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PRESS RELEASES
EVERETT, Wash., May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice and competition for home
television services are a major step closer for consumers in Washington, as
Verizon announced plans Thursday (May 1) to establish a regional video hub
office in Everett that will be a key component of the company's plan to
deliver video programming over the nation's most advanced all-fiber-optic
network.
"Verizon's all-fiber network represents the future of communications and
entertainment," said David Valdez, Verizon senior vice president for the
Northwest. "It will bring something to Washington consumers that they've never
had before: more choice and competition, better value, and innovative TV
services.
"With this video hub, Verizon has begun preparing its network to offer
consumers in the region FiOS TV, a superior alternative to their current cable
company," said Valdez.
Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson said: "We commend Verizon for its investment
in Everett. This is a positive step for our local economy."
Verizon is currently negotiating with various cities and counties in the
state to obtain local video franchises, which are required to offer television
service.
Once Verizon is authorized to offer FiOS TV, the new Everett-area video
hub office (VHO) will receive national programming via fiber-optic connections
from Verizon's two "super-head-end" facilities.
Inside the local office, Verizon employees will monitor the video and
audio quality of the national channels received from the super head ends. The
VHO also will insert local programming such as local TV and public-education
and government channels, and advertising, and then send these signals - along
with the national programming -- to Verizon's local central switching offices
and on to consumers' homes over the all-fiber network.
The new VHO is the first such facility in the state. At the end of 2007,
Verizon had passed more than 137,000 Washington homes with the nation's most
advanced fiber-optic network, which is capable of delivering broadband FiOS
Internet service with speeds of up to 30 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload
speeds of up to 5 Mbps,* and FiOS TV. FiOS TV is designed to be a formidable
competitor to cable and satellite, offering a broad collection of all-digital
programming, high-definition channels, video-on-demand titles, an easy-to-use
interactive programming guide and more.
* 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
more than 67 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 employed a diverse workforce of approximately 232,000
as of the end of the first quarter 2008 and last year generated consolidated
operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit
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
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.
SOURCE Verizon
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