BASKING RIDGE, New Jersey, May 15 /PRNewswire/ --

- Customers Globally Now Benefit From Cost Effective Local Conferencing Access From China

Verizon Business has further expanded global access to its audio-conferencing services, enabling even more of its multinational customers to realise cost efficiencies by accessing audio meetings through local dial-in numbers from around the globe.

The company, a leading global provider of audio, Web and video-conferencing services, has expanded Verizon Global Access services in China, enabling customers anywhere in the country to join audio conferences for the cost of a local call from landline or mobile phones. A local national access number, now accessible from more than 300 cities within China, routes directly to Verizon Business' global conferencing service.

In addition, the company is planning to launch new country access points in Estonia, Latvia, Romania and the Middle East shortly. This continued expansion is designed to ensure customers have access to conferencing services from all key business centres around the world, supporting customers' evolving business needs.

"Global connectivity with a high level of local reach is one of the key differentiating factors for any conferencing service, especially with businesses being increasingly globalized," said Pranabesh Nath, Industry Analyst at global growth consulting company, Frost & Sullivan. "Many corporations today are also looking for a larger presence in China. By increasing the local access points in such a substantial manner, Verizon Business has met some of the key requirements for most businesses in China - cost effective communications with worldwide offices and business partners; vast local reach for high flexibility, anywhere access; and high quality conferencing services with their robust network."

Verizon Business' audio conferencing services utilise the company's expansive network capabilities, offering customers a high-quality, simple means of collaborating around the world. Customer calls are connected through local access points to provide customers with a cost-effective means of improving communication and productivity in globally dispersed teams. Millions of audio conference meetings using Verizon Business solutions are currently held every month.

"Achieving cost-effective global collaboration continues to be a key objective for multinational corporations," said Roberta Mackintosh, executive director, global voice, Verizon Business. "More access points make it easier for companies to cost-effectively enhance their productivity and business performance as they expand in high-growth economies around the world."

Mackintosh concluded, "Our customers are showing more interest than ever in collaboration. With growing awareness of the impact of business travel on the environment, companies are experiencing increased pressure from customers, employees and regulatory bodies to reduce their overall carbon footprint. Our audio-conferencing service is part of an integrated and expanding portfolio of collaboration solutions, which are designed to support our customers' own business needs."

With more than 30 years' experience delivering conferencing services, Verizon Business is a pioneer in the conferencing industry. The company offers the convenience of one-stop shopping and a wide range of global customised products and services, including audio, video and net conference services, IP-based services, and some of the most advanced meeting tools available today.

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a global IP leader and network-based partner for delivering integrated communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large-business and government customers worldwide. Combining unsurpassed reach with managed services, security, mobility, collaboration and professional services capabilities, Verizon Business delivers global solutions that power innovation and enable its customers to do business better. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.

Web site: http://www.verizonbusiness.com

Junaidah Dahlan, Verizon Business, +65-6248-6827, junaidah.dahlan@sg.verizonbusiness.com/Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/618232.html