Nearly 3,500 households in neighborhoods surrounding Bell Shoals Road can now order the fastest Internet access available and sparklingly clear TV pictures as Verizon announced the first availability of its FiOS fiber-powered Internet, TV and voice offerings in the area. The triple-play bundles are delivered over Verizon's all-fiber network, directly to people's homes and businesses.

As Verizon completes the necessary construction and engineering activities, it expects to extend FiOS service by year-end to 1,000 more households for a total of 4,500 households in proximity of Bell Shoals Road, including Bloomingdale and Lithia.

FiOS has been available to other areas in east Hillsborough County, including most of Brandon, Riverview, Alafia and areas surrounding these landmarks. This latest announcement broadens the reach in southeast Hillsborough and brings the total number of households with FiOS availability there to more than 100,000, making it one of the most densely-covered FiOS markets in the Tampa area.

To date, Verizon has deployed more than 19 million feet of fiber in Hillsborough County and more than 54 million feet of fiber in the company's Florida service territory. More than 620,000 households in Pasco, Sarasota, Manatee, Polk and Pinellas counties can now order one or more of the FiOS services.

FiOS Internet was recently named to the top five of PC World Magazine's 100 Best Products of 2007 - a roster of what the magazine called "the finest products and services of the past 12 months" - selected "based on exemplary design, features, performance and innovation." Readers of PC World and Computerworld magazines have recently ranked FiOS Internet No. 1, with top scores across the board in overall satisfaction, connection reliability, download and upload speeds, customer service and technical support. Additionally, Verizon is the only major telecom company whose network has earned the certification of the independent Fiber to the Home Council for providing fiber all the way to customers' homes.

Consumers can check online at www.verizon.com/fiostv to see if FiOS TV is already available in their area, or to request that Verizon contact them when FiOS TV is available.