Verizon Communications Raises Quarterly Dividend 3 Percent to 51.5 Cents per Share

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Verizon Communications Raises Quarterly Dividend 3 Percent to 51.5 Cents per Share

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NEW YORK – September 6, 2012 –

The Board of Directors of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) today declared a quarterly dividend of 51.5 cents per outstanding share, an increase of 1.5 cents per share, or 3.0 percent, from the previous quarter.  On an annual basis, this increases Verizon's dividend 6 cents per share, from $2.00 to $2.06 per share.

The quarterly dividend is payable on Nov. 1, 2012, to Verizon Communications shareowners of record at the close of business on Oct. 10, 2012.

This is the sixth consecutive year that Verizon's Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend increase.  Increases were 2.6 percent in each of the past two years.

"Today's action by Verizon's board marks another milestone in Verizon's ongoing commitment to generate sustained value for our shareholders," said Francis J. Shammo, Verizon executive vice president and chief financial officer.  "We are confident in Verizon's strong operating performance and cash flow generation, providing the board the flexibility to increase our dividend while we continue to invest in long-term growth."

Verizon has approximately 2.7 million shareowners and approximately 2.9 billion shares of common stock outstanding.  The company made $2.6 billion in dividend payments through the first half of 2012.

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 94 million retail customers 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 $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 188,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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Verizon Wireless Receives FCC Approval To Purchase Additional Spectrum From Cable Companies

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Verizon Wireless Receives FCC Approval To Purchase Additional Spectrum From Cable Companies

Company Committed to Using Spectrum for Continued Rollout of 4G LTE and High-Speed Data Services to Customers

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BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – August 23, 2012 –

Verizon Wireless today announced that with the recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval, the company will move forward with plans to acquire Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum licenses from SpectrumCo, a joint venture between Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, and from Cox Communications, as well as to complete transactions with Leap Wireless, Savary Island Wireless and T-Mobile.  Verizon Wireless will use the spectrum it is acquiring in these transactions in conjunction with its 700 MHz upper C band spectrum to deploy additional LTE capacity.
"This purchase represents a milestone in the industry and we appreciate the FCC's diligent work to review and approve the transaction," said Dan Mead, president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless.  "We will work aggressively to ensure that we put this previously unused spectrum to use quickly to benefit customers."
The approval of these transactions also means Verizon Wireless can move forward with its previously announced plan to sell its 700 MHz lower A and B block spectrum licenses.  Mead added, "We expect a very robust sales process as more than 65 parties have requested and received information about the spectrum we are selling.  Selling the A and B licenses will allow this spectrum to be used to the benefit of other carriers and their customers."
Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network is available today in over 370 markets covering nearly 75 percent of the U.S. population.  The higher-speed network is important as the company works to meet the increasing needs of customers who are using smartphones, tablets and more, to manage their lives and run their businesses.  The FCC estimates that the industry demand for mobile data by 2015 will be 25 to 50 times greater than it was in 2010 as customers move toward more data-intensive devices that allow them to video chat, stream live video, download movies or large work files and more, on smartphones and tablets.  
Verizon Wireless remains committed to helping America lead the world in broadband infrastructure that will ultimately give consumers more choice, convenience and innovation.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 94.2 million retail customers, including 88.8 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 78,000 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 Restores all Services Affected by Baltimore Train Derailment

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Verizon Restores all Services Affected by Baltimore Train Derailment

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BALTIMORE – August 22, 2012 –

Verizon has fully restored all services that were damaged by the train derailment west of Baltimore in Ellicott City on Tuesday (Aug. 21).

Services were operating normally shortly before 9 p.m. ET Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the derailment.
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 94 million retail customers 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 $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 188,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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Train Derailment Outside of Baltimore Impacts Verizon Services; On-Site Restoration Begins

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Train Derailment Outside of Baltimore Impacts Verizon Services; On-Site Restoration Begins

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BALTIMORE – August 21, 2012 –

A train derailment west of Baltimore in Ellicott City early this morning (Aug. 21) has damaged Verizon facilities at the site of the accident.

Verizon has gained limited access to the derailment area and has placed a temporary fiber-optic cable to hasten restoral efforts. Verizon technicians have begun splicing the cable, and more services are beginning to operate normally.  The company earlier restored more than half of the affected services by rerouting network traffic to other facilities.

Verizon will work continuously until all services are up and running. 

As reported earlier, there is no impact on high-speed Internet (DSL) or FiOS services for consumers and small businesses. Wireless and 911 services are also not affected.  However, some Verizon customers in the area may have trouble completing local and long-distance calls, and services for some business and government customers may also be affected. 

Verizon will provide further updates by 10 a.m. ET, tomorrow (August 22).   

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 94 million retail customers 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 $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 188,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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Train Derailment Outside of Baltimore Impacts Verizon Services; 911, Wireless Services Not Affected

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Train Derailment Outside of Baltimore Impacts Verizon Services; 911, Wireless Services Not Affected

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BALTIMORE – August 21, 2012 –

A train derailment west of Baltimore in Ellicott City early this morning (Aug. 21) has damaged Verizon facilities at the site of the accident.

There is no impact on high-speed Internet (DSL) or FiOS services for consumers and small businesses. Wireless and 911 services are also not affected.  However, some Verizon customers in the area may have trouble completing local and long-distance calls, and services for some business and government customers may also be affected. 
Verizon has received approval from local authorities for its on-site restoration plan but still does not have access to the derailment area.  Verizon technicians are ready to access the damaged facilities when permission is given and will work in round-the-clock shifts until all services are restored.

The company has restored more than half of the affected services by rerouting network traffic to other facilities. 
Verizon will provide a further update by 5 p.m. ET today. 

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 94 million retail customers 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 $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 188,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Network Available To More Than 75 Percent Of The U.S. Population

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Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Network Available To More Than 75 Percent Of The U.S. Population

Addition of 34 New Markets on August 16 Brings Verizon Wireless 4G LTE to More Than 370 Markets

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BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – August 15, 2012 –

Verizon Wireless, owner of America's largest 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, today announced that its 4G LTE network will cover more than 75 percent of the U.S. population when it introduces the network in 34 new markets and expands in 38 other markets on Aug. 16.  With Thursday's market launches and expansions, the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network will be available to customers in 371 markets across the country.
"Our 4G LTE network is currently in more markets than all other U.S. wireless providers combined, and our team is continuing to expand the network so that more customers across the nation can take advantage of 4G LTE speed and capabilities," said Nicola Palmer, chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless.  "We are ahead of schedule with our 4G LTE market roll out and will provide 4G LTE network coverage to more than 400 markets in the near future."

Products, Services and Plans

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network enables customers to upload images on their social channels, download documents, connect with family and friends and more, all at speeds up to 10 times faster than before.  The company gives customers the largest selection of 4G LTE devices offered by any wireless provider.  Devices range from tablets and mobile hotspots to the latest smartphones and more, including the Samsung Galaxy S^® III and the DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE by HTC.  Details on available devices can be found atwww.verizonwireless.com/4GLTE and information on plans and pricing is available at www.verizonwireless.com/plans.
Verizon Wireless customers can take advantage of HomeFusion^™ Broadband, a solution that leverages the power and speed of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network to deliver high-speed, in-home Internet access for residential broadband, particularly in areas where Internet options are limited or are not currently available.
Verizon Wireless also offers in-store and online Wireless Workshops that provide customers with the information they need to maximize their wireless experience on smartphones and tablets.  For customers new to 4G LTE or looking to purchase a 4G LTE device, Verizon Wireless is now offering a 4G LTE workshop online and in select stores about the power and benefits of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network as well as the basic and advanced features of 4G LTE devices.

New and Expanded Markets

The new markets launching on Thursday include: Hot Springs, Ark.; Redding, Calif.; Valdosta and Waycross, Ga.; Centralia and Danville, Ill.; Parsons, Salina and Topeka, Kan.; Alexandria and Monroe, La.; Pittsfield, Mass.; Battle Creek and Muskegon, Mich.; Mankato and Worthington, Minn.; Joplin and Sedalia, Mo.; Bismarck, Grand Forks and Minot, N.D.; Chillicothe, Ohio; Reading, Pa.; Aberdeen, S.D.; Laredo, Odessa and Texarkana, Texas; Brattleboro and White River Junction, Vt.; Charlottesville, Va.; Longview, Wash.; and Eau Claire, La Crosse and Manitowoc, Wis.
The company will also expand its 4G LTE network in 38 markets on the same day.  The expanded areas include: Los Angeles and Santa Barbara/Santa Maria, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; Macon/Warner Robins, Ga.; Bloomington, Champaign/Urbana, Decatur/Effingham and Springfield, Ill.; Elkhart, Ind.; Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City, Iowa; Dodge City, Garden City and Great Bend, Kan.; Lexington and Louisville, Ky.; New Orleans, La.; Boston, Mass.; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.; Missoula, Mont.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Manchester/Nashua, N.H.; Las Cruces, N.M.; New York, N.Y.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Salt Lake City/Ogden, Utah; Roanoke, Va.; Charleston, W.Va.; and Green Bay, Wis.  Additional areas include: Little Rock, Ark., expanding into Batesville, Ark.; Tallahassee, Fla., expanding into Thomasville, Ga.; Burley, Idaho, expanding into Twin Falls, Idaho; Chicago, Ill., expanding into DeKalb, Ill.; and Cedar City, Utah, expanding into St. George, Utah.

Speed and Coverage

In real-world, fully loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink.  When customers travel outside of 4G LTE coverage areas, devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless' 3G network, where available, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. 

Verizon Wireless' 3G network is the most reliable high-speed data network in the country and allows customers in 3G coverage areas who purchase 4G LTE devices today to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds when the faster network becomes available in their area or when they travel to areas already covered by Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network. 

Visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte for a full list of 4G LTE markets and additional information on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.  For street-level detail of coverage and more, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/4GLTE.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 94.2 million retail customers, including 88.8 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 78,000 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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2011 Was the Year of the 'Hacktivist'

2011 Was the Year of the 'Hacktivist,' According to the 'Verizon 2012 Data Breach Investigations Report'

Attacks Are Increasingly Motivated by Political and Social Intent; Majority of Breaches Avoidable With Sound Security Measures

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NEW YORK – March 22, 2012 –

The "Verizon 2012 Data Breach Investigations Report" reveals the dramatic rise of "hacktivism" -- cyberhacking to advance political and social objectives.

In 2011, 58 percent of data stolen was attributed to hacktivism, according to the annual report released today from Verizon.  The new trend contrasts sharply with the data-breach pattern of past several years, during which the majority of attacks were carried out by cybercriminals, whose primary motivation was financial gain.

Seventy-nine percent of attacks represented in the report were opportunistic.  Of all attacks, 96 percent were not highly difficult, meaning they did not require advanced skills or extensive resources.  Additionally, 97 percent of the attacks were avoidable, without the need for organizations to resort to difficult or expensive countermeasures.  The report also contains recommendations that large and small organizations can implement to protect themselves.

Now in its fifth year of publication, the report spans 855 data breaches across 174 million stolen records - the second-highest data loss that the Verizon RISK (Research Investigations Solutions Knowledge) team has seen since it began collecting data in 2004.  Verizon was joined by five partners that contributed data to this year's report: the United States Secret Service, the Dutch National High Tech Crime Unit, the Australian Federal Police, the Irish Reporting & Information Security Service and the Police Central e-Crime Unit of the London Metropolitan Police.

"With the participation of our law enforcement partners around the globe, the '2012 Data Breach Investigations Report' offers what we believe is the most comprehensive look ever into the state of cybersecurity," said Wade Baker, Verizon's director of risk intelligence.  "Our goal is to increase the awareness of global cybercrime in an effort to improve the security industry's ability to fight it while helping government agencies and private sector organizations develop their own tailored security plans."

The report findings reinforced the international nature of cybercrime.  Breaches originated from 36 countries around the globe, an increase from 22 countries the year prior.  Nearly 70 percent of breaches originated in Eastern Europe, with less than 25 percent originating in North America.

External attacks remain largely responsible for data breaches, with 98 percent of them attributable to outsiders.  This group includes organized crime, activist groups, former employees, lone hackers and even organizations sponsored by foreign governments.  With a rise in external attacks, the proportion of insider incidents declined again in this year's report, to 4 percent.  Business partners were responsible for less than 1 percent of data breaches.

In terms of attack methods, hacking and malware have continued to increase. In fact, hacking was a factor in 81 percent of data breaches and in 99 percent of data lost.  Malware also played a large part in data breaches; it appeared in 69 percent of breaches and 95 percent of compromised records.  Hacking and malware are favored by external attackers, as these attack methods allow them to attack multiple victims at the same time from remote locations.  Many hacking and malware tools are designed to be easy and simple for criminals to use.

Additionally, the compromise-to-discovery timeline continues to be measured in months and even years, as opposed to hours and days.  Finally, third parties continue to detect the majority of breaches (92 percent).

(NOTE:  Additional resources supporting the "2012 Data Breach Investigations Report" are available, including high-resolution charts,  B-roll available upon request.)

Key Findings of the 2012 Report

Data from the 2012 report also demonstrates that:

• Industrial espionage revealed criminal interest in stealing trade secrets and gaining access to intellectual property.  This trend, while less frequent, has serious implications for the security of corporate data, especially if it accelerates.
  
• External attacks increased. Since hacktivism is a factor in more than half of the breaches, attacks are predominantly led by outsiders.  Only 4 percent of attacks implicate internal employees.
  
• Hacking and malware dominate. The use of hacking and malware increased in conjunction with the rise in external attacks in 2011.  Hacking appeared in 81 percent of breaches (compared with 50 percent in 2010), and malware appeared in 69 percent (compared with 49 percent in 2010). Hacking and malware offer outsiders an easy way to exploit security flaws and gain access to confidential data.
  
• Personally identifiable information (PII) has become a jackpot for criminals. PII, which can include a person's name, contact information and social security number, is increasingly becoming a choice target. In 2011, 95 percent of records lost included personal information, compared with only 1 percent in 2010.
  
• Compliance does not equal security.  While compliance programs, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, provide sound steps to increasing security, being PCI compliant does not make an organization immune from attacks.

"The report demonstrates that unfortunately, many organizations are still not getting the message about the steps they can take to prevent data breaches," said Baker.  "This year, we have segmented our recommendations for enterprises and small businesses in the hope that this will make our suggestions more actionable. Additionally, we believe greater public awareness about cyberthreats and user education and training are vitally important in the fight against cybercrime."

Recommendations for Enterprises

1. Eliminate unnecessary data. Unless there is a compelling reason to store or transmit data, destroy it.  Monitor all important data that must be kept.
   
2. Establish essential security controls. To effectively defend against a majority of data breaches, organizations must ensure fundamental and common sense security countermeasures are in place and that they are functioning correctly. Monitor security controls regularly.
   
3. Place importance on event logs. Monitor and mine event logs for suspicious activity - breaches are usually identified by analyzing event logs.
   
4. Prioritize security strategy. Enterprises should evaluate their threat landscape and use the findings to create a unique, prioritized security strategy.

Recommendations for Small Organizations

1. Use a firewall. Install and maintain a firewall on Internet-facing services to protect data. Hackers cannot steal what they cannot reach.
   
2. Change default credentials. Point-of-sale (POS) and other systems come with pre-set credentials. Change the credentials to prevent unauthorized access.
   
3. Monitor third parties. Third parties often manage firewalls and POS systems.  Organizations should monitor these vendors to ensure they have implemented the above security recommendations, where applicable.

The DBIR can be downloaded in full at: www.verizon.com/enterprise/2012dbir/us.
The Verizon 2012 DBIR will be available in seven languages. The initial report is in English, and translations will be available June 6 in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese.

Verizon, through its Terremark subsidiary, helps organizations protect their core asset: data.  The company does this through a robust suite of security services -- including governance, risk and compliance solutions; identity and access management solutions; investigative response; data protection services; threat management services; and vulnerability management services -- delivered in the cloud or on premises.  For more information, visit us at verizonbusiness.com/products/security.  For ongoing security insight and analysis from some of the world's most distinguished security researchers, read the Verizon Security Blog at securityblog.verizonbusiness.com.

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 nearly 108 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 $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 194,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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