DOVER, Del., May 29 /PRNewswire/ — More consumers and businesses in parts of central and lower Delaware now have access to Verizon High Speed Internet, allowing them to quickly download movies, share photos or video with friends and family, and create their own Internet content.
Over the last several months, Verizon has upgraded 17,000 customer phone lines in parts of Kent and Sussex counties to provide high-speed Internet service, based on broadband DSL technology. The company has installed Verizon High Speed Internet equipment at nearly 43 remotely located company facilities, which serve from 86 to 2,000 phone lines in outlying communities near Smyrna, Camden, Magnolia, Bowers Beach, Frederica, Milford, Seaford, Lewes, Rehoboth, Ocean View and Selbyville.
“More customers in these locations now can make the high-speed connections that are important in their lives,” said William R. Allan, president of Verizon Delaware. “Verizon’s ongoing investment in Delaware means that many more communities have access to affordable and reliable high-speed Internet service, changing the way people shop, work and educate themselves.”
Qualified customers can sign up for Verizon High Speed Internet service with a connection speed of up to 768 Kbps (kilobits per second) for $21.99 a month. Verizon’s 3 Mbps (megabits per second) service also is available for $31.99 a month. Special offers may be available online.
No matter what speed or plan customers choose, Verizon High Speed Internet includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, nine e-mail accounts and 10 MB (megabytes) of personal Web space. For additional information about Verizon High-Speed Internet prices and bundled plans, residential consumers can call 1-877-483-5898 or visit to see if the service is available to their homes and to place orders.
About Verizon High Speed Internet
Verizon High Speed Internet service is delivered on a dedicated line from Verizon’s central office to the customer’s home and is backed by live, 24 x 7 customer service and technical support. High Speed Internet subscribers have access to an extensive collection of features and services, including:
— Online protection with Verizon Internet Security Suite: In one
download, this comprehensive online protection suite provides anti-
spyware, anti-virus, firewall, parental control, pop-up blocker and
privacy manager protection that run continuously behind the scene. The
suite automatically updates every three hours. Just set it and forget
it. The cost is just $4.99 a month for use on up to three household
computers.
— Verizon Premium Tech Support: A unique service that provides expert
one-on-one assistance for a wide variety of issues like spyware,
adware, viruses, hardware problems, computer operating systems and
other issues not typically covered by Internet service providers. The
service supports routers, network cards, video cards, sound cards,
CD/DVD reader-writer, hard drives, flash memory systems, printers,
scanners, gaming consoles, firewalls and more. The cost is $14.99 a
month.
— Online gaming from Verizon: Play hundreds of the most popular PC games
for free with Verizon Arcade, or choose from a variety of Verizon Games
on Demand packages starting at $4.99 a month.
— Backup and Storage: Automatically backup, share and access important
files, such as digital photos, music files and financial records.
Plus, share files, photos, music and home videos with family and
friends from any Internet connection.
— free entertainment for children of all ages with Disney Connection:
From activities, games and classic cartoons to movie previews, music
videos and more, Disney Connection provides age-appropriate content for
preschoolers, kids, teens and Disney enthusiasts. The content includes
access to Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online and Disney Game
Kingdom Online.
— free news from ABC News Now: A 24-hour news and information channel,
ABC News Now delivers live breaking news, headlines every half hour,
and more than 25 original news, lifestyle and entertainment programs
such as “Politics Live,”"What’s the Buzz” and “Money Matters.”
— free sports from ESPN360: The service offers programming that includes
hundreds of hours of live games, analysis and exclusive content on-
demand with exclusive access to the Internet’s best events.

Verizon Communications Inc. , headquartered in New York, 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 more than 67 million customers nationwide. Verizon’s Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employed a diverse workforce of approximately 232,000 as of the end of the first quarter 2008 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit .
VERIZON’S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon’s News Center on the World Wide Web at . To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.
Verizon

WARREN, N.J., May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Virgin Mobile USA, a top provider of feature-rich wireless plans without annual contracts, slices through the wireless monotony with the launch of Virgin Mobile USA’s new Slash by Samsung, the company’s first wireless handset developed with global consumer electronics powerhouse, Samsung Mobile.
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Retailing at just $79.99, Slash is a slim slider phone with a sleek and compact profile. It comes equipped with a VGA camera, Bluetooth(R) wireless technology, and full messaging capabilities (IM, text messaging and email).
“When it comes to our handsets, we’re committed to offering our customers choice, value and flexibility without sacrificing style or features,” explained Bob Stohrer, Chief Marketing Officer, Virgin Mobile USA. “Samsung has a strong reputation for designing products that raise the bar across all of these criteria. We’re thrilled to work with them to bring a cool new offering like Slash to market.”
“Samsung Mobile is passionate about designing stylish phones that are easy to use,” said Bill Ogle, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Mobile. “Our first collaboration with Virgin Mobile USA cuts right to the core of what our customers are looking for, a phone with exciting features and a cool design.”
Slash by Samsung includes such must-have features as an integrated speakerphone and voice-activated dialing, and boasts a bright color display and lots of storage. The phone can hold up to 499 contact entries, with up to five phone numbers, two email addresses and one website per individual. Slash is also outfitted with preloaded and customizable Autotext(TM) for fast and easy text messaging.
Games such as Gameloft(R) Jukebox and Superscape(R) Demo come preloaded on the handset. The VirginXL portal gives Slash owners access to a huge array of Virgin Mobile USA content, including animated and real music ringtones and ringback tones, and Headliner — Virgin Mobile USAs’ exclusive mobile music magazine with on-demand access to music-related content like artist news, charts and concert dates.
Spanish-speaking customers have access to in-language options right at their fingertips, thanks to an enhanced Spanish-language user interface and menu also preloaded on Slash.
Light and compact, Slash by Samsung weighs in at just 3-ounces and measures 3.8″ by 1.8″ by 0.7″. Its battery life offers customers up to 3.5 hours of talk time and a week of standby time (approximately 170 hours). More information on this newest addition to the full lineup of Virgin Mobile USA handsets may be viewed online at: .
About Virgin Mobile USA:
Virgin Mobile USA, Inc. , through its operating company Virgin Mobile USA, L.P., offers more than 5 million customers control, flexibility and choice in wireless service, rich data content and innovative products without annual contracts. Voice pricing plans range from monthly options with unlimited nights and weekends to by-the-minute offers, allowing consumers to adjust how and what they pay according to their needs. Virgin Mobile USA’s smart, stylish and affordable handsets, including the Wild Card, Super Slice and Flare, are available at top retailers in more than 40,000 locations nationwide and online at , with Top-Up cards available at more than 140,000 locations.
J.D. Power and Associates has ranked Virgin Mobile USA highest in customer satisfaction among wireless prepaid services in 2006 and 2007, and its customers report a 90% satisfaction rate. Virgin Mobile contributes a portion of its profits from downloadable content to The RE*Generation, its pro-social initiative to help homeless youth; and provides postage-paid return envelopes in every new package for customers to recycle old phones. Virgin Mobile USA’s national coverage is powered by the nationwide Sprint PCS network.
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit .
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of US$103.4 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, Telecommunication Business and Digital Appliance Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, TFT-LCDs, mobile phones and systems. For more information, please visit .
Bluetooth is a trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Bluetooth trademarks are owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.

Virgin Mobile USA

TORONTO and ENGLEWOOD, CO, April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — 180 Connect Inc. (”180 Connect” or the “Company”) (OTCBB: CNCT.OB, CNCTU.OB, CNCTW.OB), one of North America’s largest providers of installation, integration and fulfillment services to the home entertainment, communication, and home integration service industries has signed a definitive merger agreement with DIRECTV, Inc. (”DIRECTV”), the nation’s leading satellite television service. Under the terms of the agreement, DIRECTV will acquire 100% of 180 Connect’s outstanding common stock and exchangeable shares for $1.80 per share. Including the assumption of the Company’s debt outstanding the implied enterprise value of the transaction is approximately $105 million. The transaction will provide DIRECTV with control over a significant portion of its installation and home service network and is expected to close third quarter 2008.Based upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of the board comprised entirely of independent directors, the board of directors of 180 Connect has unanimously approved the merger agreement and has resolved to recommend that 180 Connect stockholders adopt the merger agreement and approve the acquisition. The Board of Directors of 180 Connect has received a fairness opinion from its financial advisor, William Blair & Company, L.L.C.In a separate transaction, immediately following the acquisition of 180 Connect, UniTek USA, LLC (”UniTek”) has agreed to acquire 100% of 180 Connect’s cable services operating unit and certain DIRECTV installation services from DIRECTV, in exchange for UniTek’s satellite installation services in New York, Burbank, California and Bloomington, California and cash.By acquiring 180 Connect, DIRECTV will gain control of one of its largest installation and home service providers in 45 U.S. market locations, throughout California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Arkansas, Virginia, Hawaii and Western Pennsylvania. Prior to the acquisition, DIRECTV had outsourced all its installation service operations through 13 home service provider companies.”DIRECTV has been a valued partner in helping us grow our business over the years and they were instrumental in working with us to develop our industry leading customer service platform,” stated Peter Giacalone, President and Chief Executive Officer of 180 Connect. “Over the years, 180 Connect has experienced significant growth and while the Company believes it has been successful in achieving many of its goals and positioning itself to become a dominant sector player, these efforts are not, in our opinion, being appropriately valued by the public markets. After carefully evaluating alternative strategies, we concluded that in the current and foreseeable market conditions, the sale of the Company represents a compelling opportunity to realize value for the shareholders of 180 Connect. We are very pleased to have found the right buyer for the Company and are confident that industry leading DIRECTV will take this business to the next level.”Under the terms of the merger agreement, the board of directors of 180 Connect, through its special committee and with the assistance of its independent advisors, intends to solicit superior proposals during the next 30 days. 180 Connect does not intend to disclose developments with respect to the solicitation process unless and until the special committee of the board has made a recommendation and the board of directors has made a decision with respect to any superior proposals.Conference Call Information180 Connect will host a conference call to discuss the transaction. The call will begin at 8:00 a.m. EST, Friday, April 18, 2008. The dial-in numbers for the call are international dial 617.213.8897 and toll free at 866.543.6405, participant pass code is 15490136. A taped rebroadcast of the teleconference will be available upon completion of the call on April 18, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. EST to April 25, 2008 until 11:59 p.m. EST. The replay dial-in numbers are international dial 617.801.6888 and toll free at 888.286.8010, participant pass code is 84330834. The webcast will be archived on 180 Connect’s website at .About 180 Connect Inc.180 Connect Inc. is one of North America’s largest providers of installation, integration and fulfillment services to the home entertainment, communications and home integration service industries. With more than 4,000 skilled technicians and 750 support personnel based in over 85 operating locations, 180 Connect is well positioned as the only pure play national residential service provider in the market. 180 Connect shares are traded under the name of 180 Connect Inc. on the OTCBB under the symbols CNCT.OB, CNCTU.OB and CNCTW.OB. For more information about 180 Connect Inc, please visit .About DIRECTV, Inc.DIRECTV, Inc. , the nation’s leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 16.8 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with 95 national HD channels - more quality HD channels than any other television provider. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for seven years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit .About UniTek USA, LLCUniTek USA, LLC, is a premier provider of engineering construction management and installation fulfillment services to companies specializing in the telecommunications, broadband cable, cellular and satellite industries. UniTek has created a scalable operating platform, enabling each UniTek subsidiary to deliver quality services to its Fortune 100 customers. UniTek USA, LLC, based in Blue Bell, PA utilizes a diverse workforce of over 3500 technicians deployed throughout the United States. For more information about UniTek, please visit .Important Additional Information will be Filed with the SECIn connection with the proposed merger, 180 Connect will file a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND THE PARTIES THERETO. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement (when available) and other documents filed by 180 Connect at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Web site at . The proxy statement and such other documents may also be obtained for free from 180 Connect by directing such request to 180 Connect Inc., 6501 E. Belleview Avenue Englewood, Colorado 80111, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.Participants in the Solicitation180 Connect and its directors, executive officers and other members of its management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from its stockholders in connection with the proposed merger. Information concerning the interests of 180 Connect’s participants in the solicitation, which may be different than those of 180 Connect stockholders generally, is set forth in 180 Connect’s proxy statements and Annual Reports on Form 10-K, previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in the proxy statement relating to the merger when it becomes available.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements based on current 180 Connect management expectations. Those forward-looking statements include all statements other than those made solely with respect to historical fact. Numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, including those contained in 180 Connect’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for its most recent fiscal year, especially in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section and its Current Reports on Form 8-K, could also cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against 180 Connect and others following announcement of the merger agreement; the inability to complete the merger due to the failure to obtain stockholder approval or the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the merger; risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the merger; the ability to recognize the benefits of the merger; and, the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the merger. Many of the factors that will determine the outcome of the subject matter of this press release are beyond 180 Connect’s ability to control or predict. 180 Connect undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 180 Connect Inc.

MOSCOW and NEW YORK, April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Open Joint Stock Company “Vimpel-Communications” (”VimpelCom” or the “Company”) announced its intention to raise, subject to market and other conditions, debt financing by the issuance of notes in the international bond markets. The terms of the notes, including aggregate principal amount, interest rate and maturity date, have yet to be determined. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the issuance in part to refinance its existing bridge facility entered into in connection with its acquisition of Golden Telecom, Inc. The offering of notes is currently anticipated to close during the second quarter of 2008.This press release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes, nor shall there be any sale of the notes in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. The notes will be offered (i) to persons that are both qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144a under the Securities Act and qualified purchasers within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (ii) outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. The notes will not be registered under the Securities Act. Unless and until so registered, the notes may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements relate to the Company’s intention to consummate the proposed transaction described above and are based on Management’s best assessment of the Company’s strategic and financial position and of future market conditions and opportunities. These discussions involve risks and uncertainties. The actual outcome may differ materially from these statements as a result of unforeseen developments from competition, governmental regulations of the telecommunications industry, general political uncertainties in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (”CIS”) and general economic developments in Russia and the CIS and other factors. As a result of such risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the effects of competition or current or future changes in the political, economic and social environment or current or future regulation of the telecommunications industry in Russia and the CIS will not have a material adverse effect on the VimpelCom Group and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to complete this proposed transaction. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking statements include the risks described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2006 and other public filings made by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference. VimpelCom disclaims any obligation to update developments of these risk factors or to announce publicly any revision to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this release, or to make corrections to reflect future events or developments.This communication is directed solely at persons who (i) are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) are investment professionals within the meaning of article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Financial Promotion Order”) or (iii) are persons falling within article 49(2)(a) to (e) of the Financial Promotion Order or (iv) is a person to whom such communication may otherwise lawfully be made in accordance with the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the Financial Promotion Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This communication must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Vimpel-Communications