J.D. Power And Associates Ranks Verizon Wireless Highest In Satisfaction For Small-/Mid-Sized Business Customers

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – May 3, 2011 –

Verizon Wireless has been ranked highest among wireless providers in small- and mid-sized business customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Business Wireless Customer Satisfaction Study(SM) released last week. The study found that Verizon Wireless outperformed its competitors and was the only provider that ranked “significantly above segment average at 95% confidence level” in the following categories: performance and reliability, sales representatives/account executives, billings and offerings and promotions. Home-based business customers who participated in the study reported that they were most satisfied with Verizon Wireless’ performance and reliability and sales representatives/account executives.

“Small businesses rely on mobile devices and wireless networks to move their companies forward,” said Mike Lanman, president, Enterprise and Government Markets, Verizon Wireless. “Our strategy for these segments is to offer customers high-performing products and reliable services that provide game-changing productivity improvements and revenue opportunities.”

The study’s performance and reliability category addressed areas including call quality, timeliness of voice mail and text message notifications, ease of connecting calls on the first try, freedom from dropped calls and ease of making calls from various locations. Verizon Wireless small business specialists and sales representatives were rated on knowledge, courtesy, concern for customer needs, responsiveness to requests and questions, and effectiveness of communicating new services, promotions and changes.

The study’s billing index ranked providers on usefulness of information on the bill, variety of methods to pay bills as well as timeliness in receiving statements. The offerings and promotions rating was determined by: wireless plans variety; additional services offered and incentives that recognize loyalty; effectiveness of informational and promotional materials; diverse portfolio of phones and equipment to choose from; and geographic coverage area.

Small- and mid-sized business customers in industries such as financial services, healthcare, construction and transportation can benefit from Verizon Wireless’ products and services including:

The nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network*An expanding lineup of wireless devices, including Android™ and BlackBerry® smartphones, tablets, netbooks, laptop computers, Mobile Hotspots and USB modemsCost-saving wireless solutions such as Push to Talk, Field Force Manager and Fleet AdministratorMachine-to-machine services that support asset management and telematicsSupport from small business specialists in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores throughout the country and technology support 24 hours a day, seven days a week

J.D. Power and Associates surveyed wireless service decision makers at more than 3,100 U.S. businesses between November 2010 and February 2011.

For more information about Verizon Wireless’ products and services for small and mid-sized businesses, visit www.verizonwireless.com/smb, call 1-800-VZW-4BIZ or see a small business specialist at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store.

* The company’s “most reliable network” claim is based on network studies performed by test men and test women who conduct more than 3.5 million voice call attempts and more than 19 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless’ and other national wireless carriers’ networks while traveling more than one million miles in specially equipped, company-owned quality test vehicles. For more information about Verizon Wireless testing, go to http://aboutus.vzw.com/bestnetwork/reliability.html.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit 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 www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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Remodeled Verizon Plus Store Offers Customers More Hands-On Experiences

TAMPA, Fla. – November 17, 2010 –

Product demonstrations, local dignitaries and a Verizon Foundation grant to help with the prevention of domestic violence will headline the grand reopening of the newly remodeled Verizon Plus store on Fowler Ave. on Thursday (Nov. 18).

In addition to product demonstrations, the 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony will also feature the presentation of a $15,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to Are You Safe to help extend the range of legal services provided to individuals and families affected by domestic violence.  Are You Safe was established this year by Tampa attorney and domestic violence survivor Natalie Baird.  The organization offers a wealth of services for survivors of domestic violence, including court advocacy to aid women in their transition from victims to survivors.  In addition, Are You Safe offers services geared toward individual economic empowerment, helping survivors gain future independence.

The Verizon store, located at 2831 E. Fowler Ave., is the second of two stores in Tampa to be recast to provide customers with as many hands-on experiences as possible, from witnessing the recently introduced FiOS Flex View multi-screen service and the speed of FiOS Internet to the impressive capabilities of the Verizon Wireless Droid Smartphones and the new tablets offered by Verizon.  The first remodeled Plus store in the Tampa Bay area opened last week in Carrollwood.  The remaining eight Bay Area Plus stores will be remodeled and available to the public throughout 2011.

"Seeing is believing, and, with that in mind, consumers will be able to visit these new stores and see for themselves what makes the services offered by Verizon and Verizon Wireless so much better," said Michelle Robinson, Verizon's Southeast region president. 

"More and more, we are leveraging the strength and capacity of two great networks - FiOS and Verizon Wireless - to bring consumers converged services in their home, in their office or on the road.  It's a broadband services experience unmatched by any other provider in the market and people can experience that first-hand at these new Plus stores," Robinson said.

The reopening celebration will continue after Wednesday's event.  Verizon, the lead sponsor of University of South Florida's athletics program, will host a USF pep rally from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 19), featuring a radio remote, parking lot games, gifts for those attending, and ticket giveaways for USF football and basketball. 

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, awards grants each year to organizations working to foster awareness and prevention of domestic violence in Florida.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 93 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 195,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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Verizon Customers Can Now Use a Mobile 'My Verizon' Tool to Manage Key Account Features, FiOS Internet and TV Options

NEW YORK – October 12, 2010 –

Verizon is offering a mobile My Verizon service to its customers, providing them a go-anywhere wireless alternative for accessing many account-management services from the myverizon.com site.  These include certain FiOS TV features such as remote DVR programming, as well as access to e-mail and customer-service support.  Smart phone users also get access to home voice mail and Caller ID logs.

The new service is available to any Verizon customer with an Internet-capable wireless phone or device and does not require downloading a separate mobile application.  Customers simply register with their personal computer for an online account at myverizon.com and then access the site on-the-go with their mobile-phone browser.  In addition to checking their Verizon.net e-mail accounts, customers can view and pay their Verizon bill, participate in Verizon forums and blogs and access Ask Verizon support services.  FiOS TV customers also can check TV listings, remotely program their DVR and view video-on-demand titles.  An online tour helps explain the versatility and functionality of the site.

Users of such smart phones as the DROID and who also have Verizon Call Assistant on their home phone service can use My Verizon to check voice mail and Caller ID logs.  FiOS TV customers with smart phones can order pay-per-view titles to watch later on their TVs.

"We're constantly innovating and developing technologies that create new ways for our customers to enjoy and manage their services across multiple devices, whether at home or on the go," said Mark Studness, director of e-commerce for Verizon.  "Mobile My Verizon gives our customers the added convenience of anytime, anywhere access to manage their Verizon account, read and respond to e-mail, control key FiOS TV features, and more."

Once Verizon customers use their computer to create an online account at myverizon.com, they simply go to the site, using their mobile phone's wireless browser*, and the service will automatically detect their mobile device.  After it identifies the device being used, whether it's a smart phone or a less-advanced-feature mobile phone, the service prompts the customer for My Verizon account log-in information and then provides a menu of service options.

* Customer's wireless data plan charges may apply.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 92 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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Verizon Networks Prepared to Serve Customers as Hurricane Irene Approaches East Coast

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – August 25, 2011 –

Verizon's wireless and wireline operations teams from Florida to Maine are completing the many tasks necessary to prepare for Hurricane Irene, which continues to push toward the East Coast.

Verizon's Business Continuity and Emergency Management team has activated its National Emergency Coordination Center, which enables Verizon executives to quickly deploy recovery efforts on their networks during emergency situations. 

Verizon's wireless and wireline networks include towers, buildings, transmission facilities and vehicles, and the company is preparing for possible flooding, power outages and downed trees and wires from Irene's aftermath.  Verizon teams are reviewing the inventory of supplies like utility poles, cable and other equipment and are staffing essential positions to meet recovery needs.

The Verizon communications networks require power to function properly.  If commercial power goes out, backup batteries and generators in Verizon's central switching offices, mobile units and field facilities keep power flowing so customers' phones ring even when the lights go out.  The company is pre-arranging fuel delivery for these critical facilities to ensure they continue to function during possible extended power outages.

In addition, trucks and other portable equipment are being moved from low-lying areas, where possible.  Building sump pumps are also being tested, and drains and gutters cleared.

Verizon Wireless

Since last year's storm season, Verizon Wireless has launched the nation's fastest, most advanced 4G LTE network in numerous markets along the East Coast and to 160 million Americans, more than half of the U.S. population; added capacity to high-speed 3G cell sites throughout the country; and installed new in-building network systems at hospitals, government and emergency facilities, high-traffic public venues and other key locations.  Each year, Verizon Wireless invests on average more than $6 billion in its network, and its ongoing network investment totals more than $65 billion nationally since it was formed in 2000.

"Wireless communication is critical before, during and after hurricanes and other weather-related emergencies," said Nancy Clark, Northeast president for Verizon Wireless.  "We work hard every day to enhance and maintain the nation's largest, most reliable wireless network and to deliver consistently superior service to our customers when and where they need it most.  Preparation is key to staying safe.  We have years of experience of planning for and maintaining service during severe weather and are very proud of how our employees and network have performed in meeting these challenges."

Verizon Telecom and Business

Chris Creager, Verizon Telecom senior vice president of national operations for consumer and mass markets, said: "At Verizon, we know how critical communications are during and after severe storms, and customers can count on our network to weather the storm.  We've learned over the past 100-plus years what we need to do to minimize the impact of Mother Nature on our network so that service is maintained and we can respond quickly and effectively when problems do develop."

Verizon invested $16.2 billion in its wireline networks across the country over the past two years.

Verizon enterprise and government customers are encouraged to review their own business continuity plans to prepare for any possible impact as the result of Hurricane Irene.

In addition, Verizon's disaster recovery fleet of emergency vehicles stands ready to deploy to the affected region, if needed.  The fleet includes a 51-foot mobile command center; a 40-foot mobile command center; two 53-foot mobile emergency calling centers; and numerous satellite trailers.

Verizon also has the industry's first environmental hazmat response team, the Major Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT), which will remain on standby to deploy immediately, if needed.  This team is specially trained for rapid deployment to manage hazardous materials emergencies involving or threatening Verizon's critical communications facilities or infrastructure, or other company assets.

Customer Tips for Coping With Storm Season

Wireless customers should be preparing an emergency communication plan to keep their families safe and in touch and follow these tips for storm season:

Keep phones, batteries, chargers and other equipment in a dry, accessible location.  Consider waterproof accessories or simple zip-lock storage bags to protect devices. Keep wireless phone batteries fully charged - in case local power is lost - well before warnings are issued. Have additional charged batteries and car-charger adapters available for backup power. Maintain a list of emergency numbers - police and fire agencies; power and insurance companies; family, friends and co-workers; etc. - and program them into your phone. Distribute wireless phone numbers to family members and friends. Download applications from a wide variety of weather- and safety-related apps for smartphones, tablets and other devices.  Many of these apps are free. Use a service such as Backup Assistant, the free Verizon Wireless application that stores a phone's address book on a secure server in case the phone is lost or damaged.

Verizon Wireless also recommends the following actions once a storm is on the way:

Limit non-emergency calls to conserve battery power and free up wireless networks for emergency agencies and operations. Send brief text messages rather than voice calls for the same reasons as above. Forward your home phone calls to your wireless number if you evacuate. Check weather and news reports on wireless phone applications when power is out.

Verizon recommends that wireline customers should consider the following tips:

Customers who rely solely on cordless phones in their home should consider purchasing an inexpensive hard-wired phone that plugs directly into a wall jack.  Cordless phones will not function without commercial power. While home answering machines do not work without power, Verizon voice mail service powered by the network will help families communicate. 

Residential customers should contact Verizon at 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966) or online at www.verizon.com/support to report any service-related issue.  Business customers should contact their regular customer service centers or account teams as needed. 

Verizon Wireless customers can call *611 form their wireless device or 1-800-922-0204 to report any service-related issue.  For more information on the Verizon Wireless network, products and services, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 106.3 million total wireless connections, including 89.7 million retail customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit 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 www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Verizon Communications
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 106 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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