Verizon customers in Plaistow and Newton, New Hampshire and Portsmouth, Greenland, Newington, Stratham and New Castle, Massachusetts can experience breathtaking high-speed Internet access as the company unveils its Verizon FiOS (FYE'-ose) suite of Internet services to homes and small business here.

The company is offering several tiers of the industry's premier, mass-market broadband services, with downstream (download) speeds of up to approximately 5, 15 and 30 Mbps (megabits per second) and upstream (upload) speeds of up to 5 Mbps.

Verizon is already delivering FiOS services over its new fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks in more than half the states where it offers landline communications services. In New Hampshire, FiOS Internet Service is becoming available in a growing number of communities, including Bedford, Epping, Salem and Windham.

Residential customers who want to determine whether they can order FiOS Internet Service can call 888-GET FIOS (888-438-3467) or visit Verizon's FiOS Web site at www.verizonfios.com. Small businesses can contact their local Verizon business office or account manager to determine if they qualify for FiOS Internet Service for Business.

FTTP technology utilizes fiber-optic connections - instead of copper wire - directly into homes and businesses to enable a broad array of voice, data and video applications. In addition to its current FiOS Internet Service, Verizon plans to launch FiOS TV to compete directly with cable-TV providers. Once the necessary network equipment is in place, FiOS TV will be available in markets where Verizon has negotiated cable franchise agreements with local authorities.