NEW YORK -- Residents of the Westchester Countycity of White Plains and the Rockland County village of Airmont are a majorstep closer to having a real choice for their cable television services,thanks to newly approved agreements authorizing Verizon to offer its FiOSTV service, delivered over the most advanced fiber-optic network straightto customers' homes. The White Plains Common Council and the Airmont Boardof Trustees voted Monday night (April 16) to approve video franchises forVerizon.

"This is great news for the residents of White Plains and Airmont, whonow will have a new choice for their video entertainment," said MonicaAzare, Verizon senior vice president for New York and Connecticut."Verizon's FiOS TV offers consumers something they've never had before,with incredible pictures and sound clarity and innovative new services -all from a brand they know and trust."

White Plains and Airmont join a growing list of New York communitiesthat are paving the way for competition and choice in the televisionmarket. In addition to these two communities, Verizon has been grantedvideo franchises by the Westchester County communities of Irvington,Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Tarrytown, Eastchester, Mount Kisco, Elmsford, PortChester, Tuckahoe and the Town of Greenburgh; and by the Rockland Countycommunities of Piermont, Orangetown, Clarkstown, Nyack, South Nyack, UpperNyack and Grandview-on- Hudson. Verizon also has video franchises on LongIsland in the villages of Massapequa Park, Cedarhurst, Laurel Hollow,Lynbrook, Mineola, East Rockaway, Farmingdale, Valley Stream and Freeport,and in the towns of Huntington, Smithtown, Hempstead and Oyster Bay.

As with all local franchise approvals in New York, the agreementsapproved for Verizon by White Plains and Airmont are subject to review bythe New York State Public Service Commission.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ)