowering the debt to be incurred to consummate the transaction.
Commenting on the Board's decision, Gene Johnson, FairPoint's chairman and CEO, stated, "We will quickly and thoroughly review the Board's order and will respond appropriately. We are committed to the businesses and residents of Vermont and look forward to offering additional broadband access, quality service and new jobs, all of which are critical to economic development in Vermont. We remain committed to closing this transaction in a timely manner and believe that consideration of the Maine stipulation agreement will assist the Vermont Board in reaching a favorable decision." |
| 2007-12-19 | Financing Agreements | Village Approves Video Franchise for Verizon
OYSTER BAY COVE, N.Y., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ Residents of this Long Island village are a major step closer to having a real choice for their cable television service, thanks to a newly approved agreement authorizing Verizon to offer its FiOS TV service, delivered over the most advanced fiber optic network straight to customers' homes.
The Oyster Bay Cove Board of Trustees granted a video franchise to Verizon Tuesday (Dec. 18), paving the way for video choice in the community. This vote brings to 77 the total number of New York communities that have approved video franchises for Verizon.
"This is great news for residents of Oyster Bay Cove, who now will have a new choice for their video entertainment," said Monica Azare, Verizon senior vice president for New York and Connecticut. "Consumers here will be able to choose their cable provider as easily as they choose their phone company. Competition like this drives innovation and value, and puts the consumer in control."
Oyster Bay Cove joins a growing list of New York communities that are paving the way for competition and choice in the television market. In addition to Oyster Bay Cove, Verizon has been granted video franchises on Long Island in the villages of Massapequa Park, Cedarhurst, Laurel Hollow, Lynbrook, Mineola, East Rockaway, Farmingdale, Valley Stream, Freeport, Williston Park, New Hyde Park, Sands Point, Bayville, Old Field, Floral Park, South Floral Park, Garden City, Nissequogue, Poquott, East Williston, Head of the Harbor, Mill Neck, Stewart Manor, Centre Island, Malverne, Huntington Bay and The Branch, and in the towns of North Hempstead, Huntington, Smithtown, Hempstead, Oyster Bay and Islip. Verizon also has video franchises in the Orange County town of Newburgh; in the Westchester County communities of Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Tarrytown, Irvington, the Town of Greenburgh, Eastchester, Mount Kisco, Elmsford, Port Chester, Tuckahoe, White Plains, Rye Brook, North Castle, Mount Vernon, Mount Pleasant, Yonkers, Scarsdale, Bronxville, New Rochelle, Cortlandt, Peekskill, Buchanan, Rye, Larchmont, the village of Mamaroneck, the town of Mamaroneck and Pelham Manor; and in the Rockland County communities of Nyack, South Nyack, Upper Nyack, Grandview on Hudson, Clarkstown, Orangetown, Piermont, Airmont, the town of Haverstraw, West Haverstraw, Chestnut Ridge, Spring Valley, the village of Haverstraw, Suffern and Hillburn.
As with all local franchise approvals in New York, the agreement between Verizon and Oyster Bay Cove is subject to review by the New York State Public Service Commission.
Verizon's FiOS TV is a formidable competitor to cable and satellite, offering a broad collection of all digital programming, 31 high definition (HD) channels in the New York market and access to more than 10,000 on demand titles, 60 percent of which are free.
Verizon's fiber network delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. In addition to FiOS TV, Verizon's fiber network also delivers Internet download speeds of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps, as well as high quality voice service.*
* NOTE: actual (throughput) speeds will vary.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 63.7 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment servi |
| 2007-12-18 | Contract/Agreements | Town Approves Video License for Verizon; 1,800 More Households Soon Can Get FiOS TV
ROWLEY, Mass., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ Residents of Rowley are a major step closer to having another choice for their cable television services, thanks to a newly approved agreement authorizing Verizon to offer its FiOS TV service via the most advanced all digital, fiber optic network straight to customers' homes.
The Board of Selectmen in Rowley granted a cable franchise to Verizon Monday (Dec. 17), paving the way for video choice for approximately 1,800 more Massachusetts households.
The board's vote brings to 63 the total number of Massachusetts communities where Verizon's FiOS TV is or will soon be available.
"We are thrilled to be able to bring FiOS TV to residents in Rowley," said Donna Cupelo, Verizon region president for Massachusetts and Rhode Island. "Since the launch of FiOS TV in Massachusetts last year, we are continuing our efforts to meet the consumer demand for cable TV choice."
FiOS TV is the company's new fiber optic television service, which offers a better quality picture, more high definition and on demand programs, and more reliable service at competitive prices.
Verizon currently offers FiOS TV to more than 500,000 households in 60 Massachusetts communities [see list below] as well as other locations in New York, New Jersey, California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia.
"As a result of this new franchise, consumers in Rowley will be able to choose their cable provider as easily as they choose their phone company," said Cupelo. "Competition drives innovation, value and service quality, and it puts the consumer in control."
Verizon is currently in negotiations with several other communities in Massachusetts to obtain additional franchises. For more information on the Verizon franchise process in the state, log onto http://www.verizon.com/ma.
Verizon research indicates 87 percent of Massachusetts residents favor more competition and choice for video services. Independent studies have shown that competition in the video market brings enormous benefits to consumers in the form of reduced prices, better packages and improved service.
The Rowley franchise agreement contains provisions for the network's future growth; financial support and capacity for educational and government access channels; cable service to government buildings; and other important benefits to the town, including insurance, indemnification and enforcement protections.
"Verizon will compete aggressively for subscribers in Rowley with our FiOS services, which are fueled by our lightning fast fiber optic network," Cupelo said. Verizon soon will begin its door to door sales campaign in Rowley, explaining to local consumers the many advantages of FiOS TV.
Verizon is the first company to offer a fiber to the premises (FTTP) network, connecting homes and businesses directly to fiber optics on a widespread scale.
FiOS TV offers a broad collection of all digital programming, more than two dozen high definition channels, video on demand and more. Fiber delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen.
In addition to FiOS TV, Verizon's fiber network also allows the company to offer consumers and businesses high speed FiOS Internet service at download speeds up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds up to 10 Mbps.*
* NOTE: actual (throughput) speeds will vary.
[FiOS TV is available in Acton, Andover, Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Boxborough, Boxford, Braintree, Burlington, Canton, Dedham, Dunstable, Framingham, Franklin, Georgetown, Hamilton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lincoln, Littleton, Lexington, Lynn, Lynnfield, Marion, Marlborough, Marshfield, Mattapoisett, Medfield, Med |
| 2007-12-17 | Contract/Agreements | Fiber Optic Network Straight to Consumers' Homes
CHESAPEAKE, Va., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ The future of television is arriving for consumers in parts of Chesapeake as Verizon introduces FiOS TV over its revolutionary fiber optic network here. FiOS TV currently is available to consumers in large parts of Newport News and Virginia Beach.
Verizon delivers FiOS TV over the nation's largest digital, all fiber network, which has earned certification from the independent Fiber to the Home Council for providing fiber all the way to customers' homes.
"The holidays will be extra special for Chesapeake residents who are now able to choose Verizon's FiOS TV," said Robert W. Woltz Jr., president of Verizon Virginia. "Customers who like what FiOS has done for their Internet connection will love what it does for their TV."
Verizon FiOS TV is available now to more than 3,500 households in parts of the following Chesapeake neighborhoods: Emerald Greens, Emerald Forest, English Oaks, Estates of Greenbrier, Greenwood, The Hampshire at Greenbrier Wood, Hunningdon Lakes, Hunningdon Woods, Kemp Bridge, Kemp Woods, Kemp Woods South, Kemps Crossing, Lakewood, Norcova Estates, Oak Brooke, Oak Grove Meadows, Oakbrook, Orchard Grove Condos, Stillwater Farms, Stony Run Manor, Towns at Hunningdon Lakes, Vance Level, Warrington Hall, Wedgewood Estates, Welspring, Willow Oaks, Whitehurst and Wynngate Place.
Eligible consumers can bundle FiOS TV service with FiOS Internet service, the Verizon Freedom Essentials unlimited calling plan and a Verizon Wireless calling plan on a single bill to create the ultimate bundle for savings and convenience. Consumers can check online at http://www.verizon.com/fiostv to see if FiOS TV is available in their area, or to request that Verizon contact them when FiOS TV is available. To order FiOS TV, consumers can call their local Verizon sales office or 1 877 4 FIOS TV (1 877 434 6788).
Service Highlights
FiOS TV represents an excellent value when compared to competitors' offerings, which typically include fewer channels at a higher price.
Service highlights include:
* FiOS TV Premier, the lead offer, with more than 200 all digital channels
for $42.99 per month.
* Twenty seven high definition channels with extraordinary clarity and
theater quality sound, with plans for growth up to 150 HD channels over
the next year.
* A library of more than 10,000 on demand titles, 60 percent of which are
free. Verizon's on demand library includes dozens of high definition
titles.
* Channels grouped by genres such as entertainment, sports, news,
shopping, movies and family, making it easy for audiences to find their
favorite programming.
* A colorful interactive media guide that helps customers quickly and
easily find and enjoy content from TV listings, video on demand catalogs
and digital video recorders (DVR) as well as personal music and photos
from a home network.
* Set top boxes ranging from a standard definition box for $4.99 per month
to the Home Media DVR, featuring a multi room DVR that enables up to
three simultaneous viewings of recorded programs without requiring
customers to set up a complex home network or buy extra equipment. The
recorder is bundled with Media Manager, a new feature that lets
customers easily access photos and music from their PCs and play them on
their televisions. Home Media DVR is $19.99 per month.
* FiOS TV Widgets, a free interactive feature that provides local weather
and traffic information while customers are watching their favorite
shows.
FiOS TV also features diverse entertainment in a variety of languages. Spanish speaking viewers can choose La Conexion, a package of nearly 140 popular English and Spanish language channels for $32.99 per month, or a Spanish language package for $11.99 per month. Verizon also offers 14 international premium channels in languages |
| 2007-12-13 | Merger/Acquisition | Verizon and FairPoint have reached an agreement with the staff of the Maine Public Utility Commission and the Maine Office of Public Advocate. The two companies have asked the Maine PUC to approve the acquisition of Verizon's access lines and related business in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The agreement submitted to the commission resolves concerns raised among the parties as Maine has considered approving the proposed Verizon FairPoint transaction.
"This is an important step forward," said Edward Dinan, Verizon president for Maine. "We have provided service to customers in Maine for many years, and we are committed to providing a sound communications network as we transition to FairPoint. This settlement resolves concerns that were raised, and assures that the new business starts on a sound footing."
Under the terms of the agreement, FairPoint agrees to reduce its stock dividend by 35 per cent and will make minimum debt repayments annually of $35 million.
Verizon will make a contribution of $235.5 million to the working capital of the new company prior to the closing. This will enable FairPoint to incur less debt and to facilitate investment in infrastructure and improved service.
The agreement provides a fair value to Verizon for its wireline properties in the three northern New England states. At the same time, it addresses financial concerns raised in regulatory proceedings in Maine and New Hampshire.
Dinan noted that the proposed settlement will benefit Verizon's shareholders, who will own approximately 60 percent of the merged FairPoint company, because they will now own shares of a company in a stronger initial financial position.
Dinan added that the proposed Maine settlement would be instrumental in reaching approval from the regulatory commissions in New Hampshire and Vermont.
"We look forward to sharing this agreement with regulators in New Hampshire and Vermont in the hopes that they will agree that concerns raised in those two states are largely accommodated in the terms of the Maine settlement," he said. "Of course, each state must make its own decision to agree with us that this transaction is appropriate and good for consumers in each state."
No dates have been set for the decision by the three states or the Federal Communications Commission.
The two companies announced last January definitive agreements that will result in Verizon establishing a separate entity for its local exchange and related business assets in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, and then spinning off that new entity to Verizon's stockholders and merging it with and into FairPoint.
Dinan said, "The many parties that took part in the discussions to reach this agreement did so in a professional manner with one purpose in mind to provide the best communications services for Maine residents and businesses." |
| 2007-12-13 | Merger/Acquisition | GoAmerica, Inc. , a provider of communications services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled, today announced that its shareholders have approved all of the proposals considered at the Annual Meeting, including the Company's acquisition of Verizon's Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) division and its merger with Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc.
Closing of each transaction is subject to the receipt of all required regulatory approvals from the District of Columbia and the States of California and Tennessee. Final approval has been obtained from the District of Columbia and in both California and Tennessee the public service commission of each state has approved the transfer of Verizon's TRS division to GoAmerica. The Company is awaiting receipt of certain required state contract approvals from California and Tennessee.
About Telecommunications Relay Services
Telecommunications Relay Services ("telerelay services"), created by Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), enable an individual with a hearing or speech disability to communicate by telephone or other device through the telephone system with a person without such a disability through a communications assistant ("CA") at a relay center.
Internet based telerelay services are delivered in both text and video based forms. Text based services, often called "IP relay", enable deaf or hard of hearing callers to place calls by using a Web connected computer or wireless handheld device that is connected to a relay operator. The CA calls the voice number and then verbally speaks the text message typed by the deaf caller to the hearing recipient and types the hearing party's responses back to the deaf party.
Using video relay services ("VRS"), a deaf caller begins a call by communicating directly with a sign language interpreter over a live video connection, either on a webcam equipped PC or a set top videophone; the interpreter places the call on the deaf person's behalf, and translates the sign language into audible speech for the hearing person, and back into sign language for the deaf caller. This real time call enables a deaf person to have phone conversations with hearing friends, family, and colleagues more naturally using sign language.
Telerelay service providers, such as GoAmerica, receive reimbursement either directly from state contracts, or from a pool of funds that are collected from telephone carriers by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") and are administered by the National Exchange Carriers Association ("NECA"), based on the number of conversation minutes handled by each provider. |
| 2007-12-13 | Merger/Acquisition | FairPoint Communications, Inc. , a leading provider of communications services to rural and small urban communities across the country, today announced an agreement has been reached with several parties regarding FairPoint's proposed transaction to acquire Verizon's wireline operations in Maine. A decision on this transaction in Maine will be issued by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC). FairPoint's acquisition of Verizon's wireline operations in Maine is part of a larger previously announced transaction in which FairPoint would contemporaneously acquire Verizon's wireline operations in New Hampshire and Vermont.
This settlement includes several parties in addition to FairPoint, including Verizon New England Inc., the Advocacy Staff of the Maine PUC, the Office of the Public Advocate in Maine, Cornerstone Communications, LLC, Biddeford Internet Corp d/b/a Great Works Internet, and Oxford Networks.
Several key conditions that were agreed to include the following:
High Speed Internet Addressability: FairPoint commits to expand its broadband initiative currently on record in Maine with a five year, $40 million investment. This, combined with the previously announced $17.55 million investment, is expected to allow FairPoint to achieve a 90 percent addressability rate within a five year period.
Financial Strength: The agreed upon conditions will improve FairPoint's expected financial position by reducing the post merger, combined company's debt. FairPoint has agreed to accept a condition requiring a reduction in the anticipated post merger dividend rate of 35 percent, beginning with the first full quarterly dividend to be paid after the merger closing date. The company would not be allowed to increase its dividend until certain financial conditions are met. FairPoint will deploy the approximately $49.7 million resulting from this dividend reduction annually to permanently reduce the amount of debt incurred as part of the transaction. Also, as part of the settlement, Verizon will provide at or before closing a contribution to the Verizon subsidiary merging into FairPoint (Spinco) that will increase Spinco's working capital in the amount of $235.5 million in addition to the amount specified for working capital in the distribution agreement as of today. It is anticipated that this additional contribution from Verizon New England will result in debt reduction and will facilitate investment in infrastructure and improved services.
Employee Matters: FairPoint has already agreed to honor existing collective bargaining agreements with respect to matters that are within FairPoint's control and is willing to extend such agreements on generally the same conditions in the current agreements for a period of at least two years. Previously, FairPoint announced the creation of 280 new positions in Maine. Additionally, FairPoint will offer employment opportunities to the Verizon employees who currently work at the Verizon Directory Assistance bureau in Bangor, which is due to close in the first half of 2008.
This settlement also addresses and proposes a resolution of all issues associated with the pending Verizon Maine Alternative Form of Regulation (AFOR) proceedings.
The settlement agreement document has been filed with the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
In addition to approval of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, completion of the transactions between FairPoint and Verizon is conditioned, among other things, upon approval from the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, the Vermont Public Service Board and the Federal Communications Commission. |
| 2007-12-10 | Contract/Agreements | Legendary Actor James Earl Jones Reads to Elementary Students at Launch Event
LONG BEACH, Calif., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ Verizon and the Long Beach Education Foundation are embarking on a project to explore ways in which the treasure trove of educational resources available through Verizon's free and innovative Thinkfinity.org Web site can enrich the learning experience in elementary school classrooms.
Legendary actor James Earl Jones, Verizon's longtime partner in promoting literacy, participated in the launch of the project today (Dec. 10) at Long Beach's Mark Twain Library by reading "Jack and the Beanstalk" to a group of 4th grade students from Tincher Preparatory School.
Verizon has named California State University, Monterey Bay to lead the project, which will initially focus on elementary schools in Long Beach and is intended to become a model for integrating content from Thinkfinity.org into elementary school curricula in classrooms across California.
"Since we entrust teachers with our most precious resource, we have a responsibility to give them the best tools to help them to do the great work of educating our children," said Tim McCallion, Verizon West region president. "Verizon's Thinkfinity.org Web site opens up a new realm of possibilities for teachers to find ways to engage and enlighten their students."
Thinkfinity.org is the Verizon Foundation's free Web site, which provides more than 55,000 educational resources, including standards based, grade specific K 12 lesson plans and other interactive tools and materials for teachers and students provided in partnership with many of the nation's leading educational and literacy organizations.
Thinkfinity.org features resources across eight academic disciplines, from science to English to mathematics, to improve student achievement. Thinkfinity.org is designed to help teachers gain access to online resources quickly and requires no passwords or software downloads.
Educational experts from CSU, Monterey Bay's Instructional Design and Technology Lab will instruct teachers at the participating schools on how using material at Thinkfinity.org can provide them with more resources and tools to help students learn.
"This program significantly advances Long Beach Unified School District's goal of putting educational technology into every classroom," said Judy Seal, executive director of the Long Beach Education Foundation. "Our teachers are excited to participate in this pilot project, which will set a new standard for technology integration in the classroom."
The program will also encourage Long Beach school administrators and librarians and the faculty of CSU, Long Beach to use the extensive professional development resources available at Thinkfinity.org.
Content for Thinkfinity.org is provided through a partnership between the Verizon Foundation and 11 of the nation's leading organizations in the fields of education and literacy: the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the International Reading Association, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, National Center for Family Literacy, National Council on Economic Education, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Council of Teachers of English, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Geographic Society, ProLiteracy Worldwide and the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is committed to improving literacy and K 12 education through its signature program Thinkfinity.org; fostering awareness and prevention of domestic violence; and promoting the use of technology in health care delivery. In 2006, the foundation awarded more than $69 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also matched charitable donations from Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $29 million in combined contributions. U |
| 2007-12-05 | Contract/Agreements | Award Recognizes Verizon Business' Innovation and Unsurpassed Capabilities
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., /PRNewswire/ Verizon Business has received Frost & Sullivan's 2007 North American Award for Market Penetration Leadership in managed security services (MSS). The award recognizes the company's demonstration of strategic excellence in product innovation, marketing and sales strategies that have resulted in the largest gain in market share over the past two to three years.
Frost & Sullivan's research found Verizon Business Security Solutions demonstrated excellence over the last several years in the areas of market share, spectrum of offerings, geographic range, quality of customers and continued innovation. Verizon Business completed its acquisition of Cybertrust in July 2007, combining the companies' global assets to become the most dynamic global provider of managed information security services to business and government customers.
"Verizon Business' acquisition of Cybertrust fulfilled a contemporary industry wish list," said Rob Ayoub, analyst, Frost & Sullivan. "Verizon Business Security Solutions has placed itself in the enviable position going into 2008 of having a combined market share to rival anyone in the industry, but perhaps, most significantly, a synergy of competitive features that is unsurpassed in the marketplace."
Ayoub went on to say, "Verizon Business is in a strong position to benefit from the strategic shift in the industry to delivery of managed security services 'in the cloud.'"
Kerry Bailey, vice president of Verizon Business Security Solutions, said, "This award recognizes Verizon Business is a powerful and truly unique player that continues to redefine the global security landscape. No other provider can match our breadth and depth of network and premises based services, expansive global reach, and expert security specialists to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of security services to customers worldwide."
Enterprises and government agencies rely on Verizon Business to help them manage security risk and protect critical company assets. Drawing from a comprehensive portfolio of end to end network and premises based security services as well as professional services, Verizon delivers threat and vulnerability management; identity management; security and compliance programs; and security strategy and consultation. Verizon Business' more than 1,100 security professionals deliver these offerings to large business and government customers around the globe. More information is available by visiting http://www.verizonbusiness.com/us/security.
About the Frost & Sullivan Market Penetration Leadership Award
The Market Penetration Leadership Award is presented each year to the company that has demonstrated excellence in capturing market share within their industry. The recipient has demonstrated strategic excellence in product innovation, marketing and sales strategies that have resulted in the largest gain in market share over the past two to three years. The recipient of this Award has excelled based on one or more of the following criteria: competitive pricing strategies (perceived customers value versus price); strong salesforce strategy; ability to establish brand awareness through promotional activities; strategic alliances that expand customer base; and product innovation satisfying unmet needs, creating new needs and developing new technologies.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Consulting Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's Growth Partnership Services, Growth Consulting and Career Best Practices empower clients to create a growth focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For mo |