Verizon Wholesale Markets Re-Named Verizon Partner Solutions as Wholesale Efforts of Verizon and Former MCI Are Combined

Newly Integrated Team Will Focus on Domestic Wholesale Market, Utilizing Advanced Networking Capabilities and Skilled Teams to Offer Full-Service Networking Solutions and 24x7 Customer Support

March 20, 2006, NEW YORK - The new Verizon Partner Solutions organization - comprised of the former wholesale team at Verizon and the domestic wholesale team at the former MCI - has launched an aggressive effort to expand its presence throughout the United States.

Utilizing one of the most advanced telecom networks in the world, the Verizon Partner Solutions team is focused on selling networks and network capabilities to telecom service providers that include: long-distance providers, local service providers, wireless carriers, cable companies, integrators, Internet service providers (ISPs) and international telecommunications carriers that are based in the U.S.

“As we accelerate our efforts in what is a very competitive market, our goal is to be a full-service provider that offers a complete array of global telecom solutions to help our customers serve their end-users,” said David Small, president of Verizon Partner Solutions. “Among our primary strategies are the constant development of online tools to facilitate ordering; the availability of IP-based solutions into the Verizon Partner Solutions portfolio of wholesale solutions; and continuing to enhance our optical and ethernet services to meet our growing customer needs.”

Today, Verizon Partner Solutions serves more than 3,000 customers at locations throughout the country. The organization has about 8,400 employees.

This year, Verizon Partner Solutions will focus on offering customers advanced products and services based on three specific technologies:

* Optical networking - including the following services: Optical Hubbing Service, Dedicated SONET Rings and Intellilight Optical Transport Service (a wave division optical technology service)

* Internet Protocol (IP) Technology - including: Carrier IP Termination and SIP Gateway Service

* Ethernet - including : Verizon Optical Networking, Transparent LAN Service and LAN Extension Service

“The integration of the former MCI domestic services and their IP-based network gives us a much more expansive and robust portfolio of advanced services for our customers,” said Quintin Lew, vice president of access of Verizon Partner Solutions.

As a single face to the domestic U.S. wholesale market, Verizon Partner Solutions will work with other Verizon groups, including the new Verizon Business team, to design and implement tailored solutions to best meet wholesale customers’ needs.

For more information on Verizon Partner Solutions, visit: www.verizon.com/wholesale. In addition to information about the new the new organization, the redesigned Web site allows current and new wholesale customers to place orders, ask questions, get help and perform other tasks on a 24x7 basis.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks; and one of the nation’s premier wireline networks, serving home, business and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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Mark Marchand

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Verizon Communications Inc.

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