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Vermont Telephone System
Dec. 26, 2000 - Vermont consumers and businesses are served by one
of the most advanced telecommunications networks in the country, thanks to
an aggressive network investment program by Verizon during 2000.
This year, the company spent more than $68 million to modernize, expand and
upgrade the sophisticated telecommunications network that serves the Green
Mountain state.
"We recognize the growing importance of an advanced telecommunications
network for Vermont businesses, schools, libraries and consumers," said
Louise McCarren, president of Verizon Vermont. "The good news for Vermont
customers is that we're aggressively investing in our infrastructure while
at the same time lowering prices for many of our services."
The funds were used primarily to expand the company's fiber-optic
facilities as well as equipping call-routing centers with the most
up-to-date software and hardware. All of Verizon's switching centers
throughout the state use the latest digital technology systems.
During year 2000, Verizon added nearly 8,000 miles of fiber-optic cable
to its network. The company has installed over 58,000 miles of fiber-optic
cable in the state overall - enough to circle the earth more than twice.
Fiber-optic systems use laser-generated light pulses and digital technology
to provide greater capacity, higher transmission speeds and better quality
for voice, video and data transmitted over the network.
Verizon also continued its aggressive efforts to open the local telephone
market in Vermont, investing in advanced computer systems and centers to
serve wholesale customers. Verizon has led the nation in opening local
telephone markets and satisfying the requirements of the Telecommunications
Act of 1996.
In Vermont, more than 100 companies have been approved to provide local
phone service. Verizon is required to open local markets before it can
gain federal approval to sell long distance in a given state.
In December 1999, Verizon won approval to offer long-distance service in
New York, becoming the first regional Bell company to satisfy federal and
state requirements to offer long- distance service in its service area.
The result was significant choice and savings for New York consumers. At
year's end, more than 1.2 million New Yorkers are getting lower prices and
clear, surprise-free long-distance calling plans from Verizon. The
consumer group TRAC (Telecommunications Research and Action Center) has
estimated that New Yorkers this year saved approximately $220 million as a
result of new choices for both long-distance and local services.
Verizon Vermont plans to seek similar approval next year from the state's
regulators and the Federal Communications Commission to provide
long-distance service to Vermont customers.
Verizon Vermont and Verizon Foundation also have provided approximately
$350,000 in grants to non-profit programs throughout Vermont. In addition
to the company's financial support, Verizon employees volunteered thousands
of hours to community organizations.
"Verizon and its employees have a long tradition of giving in this state,"
McCarren said. "We're involved in every community, and we pride ourselves
in being good neighbors. Our commitment to service is a vital part of the
Verizon promise."
McCarren noted other company milestones in Vermont during 2000:
Completed the merger of Bell Atlantic with GTE on June 30, creating Verizon
Communications, one of the world's leading providers of communications
services;
Introduced Verizon Online DSL, a high speed Internet service, to
Northwestern Vermont;
Reduced in-state, long-distance rates for all Vermont customers and lowered
monthly basic exchange rates for all Vermont business customers;
Began a four-year, $5 million investment in the Vermont Interactive Learning Network, a video conferencing network for high schools across the
state
Played a key role in attracting Putnam Investments to Vermont and installed
the infrastructure which is enabling Putnam to offer work-at-home jobs in
the state;
Received the Vermont Arts Council Business Award, the Child Care Fund of
Vermont's Child Care Counts Award, the WEB Project's Founder's Award and
the City of Burlington's Economic Opportunity Award; and
Continued building self-healing "SONET" rings in the Burlington and
Montpelier areas to assure continuous service even in the event of a cable
break.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), formed by the merger of Bell
Atlantic and GTE, is one of the world's leading providers of communications
services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and
wireless communications in the United States, with more than 101 million
access line equivalents and more than 26 million wireless customers. A
Fortune 10 company with more than 260,000 employees and approximately $60
billion in 1999 revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries
in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on
Verizon, visit http://www.verizon.com
Gets $68 Million Upgrade
By Cliff Lee
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