The completion of the Verizon and MCI merger on January 6, 2006 created a strong competitor for advanced communications services by enhancing Verizon’s ability to deliver converged communications across the country and around the world. The new unit – called Verizon Business – leverages the power of the global MCI network and the reach of Verizon’s broadband and wireless networks in the U.S.

We now employ a highly trained and experienced global force of sales and service professionals in hundreds of sales offices around the world. We own and operate one of the most expansive end-to-end global IP networks. This infrastructure includes over 270,000 domestic and 360,000 international route miles of fiber-optic cable, provides next-generation. IP network services to medium and large businesses and government customers, and offers access to over 140 countries.

The launch of Verizon Business is a game-changing event, for us and our customers. Verizon now serves 94 percent of the Fortune 500 largest companies and is the leading communications provider for the federal government. In addition, we are a market leader in key industry segments including financial services, retail, manufacturing, health care, state and local government, and education. Verizon Business now enables these business and government customers to seamlessly link their offices – by means of an advanced, cost-effective high-speed data and voice network – down the street, across the nation or around the world.

Verizon Business also provides the clear advantages of a single source for the full range of end-to-end services. We operate one of the world’s most connected global Internet backbone networks. Our expansive IP footprint, coupled with our direct interconnections in major metropolitan areas across the country, enables customers to reach more destinations than any other carrier.

We will use our global reach, local presence and unsurpassed combination of wireless and wireline capabilities to be a single-source provider of complete local-to-global business continuity solutions. We’ve introduced a new suite of services that integrate the capabilities of our wired and wireless networks to enable workforce mobility and maintain uninterrupted business operations. The new offerings demonstrate the benefits of the merger by combining the power of Verizon Wireless, America’s most reliable network, with the Verizon Business global IP network.

Verizon Business in uniquely positioned to help move the industry forward. Our new innovative global network, deep IP experience and broad set of product offerings will yield new and greater possibilities for our customers around the globe to use advanced technology to achieve their business goals.