Verizon Business Providing New Managed Network Linking 13 Campus Locations of National American University

May 22, 2006

Managed WAN, LAN Platform Will Facilitate Adding Sites and New Services Like VoIP and Distance Learning

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — Verizon Business is providing a faster, more efficient and more reliable voice and data network linking National American University (NAU)’s 13 campus locations located in South Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico as well as its anytime, anywhere online campus.

In an agreement announced today with the private institution of higher learning, Verizon Business will provide managed wide area network (WAN) and managed local area network (LAN) services. This combination will support not only NAU’s current needs, but also will provide the platform to serve future campus locations and offer new services for students, faculty and staff. NAU also tapped Verizon Business to install the Cisco Unified Communications System, a full-featured business communications system built into an intelligent IP network that enables voice, data, and video communications, between National American University campuses.

The managed network is based on multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) technology, which makes it possible to prioritize voice over IP and video conferencing. Verizon’s award-winning IMPACT management platform and patent-pending, Rapid-Fault isolation enable proactive monitoring, automated network testing, trouble-ticket creation and customer notification within 15 minutes of a problem.

“By providing a full array of managed services, we’ve advanced National American University’s network to a secure, scalable and universal platform that will deliver new IP-based applications for the NAU community,” said Steve Young, group president of Verizon Business corporate accounts. “Now the university has a single voice-and-data solution that can be adopted at every site they turn up.”

John Buxton, director of system information technology for National American University concurred on the many benefits of a comprehensive, managed approach. “We particularly appreciate the ability to bring uniformity to our network system and enjoy the savings from the increased efficiencies,” he said. “Our future plans include integrating data centers into our network, adding videoconferencing capabilities and offering wireless Internet access at our campuses. With Verizon Business’ help, we are now poised to move on all of these projects.”

Today, Verizon Business manages nearly 3,400 customer networks in 142 countries, including overseeing more than 25,000 non-Verizon connections from more than 60 network providers around the world. As the former MCI, the company received the 2005 Frost & Sullivan Customer Service Leadership Award and the 2005 InfoWorld 100 Award. Verizon Business has a legacy of service and innovation in network management and leads the industry in service-level commitments.

About National American University

National American University is a private, regionally-accredited, multi-campus institution of higher learning committed to building a learning partnership with students locally, nationally and worldwide. The university provides quality career and professional undergraduate and graduate programs and continuing education to students of diverse backgrounds, interests and abilities. The institution offers educational programs which are responsive to the career interests and objectives of its students, to the needs of employers and to society in general through traditional, accelerated and distance delivery methodologies. For more information, visit www.national.edu.

About Verizon Business

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 53 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks; and one of the nation’s premier wireline networks, serving mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

Contact Information

Carolyn Tyler

Verizon Communications Inc.

Contact via E-mail