Verizon Business Will Be Among First to Offer Microsoft Windows Server 2008

LOS ANGELES, February 27 /PRNewswire/ --

- Managed Hosting Customers to Benefit from Reliability, Performance of
Next-Generation Technology

Verizon Business managed hosting customers will be among the first to
benefit from the powerful new functionality of Microsoft Windows Server 2008,
the next-generation server operating system launched worldwide by Microsoft
Wednesday (Feb. 27).

As a member of Microsoft's early adopter initiative, known as the Rapid
Deployment Program (RDP), Verizon Business has gained critical expertise that
will enable it to offer Windows Server 2008 as a high-end managed hosting
solution to U.S. customers this spring, with rollout to European and
Asia-Pacific customers by late summer.

Customers planning to adopt Windows Server 2008 also will benefit from
Verizon Business' early knowledge and experience gained from testing this
advanced technology before its market launch.

The new Microsoft server platform will help enterprises enhance
application availability and boost networking performance, while simplifying
server administration and management for Verizon Business. It also gives
Verizon Business more control over security for its customers by better
safeguarding data and protecting against server failure and intrusion.

"As the most advanced Windows server operating system ever offered,
Windows Server 2008 will enable us to deliver exceptional reliability and
performance to our enterprise customers," said Michael Marcellin, vice
president of product marketing for Verizon Business. "Working closely with
Microsoft to bring this technology to market, Verizon Business is in the
perfect position to help customers gain more control over their IT
infrastructure.

"Verizon Business' years of experience in managing Microsoft technology
-- and our role in evaluating Windows Server 2008 -- make us the ideal
partner to help enterprises realize the promise of this new technology,"
Marcellin said.

Powerful New Customer Benefits

The latest iteration from Microsoft includes enhancements that allow
Verizon Business to offer customers a more streamlined server deployment that
will accelerate time to market. For example, Windows Server 2008 eliminates
much of Verizon Business' reliance on custom code and third-party tools
previously required.

Windows Server 2008 also includes an updated Web server, Microsoft's
Internet Information Services 7.0, which will enable Verizon Business to
deploy, manage and host Web applications and services with enhanced
performance. The Web server features a new, unique modular design, which
allows Verizon Business to install just the specific modules that customers
require, further expediting deployment and simplifying ongoing management.

Verizon Business' comprehensive portfolio of IT and hosting solutions
delivers complete, end-to-end, integrated IT and network solutions. From
simple colocation to full IT applications management, Verizon Business serves
as a true extension of a customer's IT organization. Services include Data
Center Colocation, Remote Backup and Restore, Hosted Messaging and Instant
Messaging, IT Service Desk, Akamai Services, IP Application Hosting and
Remote IP Application Management. More information is available by visiting
http://www.verizonbusiness.com/us/itsolutions.

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a
leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT)
solutions to large-business and government customers worldwide. Combining
unsurpassed global network reach with advanced communications, security and
other professional service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative
and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. For more
information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.

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Web site: http://www.verizonbusiness.com
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