Verizon Business to Begin Technology Testing and Customer Trials of Cisco TelePresence Meeting Solution

Leading Global Communications Provider to Test Next- Generation Video Application that Offers New Ways for Business and Government Customers to Collaborate

SAN JOSE, Calif. and BASKING RIDGE, NJ - October 23, 2006 - Verizon Business will soon begin technology testing and customer trials for an advanced, high-definition video communications service developed by Cisco Systems. The new service is designed to transmit full-size images and accompanying audio that are so lifelike that meeting participants may feel as though they are all in the same room, even though they may be halfway around the world from one another.

The new Cisco TelePresence Meeting solution, announced separately today by Cisco, combines innovations in video, audio and remote communication technologies over the Internet Protocol Next-Generation (IP NGN) network to take collaboration to the next level. This high-bandwidth virtual meeting solution will be tested over Verizon Business’ high-performance Private IP and Ethernet networking services.

“We know that when companies collaborate well, they perform better,” said Nancy Gofus, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Business. “With our Private IP and Ethernet offerings supporting the convergence of voice, video and data over a single network, Verizon Business is well suited to helping customers take advantage of this next-generation virtual meeting solution.”

The solution-available in two versions for large and small meetings-combines the industry’s first 1080p (progressive) video and high-quality, spatial audio with comprehensive design elements. With the ability to see and hear others in high-definition video and spatial audio, users can experience subtleties and nuances of conversations.

Verizon plans to trial the new Cisco solution over the Verizon Private IP network which puts customer traffic on a reliable, private network with robust Class of Service prioritization. Available in more than 115 countries, Private IP is based on Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology, which integrates performance and traffic management capabilities into a fully meshed environment, allowing for a uniform communications platform and easy expansion. With five IP Classes of Service, Private IP customers can easily prioritize voice, video and data traffic over their networks.

In addition, Verizon Business will test the TelePresence Meeting solution over its QoS-enabled Ethernet offerings to enable customers to cost-effectively run the TelePresence application over their networks. Verizon Business Ethernet solutions, including Ethernet LAN Service, Ethernet Virtual Private Line, Ethernet Private Line and Ethernet Over SONET, provide Ethernet networking capabilities on a local, national, and international basis.

“The Verizon Business Private IP network makes an excellent platform over which to deliver the Cisco TelePresence Meeting Solution to offices around the globe,” said Jeff Spagnola, vice president of service provider marketing at Cisco. “With high-definition video and high-quality spatial audio as key components of the service delivery, having an intelligent network connection for the Cisco TelePresence Meeting Solution that adheres to high standards for availability and quality of service is critical. The Verizon Business Private IP network, based on the Cisco IP NGN architecture, has proven itself in that regard for thousands of businesses around the world.”

Earlier this year, Verizon Business sponsored a Frost & Sullivan study, “Meetings Around the World: The Impact of Collaboration on Business Performance,” which determined that collaboration is a key driver of business performance. The study also found that professionals worldwide see their collaborative efforts as highly productive and believe that collaboration through communications technologies can provide a competitive advantage. Full details of the report can be found at http://newscenter.verizon.com/kit/collaboration/.

The Cisco TelePresence Meeting solution trial will supplement Verizon Business’ ability to deliver collaborative solutions to customers. Verizon Business, through its expansive global network, is a leading provider of conferencing and collaboration services worldwide, featuring a wide range of global Audio, Video and Net Conferencing offerings, IP-based services and some of the most advanced meeting tools available today.

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large business and government customers worldwide. Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced technology and professional service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.

About Cisco

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For more news, visit http://newsroom.cisco.com.

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