Verizon FiOS Breaks Video Game barriers For Women; Creates Unlimited Fun As It Partners With PMS Clan For 'FiOS Grand Tournament'

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



NEW YORK, June XX, 2006 - Shattering the barriers to women in video games - and the limitations on online fun for women and men alike -Verizon today announced that it is partnering with the PMS (Pandora's Mighty Soldiers) Clan to help launch Verizon's FiOS Grand Tournament, (www.fiosgrand.com) an online video game tournament where the final player standing will win $100,000 - one of the largest prizes ever for a single winner of a tournament of this kind.

With nearly 500 members worldwide, PMS Clan is the largest, all-female competitive online video game group today - and an example of one of the many communities that will have great online experiences thanks to the speed and capacity of FiOS Internet service, which is delivered over Verizon's advanced fiber-to-the-premises network. FiOS breaks speed and bandwidth barriers for video gamers, film buffs, and anyone who wants to have fun in home entertainment, including television and the Internet.

"The FiOS Grand Tournament shows how FiOS Internet service shatters the barriers of speed and bandwidth that come between people and great home entertainment experiences," said Brian Angiolet, director of Marketing for Verizon FiOS. "PMS Clan is a perfect partner for Verizon FiOS because they're also about shattering barriers - such as the myth that video games are for men only. Through PMS University, PMS Clan will demonstrate that they can 'school' both novice and advanced players alike."

Adds Amber Dalton, co-founder of PMS Clan, "In addition to opening the door to a whole new Internet experience devoid of latency issues, Verizon FiOS offers anyone looking to play video games online a quantum competitive advantage over other players. It is the service of choice for the PMS Clan."

Born from the camaraderie of finding other girl gamers in a male-dominated online gaming community, members of PMS Clan range in age from 9 to 58 and follow a strict code of conduct - and debunk the myth that video games are a male-only bastion.

PMS University will offer those attending the tournament finals classes on everything from how to get online via the Verizon Game Network's PlayLinc client to competitive tactics such as team play and weapons set-up.

Verizon offers FiOS high-speed broadband service over its new, advanced fiber optic network in parts of 16 states - a network that brings the power of fiber all the way to the home. With maximum download connections of up to 30 megabits-per-second (Mbps), and upload connections of up to 5 Mbps, FiOS provides gamers with the speed they need to compete. Although users of any Internet service can play in the tournament, finalists will face off live on the Verizon FiOS Internet service, experiencing its breakthrough speed, capacity and fun.

About Verizon FiOS Grand Tournament

Managed by the Cyberathlete Amateur League (CAL), the FiOS Grand Tournament officially starts May 17 when players can begin downloading Valve's Half-Life 2: Deathmatch from its Steam service located at www.steamgames.com. Players will then be able to register at www.fiosgrand.com and begin practicing until June 15.

Tournament play will begin on June 15 and the top 64 players will be ranked according to the CAL's official ladder ranking system, until only eight players remain. Those eight players will then face-off in a dramatic head-to-head tournament that culminates with one winner fragging their way to the $100,000 prize.

More information about the tournament and its rules will be available online at www.fiosgrand.com.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 53 million customers nationwide. Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks. Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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Contact:
For FiOS Tournament
Karen Schildkraut
HighWater Group
917-546-6964
kschildkraut@gmail.com