New Analyst Report Recognizes Verizon Business as a Leader in the U.S. Hosted Unified Communications Market

IDC MarketScape Cites Verizon’s Owned Global IP Network and Strong Vendor Relationships as Key Competitive Differentiators

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Leading industry-analyst firm IDC has recognized Verizon Business as a leader in the rapidly growing telephony-based hosted unified communications market. Verizon was one of the seven providers IDC examined for its new MarketScape report, “IDC MarketScape: U.S. Telephony-Based Hosted Unified Communications, 2010 Vendor Analysis” (Doc #222897 / May 2010).

IDC examined current trends within the hosted, or cloud-based, UC market and the abilities of leading vendors to capture market share. Key trends included the growing significance of mobile UC solutions; network control and QoS (quality of service); managed services capabilities to ensure a smooth transition to UC for customers; and integration with third-party solutions and applications to better serve small- and medium-sized business customers.

The report states: “Verizon is one of the leaders in the hosted UC space. One of the obvious yet notable strengths is its ownership of the network. While resource intensive, having complete control over the network means Verizon can guarantee QoS and SLAs, as well as security and privacy services, without relying on another provider. Other strengths include its support in the customer’s migration path to IP and its strategic partnerships with UC vendors.”

Anthony Recine, vice president of network and communications solutions for Verizon Business said, “Our strong track record in delivering cloud-based unified communications solutions complete with leading professional-consulting services merits this accolade. Our expansive network and best-in-class solutions and technologies help fuel the global economy by connecting people and speeding business processes - innovation that we helped pioneer and will continue to evolve.”

The report also said, “One feature worth noting that Verizon pioneered in the market is its BEST [Burstable Enterprise Shared Trunks] feature. With it, Verizon can offer dynamic trunking and hosted capacity allocation to any location on the customer’s network. The carrier is using IP as it was meant to be used, and this shows that Verizon is examining its technology and solutions and delivering innovative value to its customers.”

About IDC MarketScape
IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.


About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), is a global leader in communications and IT solutions. We combine professional expertise with one of the world’s most connected IP networks to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions. We securely connect today’s extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees - enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment. Many of the world’s largest businesses and governments - including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions - rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.