Verizon Online Extends New High-Speed DSL Service Tier to Consumers and Businesses in 16 States

November 9, 2004; 04:53 AM
NEW YORK - (DomainInformer.com) - Verizon now offers consumers and businesses in 16 more states a new choice in super-high-speed Internet access with the addition of a maximum connection speed of 3 Mbps (megabits per second) downstream and 768 Kbps (kilobits per second) upstream to its Verizon Online DSL service offerings.

Verizon Online now offers this additional DSL service tier to qualified customers in California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, in addition to all other states in the company's service areas.

"Today's broadband customers are looking for higher speeds to support working from home, multi-player gaming and e-mailing large files like photographs. But most of all, they're looking for great value," said Christopher Pizzirani, executive director - broadband data products for Verizon. "Now they have an additional, super-fast option from Verizon, with some of the industry's best broadband prices."

Consumer DSL
Verizon Online will offer the new, higher maximum connection speed for $39.95 a month to qualifying customers agreeing to subscribe to an annual service plan or who purchase the service as part of a package of local and long-distance calling services from Verizon. Other customers who qualify for this service tier will pay $44.95 a month.

Qualified customers who subscribe to an annual DSL service plan will receive a free combination modem and router "home gateway," enabling them to share their DSL connection among multiple computers in their homes.

"The home gateway helps simplify the creation of a home network that allows everyone in the household to get the most out of a single broadband connection," said Pizzirani.

The gateway is available for $49.95 to qualifying customers purchasing DSL as part of a Verizon calling package, or for $99.95 for customers not in an annual DSL plan or a calling package. Calling package customers can opt for a free DSL modem, which costs $39.95 for customers who do not have such a package. Consumers can get more information about Verizon Online DSL, including service qualification, pricing and features, by visiting www.verizon.net or calling 1-800-PICK-DSL. New customers get their first month of service free when they order online. The service includes:

Round-the-clock technical support
MSN Premium software ($99 annual value) with parental controls, virus protection, pop-up guard and a variety of popular MSN services
9 e-mail accounts
10MB (megabytes) of Web space
A 30-day money-back guarantee

Business DSL
Small and medium-sized businesses can also take advantage of the new speed option from Verizon. The business packages include all the tools needed for business-grade access to the Web, including domain name e-mail boxes ([email protected]), round-the-clock business-grade technical support, 20 MB of Web space, unlimited remote dial-up service, 30-day money-back guarantee and On Time Guarantee.

Additionally, Verizon offers businesses a choice of dynamic or static IP (Internet protocol) routing for $89.95 a month and $129.95 a month, respectively. Unlike dynamic DSL, a static IP address gives businesses a permanent IP address for hosting a Web site and an e-mail server, as well as providing virtual private network (VPN) applications for employees who work remotely.

Verizon is recognized as the leader in broadband services for the business community. Recently, Verizon's broadband business services earned the highest customer satisfaction ranking in the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Major Provider Business Telecommunications Services StudySM. The study includes services such as DSL, cable modem, ISDN, T-1, Ethernet and videoconferencing services. It was conducted among 4,745 businesses that have from two to more than 500 employees and that subscribe to major providers in the broadband business telecommunications market (www.jdpower.com).

"Verizon offers businesses a clear migration strategy from dial up to ADSL to more sophisticated technologies such as converged voice and data and ATM," said Michael Lanier, director of business marketing. "By expanding the choices of DSL packages, we continue to validate our leadership position in the business broadband market. This addition to our business ADSL speed options is an example of how we can support their needs with the right technology both now and as their business grows."

Verizon offers business-grade DSL service in packages with a discount of up to 20 percent on monthly DSL service to businesses that subscribe to a qualifying bundle. Businesses that place their orders online get the first month of service free and may be eligible for rebates from $75 to $225 depending on which package they select.

Business customers interested in revving up their DSL service can visit www.biz.verizon.net or contact their Verizon representative at 1-888-649-9500.

Expanded DSL Availability
Verizon recently upgraded its network to enable DSL service on more than 1.2 million lines to expand the service for the first time in new markets across California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Verizon Communications Inc.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. With a diverse work force of approximately 208,000, Verizon has four business units: Domestic Telecom serves customers based in 29 states with wireline telecommunications services, including broadband, nationwide long-distance and other services. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 42.1 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.