KELLER, Texas, May 25 -- Verizon has begun installing fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) in Keller, Texas, using fiber optic cable and optical electronics to directly link homes and businesses to Verizon's network -- replacing traditional copper wire links. Although the use of fiber optic technology is common throughout the telecom industry, Verizon is the first company to begin using it to directly connect homes and businesses to the network on a widespread scale. "FTTP is moving from field trials and the lab to the real world, and it's happening in Keller first," Verizon Network Services Group President Paul Lacouture said at a recent news conference. "This technology will transform our network and the products we will be able to offer to consumers and businesses. Once deployed, for example, the slowest broadband connection we'll offer customers will be three times as fast as broadband speeds commonly available today. In short, we are building a new network that will make us the broadband leader in the 21st century." Bob Ingalls, president of Verizon's Retail Marketing Group, said some of the new broadband access products will feature download speeds of 5 megabits per second, 15 megabits per second and 30 Mb/s. Verizon expects to begin marketing these products in Keller and elsewhere later this year. The new network will also support video applications and other new services. The company has begun preparatory work for similar FTTP deployments elsewhere in Texas and in several other states. Overall, Verizon plans to provide about 1 million homes in nine states with the new technology by the end of the year. Verizon also announced it will open a national technical support center in Dallas for FTTP customers. Initially, the call center will create about 50 new jobs. Verizon will add staff as the company expands FTTP deployment. Lacouture said the FTTP equipment has already been placed inside Verizon's local central switching office as well as on aerial cables, in underground conduits and buried in the ground throughout neighborhoods in Keller. The company has already placed more than 440,000 feet of fiber optic cabling in some Keller neighborhoods. Last year, Verizon selected vendors to supply the optical electronic equipment, fiber optic cabling and other equipment required for FTTP. The company said it will announce the additional FTTP deployment locations laster this year. For more information, visit: www.verizon.com