Verizon Online Boosts News Content and Updates the Look of Its Business Center Web Site

Small-Business Portal Adds Content from New York Times, ABC and ESPN to Broaden Value to Small-Business Users

April 26, 2006, NEW YORK - Verizon Online’s Business Center, http://business.verizon.net, the Web site designed as a key resource for Verizon’s broadband business customers, has added more news content, giving users fast and easy access to the latest news.

More and more, entrepreneurs are using Internet connections for core business functions. Verizon Online’s Business Center offers small- to medium-sized businesses immediate online access to news that might affect their business and to helpful information as well. As a destination portal, the business center enables DSL and FiOS broadband customers to do much more than manage their Verizon broadband accounts.

Newly added to the site are branded content from The New York Times; streaming news video and other video programming from ABC News; and sports clips from ESPN. Verizon broadband business customers also continue to have access via their Verizon Online broadband service to select premium content from The Wall Street Journal at no additional charge. Normally, this content is available only to The Journal’s subscribers.

Additionally, the backdrop for the updated Web site has changed from black to white, giving the site a brighter, cleaner look. This is one of several design changes made to better accommodate users and to allow for easy access.

"This is just the beginning of several improvements we are making to update Verizon Online’s Business Center to make it the one-stop Web portal for our small- to medium-sized business customers" said Bill Heilig, executive director of Verizon’s portal management team. "More upgrades and additional services will be added later in the year in response to customer demand"

Verizon business broadband customers have quick access to the latest news, telephone numbers, maps, weather and articles that help them to manage their business. With Verizon’s relationships with top content-providers, business owners can get the benefit of advice and experience from leading management experts and take online classes on a broad range of business and technical subjects. There are stock quotes, industry news articles and company profiles to help small-business owners keep track of their markets, suppliers and competition.

Verizon business customers can also learn more about the latest business products offered by Verizon to its small-to medium-sized businesses, such as free anti-spam software for all Business E-mail Services customers and a new e-mail encryption product. Businesses interested in exploring Verizon Online’s Business Center can find it at http://business.verizon.net.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks; and one of the nation’s premier wireline networks, serving home, business and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

Contact Information

Ellen Yu

Media contact

Verizon Communications Inc.

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