February 22, 2002 -- NEC America, Inc. has announced that it will significantly expand its distribution arrangement with Verizon, the national telecommunications services provider. Through this expanded alliance, Verizon will market an increased range of NEC voice communications solutions, including its latest Voice over IP (VoIP) products, to its enterprise and small business customers throughout the nation.

Verizon and its predecessors, Bell Atlantic and GTE, have marketed NEC voice communications systems for nearly 20 years. As part of its new distribution efforts, Verizon will market the full line of NEAX 2400 and NEAX 2000 PBXs that feature peer-to-peer IP and traditional TDM switching capabilities. Verizon will also make available NEC's key telephone system solutions and management applications to its customer base. Verizon's customers extend from Maine to Hawaii and are included in many key vertical markets, such as healthcare, hospitality, finance, government and education.

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