Verizon Corporate Responsibility Report Shows How Company's Technology and Employees Are Addressing Societal Challenges

NEW YORK, June 23, 2009 — Verizon's latest corporate responsibility report highlights how the company is using its technology, resources and employees to address societal challenges such as improving health care, increasing energy efficiency and conservation, and playing a role in the recovery of the nation's economy.

The recently released, 53-page report features a letter from Verizon Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg in which he explains that the company's sustained history of corporate citizenship has been nourished by a belief that providing better ways to communicate is inherently valuable to society.

"Few companies touch as many lives, or reach as many communities, as Verizon," Seidenberg wrote. "[Verizon's] networks are critical not just to Verizon's growth but to that of the economy as a whole in that they are a platform for the creativity, innovation and productivity that lie at the heart of true, sustainable value creation."

The featured areas of the document -- the company's fifth annual corporate responsibility report -- include:

* Internet Safety -- Verizon is focused on providing the best tools available to help customers have safe and secure experiences using all the company's products. In 2008, the company began offering free Parental Controls (www.verizon.net/parentalcontrol) service via Verizon Online. These free tools help parents protect children while on a mobile phone or watching TV. Verizon also continues an effort launched three years ago with the Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet, in which state attorneys general and company officials educate law enforcement agencies and community organizations and others about creating a safe online environment for children.

* Education -- In 2008, the Verizon Foundation's Thinkfinity.org attracted nearly 25 million visitors. The free Web site offers more than 55,000 educational resources across eight academic disciplines for teachers, community programs, parents and students. Last year alone, 28,000 teachers were trained to use Thinkfinity.org in the classroom.