THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The communications revolution is moving at light speed in California, where Verizon's all-fiber- optic FiOS TV service is now available to more than 500,000 households, and the company announced plans to expand the service to 1 million homes by the end of this year.

Verizon recently launched FiOS TV in additional Southern California cities -- including Downey, Santa Fe Springs, La Mirada and Norwalk -- and won approval from the Public Utilities Commission to offer the service in 34 more California communities as construction of the fiber-optic network proceeds. [Note: Lists of California cities served with FiOS TV and the new communities approved by the Public Utilities Commission appear at the end of this release.]

"Verizon's fiber-optic project is giving hundreds of thousands of Californians new choices in Internet and TV service," said Verizon West Region President Tim McCallion. "Just as importantly, the project is creating real jobs and the economic boost that comes with them."

Verizon's FiOS network offers state-of-the-art fiber optics directly to customers' homes. This is unlike cable TV systems and has never been done on a large scale before in the United States.

Verizon West Coast General Manager Kathy Koelle said, "Verizon is the only company providing fiber all the way to homes and businesses on a large-scale basis where it makes a huge difference in the voice, Internet and TV service customers receive. FiOS delivers the most reliable voice, the best TV picture quality and the fastest Internet. Period."

Verizon started large-scale construction of its fiber network in California in 2004. Since then, the company has passed more than 800,000 households with its FiOS network in urban, suburban and rural areas throughout the state.

Verizon has hired more than 1,000 technicians and contractors to deploy and install FiOS service around California. The company passes more than 35,000 homes each month with new fiber.

Verizon put construction of the network into high gear after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state Legislature approved a new state-issued video franchise law in 2006. The consumer-focused measure replaced the traditional, antiquated city-by-city franchise process. Verizon has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in its all-fiber network in the state, and hundreds of thousands of Californians now benefit from video choice and competition.

The company's FiOS TV Premier package delivers more than 250 all-digital channels for $42.99 per month. FiOS TV customers in California can access up to 31 high-definition (HD) channels and more than 10,000 on-demand titles. Verizon FiOS TV customers have the option to trim their monthly bill by bundling FiOS TV service, FiOS Internet service and the Verizon Freedom Essentials voice service - all for $99 a month with a two-year commitment.

Consumers can check online at www.verizon.com/fiostv or call 1-888-438- 3467 to see if FiOS TV is already available in their area or to request that Verizon contact them when FiOS TV is available.

Verizon Communications Inc. 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 63.7 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 has a diverse workforce of nearly 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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Verizon's state-issued video franchise now covers all or parts of the following communities, and FiOS TV service will become available in these areas as Verizon builds its fiber-optic network there:

     Arcadia
     Azusa
     Baldwin Park
     Bell Gardens
     Bradbury
     Brea
     Canyon Lake
     Colton
     Commerce
     Covina
     Culver City
     Dana Point
     Duarte
     Hemet
     Highland
     Irwindale
     La Habra
     La Habra Heights
     La Puente
     Laguna Beach
     Laguna Niguel
     Lancaster
     Loma Linda
     Monrovia
     Palmdale
     Pasadena
     Pico Rivera
     Port Hueneme
     Rialto
     City of San Bernardino
     San Fernando
     Santa Paula
     Sierra Madre
     South Gate

    Verizon's FiOS TV is already available in all or parts of the following
communities:
     Apple Valley
     Banning
     Beaumont
     Camarillo
     Chino
     Chino Hills
     Downey
     Fountain Valley
     Garden Grove
     Hermosa Beach
     Huntington Beach
     La Mirada
     Lake Elsinore
     Lakewood
     Long Beach
     Los Alamitos
     Malibu
     Manhattan Beach
     Montclair
     Murrieta
     Norwalk
     Ontario
     Perris
     Pomona
     Redlands
     Redondo Beach
     Santa Fe Springs
     Santa Monica
     Stanton
     Temecula
     Thousand Oaks
     Torrance
     Westminster
     Unincorporated areas of:
     Los Angeles County
     Orange County
     Riverside County
     San Bernardino County
     Ventura County

Source: Verizon