Verizon FiOS TV Completes Digital Television Upgrade

Verizon FiOS TV Completes Digital Television Upgrade

Company Made Transition Easy For Customers, With Free Digital Adapter Promotion and Communications Outreach

NEW YORK, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon's FiOS TV is now 100 percent digital, offering viewers the highest quality television-viewing experience. In an initiative that began in April, the company phased out the small number of duplicate analog channels that had been offered on its FiOS TV service.

Verizon has always provided all FiOS TV programming in digital format. Previously, however, Verizon also provided duplicate signals in analog for some channels. Some customers used the old analog signals to view limited programming on a television set not equipped with a set top box, CableCard or digital tuner.

During the transition, Verizon made it easy for customers to continue enjoying the benefits of Verizon's all-digital service by offering free digital adapters. Completing the digital upgrade also satisfied the Federal Communications Commission's requirement to convert FiOS TV to an all-digital service by Feb. 17, 2009, and helps to ensure that FiOS TV subscribers are prepared for the transition.

"Our customers were able to watch all the channels they previously had, along with many new channels, and enjoyed better, all-digital quality without spending an extra dime," said Shawn Strickland, vice president of FiOS product management. "We'll continue offering customers a range of affordable equipment options so they get the most from their FiOS TV experience."

Customers were notified of Verizon's digital transition well in advance by letters, e-mails, phone calls and on-screen messages from Verizon. The company also set up a dedicated Web site to provide answers to common questions about the digital transition.

Strickland said that as Americans give more thought to their home-entertainment options, both for economic and technology reasons, they look to Verizon for quality, value and innovation.

"For any consumer, but especially those impacted by the digital broadcast transition, this is a good time to reconsider the network they're using and think about switching to FiOS TV," he continued. "When you subscribe to FiOS TV, you receive superior-quality, all-digital programming delivered over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network straight to your home."

Verizon's FiOS TV also offers many features not available on old-fashioned cable. Advanced search lets FiOS subscribers quickly and easily choose programming from more than 400 total channels and more than 10,000 on-demand programs per month. Interactive features provide one-button access to news, sports, weather, traffic information and even games like fantasy football. A "What's Hot" feature lets viewers see the most popular programs in their area at any moment, or the most popular on-demand programs.

Verizon also offers a unique Home Media DVR that allows customers to use one DVR to record standard- and high-definition programming that can then be watched on up to six other sets in the home. This includes viewing up to three separately recorded programs simultaneously on different sets; the ability to pause recorded programming on one set then continue watching it on another; and the ability to remotely program and manage the DVR from the Web.

Verizon's FiOS TV service provides a broad collection of all-digital programming, as well as stunning picture-and-sound quality, more and more HD and VOD choices, a broad spectrum of content diversity, and exciting interactive features that set it apart from cable offerings. FiOS TV is currently available to more than 7 million homes in 14 states. For more information on FiOS TV, visit www.verizon.com/fiostv. Consumers can also call their local Verizon sales office or 888-438-3467.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 71 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 228,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

Source: Verizon

CONTACT: Eric Rabe of Verizon, +1-908-559-3500, eric.rabe@verizon.com

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

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/094251.html

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