More Cable TV Choice for Rhode Island Consumers

SMITHFIELD, R.I., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning today, consumers in two moreRhode Island communities --Glocester andSmithfield -- have more choice in cable TV providers now that Verizon has introduced FiOS TV, making a broad range of programming choices and superior picture quality available to thousands moreRhode Island households.

The Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers recently gave Verizon approval to offer FiOS TV in Cable Service Area 1, which includes these two communities.

FiOS TV is already available in 14 Rhode Island communities --Cranston, Coventry,East Greenwich,Exeter,Foster,Johnston,Narragansett,North Kingstown,North Providence,Providence,South Kingstown,Warwick,West Greenwich andWest Warwick.

The service is also available in parts ofCalifornia,Delaware,Florida, Indiana,Maryland,Massachusetts,New Jersey,New York,Oregon,Pennsylvania, Texas andVirginia.

This week, Verizon announced that it has added 75 more channels, including 55 more HD channels, to its FiOS TV lineup inRhode Island andMassachusetts. As a result, FiOS TV now offers more than 250 channels, including 85 HD channels, more than any local cable TV company, including Cox.

Donna Cupelo, Verizon region president forMassachusetts andRhode Island, said, "FiOS TV gives consumers inRhode Island an outstanding, superior alternative for their video entertainment. Customers inRhode Island who liked what FiOS did for their Internet connection will love what it does for their TV. We've harnessed the speed and capacity of fiber-based broadband with the power of broadcast to create a revolutionary, new entertainment experience."

Rhode Island residents who are FiOS TV-eligible now have the option to trim their monthly bills by bundling FiOS TV service, FiOS Internet service and the Verizon Freedom Value unlimited calling plan, all for $99.99 a month.

In addition, new customers who subscribe to FiOS TV between now and Oct. 4 will receive their choice of a year's free use of either a high-definition (HD) digital video recorder (DVR) or an HD Home Media DVR. Verizon is also offering new FiOS TV customers, or existing customers who upgrade to a bundled package, one free month of HBO and Cinemax, which includes the latest hit movies, documentaries and original programming from more than 25 premium channels and access to hundreds of titles on video-on-demand (VOD). New customers who take advantage of this offer will save between $200 and $260 the first year, depending upon the DVR customers choose.

    FiOS TV service highlights include:

    -- More than 400 all-digital channels grouped by genres such as
       entertainment, sports, news, shopping, movies and family, making it
       easy for audiences to find their favorite programming.

    -- A total of 85 high-definition channels in Rhode Island with
       extraordinary clarity and theater-quality sound.

    -- An industry-leading library of more than 11,000 VOD titles, 70 percent
       of which are free.  In addition, the VOD library includes an increasing
       number of HD titles, and Verizon plans to offer 1,000 HD VOD titles per
       month by the end of the year.

    -- Set-top boxes ranging from a standard-definition box to the Home Media
       DVR, featuring a multi-room DVR that enables up to three simultaneous
       viewings of recorded programs without requiring customers to set up a
       complex home network or buy extra equipment. The recorder is bundled
       with Media Manager, which lets customers easily access photos and music
       from their personal computer and play them on their entertainment
       center where they look and sound the best.

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

    -- FiOS TV Widgets, a free interactive feature that provides local weather
       and traffic information.

Programming choices for Hispanic, African-American, Asian, Russian and other multicultural audiences are available in every market. Because FiOS TV has so much capacity, it is an outlet for emerging and independent networks to showcase their diverse programming.

Information on packages and prices is available at www.verizon.com/fiostv. Rhode Island customers also can call 1-888-GET-FIOS (888-438-3467) to see if they qualify to order FiOS TV.

Verizon delivers FiOS TV and Internet over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network straight to customers' homes and businesses, providing stunning picture and sound quality, a broad spectrum of content diversity, interactive features and the fastest Internet speeds, creating the ultimate home entertainment experience.

Fiber delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. It also delivers Internet download speeds of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps, as well as high-quality voice services. For the second year in a row, Verizon's FiOS Internet service was named the top pick in PC Magazine's 2008 reader survey and also was named a winner in PC World Magazine's The 100 Best Products of 2008, the second year in a row the broadband service made that list.

(More information about FiOS TV and fiber optics is available in Verizon's online News Center at www.verizon.com/news.)

The value of FiOS TV extends to the installation and customer support. Specially trained Verizon technicians will install the service and acquaint subscribers with FiOS TV features and services. Verizon is waiving the installation fee for up to three existing TV outlets, and there is no charge to install a needed optical network terminal at the subscriber's home. Charges for other installation services, such as additional outlets, may apply. Verizon provides 24 x 7 technical assistance by phone from its Fiber Solutions Centers inProvidence, and other cities.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered inNew 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 nearly 69 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 employs a diverse workforce of more than 228,600 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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