J.D. Power And Associates Ranks Verizon Wireless Highest In Satisfaction For Small-/Mid-Sized Business Customers

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – May 3, 2011 –

Verizon Wireless has been ranked highest among wireless providers in small- and mid-sized business customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Business Wireless Customer Satisfaction Study(SM) released last week. The study found that Verizon Wireless outperformed its competitors and was the only provider that ranked “significantly above segment average at 95% confidence level” in the following categories: performance and reliability, sales representatives/account executives, billings and offerings and promotions. Home-based business customers who participated in the study reported that they were most satisfied with Verizon Wireless’ performance and reliability and sales representatives/account executives.

“Small businesses rely on mobile devices and wireless networks to move their companies forward,” said Mike Lanman, president, Enterprise and Government Markets, Verizon Wireless. “Our strategy for these segments is to offer customers high-performing products and reliable services that provide game-changing productivity improvements and revenue opportunities.”

The study’s performance and reliability category addressed areas including call quality, timeliness of voice mail and text message notifications, ease of connecting calls on the first try, freedom from dropped calls and ease of making calls from various locations. Verizon Wireless small business specialists and sales representatives were rated on knowledge, courtesy, concern for customer needs, responsiveness to requests and questions, and effectiveness of communicating new services, promotions and changes.

The study’s billing index ranked providers on usefulness of information on the bill, variety of methods to pay bills as well as timeliness in receiving statements. The offerings and promotions rating was determined by: wireless plans variety; additional services offered and incentives that recognize loyalty; effectiveness of informational and promotional materials; diverse portfolio of phones and equipment to choose from; and geographic coverage area.

Small- and mid-sized business customers in industries such as financial services, healthcare, construction and transportation can benefit from Verizon Wireless’ products and services including:

The nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network*An expanding lineup of wireless devices, including Android™ and BlackBerry® smartphones, tablets, netbooks, laptop computers, Mobile Hotspots and USB modemsCost-saving wireless solutions such as Push to Talk, Field Force Manager and Fleet AdministratorMachine-to-machine services that support asset management and telematicsSupport from small business specialists in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores throughout the country and technology support 24 hours a day, seven days a week

J.D. Power and Associates surveyed wireless service decision makers at more than 3,100 U.S. businesses between November 2010 and February 2011.

For more information about Verizon Wireless’ products and services for small and mid-sized businesses, visit www.verizonwireless.com/smb, call 1-800-VZW-4BIZ or see a small business specialist at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store.

* The company’s “most reliable network” claim is based on network studies performed by test men and test women who conduct more than 3.5 million voice call attempts and more than 19 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless’ and other national wireless carriers’ networks while traveling more than one million miles in specially equipped, company-owned quality test vehicles. For more information about Verizon Wireless testing, go to http://aboutus.vzw.com/bestnetwork/reliability.html.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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Latest J.D. Power And Associates Study Ranks Verizon Wireless Highest In Customer Care

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – July 28, 2011 –

Verizon Wireless, provider of the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G network and the fastest, most advanced 4G LTE network in the world, has been ranked highest in customer care among the major national wireless phone service providers in J.D. Power and Associates’ 2011 Wireless Customer Care Performance StudySM– Volume 2, released today.

Verizon Wireless received a score of 770, which led the segment and was above the industry average.  The study was based on feedback gathered from wireless customers of the four major U.S. providers by J.D. Power and Associates in the first six months of 2011.

“Our goal at Verizon Wireless has consistently been to offer an outstanding customer experience, and our standing in this latest survey is yet one more signal that our customers vote us the best wireless company in the U.S.,” said John Stratton, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Verizon Wireless.  “We will continue to work hard to ensure that our customers can count on the best network; the best service, and the best lineup of smartphones, tablets and other innovative and reliable wireless devices from the best wireless company: Verizon Wireless.”

Verizon Wireless offers customers many reasons to choose and stay with the company. Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless voice and 3G data network and the fastest, most advanced 4G LTE network in the world, and offers quality products and services backed by its award-winning customer service.  For more information about Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

The company’s “most reliable network” claim is based on network studies performed by test men and test women who conduct more than 3.5 million voice call attempts and more than 19 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless’ and other national wireless carriers’ networks while traveling more than 1 million miles in specially equipped, company-owned quality test vehicles.  For more information about Verizon Wireless testing, go to: http://aboutus.vzw.com/bestnetwork/reliability.html.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 106.3 million total wireless connections, including 89.7 million retail customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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Verizon Bundles Now Include Wireless Plans for Consumers in California Wireline Market

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – October 20, 2010 –

Consumers in Verizon's California wireline service area now can achieve even greater value when they get all their entertainment, information and communication services in one package.

Savings can be as high as $299 per year when bundling TV, Internet, home phone and a Verizon Wireless plan. The quad-play packages are available to customers who are served by Verizon's market-leading FiOS services or Verizon's fast, affordable digital subscriber line-based High Speed Internet (HSI), and DIRECTV® service.

For example, a bundle of 15 megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and 5 Mbps upstream FiOS Internet, FiOS TV Prime HD package and FiOS Digital Voice home phone service is now available for $99.99 a month, with a guaranteed rate for 24 months for new FiOS customers. This package represents a $10 a month off savings from the regular bundle price.  When a Verizon Wireless plan is added, customers receive an additional $9.99 a month off the bundle price for Internet, TV and voice service. New customers signing up online earn an additional $5 a month savings for a total annual savings of $299. Wireless plans in Verizon FiOS bundles start at $39.99 a month for 450 minutes with a two-year commitment, and will be included in the bundle price. The final bundle price will vary depending upon which wireless plan is selected.

Verizon also announced that as an added reward, new FiOS Internet, FiOS TV or new HSI and DIRECTV bundles customers in all Verizon-served states will receive a Verizon Visa® prepaid card issued by Meta BankTM valued at up to $200 - depending on which bundles and services are added - and can be used toward the purchase of a new DROID smartphone of the customers' choice.  (To view a news release containing more details, click here.)

"Verizon provides the ultimate TV experience, unmatched Internet speed and crystal-clear home phone service," said Margaret Serjak, president of Verizon's California region.  "Now, customers who add a Verizon Wireless plan to their bundles can benefit from the nation's largest, most reliable wireless 3G network."

All FiOS bundles come with Verizon's 30-day Worry-Free Guarantee allowing customers to cancel their service within 30 days of the date of activation, with no termination fee, if they are not completely satisfied. 

As another option, customers new to FiOS TV who add it to complete either a triple-play or a quad bundle can choose to receive a Home Media DVR or DVR free for one year. This option cannot be combined with the prepaid Visa card offer.

All bundles that include Verizon Wireless require ONE-BILL®, which combines charges for all Verizon services onto one monthly statement. There are numerous options for these bundles, based on the Verizon Wireless calling plan chosen and by state.

"We recognize that some customers prefer to use Verizon Wireless as their primary voice service, while others appreciate the reliable convenience and the peace of mind that comes with having a wireline home phone as well," said Serjak. "We're offering the freedom and flexibility for customers to choose the Verizon voice service or combination of services that meets their individual or family needs, together with our complete line of industry-leading home-entertainment options that are now more flexible than ever, whether you are at home or on the go."

Further information about Verizon bundles is available at www.verizon.com/bundles or by calling 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966).

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 92 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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Verizon Reports Strong 4Q and Year-End 2010 Results, Highlighted by Cash Flow, Wireless and FiOS Growth

Verizon Reports Strong 4Q and Year-End 2010 Results, Highlighted by Cash Flow, Wireless and FiOS Growth

Gains Reported in 4Q Wireless and Wireline Margins; Solid Results Across Verizon Wireless, Consumer Wireline and Global Business

News Release January 25, 2011 –

4Q HIGHLIGHTS

(Click here for financial tables)

Consolidated

93 cents in diluted earnings per share (EPS), including 39 cents per share in net non-operational gains, compared with 22 cents in EPS (as adjusted) in 4Q 2009, including 28 cents per share in non-operational charges.Continued cash flow growth in quarter, contributing to $33.4 billion in cash flow from operations in 2010 and $16.9 billion in free cash flow (non-GAAP).

Wireless

7.7 percent increase in service revenues from 4Q 2009; data revenues up 25.5 percent; 30.1 percent operating income margin and 47.5 percent Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP).955,000 total net customer additions, excluding acquisitions and adjustments, in 4Q 2010; includes 872,000 retail postpaid net customer additions in the quarter; continued low retail postpaid churn of 1.01 percent.102.2 million total connections, includes 94.1 million total customers.

Wireline

197,000 net FiOS Internet and 182,000 net FiOS TV customer additions; 4.1 million total FiOS Internet customers and 3.5 million total FiOS TV customers.10.7 percent increase in consumer ARPU from 4Q 2009; FiOS revenues now represent approximately 53 percent of total consumer revenues.7.5 percent increase in strategic enterprise revenues, which now represent approximately 44 percent of total global enterprise revenues.NEW YORK - Continued strong cash flow and growth in Verizon Wireless, FiOS and strategic enterprise services highlighted fourth-quarter and year-end 2010 earnings reported today by Verizon Communications Inc.

The company reported 93 cents in EPS in fourth-quarter 2010, compared with 22 cents per share (as adjusted) in fourth-quarter 2009.  Fourth-quarter 2010 results included 39 cents per share in net non-operational gains: 50 cents per share primarily from the annual actuarial valuation of Verizon's pension assets, partially offset by 6 cents per share for severance and other related charges, and 5 cents per share for Alltel merger integration costs.  Fourth-quarter 2009 results included 28 cents per share in non-operational charges.

On an annual basis, Verizon reported 90 cents in 2010 EPS, compared with $1.72 (as adjusted) in 2009.

Improved Earnings and Solid Momentum

"Verizon ended 2010 with strong results, driven by solid execution across all our businesses," said Verizon Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg.  "The fourth quarter capped a strong second half of the year, resulting in improved earnings, solid momentum and an even stronger balance sheet.  Verizon Wireless produced another quarter of impressive growth, with record-high profitability, as we continue to drive higher smartphone adoption and data use.  Following another solid quarter in our wireline businesses, we are optimistic about opportunities to continue to expand wireline margins."

Strong Cash Flow Growth in 2010

Cash flow from operations totaled $33.4 billion in 2010, compared with $31.4 billion in 2009.  Capital expenditures totaled $16.5 billion in 2010, down $400 million from 2009.  For 2010, free cash flow (non-GAAP; cash flow from operations less capital expenditures) totaled $16.9 billion, a 16.4 percent year-over-year increase.

On a consolidated basis, Verizon's total operating revenues were $26.4 billion in fourth-quarter 2010, a decrease of 2.6 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2009.  Last year's results included revenues from operations that have since been divested.

On a comparable basis (non-GAAP), fourth-quarter 2010 total operating revenues increased $592 million, or 2.3 percent, compared with fourth-quarter 2009.

Wireless Delivers Continued Strong Growth and Profitability

Verizon Wireless delivered strong growth in revenues, strong retail postpaid ARPU (average monthly service revenue per user), and growth in traditional customers and other connections.  Wireless service EBITDA margin was a record high.  In the fourth quarter of 2010:

Verizon Wireless added 872,000 retail postpaid customers, and 803,000 total retail customers, which includes a decrease of 69,000 retail prepaid customers.  These additions exclude acquisitions and adjustments. At the end of the fourth quarter, the company had 87.5 million retail customers, which represented 93 percent of the company's wireless customers. The company also added 152,000 reseller customers in the fourth quarter. The company had a total of 94.1 million customers at the end of the fourth quarter.  In addition, the company had 8.1 million other connections - such as machine-to-machine and telematics.  This was an increase of 186,000 net other connections in the quarter, and brought the number of total wireless connections to 102.2 million at year-end 2010. At year-end 2010, 26 percent of Verizon Wireless' retail postpaid customer base had smartphone devices, up from 15 percent at year-end 2009.  In fourth-quarter 2010, more than 75 percent of Verizon Wireless' postpaid net adds were smartphones. Retail postpaid churn remained low at 1.01 percent.  Total retail and total customer churn levels were 1.37 and 1.34 percent, respectively.  All churn levels improved year over year and sequentially. Retail service revenues in the quarter totaled $13.5 billion, up 5.1 percent year over year.  Retail data revenues were $5.0 billion, up 22.8 percent year over year.  Service revenues in the fourth quarter were $14.2 billion, up 7.7 percent year over year.  Total revenues were $16.1 billion, up 5.7 percent year over year.  For full-year 2010, service revenues were $55.6 billion, up 6.9 percent over full-year 2009; total revenues were $63.4 billion, up 5.1 percent year over year. Retail postpaid ARPU grew 2.5 percent over the fourth-quarter 2009, to $53.50.  Retail postpaid data ARPU increased to $19.97, up 19.3 percent year over year.  In addition, retail service ARPU grew 2.4 percent over fourth-quarter 2009, to $51.84. Wireless operating income margin was 30.1 percent, an increase of 340 basis points year over year.  Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP) was 47.5 percent, up 290 basis points over fourth-quarter 2009.  For full-year 2010, operating income margin was 29.5 percent, up 190 basis points over full-year 2009; segment EBITDA margin on service revenues was 46.9 percent, up 140 basis points.

Continued Growth for FiOS and Strategic Enterprise Services

In wireline businesses, Verizon continued to add customers served by its FiOS fiber-optic network in the U.S., and revenues continued to increase for strategic enterprise services worldwide.  In the fourth quarter of 2010:

Verizon added 197,000 net new FiOS Internet customers and 182,000 net new FiOS TV customers.  By year-end, Verizon had 4.1 million FiOS Internet and 3.5 million FiOS TV customers. FiOS Internet penetration (customers as a percentage of potential customers) was 31.9 percent by the end of the quarter, with the product available for sale to 12.8 million premises.  This compares with 28.3 percent and 11.6 million, respectively, at year-end 2009. FiOS TV penetration was 28.0 percent by the end of the quarter, with the product available for sale to 12.4 million premises.  This compares with 24.7 percent and 11.1 million, respectively, at year-end 2009. FiOS revenues generated approximately 53 percent of consumer wireline revenues in fourth-quarter 2010, compared with approximately 50 percent in third-quarter 2010. Total wireline broadband and video revenues - including FiOS Internet, FiOS TV and HSI (DSL-based high-speed Internet) - were $1.8 billion in the quarter, up 18.4 percent from fourth-quarter 2009. Consumer revenues grew 1.6 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2009.  Consumer ARPU for wireline services was $88.85 in fourth-quarter 2010, up 10.7 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2009.  ARPU for FiOS customers is more than $146. Global enterprise revenues totaled $4.0 billion in the quarter, up 1.3 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2009.  Sales of strategic enterprise services - such as security and IT solutions, as well as strategic networking - increased 7.5 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2009 and now represent approximately 44 percent of global enterprise revenues. Segment EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 23.5 percent, compared with 22.7 percent in third-quarter 2010 and 22.5 percent in fourth-quarter 2009, as adjusted.

Additional Highlights

Wireless

At Verizon Wireless, monthly cash expense per customer (non-GAAP) decreased in the fourth quarter 2010 to $26.59 from $27.72 in the fourth quarter 2009.  For the full year, cash expense per customer was $26.80, down 2.7 percent from $27.55 in 2009. In the fourth quarter, total data revenues were 37.1 percent of all service revenues, up from 31.8 percent in the fourth quarter 2009. Verizon Wireless continued to invest in its 3G (third-generation) broadband network, the nation's largest and most reliable 3G network.  Verizon's 3G network provides more coverage than any other U.S. carrier and is available where more than 290 million people reside. In December, Verizon Wireless launched its 4G LTE (fourth-generation Long Term Evolution) Mobile Broadband network, the fastest and most advanced 4G network in the U.S., in 38 major metropolitan areas covering one-third of all Americans and in more than 60 commercial airports.  With Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network, laptop users experience average data throughput speeds of up to 10 times faster than when on the company's 3G network.  Verizon Wireless announced earlier this month that it would expand its 4G LTE network to an additional 140 markets by the end of 2011. Concurrent with the launch of its 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network, Verizon Wireless introduced two 4G LTE USB modems:  the LG VL600 and the Pantech UML290, which are also compatible with the company's 3G network.  Verizon Wireless unveiled 10 new 4G LTE consumer devices at the International Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month, including smartphones, tablets, mobile hot spot devices and notebooks that will be available in the first half of this year. On Jan. 11, Verizon Wireless announced the iPhone 4 will be available to customers beginning in February. During the fourth quarter, Verizon Wireless customers sent or received more than 180 billion text messages.  Customers also sent nearly 4.5 billion picture/video messages and completed more than 20 million music and video downloads from Verizon Wireless.

Wireline

Fourth-quarter 2010 operating revenues were $10.3 billion, a decline of 2.8 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2009.  Fourth-quarter 2010 cash operating expenses (non-GAAP) were $7.9 billion, a decline of 3.9 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2009. Broadband connections totaled 8.4 million at the end of the fourth quarter 2010, a 2.8 percent year-over-year increase.  This is a net increase of 52,000 from the third quarter 2010, as the increase in FiOS Internet connections more than offset a decrease in HSI connections. As of year-end 2010, the FiOS network passed 15.6 million premises, or approximately 60 percent of Verizon's domestic wireline footprint following the close of the Frontier transaction on July 1, 2010. The wireline workforce totaled 92,300 at year-end 2010, a decline of about 16,000 year over year, primarily as a result of incentive offers that have led to voluntary separations. During the quarter, Verizon continued to deploy secure global IT and communications solutions that enable better business outcomes for multinational enterprise, medium-sized and government customers wherever and whenever they operate.  These solutions included additional capabilities that support the company's "everything-as-a-service" cloud strategy, as well as a platform for developing enterprise mobility applications and new unified communications professional services.  Additionally, top industry analysts recognized Verizon leadership in a number of key areas, including for managed security services in the North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions. Verizon expanded its global network infrastructure during the quarter as it continued to broaden its global scope and capabilities.  The company installed 16 additional Private IP edge routers for a total of 814 edge routers in 233 sites throughout 61 countries; implemented the first production deployment of a true 100G (gigabit-per-second) transmission system on the Verizon backbone network; launched its packet optical transport platform initiative for Private IP and Ethernet services in the Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America regions; and installed 22 new nodes in the Switched Ethernet Service network in support of a fiber-to-the-cell-site initiative in the U.S. Multinational corporations, including Carlsberg and National Grid, completed new agreements, expanding their relationships with Verizon for a wide range of advanced communications and IT solutions.  Verizon also continued to win new government business, including an award from the U.S. General Services Administration to provide secure on-demand cloud computing service.

NOTE: Effective with the fourth quarter 2010, Verizon changed its method of accounting for pension and post-employment benefits.  Accordingly, all prior periods have been adjusted for this change, which primarily affected Verizon Consolidated and the Wireline segment.  Reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made, where appropriate, to reflect comparable operating results for the divestiture of overlapping wireless properties in 105 operating markets in 24 states during the first half of 2010; the wireless deferred revenue adjustment that was disclosed in Verizon's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2010; and the spinoff to Frontier of  local exchange and related landline assets in 14 states, effective on July 1, 2010.  See the accompanying schedules and www.verizon.com/investor for reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for non-GAAP financial measures cited in this document. 

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 94.1 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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NOTE: This document contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties.  For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  The following important factors could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: the effects of adverse conditions in the U.S. and international economies; the effects of competition in our markets; materially adverse changes in labor matters, including workforce levels and labor negotiations, and any resulting financial and/or operational impact, in the markets served by us or by companies in which we have substantial investments; the effect of material changes in available technology; any disruption of our suppliers' provisioning of critical products or services; significant increases in benefit plan costs or lower investment returns on plan assets; the impact of natural or man-made disasters or existing or future litigation and any resulting financial impact not covered by insurance; technology substitution; an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations or adverse conditions in the credit markets impacting the cost, including interest rates, and/or availability of financing; any changes in the regulatory environments in which we operate, including any loss of or inability to renew wireless licenses, and the final results of federal and state regulatory proceedings and judicial review of those results; the timing, scope and financial impact of our deployment of fiber-to-the-premises broadband technology; changes in our accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC, may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their application, which could result in an impact on earnings; our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions; our ability to successfully integrate Alltel Corporation into Verizon Wireless' business and achieve anticipated benefits of the acquisition; and the inability to implement our business strategies.

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Verizon Communications Reports Continued Strong Growth in Cash Flow, Wireless and FiOS in 3Q

Verizon Communications Reports Continued Strong Growth in Cash Flow, Wireless and FiOS in 3Q

Improved Earnings and Margin Performance Build on Prior Quarter

News Release October 22, 2010 –

3Q HIGHLIGHTS

(Click here for financial tables)

Consolidated

31 cents in diluted earnings per share (EPS), including 25 cents per share in non-operational items, compared with 3Q 2009 EPS of 41 cents.$25.2 billion in cash flow from operations year-to-date; $13.4 billion in free cash flow (non-GAAP) year-to-date, up 25.3 percent.

Wireless

997,000 total net customer additions, excluding acquisitions and adjustments, in 3Q 2010; 584,000 retail postpaid net customer additions in the quarter; continued low retail postpaid churn of 1.07 percent.93.2 million customers; 101.1 million total connections.6.0 percent increase in total revenues from 3Q 2009; 7.7 percent increase in service revenues; data revenues up 26.3 percent; 29.9 percent operating income margin and 47.2 percent Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP).

Wireline

226,000 net FiOS Internet and 204,000 net FiOS TV customer additions; 3.9 million total FiOS Internet customers and 3.3 million total FiOS TV customers.10.9 percent increase in consumer ARPU from 3Q 2009; FiOS revenues now represent approximately 50 percent of total consumer revenues.6.9 percent increase in strategic business services revenues, which now represent approximately 43 percent of total global enterprise revenues.

NEW YORK - Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) today reported continued strong cash flow in the third quarter 2010, and earnings and margin improvements compared with the second quarter 2010.  In the third quarter, Verizon Wireless, FiOS and strategic business services produced continued strong revenue and customer growth.

The company reported 31 cents in EPS in third-quarter 2010, compared with 41 cents per share in third-quarter 2009.  Third-quarter 2010 results included 25 cents per share in non-operational charges, the largest of which was a non-cash charge related to pension settlements.

On Track to Achieve Earnings Targets

"Verizon built on a strong second quarter with a stronger third quarter, resulting in improved earnings performance and substantial cash flow," said Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg.  "We are building momentum and are on track to achieve our goal of growing earnings in the second half of the year.  We are excited by the opportunities we see to expand wireline margins and the growth we see related to the upcoming launch of next-generation wireless services."

Verizon anticipates that adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) in second-half 2010 will be at the high end of the range of its guidance.  Based on adjusted EPS of $1.01 in the first half of the year, Verizon estimates second-half 2010 adjusted EPS will be approximately 5 percent to 10 percent greater than $1.01.  (Adjusted EPS is calculated based on excluding the impact of divested properties and adding back the EPS impact of non-operational and/or non-recurring items to reported EPS.)

Seidenberg added, "We are confident in the long-term potential of our business and in our ability to return long-term value to shareowners."

In third-quarter 2010, Verizon's Board of Directors approved a 2.6 percent quarterly dividend increase, and shareowners realized $1.85 per share in additional returns as a result of Verizon's transaction with Frontier Communications.

Accelerated Comparable Revenue Growth

On a consolidated basis, Verizon's total operating revenues were $26.5 billion in third-quarter 2010, a decrease of 2.9 percent compared with third-quarter 2009.  Last year's results included revenues from operations that have since been divested.

On a comparable basis (non-GAAP), third-quarter 2010 total operating revenues increased $550 million, or 2.1 percent, compared with third-quarter 2009.  This is an acceleration from year-over-year comparable revenue growth of 0.5 percent in second-quarter 2010.

Cash flow from operations totaled $25.2 billion through the first three quarters of 2010, compared with $23.1 billion through the first three quarters of 2009.  Cash flow from operations totaled $8.3 billion in third-quarter 2010 alone.

Capital expenditures totaled $11.8 billion through the first three quarters of 2010, down 4.9 percent compared with $12.4 billion through the first three quarters of 2009.  Verizon expects that total capital spending for 2010 will be at the low end of, or slightly below, the company's targeted range of $16.8 billion to $17.2 billion.

Through the first three quarters of 2010, free cash flow (non-GAAP; cash flow from operations less capital expenditures) totaled $13.4 billion, a 25.3 percent year-over-year increase.

Verizon's net debt (non-GAAP; total debt less cash and cash equivalents) was $47.8 billion at the end of third-quarter 2010.  The net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio (non-GAAP; net debt divided by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for the impact of divested operations and non-recurring or non-operational items) was approximately 1.4 at the end of the quarter, and Verizon continues to expect it to be lower by year-end 2010.

Non-operational items that negatively impacted Verizon's third-quarter 2010 net income by 25 cents per share were: 19 cents per share for the non-cash recognition of pension settlement losses resulting from the company's workforce reduction and voluntary separation plans; 4 cents per share for charges in connection with the closing of the Frontier transaction; and 2 cents per share for Alltel merger integration costs.

Verizon also reported that the full-year 2010 adjusted effective tax rate attributable to Verizon will be in the range of 31 percent to 32 percent, down from previous guidance in the range of 33 percent to 35 percent.

Wireless: Another Strong Quarter

Verizon Wireless delivered accelerating top-line revenue growth, continued data revenue growth, strong margins, and solid additions of traditional customers and other connections.  In the third quarter of 2010:

Verizon Wireless added 584,000 retail postpaid and 447,000 total retail customers in the quarter, excluding acquisitions and adjustments. At the end of the third quarter, the company had 86.7 million retail customers, which represented 93 percent of the company's wireless customers, the largest number of retail customers of any U.S. wireless provider. The company also added 550,000 reseller customers in the third quarter. The total number of customers at the end of the quarter was 93.2 million. In addition, the company had 7.9 million other connections at the end of the quarter - such as machine-to-machine and telematics - adding 251,000 net other connections in the quarter.  This brings the number of total wireless connections to 101.1 million at the end of the third quarter. Retail postpaid churn remained low at 1.07 percent.  Retail and total customer churn levels were 1.43 percent and 1.36 percent, respectively. Retail service revenues in the quarter totaled $13.5 billion, up 5.0 percent year over year.  Retail data revenues were $4.8 billion, up 22.8 percent.  Service revenues in the third quarter were $14.2 billion, up 7.7 percent.  Total revenues were $16.3 billion, up 6.0 percent year over year. Retail service ARPU (average monthly service revenue per user) grew 1.8 percent over third-quarter 2009, to $51.99.  Retail data ARPU increased to $18.61, up 19.0 percent year over year. Wireless operating income margin was 29.9 percent, an increase of 220 basis points year over year.  Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP) was 47.2 percent, up 150 basis points over third-quarter 2009.

Wireline: Accelerated FiOS Growth

Customer growth accelerated for broadband and video services provided over Verizon's FiOS fiber-optic network in the U.S., and revenues continued to increase for strategic wireline business services worldwide.  In the third quarter of 2010:

Verizon added 226,000 net new FiOS Internet customers and 204,000 net new FiOS TV customers, sequential improvements of approximately 17 percent and 19 percent, respectively, compared with second-quarter 2010.  This is the largest net quarterly increase in FiOS customers in more than a year.  By the end of the third quarter, Verizon had 3.9 million FiOS Internet and 3.3 million FiOS TV customers. FiOS Internet penetration (customers as a percentage of potential customers) was 31.0 percent by the end of the quarter, with the product available for sale to 12.5 million premises.  This compares with 28.7 percent and 10.9 million, respectively, at the end of third-quarter 2009. FiOS TV penetration was 27.2 percent by the end of the quarter, with the product available for sale to 12.1 million premises.  This compares with 25.1 percent and 10.4 million, respectively, at the end of third-quarter 2009. In more mature FiOS markets, penetration rates have been consistently growing and are more than 35 percent, with a few markets in excess of 40 percent.  FiOS revenues, including FiOS Digital Voice, grew 29.2 percent year over year.  FiOS revenues generated approximately 50 percent of consumer wireline revenues in third-quarter 2010, compared with approximately 40 percent in third-quarter 2009. Total wireline broadband and video revenues - including FiOS Internet, FiOS TV and HSI (DSL-based high-speed Internet) - were $1.8 billion in the quarter, up 20.8 percent from third-quarter 2009.  Consumer revenues grew 1.1 percent compared with third-quarter 2009.  Consumer ARPU for wireline services was $86.55 in third-quarter 2010, up 10.9 percent compared with third-quarter 2009.  ARPU for FiOS customers was more than $146. Global enterprise revenues totaled $3.9 billion in the quarter.  This is a decrease of 0.8 percent compared with third-quarter 2009, primarily due to foreign currency effects.  Sales of strategic enterprise services - such as security and IT solutions, as well as strategic networking - increased 6.9 percent compared with third-quarter 2009 and now represent approximately 43 percent of global enterprise revenues. Segment EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 21.0 percent, compared with 20.8 percent in the second quarter of 2010 and 21.2 percent in the third quarter of 2009.

Additional Highlights

Wireless

Verizon Wireless continued to lead the industry in cost efficiency.  Monthly cash expense per customer (non-GAAP) decreased in the third quarter 2010 to $26.88, from $27.59 in the comparable period in 2009. In the third quarter, data revenues increased to 35.7 percent of all service revenues, up from 30.5 percent in the third quarter 2009. Verizon Wireless continued to invest in its broadband network, the nation's largest and most reliable 3G (third-generation) network.  Verizon's 3G network provides more coverage than any other U.S. carrier's and is available where more than 289 million people reside. In early October, Verizon Wireless announced 38 major metropolitan areas, covering 110 million people, where it will launch its 4G LTE (fourth-generation Long Term Evolution) network by the end of the year.  In addition, 4G LTE will be available in more than 60 commercial airports coast to coast - including major airports within the launch areas plus airports in other key cities.  Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network-deployment plans include covering virtually all of the company's current nationwide 3G footprint by the end of 2013. Verizon Wireless announced the first tablets to be available to its customers:  the Apple iPad Wi-Fi will go on sale on Oct. 28 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab will launch on Nov. 11.  In addition, the company continued to expand its smartphone lineup during the third quarter with the launch of the DROID X, DROID 2 and limited edition DROID R2-D2 by Motorola; the Samsung Fascinate, a Galaxy S smartphone; and a new model of the BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone. The company hosted its second annual Verizon Developers Conference in September, reaffirming its commitment to an open network and helping developers deliver applications to market quickly.  Since the VDC was established in 2009, more than 5,000 developers have joined to create applications to be distributed to Verizon Wireless customers. During the third quarter, Verizon Wireless customers sent or received more than 183 billion text messages.  Customers also sent nearly 3.8 billion picture messages and completed nearly 22 million music and video downloads.

Wireline

Third-quarter 2010 operating revenues were $10.3 billion, a decline of 3.6 percent compared with third-quarter 2009.  Third-quarter 2010 cash operating expenses (non-GAAP) were $8.1 billion, a decline of 3.3 percent compared with third-quarter 2009. Broadband connections totaled 8.3 million at the end of the third quarter 2010, a 2.7 percent year-over-year increase.  This is a net increase of 61,000 from the second quarter 2010, as the increase in FiOS Internet connections more than offset a decrease in HSI connections. As of the end of third-quarter 2010, the FiOS network passed 15.4 million premises, or approximately 60 percent of Verizon's domestic wireline footprint following the close of the Frontier transaction. The wireline workforce totaled 97,500 at the end of the third quarter 2010.  This is a decline of 5,900 compared with the end of the second quarter 2010.  Primarily as a result of a second-quarter 2010 incentive offer that has led to voluntary separations, the wireline workforce has declined by about 10,500 in the second and third quarters of 2010, and from 2,000 to 3,000 additional employees are expected to leave the payroll by year-end.  These numbers do not include more than 9,200 employees who were transferred to Frontier in July. During the quarter, Verizon continued to deploy global IT and networking solutions that enable multinational enterprise, medium business and government customers to do business more efficiently and effectively.  These included new cloud computing capabilities, additional security capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region and global data center expansion to support the company's "everything-as-a-service" cloud strategy.  In addition to rolling out new capabilities, Verizon received recognition from top industry analyst firms during the quarter in the areas of communications outsourcing, Asia-Pacific network services, carrier Ethernet and IP services, and managed security services. Verizon expanded its global network infrastructure during the quarter as it continued to broaden its global scope and capabilities.  The company installed 17 additional Private IP edge routers for a total of 798 edge routers in 228 sites throughout 60 countries; added three new converged packet architecture switches, bringing the total number of CPA switches to 149 in 131 sites across 36 countries; and installed 19 new nodes in the Switched Ethernet Service network in support of a fiber-to-the-cell-site initiative. AEG, the American Red Cross and the U.S. General Services Administration were among Verizon Business customers that completed new agreements during the quarter for a wide range of advanced communications and technology solutions.

NOTE: Comparisons are year over year unless otherwise noted.  See the accompanying schedules and www.verizon.com/investor for reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for non-GAAP financial measures cited in this news release.  Reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made, where appropriate, to reflect comparable operating results for the divestiture of overlapping wireless properties in 105 operating markets in 24 states during the first half of 2010; the wireless deferred revenue adjustment that was disclosed in Verizon's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2010; and the spinoff to Frontier of  local exchange and related landline assets in 14 states, effective on July 1, 2010.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 93 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 195,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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NOTE: This document contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties.  For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  The following important factors could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: the effects of adverse conditions in the U.S. and international economies; the effects of competition in our markets; materially adverse changes in labor matters, including workforce levels and labor negotiations, and any resulting financial and/or operational impact, in the markets served by us or by companies in which we have substantial investments; the effect of material changes in available technology; any disruption of our suppliers' provisioning of critical products or services; significant increases in benefit plan costs or lower investment returns on plan assets; the impact of natural or man-made disasters or existing or future litigation and any resulting financial impact not covered by insurance; technology substitution; an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations or adverse conditions in the credit markets impacting the cost, including interest rates, and/or availability of financing; any changes in the regulatory environments in which we operate, including any loss of or inability to renew wireless licenses, and the final results of federal and state regulatory proceedings and judicial review of those results; the timing, scope and financial impact of our deployment of fiber-to-the-premises broadband technology; changes in our accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC, may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their application, which could result in an impact on earnings; our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions; our ability to successfully integrate Alltel Corporation into Verizon Wireless' business and achieve anticipated benefits of the acquisition; and the inability to implement our business strategies.

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Verizon Wireless & Apple Team Up to Deliver iPhone 4 on Verizon

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and CUPERTINO, Calif. – January 11, 2011 –

Verizon Wireless and Apple® today announced that the iPhone® 4 will be available on the Verizon Wireless network beginning on Thursday, February 10. Qualified Verizon Wireless customers will be given the exclusive opportunity to pre-order iPhone 4 online on February 3, ahead of general availability.

iPhone 4 is the most innovative phone in the world, featuring Apple’s stunning Retina™ display, the highest resolution display ever built into a phone resulting in super crisp text, images and video, and FaceTime®, which makes video calling a reality. iPhone 4 on Verizon Wireless will also include new Personal Hotspot capabilities allowing customers to use iPhone 4 to connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices.

“We are pleased to introduce millions of wireless users to the industry leading iPhone 4 on the nation’s most reliable network,” said Lowell McAdam, president and chief operating officer of Verizon. “This is an important step for the industry as two great companies join forces to give wireless customers one of the most important technological additions to the mobile landscape this century.”

“Verizon Wireless customers have told us they can't wait to get their hands on iPhone 4, and we think they are going to love it,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s chief operating officer. “We have enormous respect for the company Verizon has built and the loyalty they have earned from their customers.”

iPhone 4 features a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, HD video recording, Apple’s A4 chip, a 3-axis gyro and a beautiful glass and stainless steel design like no other mobile phone. iPhone 4 also comes with iOS 4, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, which includes multitasking, folders, Game Center, AirPlay® and AirPrint wireless printing. iPhone 4 customers have access to the world’s most popular App Store(SM) with more than 300,000 apps available in an incredible range of 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health and reference.

Pricing & Availability

iPhone 4 will be available on the Verizon Wireless network beginning Thursday, February 10 for a suggested retail price of $199.99 for the 16GB model and $299.99 for the 32GB model with a new two year customer agreement. iPhone 4 will be available at more than 2,000 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide, online at www.verizonwireless.com/iphone, at Apple Retail Stores, at the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), at Apple Authorized Resellers, and by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Media can access high-resolution images in the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.)

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple’s PR website (www.apple.com/pr), or call Apple’s Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

© 2011 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iPhone, Retina, FaceTime, AirPlay and Apple Store are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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Verizon Wireless And Phonebooks.com Announce Joint Commitment To Minimize Privacy Concerns

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – July 14, 2011 –

Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, and Phonebooks.com, the only online telephone directory to offer free cell phone number information, announced today that Phonebooks.com will discontinue providing information associated with cell phone numbers in its database.

Phonebooks.com has been working with Verizon Wireless to take a joint stance in addressing consumer privacy. Until a utilitarian solution can be found, Phonebooks.com will no longer display information associated with phone numbers that were originally issued as a mobile phone number.

Consumers should be vigilant in protecting their personal information, including mobile phone numbers, if they don't want that information to become public. Documents such as county and property records, which include names and contact information, may contain their cell phone numbers. This information is often publicly available.

"Even if a consumer's mobile number is obtained lawfully by Phonebooks.com, we believe that Verizon Wireless customers should have the opportunity to provide informed consent before it is published," said Steve Zipperstein, vice president of external affairs for Verizon Wireless. "We are pleased that the leadership team at Phonebooks.com agrees that the safety and privacy of all consumers is a high priority."

"Our wireless phone database was provided at no charge, to benefit the public and assist people in finding the information they were looking for," said Aaron Rosenthal, president of Phonebooks.com. "While anyone, at any time, was free to remove themselves from this directory, we understand that some people may have specific privacy concerns in regard to their cell phone number. The feedback we've received has been overwhelmingly positive. However, the concerned minority cannot be overlooked."

Phonebooks.com started offering information on cell phone numbers last August with a database of just over 2.4 million numbers.

"Visitors add information to our site daily, but we have struggled with authenticating that contributions are truly coming from the phone number's owner," Rosenthal added. "Without the technology to determine consent, we have decided to err on the side of privacy and restrict our directory so that it no longer retrieves phone numbers originally issued as cellular numbers."

To help raise awareness regarding this and the ways cell phone numbers are collected, Phonebooks.com has launched a 'Question & Answer' website, CellPhoneNumber.com. The site allows visitors to ask a cell phone related question; it also maintains an ongoing poll to help gauge the public's interest in the existence of a cellular directory.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Phonebooks.com
Launched in December of 2009, Phonebooks.com has since offered visitors free access to online phone and people searches. The site helps users easily search U.S. phone numbers, people, addresses, and more. To conduct a free search, please visit http://www.phonebooks.com. For instructions on how to remove information from the Phonebooks.com website, please visit http://www.phonebooks.com/data.html.

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Verizon Wireless Provides Quick And Easy Way To Help Japan Relief

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – March 14, 2011 –

Verizon Wireless has quickly implemented a mobile giving program for customers looking for a quick and easy way to contribute to Japan relief efforts. The company announced today that customers can use their mobile phones to make $10 donations to a host of non-profit organizations responding to the earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

Customers can easily make a $10 donation by simply sending a text message and may choose from nine organizations aiding those in need in Japan, including the American Red Cross. Donating $10 is easy – simply text the specific word to the organization’s designated short code:

ADRA Relief: text SUPPORT to 85944 American Red Cross Relief: text REDCROSS to 90999 Convoy of Hope: text TSUNAMI or SUNAMI to 50555 GlobalGiving: text JAPAN to 50555 International Medical Corps: text MED to 80888 Mercy Corps: text MERCY to 25383 Salvation Army: text JAPAN to 80888 Save the Children Federation, Inc.: text JAPAN or TSUNAMI to 20222 World Relief Corp. of National Association of Evangelicals: text WAVE to 50555 World Vision, Inc.: text 4JAPAN or 4TSUNAMI to 20222

Text messages are free for customers donating to any of these organizations. Verizon Wireless always waives text-messaging fees for disaster relief, and 100 percent of each $10 donation goes to the relief organization. For Verizon Wireless customers who pay monthly bills, the $10 donations will appear in customers’ next regular monthly bill. For customers using the company’s prepaid services, the $10 donations will be taken from customers’ prepaid balance.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 94 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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Verizon Generates Strong Wireless Results, Increased Cash Flow, and FiOS and Strategic Services Growth in 3Q

Verizon Generates Strong Wireless Results, Increased Cash Flow, and FiOS and Strategic Services Growth in 3Q

News Release October 21, 2011 –

3Q 2011 HIGHLIGHTS

(Click here for financial tables)

Consolidated

49 cents in diluted earnings per share (EPS), compared with 23 cents per share in 3Q 2010.56 cents per share in adjusted EPS (non-GAAP), which excludes 7 cents per share in non-operational items, compared with 55 cents in adjusted EPS in 3Q 2010.

Wireless

$15.0 billion in service revenues in 3Q 2011, up 6.1 percent year over year; data revenues of $6.1 billion, up 20.5 percent, representing 40.6 percent of service revenues; total revenues of $17.7 billion, up 9.1 percent.2.4 percent growth in retail postpaid ARPU over 3Q 2010; retail postpaid data ARPU up 15.7 percent; retail service ARPU also up 2.4 percent.29.0 percent operating income margin; record-high 47.8 percent Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP), up 60 basis points year over year.

Wireline

138,000 FiOS Internet and 131,000 FiOS TV net additions, with increased sales penetration for both products; 4.0 million customers now subscribe to FiOS TV.8.8 percent year-over-year increase in consumer ARPU; FiOS consumer retail revenues represent nearly 60 percent of total consumer revenues.15.6 percent increase in strategic services revenues, representing nearly 50 percent of global enterprise revenues.

NEW YORK - With another strong showing by Verizon Wireless, and continued growth in FiOS and strategic business services, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) today reported third-quarter 2011 financial and operational results that keep the company on track to achieve its full-year earnings and revenue guidance.

Verizon reported 49 cents in EPS in the quarter, compared with 23 cents per share in third-quarter 2010.

Adjusted third-quarter 2011 earnings (non-GAAP) of 56 cents per share exclude 7 cents per share for a non-operational charge relating to a remeasurement, based on an actuarial valuation of pension plans.  No adjustments were made for the previously announced $250 million (5 cents per share) negative impact in the quarter due to storm-related repair costs and a two-week strike affecting the Wireline segment.  Comparable adjusted third-quarter 2010 earnings were 55 cents per share, excluding the impact of non-operational charges, the largest of which was related to pension and benefits remeasurements.

Well-Positioned for 4Q and 2012

"Verizon emerges from the third quarter in a strong position to accelerate growth," said Lowell McAdam, Verizon president and chief executive officer.  "We faced significant challenges in recent months, yet delivered results that keep us on track to meet our 2011 earnings and revenue guidance, with great momentum expected entering 2012.  We continue to grow revenues from strategic products and to increase free cash flow through improved operating performance and disciplined capital spending."

McAdam added, "Verizon Wireless delivered impressive results across the board in the third quarter, and we are geared up for an even better fourth quarter, with new smartphones, tablets and data devices coming to market.  In FiOS, we expect to capitalize on pent-up demand and deliver stronger growth in the fourth quarter.  In enterprise, the integration of Terremark and recent acquisition of CloudSwitch have significantly improved our competitive positioning."

Verizon has targeted 2011 adjusted EPS growth of 5 percent to 8 percent from an adjusted base of $2.08 in EPS in 2010, and 2011 revenue growth of 4 percent to 8 percent on a comparable basis with 2010.

Consolidated Revenue and Cash Flow Growth

In third-quarter 2011, Verizon's total operating revenues were $27.9 billion on a consolidated basis, an increase of 5.4 percent compared with third-quarter 2010.  Total operating expenses were $23.3 billion, an increase of 0.7 percent.

Consolidated EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) for the quarter totaled $8.8 billion, up 19.2 percent year over year.

Cash flow from operating activities totaled $21.5 billion in the first nine months of 2011, and capital expenditures totaled $12.5 billion -- on track to meet the company's full-year guidance of $16.5 billion.  From the $9.0 billion in free cash flow (non-GAAP, cash flow from operations less capex) over the first nine months, Verizon has paid $4.1 billion in dividends to shareholders, and in September the Verizon Board of Directors approved a dividend increase for the fifth consecutive year.

Verizon Wireless Delivers Strong Results

In third-quarter 2011, Verizon Wireless again delivered strong growth in revenues, retail customers and other connections, driven by increased smartphone penetration and increased retail postpaid ARPU (average monthly service revenue per user).

Wireless Financial Highlights

Service revenues in third-quarter 2011 totaled $15.0 billion, up 6.1 percent year over year.  Data revenues were $6.1 billion, up more than $1.0 billion or 20.5 percent year over year, and represent 40.6 percent of all service revenues.  Total revenues were $17.7 billion, up 9.1 percent year over year. Retail postpaid ARPU grew 2.4 percent over third-quarter 2010, to $54.89.  Retail postpaid data ARPU increased to $22.22, up 15.7 percent year over year.  Retail service ARPU also grew 2.4 percent, to $53.21. Wireless operating income margin was 29.0 percent.  Verizon Wireless generated $7.2 billion of EBITDA in third-quarter 2011, an increase of 7.5 percent year over year.  Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP) was 47.8 percent, up 60 basis points over third-quarter 2010 and up 240 basis points over second-quarter 2011.  This was the highest Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues Verizon Wireless has ever reported.

Wireless Operational Highlights

Verizon Wireless added 1.3 million total connections in third-quarter 2011, including 882,000 retail postpaid customers, and 367,000 wholesale and other connections.  These additions exclude acquisitions and adjustments. At the end of the third quarter, the company had 107.7 million total connections, an increase of 6.5 percent year over year, consisting of 90.7 million retail customers and 17.0 million wholesale and other connections. At the end of the third quarter, smartphones accounted for 39 percent of the Verizon Wireless retail postpaid customer phone base, up from 36 percent at the end of second-quarter 2011. Retail postpaid churn was 0.94 percent in third-quarter 2011, an improvement of 13 basis points year over year.  Total retail churn was 1.26 percent, an improvement of 17 basis points year over year. Verizon Wireless continued to roll out its 4G LTE mobile broadband network, the largest 4G LTE network in the United States, during the quarter.  As of yesterday (Oct. 20), Verizon Wireless 4G LTE service was available in 165 markets covering a population of more than 186 million, across the country.  With additional markets planned before year-end, the company's 4G LTE network build-out is ahead of schedule and has already exceeded the company's 2011 target of covering a population of 185 million. The company introduced five new 4G LTE devices:  the DROID BIONIC by Motorola, Pantech Breakout, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet, Compaq Mini CQ10-688nr netbook and HP Pavilion dm 1-3010nr notebook.  On Oct. 14, the Apple iPhone 4S became available on the Verizon Wireless 3G network.  On Oct. 18, the company announced that the DROID RAZR by Motorola, a 4G LTE device, will be available in November. Verizon Wireless opened its LTE Innovation Center in Waltham, Mass., in July and its Application Innovation Center in San Francisco in August. The company continued to invest in and enhance its 3G network, the nation's largest and most reliable 3G network. Verizon Wireless ranked highest in customer care among the major national wireless phone service providers in the J.D. Power and Associates "2011 Wireless Customer Care Performance Study."  Verizon Wireless was also named a Small Business Influencer Champion for 2011 by Small Business Trends and SmallBizTechnology.com.

FiOS, Strategic Services Transform Wireline Revenue Mix

Revenues and customers continued to increase for FiOS fiber-optic services, and sales of strategic services to business customers remained strong -- countering the adverse impacts to Verizon's Wireline segment in third-quarter 2011.  FiOS and strategic services continued to become a larger percentage of the wireline revenue mix.

Wireline Financial Highlights

Third-quarter 2011 operating revenues were $10.1 billion, a decline of 1.3 percent compared with third-quarter 2010.  Consumer revenues grew 1.1 percent compared with third-quarter 2010. Consumer ARPU for wireline services was $94.20 in third-quarter 2011, up 8.8 percent compared with third-quarter 2010.  ARPU for FiOS customers continues to be more than $146.  Revenues for Verizon's FiOS services to consumer retail customers generated nearly 60 percent of consumer wireline revenues in third-quarter 2011, compared with approximately 50 percent in third-quarter 2010. Global enterprise revenues totaled $3.9 billion in the quarter, up 2.1 percent compared with third-quarter 2010.  Sales of strategic services - including Terremark cloud services, security and IT solutions, and strategic networking - increased 15.6 percent compared with third-quarter 2010 and now represent nearly 50 percent of global enterprise revenues.  Terremark achieved record new sales bookings in third-quarter 2011.  International revenue, which makes up approximately 15 percent of global enterprise, grew 9.8 percent year over year. Segment EBITDA (non-GAAP) was $2.2 billion in the quarter, including the $250 million impact from the storms and strike.  This compares with $2.3 billion in third-quarter 2010.  As a result, segment EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 21.4 percent in third-quarter 2011, compared with 22.7 percent in third-quarter 2010.

Wireline Operational Highlights

Verizon added 138,000 net new FiOS Internet connections and 131,000 net new FiOS TV connections in third-quarter 2011.  Verizon had a total of 4.6 million FiOS Internet and 4.0 million FiOS TV connections at the end of the quarter.  With the clearing of FiOS installation backlogs caused by the storms and strike, Verizon expects to add at least 200,000 FiOS Internet and 200,000 FiOS TV customers in fourth-quarter 2011. FiOS penetration (subscribers as a percentage of potential subscribers) continued to increase.  FiOS Internet penetration was 35 percent at the end of third-quarter 2011, compared with 31 percent at the end of third-quarter 2010.  In the same periods, FiOS TV penetration was 31 percent, compared with 27 percent, respectively. Broadband connections totaled 8.6 million at the end of third-quarter 2011, a 2.8 percent year-over-year increase.  FiOS Internet connections more than offset a decrease in DSL-based HSI connections, resulting in a net increase of 20,000 broadband connections from second-quarter 2011.  Total voice connections, which measures FiOS Digital Voice connections in addition to traditional switched access lines, declined 7.6 percent to 24.5 million - the smallest year-over-year decline since fourth-quarter 2006. During the quarter Verizon continued to aggressively execute its global cloud strategy, expanding its portfolio of secure IT solutions and acquiring CloudSwitch, which will enable Verizon to boost industry adoption by simplifying the move to the enterprise cloud.  Multinational companies including ARINC adopted Verizon enterprise cloud services during the quarter.  In addition, enterprise customers including RWE of Germany, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Plunkett & Cooney Inc. and Smile Brands Inc. completed new agreements for a wide range of strategic advanced communications and information technology solutions. Verizon also continued to broaden the scope and capabilities of its global network infrastructure.  The company completed the integration of Terremark data centers in Florida and Virginia with Verizon's Global IP network; activated its first 100 gigabit-per-second network route in the United States; expanded its 100G capabilities in Europe; and completed deployment of advanced network equipment on its global network in Singapore and Sydney.

NOTE: Reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made, where appropriate, to reflect comparable operating results for the divestiture of overlapping wireless properties in 105 operating markets in 24 states during the first half of 2010; the wireless deferred revenue adjustment that was disclosed in Verizon's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2010; the spinoff to Frontier of local exchange and related landline assets in 14 states, effective on July 1, 2010; and other non-operational items.  See the accompanying schedules and www.verizon.com/investor  for reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for non-GAAP financial measures cited in this document.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 107 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with $106.6 billion in 2010 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 195,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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NOTE: This presentation contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following important factors could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: the effects of adverse conditions in the U.S. and international economies; the effects of competition in our markets; materially adverse changes in labor matters, including labor negotiations, and any resulting financial and/or operational impact; the effect of material changes in available technology; any disruption of our key suppliers' provisioning of products or services; significant increases in benefit plan costs or lower investment returns on plan assets; the impact of natural disasters, terrorist attacks, breaches of network or information technology security or existing or future litigation and any resulting financial impact not covered by insurance; technology substitution; an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations or adverse conditions in the credit markets impacting the cost, including interest rates, and/or availability of financing; any changes in the regulatory environments in which we operate, including any increase in restrictions on our ability to operate our networks; the timing, scope and financial impact of our deployment of broadband technology; changes in our accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC, may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their application, which could result in an impact on earnings; our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions; and the inability to implement our business strategies.

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Verizon Supports Rockefeller Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Bill

WASHINGTON – January 25, 2011 –

Sen. John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, D-W.Va., chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, on Tuesday (Jan. 25) introduced the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act (S. 28).  The following statement should be attributed to Peter Davidson, Verizon senior vice president, federal government relations:

"This year marks the tenth anniversary of the events of 9/11, and as a nation we must work together to ensure that the year does not end without addressing the significant communications challenges of the public-safety community. Verizon applauds Chairman Rockefeller for his leadership in addressing this challenge, and we look forward to working with Congress to provide America's first responders with the resources they need to ensure effective, reliable communications now and in the future."

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Verizon Wireless To Introduce iPhone 4S Oct. 14 On The Nation’s Largest And Most Reliable Voice And Data Network

BASKING RIDGE, N. J. – October 6, 2011 –

Verizon Wireless today announced the new iPhone 4S will be available on the Verizon Wireless network beginning on Friday, October 14. Verizon Wireless customers, as well as those who want to make iPhone 4S their reason to switch to the nation’s most reliable network, will be able to pre-order iPhone 4S online beginning on Friday, October 7 at 3:01 a.m. EDT at: www.verizonwireless.com/iPhone. In addition, the company announced the iPhone 4 8 GB model is available now for $99.99 and has lowered pricing for iPhone 4 16 GB and 32 GB models.

iPhone 4S is the most amazing iPhone yet, packed with incredible new features including Apple’s dual-core A5 chip for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics; an all new camera with advanced optics; full 1080p HD resolution video recording; and Siri, an intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking. With the launch of iPhone 4S also comes the launch of iOS 5, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features; and iCloud, a breakthrough set of free cloud services that work with your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC to automatically and wirelessly store your content in iCloud and push it to all your devices.

"Verizon Wireless customers have embraced iPhone 4 on our network and we fully expect the enthusiasm will continue to grow for iPhone 4S," said Dan Mead, president and chief executive officer for Verizon Wireless. "With more and more customers depending on their iPhone every day, it is important that they have the device they can count on and a network that delivers. As millions of customers can attest - reliability matters."

Verizon iPhone 4S customers can travel globally and seamlessly in over 220 countries for voice and over 205 countries for data with 140 of those countries offering 3G data speeds. Global service at Verizon Wireless includes 24 hour customer service from trained Verizon Wireless U.S.-based employees. Verizon Wireless global service was selected by readers of Global Traveler Magazine as the Best Wireless Service in the World in the 2010 GT Tested Reader Survey.

Pricing & Availability

iPhone will be available starting at $199.99 for the 16 GB model, $299.99 for the 32 GB model and $399.99 for the 64 GB model with a new two-year customer agreement.

Customers will need to purchase a voice plan beginning at $39.99 for 450 minutes and a data plan beginning at $30 for 2 GB monthly access. The iPhone 4 8GB model is available now for $99.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. iPhone 4 16 GB model is $149.99 and the 32 GB model is now $199.99 with a new two year contract.

iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 will be available at more than 2,200 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide, online at www.verizonwireless.com/iphone and by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 106.3 million total wireless connections, including 89.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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Verizon Wireless Supports Joplin, Missouri, Through Mobile Giving

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – May 24, 2011 –

Verizon Wireless has quickly implemented a mobile giving program for customers looking for a simple way to contribute to relief and recovery efforts following the devastation in Joplin, Mo. The company said today that customers can use their mobile phones to make $10 donations to a variety of nonprofit organizations responding to the tornado and the needs of local citizens in the aftermath – including American Red Cross Relief and United Way - Heart of Missouri.

“The residents of Joplin have experienced an overwhelming loss and will require support in the months to come,” said Brendan Fallis, president of the Kansas/Missouri region for Verizon Wireless. “In the aftermath of this disaster, we’re making it easy to donate to relief efforts quickly and securely.”

Customers can choose from five different nonprofit organizations and make $10 donations by sending a text message. Donating is easy – customers simply text the specific word to the organization’s designated short code:

American Red Cross Relief: Text “REDCROSS” to 90999 Convoy of Hope: Text “CONVOY” to 50555 Salvation Army: Text “JOPLIN” to 80888 United Way - Heart of Missouri: Text “JOPLIN” to 864833 World Vision, Inc.: Text “TORNADO” to 20222

Verizon Wireless always waives text-messaging fees for disaster relief, so text messages are free when used to make donations to any of these organizations, and 100 percent of each $10 donation goes to the relief organization. For Verizon Wireless customers who pay monthly bills, the $10 donations will appear on the next regular monthly bill. For customers using the company’s prepaid services, the $10 donation will be taken from customers’ prepaid balance.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

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Verizon Wireless Ranked In The Top 5 Best Places To Work In Information Technology By Computerworld

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – June 20, 2011 –

For the ninth year in a row, Verizon Wireless has been recognized as one of the top workplaces for information technology (IT) professionals. With its highest ranking to date, Verizon Wireless placed fifth on Computerworld’s "Best Places to Work in IT" list, which was announced today, and the company was once again the highest ranked wireless provider.

Computerworld’s annual ranking of the top work environments for technology professionals is based on a comprehensive questionnaire regarding company offerings in categories such as benefits, diversity, career development, training and retention as well as extensive surveys of IT workers.

"In every aspect of our business we strive to create innovative technology that enhances the customer experience," said Ajay Waghray, chief information officer of Verizon Wireless. "At Verizon Wireless, our IT employees have the opportunity to develop technology that transforms our industry and empowers our customers. We believe that this culture sets the foundation for successful careers, and is what truly makes Verizon Wireless a great place to work."

As part of the company’s efforts to focus on improving the customer experience, Verizon Wireless has IT processes in place that capture front-line feedback from customers at all touch points and turn that feedback into real, business-impacting changes.

"To be among the Best Places to Work in IT, it’s not enough to seek out and hire the most talented IT professionals, offer them competitive pay and provide great benefits," said Scot Finnie, editor in chief of Computerworld.  "Smart IT people realize that they need to get up to speed on their employer’s revenue opportunities. The organizations that made this year’s Best Places to Work list are creating a work environment that both trains and encourages IT personnel to pursue business-driven priorities."

At the beginning of 2011, Verizon Wireless reported a total work force of more than 85,000 employees nationwide. In addition to its industry leadership in network reliability and customer loyalty, Verizon Wireless is consistently ranked as one of the best places to work and a leader in IT. For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. For more information about the "Best Places to Work in IT" 2011 survey results, visit www.computerworld.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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Prepaid wireless Internet a great idea, but can you afford it?

Fans of prepaid cellphones will love Virgin Mobile's Broadband2Go, a USB device that provides pay-as-you go wireless Internet service without an annual contract.(wireless internet service,internet service providers,internet service,wireless service providers,verizon wireless internet,verizon internet,broadband internet providers,wireless broadband providers,broadband internet,broadband wireless)

What they may not love so much is the price, or at least the initial $150 to buy it.
On the plus side, Virgin Mobile's prices to buy megabytes to browse the Web, watch videos and read e-mails are fair enough if you don't mind paying $10 for about five hours of Web browsing or 25 minutes of video.
Virgin Mobile sent me one a few weeks ago to try out, and after about 30 minutes trying to figure out how to connect it with the help of a service representative, it worked well. Coverage was in and out and I got disconnected a few times, but overall I stayed connected long enough to be online for an hour or so at a time.
While there are plenty of mobile broadband devices that heavily subsidize the device with a lengthy contract, the $150 price for Broadband2Go is worth it because it's a one-time cost without a contract attached, said Matt Berberian, director of customer experience at Virgin Mobile, in a telephone interview.
I see Berberian's point, but I doubt if many people who want such a service will pay $150 for something that isn't meant for heavy, long-term use.
The market is "casual broadband" or the "casual traveler," Berberian said, or small business owners. It isn't for anyone who wants to be connected all of the time while on the road.
"We think of the product as a bridge between home Internet and work," he said. "It's not a replacement product."
I'm a big fan of prepaid anything, mostly because I don't like being surprised by surcharges, taxes and such when the bill arrives. I like to know what I'm paying upfront. I've written before about prepaid cellphones and how to compare them and get the best deal. Paying as you go with a phone makes sense if you don't use a lot of minutes; otherwise an unlimited plan is probably best.
Broadband2Go is a great idea because it takes that prepaid idea and brings it to going mobile on the Internet -- no contracts, no credit checks, no activation fees, no monthly or annual commitments, and no overage charges. It's a smart gift for students who don't want to face a monthly bill.
The only limit is that the amount of megabytes -- 250 MB for $20, for example -- must be used within 30 days. The 100 MB plan for $10 expires in 10 days. Any connection time you have left after the expiration date doesn't roll over to the next quantify of Web access you buy -- something that some prepaid phones allow you to do with rollover minutes.
Minutes don't roll over because then Virgin Mobile would have to continue providing customer service during that extended time, explained Berberian, the product lead for Broadband2Go. If the plans were for three months, then the cost of providing customer service for three months would have had to be factored into the price, he said.
To buy Web time, the company sells what it calls "Top-Up cards" in various denominations. A $20 card will buy 250 MB of Internet access, which equals 12 horus of Web browsing, an hour of watching video or 25,000 e-mails.
They're easy enough to buy, but can't be applied on your account until your usage drops to 25 MB. That's because technical limitations don't allow data to be stacked, Berberian said. But be careful: Loading up a $20 card when you have 20 MB left, for example, will get rid of the 20 MB remaining. Only reload when your time is up, or nearly up.
The unit is limited to usage in Sprint coverage areas, so check your Sprint coverage before buying one. And don't expect to watch much video with one of these plugged into your laptop. I watched about 10 minutes of video, and my remaining megabytes quickly dropped in half.
For now they're only sold at Best Buy, which has an exclusive contract to sell them through the end of the year.
If you're going on a weekend trip or vacation and don't want to pay hotel fees to get wireless Internet access, a Broadband2Go device is the way to go -- if you don't mind paying $150 to buy one.
Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Reach him at www.AaronCrowe.net

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huge phone pricing differences between retailers and verizon wireless

Join DateJul 2011Posts6Feedback Score0


(wireless internet service,internet service providers,internet service,wireless service providers,verizon wireless internet,verizon internet,broadband internet providers,wireless broadband providers,broadband internet,broadband wireless)

Has anyone ever experienced a huge price difference between other retailers than actually purchasing from a verizon corporate store or through verizon wireless? I called yesterday with another issue and verizon offered me an early upgrade and talked me into the lg revolution. I was told the price would be 249.99 for a 2 year upgrade. I ask the man if that was the best rate at the going time and he said yes that is currently where they are at with that phone and he explained that everyone would be that price so I went ahead with the upgrade. Today I saw something online about target having the revolution for cheap so i went to their site and also wirefly and they both had a 2 year upgrade price of 99.99 for the same phone. Anyone know why there is such a huge price difference between verizon and wirefly/target on the same phone. I called in and ask a customer service rep and they had no idea or said they had no idea their is such a difference in price but that I could reject the fed ex shipment when it comes and everything would go back to original upgrade dates and i could call and order from wirefly if i chose to do it. Anyone else had this experience and has anyone else dealt with wirefly before? Would I be wiser to refuse the shipment and order from them in a few weeks when my original upgrade date was supposed to be? I remember seeing 50 dollar differences before between mall verizons and corporate verizon/online stores but never a $150 difference plus wirefly/target is giving $25 gift cards for android store with this phone so its more like $175 cost difference.

Join DateJun 2011Posts3Feedback Score0

I bought my Droid Charge from Costco. It was 120 less then Verizon and still 70 less with my ne2.
I called and asked if Verizon would match prices and the rep told me it was an awesome deal at Costco I should buy it there. I guess big red just cares about the service.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

Join DateJul 2011Posts6Feedback Score0

I noticed that as well. They are supposed to call me back tommorow and see if they can do anything about it but the one rep told me id be better off to go elsewhere. It seems really odd that even though they are already sending me the phone and all they dont want to match prices. Obviously these other reteailers must pay less for their phones than what they sell them for or something so surely verizon could match their prices and you would think it would be easier eliminating the retailer as the middleman.

Join DateJul 2009Location256 BamaPosts2,722PhonesVerizon Motorola DroidVerizon Curve & TourSprint BlackBerry CurveCarriersVerizon,AT&T (no more)Feedback Score0

Beware that a LOT of sites (even some stores) have their own contract that you are locked into with them, some even state you can't change your plan for 6 months and if you do, a 300.00+ charge will be taken from the card you used to purchase the phone with (usually online). Also, if you have any questions, don't expect the stores to give you any help if you did not buy it from the store. If need stuff transferred, don't even think about go to the store and thinking to have it done for free if you didn't get the phone from the store.

Join DateJul 2009Location256 BamaPosts2,722PhonesVerizon Motorola DroidVerizon Curve & TourSprint BlackBerry CurveCarriersVerizon,AT&T (no more)Feedback Score0

I noticed that as well. They are supposed to call me back tommorow and see if they can do anything about it but the one rep told me id be better off to go elsewhere. It seems really odd that even though they are already sending me the phone and all they dont want to match prices. Obviously these other reteailers must pay less for their phones than what they sell them for or something so surely verizon could match their prices and you would think it would be easier eliminating the retailer as the middleman.Corp stores are not allowed to match prices. Prices are set company wide and by upper corp.

Join DateDec 2006Locationfort waynePosts341PhoneDroid Charge & Palm centroCarrierVerizonwireless, Sprint, & T-mobileFeedback Score0

you would think it would be easier eliminating the retailer as the middleman.I agree 100%. I bought 5 phone back in 2008 from verizonwireless.com and paid a good amount of money. looking back I could probably get the same phone from a 3rd party retailer for at least half the price or maybe even free.

Join DateJun 2003Posts584PhoneHTC ThunderboltCarrierVerizon WirelessFeedback Score0

I agree 100%. I bought 5 phone back in 2008 from verizonwireless.com and paid a good amount of money. looking back I could probably get the same phone from a 3rd party retailer for at least half the price or maybe even free.... and sometimes, you get what you paid for. Sometimes service after the sale is lacking... and sometimes the private retailer charges you for making account changes. There are some rather respectable private retailers out there... No doubt about it. Unfortunately, there are also some not-so-respectable private retailers out there, too. The internet will help you research a particular retailer's reputation...

Join DateDec 2006Locationfort waynePosts341PhoneDroid Charge & Palm centroCarrierVerizonwireless, Sprint, & T-mobileFeedback Score0

Wow amazon wireless charges ETF too on top of VZW ETF. I assume this applies to all 3rd retailer?
direct copy and paste
AmazonWireless Instant Discount Policy
When you purchase your device with service from AmazonWireless.com, we automatically pass along an instant discount from the carrier to you. This discount has been provided to you based on your agreement to (a) activate a new, or extend an existing, line of service for this device with the carrier, and (b) maintain this service in good standing for a minimum of 181 consecutive days. If you do not activate or extend a line of service in connection with this device, or if your service is canceled/disconnected before 181 consecutive days, AmazonWireless.com will charge you $250 per device, plus applicable taxes.
Verizon Wireless Early Termination Fee
If you purchase a discounted phone with a two-year contract and then cancel after the 14-day return period, Verizon will charge a pro-rated Early Termination Fee based on your phone/device type.
For Smartphones purchased after November 14, 2009, such as the Motorola DROID and BlackBerry Storm: Verizon charges $350 minus $10 for each full month of your Service Commitment that you complete.
For a list of advanced devices subject to the $350 fee, check http://www.verizonwireless.com/advanceddevices
For Standard Phones, such as the Motorola Barrage or Samsung Intensity: Verizon charges $175 minus $5 for each full month of your Service Commitment that you complete.
NOTE: Once you fulfill your service contract, you'll automatically become a month-to-month customer.

Join DateNov 2009Posts1,383PhonesN/APantech JestCarriersVerizonFeedback Score0

The retailers get an additional commission from Verizon because you keep a data plan active for 6 months. Thus the lower price, but also the additional contract and fee if they don't get it.

Join DateDec 2003Posts1,078PhonesMoto Maxx VeDroid Incredible 2LG VersaCarrierVerizonFeedback Score0

Corp stores are not allowed to match prices. Prices are set company wide and by upper corp.I call this comment false to an extent.
I was torn between the Revolution and the Dinc2. Wirefly had them for $99/$0, resp. I was a bit iffy about ordering from them. Sams club had them for $99/$50.
I asked our corporate rep if VZW could match that price for the Droid and if so I would order right then. I was told yes, so I got
it.
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