Verizon to Launch FiOS TV in Florida

6th December, 2005 - Verizon unveiled Verizon FiOS TV in Florida today to residents of this city of 21,000 northeast of Tampa.

FiOS TV is designed to be competitor to cable and satellite, and is delivered over Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises network. Fiber has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming.It also delivers Internet download speeds of up to 30 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 5 Mbps as well as voice services.

FiOS TV uses both broadcast technology to deliver scheduled programming and Internet protocol technology for on-demand viewing. Verizon also uses IP for its Interactive Programming Guide, which makes searching for listings easy and fast, and plans additional IP-based services in the future.

Service highlights include:

A broad collection of all-digital programming and compelling consumer choice - with more than 330 total channels and more on the way.

A lead offer with more than 180 digital video and music channels, for $39.95 a month.

More than 20 high-definition channels, with extraordinary clarity and theater-quality sound.

1,640 video-on-demand titles available to customers now, with 1,800 by year-end.

Channels grouped by genres such as entertainment, sports, news, shopping, movies and family, making it easy for audiences to find their favorite programming.

An easy-to-use interactive programming guide that integrates HD programming, video-on-demand and the digital video recorder along with broadcast television into a seamless user experience.

A dual-tuner DVR that gives customers the freedom to pause and rewind live TV, record one show while watching another, and fast forward to their favorite part of the program - all without a VCR, tapes or DVDs.
Verizon launched FiOS TV in Keller, Texas, on Sept. 22 and introduced it in Herndon, Va., in November.

Following the service rollout in Temple Terrace, Verizon will offer FiOS TV to other areas, including parts of unincorporated Manatee County, next year. In addition to these two franchises, Verizon is in negotiations with Hillsborough County, the city of Tampa, Pasco County, Sarasota County, the city of Sarasota and the city of Venice.

When franchises are approved in these municipalities, FiOS TV would be available to 133,000 additional Tampa Bay area households, with an estimated potential audience of nearly 360,000 viewers,.

Verizon has also obtained video franchises in California, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia and Texas. In Texas, where a landmark new law allows Verizon and other new video entrants to obtain state-issued franchises that meet the financial requirements of the law for cities and counties, Verizon was recently awarded 21 franchises and plans to offer FiOS TV service to about 400,000 households, or about 1 million potential viewers, by the end of 2006. It is anticipated that Verizon will seek state-issued franchise legislation for Florida in 2006, as well as for other states Verizon serves.

For more information, please visit http://www.verizon.com