Verizon customers can experience breathtaking high-speed Internet access as the company expands its Verizon FiOS (FYE'-ose) suite of Internet services to Gresham.

FiOS services are now available to approximately 500 customers in Gresham, and Verizon will soon offer FiOS services in additional areas of Gresham and Troutdale. The company plans to pass 16,000 homes with its FTTP (fiber-to-the premises) network by year-end in east Multnomah County. 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.

The company is offering several tiers of FiOS Internet Service with downstream (download) speeds of up to 5, 15 and 30 Mbps (megabits per second) and upstream (upload) speeds of up to 5 Mbps.*

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.

"FiOS is setting the new standard for consumer and small-business broadband services in America," said David S. Valdez, Verizon's senior vice president - West. "Customers who already subscribe to FiOS services are astounded at what they now can do with their online experience. Video chats and conferencing, purchased digital movie downloads and interactive multi-player games have become a part of their daily lives.

"And FiOS for Business gives companies robust connection speeds for bandwidth-intensive applications at prices close to those the companies pay for ordinary broadband services," said Valdez.