Verizon Wins Frost & Sullivan’s 2005 Product Innovation Award

Company Cited for Iobi and Verizon One, Convergence Products That Integrate Voice and Data Services

Oct. 13, 2005, NEW YORK – Verizon has won Frost & Sullivan’s 2005 Product Innovation Award for developing and launching two technologically advanced products that make it easier for businesses and consumers to manage all of their communications. The products are the Verizon iobi family of services and the Verizon One integrated device.

Frost & Sullivan, a global consulting company, presents the award each year to the company that has demonstrated excellence in new products and technologies within its industry.

“Iobi and Verizon One truly are innovations in the industry,” said Bob Ingalls, president of Verizon’s Retail Markets Group. “Verizon’s unique iobi Home communications integration service actually inspired the Verizon One device, which serves as an all-purpose broadband information hub supporting the whole family.”

Verizon’s iobi, a computer desktop tool, gives individuals and businesses control over calls, voice mail, e-mail and other critical communications services using PCs, the Web or a voice portal. Once the iobi software is downloaded to a user’s PC, the user can see on the screen who is calling and decide whether to answer the call, forward it to voice mail or to someone else who might be expecting the call – in real time. Because it is network-based, iobi allows this kind of call management from anywhere, letting users be virtually in two places at once.

Iobi also allows users to manage their contact lists so a caller’s information can be imported to Lotus Notes, Outlook, and Palm desktop applications. Additionally, users have instant access to Verizon SuperPages and can send text messages or e-mail messages from the iobi desktop. Iobi, a real-time communications management tool for consumers, was introduced on the East Coast late last year. Earlier this year Verizon launched iobi Pro (for small businesses) and iobi Enterprise editions.

Verizon One, a sleek piece of equipment, integrates several technologies (DSL modem, 802.11g wireless router, 5.8 GHz cordless telephone and color touch screen) and lets Verizon Online DSL subscribers seamlessly manage their communications needs and devices.

Verizon One’s extensive roster of features includes quick access to up-to-the-minute weather, news, sports and entertainment highlights, one-touch dialing, visual voice mail, on-screen memo pad, scheduled call-forwarding, real-time call management, personal calendar and address book. It also allows users to access Verizon’s SuperPages where they can look up a business and find directions to get there. Verizon One clears away the clutter of multiple devices and is configured to support Verizon’s iobi Home service. Its touch screen assists in DSL installation and home network setup. This all-in-one communications device from Verizon Online is now available to Verizon Online DSL customers nationwide.

To select the winner of the Product Innovation Award, Frost & Sullivan’s analyst team compares and evaluates all new product launches, R&D spending, products in development, and new product features and modifications, based on the degree of innovation and customer satisfaction. Companies are then ranked by number of new product launches and new products in development.

Verizon Communications Inc.

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of more than 214,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation’s most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com

Contact Information

Sharon Beadle

Media contact

Verizon One

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