NEW YORK -- The Nasdaq Stock Market has informed Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ - News) that trading in MCI shares (Nasdaq: MCIP - News) will continue until the close of trading today, Jan. 6, 2006. The Verizon press release previously announcing the merger of Verizon and MCI stated that trading in MCI shares had halted.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) and MCI, Inc. today closed on their merger, enhancing Verizon's ability to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment to customers across the country and around the world.

"This milestone for Verizon creates a new competitive force with the power of the global MCI network and the reach of Verizon's broadband and wireless networks in the U.S.," said Verizon Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg. "Our added network capabilities and strong customer relationships provide a solid foundation for innovative and integrated wireless, wireline and multimedia services designed to meet customer demands for speed, mobility and control."

Seidenberg added, "Our strategy is to be a customer-focused leader in consumer broadband and video, as well as business and government services, in both the landline and wireless environments. We believe that our superior networks are the basis for innovation and competitive advantage in communications. The combination of our world-class wireless and broadband access networks with the leading global IP (Internet protocol) backbone will allow us to deliver the highest quality end-to-end experience for our customers."

Following the merger, Verizon, which continues to be based in New York, has approximately $90 billion in annual total consolidated operating revenues and approximately 250,000 employees, serving customers in 150 countries.

New Unit Named 'Verizon Business'

Verizon Business is the name of the new Verizon business unit encompassing business and government customers and related functions of the former MCI as well as similar businesses that previously were part of Domestic Telecom, including the former Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group.

Verizon now operates three network-based businesses: Verizon Business; Verizon Wireless, operator of America's most reliable wireless network; and Verizon's landline segment, which is deploying the most advanced wireline broadband and video network in America today.

Verizon Business serves medium and large businesses and government customers, and it will announce details of new products and services later this month.

This new business segment boasts a highly trained and experienced force of sales and service professionals deployed in hundreds of sales offices around the world. It owns and operates an end-to-end, global IP network spanning more than 100,000 miles, providing next-generation IP network services to medium and large businesses and government customers. As previously announced, John Killian has been named president of this new unit, and his leadership team executives have been overseeing integration planning for their respective functions since October.

"We have the team in place to hit the ground running and offer Verizon Business customers greater value from Day One," said Killian. "We believe that our strong commitment to customers and our integrated product offerings will deliver the most advanced business communications solutions and best customer experience available in today's marketplace."

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ)

MCI LLC