Verizon Wholesale Unit Raises Competitive Bar With New Service Level Agreement Options for Customers of High Capacity Circuits

NEW YORK, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Partner Solutions' customers who buy interstate DS-1 and DS-3 special access services will now have the option to choose a new national service level agreement (SLA) plan under which they could receive credits if service delivery does not meet tough targets.

Verizon has filed tariffs with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make the new optional SLA plan available from Verizon incumbent local exchange carriers throughout their U.S. service territories.

"In talking to customers of these high-capacity services, they want an option to choose something more in terms of a service level agreement plan beyond what's contained in the basic SLA provisions that we have today," said Quintin Lew, vice president - marketing for Verizon Partner Solutions. "And, unlike some of our competitors, Verizon does not require customers to request credits under this SLA. We have designed automated processes to proactively issue credits if we miss our targets after a trouble call is placed."

Claire Beth Nogay, senior vice president - complex services delivery for Verizon Partner Solutions, said, "We feel we have great services based on our reliable, advanced telecom network as well as our highly skilled teams -- and we're excited to show our confidence in our offerings through this new plan."

Under the new Verizon optional National SLA plan, if a special access service is not installed by the committed due date, DS-1 customers could receive a credit worth up to 50 percent of the monthly recurring charge for the service, or up to $500 -- depending on the Verizon tariff that applies. DS-3 customers could receive a credit of up to $1,000.

For repair under the new SLA plan, customers could be eligible for a credit of up to $250 for a DS-1 service outage not resolved within a specified time, or a credit of up to $1,000 for a DS-3 service outage not resolved within a specified time.

There is no extra charge for those customers who opt for the new SLA plan. To be eligible, DS-1 and DS-3 special access service customers must sign a subscription form prior to receiving the benefits of the plan.*

Utilizing one of the most advanced and reliable telecom networks in the world, the Verizon Partner Solutions team sells networks and network capabilities to telecom service providers that include: long-distance providers, local service providers, wireless carriers, cable companies, integrators and Internet service providers (ISPs).

Verizon Communications Inc. , a Dow 30 company, 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 55 million customers nationwide. Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks. Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 252,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com/.

* The descriptions of the 2006 National SLA Plan (Plan) and services set forth above are a summary of the information contained in Verizon's tariffs (Tariffs). This summary is not intended to provide a complete description of the rates, terms and conditions of the Plan and services. Customers should review the Tariffs for availability, eligibility requirements, the participating Verizon telephone companies, specific credits, and a description of the rates, terms, and conditions applicable to the Plan and services. Any failure by Verizon to fully or accurately set forth all relevant rates, terms and conditions of the Tariffs shall not be deemed to bar Verizon from exercising its rights under the Tariffs. The Tariffs shall supersede any inconsistent provision set forth herein.

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