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Communications powerhouse Verizon is offering customers a new option when it comes to entertainment and communication-a quad-play bundle that includes wireless, TV, Internet and home phone services.
The packages are available to customers who are served by Verizon’s FiOS (fiber optic) services or High Speed Internet (HSI) and DirecTV. The company said that with four services all on one bill, qualifying quad-play customers would save from $59 to $179 per year, depending upon the bundle.
Verizon’s quad-play bundles will be initially available in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets where Verizon offers landline and wireless services. The new bundles will be introduced in other Verizon markets in the future, the company said in a statement.
Verizon is also offering similar packages without traditional home phone service. Additional quad- and triple-play bundles featuring different broadband speeds, TV plans and Verizon Wireless calling plans are also available, as well as copper-based double-play bundles.
“Consumers want the best communication and entertainment,” said Mike Ritter, Verizon chief marketing officer for consumer wireline and business services. “These plans let consumers get it all by offering the ultimate voice, entertainment and online experiences at home and on the go, combining all of our powerful services with maximum convenience and measurable savings.”
The company also announced customers who sign up by Jan. 16, 2010, for FiOS quad-play or triple-play bundles that include broadband and TV also will receive a $150 Visa prepaid card, and new customers who subscribe to quad-play or triple-play bundles that include Verizon Freedom Essentials, Verizon HSI with an up-to-3M-bps or 7M-bps speed, and DirecTV service will receive three months of free high-speed Internet service. Existing Verizon Wireless customers can choose to add Verizon broadband or TV services, or both, to complete a bundle; existing Verizon broadband and TV customers can add Verizon Wireless voice service to their bundles.
The basic Verizon quad-play FiOS bundle consists of the national Verizon Wireless calling plan of 450 minutes, Freedom Essentials voice service, FiOS Internet service with downstream/upstream connection speeds of up to 15M/5M bps and FiOS TV Essentials service for $134.99 per month with a one-year agreement. For customers served by Verizon’s copper network, the lead quad-play bundle consists of the national Verizon Wireless calling plan of 450 minutes, a Freedom Essentials calling plan, HSI service with downstream connection of up to 3M bps and the DirecTV Plus DVR package for $124.99 per month. A one-year Verizon commitment and a two-year DirecTV commitment with hardware lease are required with these bundles.
“We recognize that some customers prefer to use Verizon Wireless as their primary voice service while others appreciate the reliable convenience and the peace of mind that comes with a wired home phone as well,” said Ritter. “We’re offering the freedom and flexibility for customers to choose the Verizon voice service or combination of services that meets their individual or family needs, together with our complete line of industry-leading home-entertainment options.”