Only Two Days Left to Register for the Verizon FiOS Tournament - Over 5,000 Participants Already Ready To Rumble

Verizon's FiOS Grand Tournament, (www.fiosgrand.com) has broken new barriers, becoming one of the largest video game tournaments to ever hit the Web. More than a month before finals, over 5,000 people have already signed up in an attempt to win one of the largest prizes for a single winner of a tournament of this kind -- $100,000.

"Registration numbers usually run in the hundreds for this type of tournament - the overwhelming response to the FiOS Grand Tournament shows that we are truly breaking barriers to fun on the Internet and creating great home entertainment experiences for consumers," said Brian Angiolet, director of Marketing for Verizon FiOS. "Our FiOS broadband service offers breakthrough speed and capacity, which means the best possible experience for players, and we're delighted to see such a wide range of people gearing up to compete for the $100,000 first prize."

It's not just your typical gamer signing up either, as ages range from 18 to 59, with more than 110 women competing from across the country. Tournament play begins June 15 and users of any Internet service can compete, however finalists will face off live on the Verizon FiOS Internet service, where they'll experience its breakthrough speed, capacity and fun.

Verizon offers FiOS high-speed broadband service over its new, advanced fiber optic network in parts of 16 states - a network that brings the power of fiber all the way to the home. With maximum download connections of up to 30 megabits-per-second (Mbps), and upload connections of up to 5 Mbps, FiOS provides gamers with the speed they need to compete.

About Verizon FiOS Grand Tournament

Managed by the Cyberathlete Amateur League (CAL), the FiOS Grand Tournament officially started May 17 when players could start downloading and practicing with Valve's Half-Life 2: Deathmatch from its Steam service located at www.steamgames.com.

Tournament play will begin on June 15 and the top 64 players will be ranked according to the CAL's official ladder ranking system, until only eight players remain. Those eight players will then be flown to Hermosa Beach to face-off on July 29 in a dramatic head-to-head tournament that culminates with one winner fragging their way to the $100,000 prize.

More information about the tournament and its rules will be available online at www.fiosgrand.com.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 53 million customers nationwide. Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks. Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.