Verizon’s New International Calling Plan Lets Consumers Call 118 Countries, From Australia to Zimbabwe, and Talk for Hours at Lower Rates

International Single Rate Plan Offers International Long-Distance Calling for up to 500 Minutes; Rates so Low, They’re Comparable to Those of Prepaid Calling Cards

NEW YORK - Verizon customers who make frequent calls from their home phone to other countries can now add the Verizon International Single Rate plan to their service and get great rates for up to 500 minutes of calling a month.

Customers with a Verizon Freedom voice plan can add the International Single Rate plan for $10 per month for 300 minutes (five hours) or $15 per month for 500 minutes (more than eight hours).* Verizon Freedom Essentials is a common component of Verizon’s bundled offerings of voice, broadband Internet and video services.

Customers who do not have a Verizon Freedom voice plan can enroll in the International Single Rate plan for $14.99 per month for 300 minutes or $19.99 per month for 500 minutes.

The International Single Rate plan allows customers in the U.S. to make calls to 118 countries, including those that are called most frequently - Mexico, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Italy, Germany and Israel. (Unlimited calls to Canada are included in Freedom calling plans.)

“International calling plans are in high demand by our customers who make numerous international calls to keep in touch with family, friends or business associates,” said Eddie Googe, director of voice products for Verizon. "With our new plan, customers can make international calls for as little as three cents per minute. It’s the lowest international rate we’ve ever offered, and it’s comparable to prepaid calling card rates.

“Best of all, this plan reflects simplicity,” Googe said. “Unlike prepaid cards, there are no per-call connection fees, and special codes aren’t needed to make calls.”

On average, more than 8 million international calls are made per month on Verizon’s landline network - with 99.9 percent reliability. In a recent study conducted by KRC Research for Verizon, nearly 100 percent of respondents said voice quality, audio volume, voice clarity and tone are important reasons why they prefer to place calls from a fixed landline phone.

Customers with the Verizon International Single Rate plan who exceed their minutes, call wireless phone numbers served by a cellular carrier in another country, or call countries not included in the plan will pay additional charges at competitive rates, on a per-minute-of-use basis.

Existing Verizon customers interested in the International Single Rate plan can call their Verizon business office at the number listed on their monthly bill statements. New customers can call 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966). More information and a list of qualifying countries also are available at www.verizon.com/internationalrates.

For more information on Verizon’s broad range of products and services for the home, including television and broadband (Internet) service, or to learn about other international calling plans, visit www.verizon.com.

* NOTE: Prices are valid with any Verizon Freedom calling plan.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 69 million customers nationwide. Verizon’s Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 228,600 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.