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 NEWS  News  media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  TTY  202  /  418-  2555  Fax-  On-  Demand  202  /  418-  2830  Internet:  http://  www.  fcc.  gov  ftp.  fcc.  gov  Federal  Communications  Commission  445  12  th  Street,  S.  W.  Washington,  D.  C.  20554  This  is  an  unofficial  announcement  of  Commission  action.  Release  of  the  full  text  of  a  Commission  order  constitutes  official  action.  See  MCI  v.  FCC.  515  F  2d  385  (D.  C.  Circ  1974). 
 FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE:  News  Media  contact:  March  19,  2003  Emily  Willeford  at  (202)  418-  2100 
 Statement  by  FCC  Commissioner  Kevin  Martin  Regarding  Verizon’s  Broadband  Announcement 
 This  morning  Verizon  announced  that  they  will  be  deploying  DSL  technologies  to  an  additional  10  million  homes  and  businesses  by  the  end  of  the  year.  According  to 
 Verizon’s  vice  chairman,  Lawrence  T.  Babbio,  “if  the  FCC’s  final  [Triennial  Review]  order  as  it  relates  to  broadband  is  written  the  way  it’s  been  advertised,  that  will  encourage 
 us  to  speed  our  deployment  of  all  broadband  technologies.” 
 “I  applaud  Verizon’s  statements  this  morning  renewing  the  company’s  commitment  to  the  deployment  of  new  broadband  technologies,”  Commissioner  Martin  said  today. 
 “This  pledge  to  build  next  generation  broadband  networks  is  great  news  for  American  consumers,  telecommunications  workers,  equipment  manufacturers,  and  for 
 competition.”  Commissioner  Martin  was  particularly  pleased  that  Verizon  has  committed  to  extending  the  benefits  of  broadband  technology  to  rural  and  suburban 
 communities. 
 Last  month  the  Commission  took  significant  steps  to  deregulate  broadband,  making  it  easier  for  companies  to  invest  in  new  equipment  and  deploy  the  high-  speed  services  that 
 consumers  desire. 
 Commissioner  Martin  stated,  “I  am  pleased  that  Verizon  is  committed  to  further  investment  and  deployment;  this  is  the  type  of  commitment  that  we  hoped  for  in 
 completing  the  Triennial  proceeding.  I  look  forward  to  working  with  Verizon  as  they  undergo  these  investments  and  upgrades.” 


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