As part of Verizon's continuing commitment to provide Spanish-speaking customers with in-language support, the company recently began offering an updated version of the installation kit for the company's high-speed Internet access service that includes the option to select instructions in Spanish.

Customers now can select either English or Spanish as their language of preference when they install and register Verizon High Speed Internet. For example, once customers insert the installation kit's CD into their PC, they can select "Espanol" on the first screen to upload the software and go through the entire installation process in Spanish.

"Through market research, we've found that Spanish-speaking broadband users feel more comfortable with an end-to-end in-language experience," said Jeff McFarland, director of multicultural marketing for Verizon. "The new Spanish-language installation kit offers consumers an added-value service when installing Verizon High Speed Internet."

Alejandra Martinez, senior manager of Hispanic marketing and communications for Verizon, said, "We are providing content in Spanish because we understand that it's easier to follow technical instructions in-language."

Verizon has launched a series of Spanish-language Web sites to better communicate with Hispanic consumers, including a redesign of its first bilingual Web site to recognize Hispanic achievements and to enable U.S. Hispanics to experience and express their passions about their culture.

Verizon has been a strong supporter of the Hispanic community and joined the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and Scholastic Inc. to launch Lee y seras® (Read and You Will Be), a national Latino early literacy initiative that engages parents and communities in the literacy development of their children. Since 2004, the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, has provided more than $24 million to programs and organizations that support the Hispanic community.