Verizon Selects Microsoft TV as Software Platform for FiOS TV Service

Verizon Selects Microsoft TV as Software Platform for FiOS TV Service

Deployment of Advanced Digital TV Services and Interactive Applications to Consumers to Begin Later This Year

REDMOND, Wash. and NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Verizon (NYSE:VZ) announced today that Verizon will use the Microsoft(R) TV platform for the commercial rollout of Verizon's FiOS TV service, planned for later this year.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )

The Microsoft TV platform will support high-definition television, digital video recording and on-demand programming offered by Verizon on the FiOS platform. In addition, it will provide FiOS TV customers with an interactive programming guide that is attractive, intuitive and easy to use. Verizon and its third-party partners will use the Microsoft software to add advanced applications for future FiOS TV services, differentiating Verizon in the marketplace and bringing consumers the benefits of voice, video and data convergence.

"With FiOS TV, Verizon will be able to offer its customers more channels, more choices and great value," said Bob Ingalls, president of Verizon's Retail Markets group. "The Microsoft TV platform not only provides us with advanced digital TV capabilities that are designed to serve the millions of Verizon subscribers we ultimately expect will choose FiOS TV, but it gives us virtually unlimited potential to evolve our interactive services into the most seamlessly integrated offering in the industry."

"Verizon's FiOS and FiOS TV initiatives are examples of the innovative services and exciting new consumer experiences that forward-thinking service providers will be bringing to their customers starting this year," said Moshe Lichtman, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV division at Microsoft. "This agreement with Verizon is another significant example that some of the world's largest network operators are choosing Microsoft TV as the software platform for their digital TV and digital home services."

In addition to the robust television offering to be launched later this year, Verizon's FiOS platform gives consumers faster data speeds, and crystal-clear voice, as well as innovative new services and applications, via a single broadband connection directly to the home. FiOS TV will use the Microsoft TV software platform and Motorola hardware platform to provide an expanded channel lineup, high-definition programming and hundreds of video-on-demand titles. FiOS TV will not only offer customers advanced digital TV services, it will also enable Verizon to provide future video applications based on Internet Protocol (IP) technology.

The Microsoft TV platform will work in parallel with Verizon's iobi(SM) service delivery platform, which allows information to be shared across many different networks, applications and devices.

Although specific FiOS TV applications are still under development, Verizon could use the capabilities of both platforms to enable customers to do the following:

-- Personalize their interactive programming guide, search through
content, and schedule recording easily and efficiently from their
personal computers and other connected devices.
-- Incorporate IP content, personal media and communications seamlessly
into the viewing experience. For example, consumers could play music or
view photos stored on a computer from their TV screen.
-- Integrate entertainment services with communications and data
applications across televisions, PCs, handheld PCs, gaming platforms
and wireless phones.



A key component of the Microsoft TV platform is the Microsoft .NET architecture, which supports applications on Verizon's iobi platform as well as applications from third-party developers. The flexible .NET Framework gives Verizon an opportunity to broaden its range of applications and services for customers while also opening up new revenue streams to grow its business in ways that leverage the unique advantages of the Verizon network.

"Microsoft understands IP and the possibilities of two-way broadband connectivity like no one else in the television software business. We believe it is best positioned to help us leverage the bandwidth that FiOS will bring to the home," Ingalls said.

About the Microsoft TV Platform

The Microsoft TV platform is a family of software solutions that help network operators create and deliver new digital TV services that delight consumers. Designed to help cable providers and telecommunications companies derive more value from their digital video and network infrastructure investments, the Microsoft TV family supports a full range of services including interactive program guides, digital video recording, high-definition TV, on-demand programming and Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) services. The Microsoft TV platform works across a full range of set-top boxes and TV devices. More information about Microsoft TV can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/tv .

About Verizon

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of more than 210,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom serves customers based in 29 states with wireline telecommunications services, including broadband, nationwide long-distance and other services. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 43.8 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

NOTE: Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Sharon Cohen-Hagar of Verizon, +1-972-718-6205, or
sharon.cohen-hagar@verizon.com; or Microsoft TV team, Weber Shandwick
Worldwide, +1-425-452-5400, or mstv@webershandwick.com

Web site: http://www.verizon.com/

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft's corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp

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