Verizon has bowed a new data tier that features 35 Mbps on both the upstream and downstream when ordered with a bundle of other services.
Cable operators have focused on increasing their downstream speeds via DOCSIS 3.0-enabled services, which will also lead to increased upstream speeds.
The symmetrical service is available on Verizon’s “Ultimate” tier, which also includes 90 or more HD channels and a voice service for $139.99 per month. In the New York City area, where Verizon competes with Cablevision and Time Warner Cable, the price is $149.99 per month with additional premium channels and 125 or more HD channels.
Verizon’s “Extreme” tier has 65 or more HD channels with a 25/25 Mbps symmetrical data tier for $124.99 per month. In the New York City area, this bundle also includes Showtime, TMC and Flix, for a total of 80 or more HD channels, and is available for $119.99 per month.
While the 35/35 speed is only available as part of the bundle, the 25/25 tier can be ordered as a standalone service.
Verizon’s FiOS TV Prime HD includes 40 or more HD channels, FiOS Internet service with a connection speed of up to 15/5 Mbps and FiOS voice service – available for $109.99 per month. In the New York City area, this bundle includes all of the TV content offered with FiOS TV Extreme HD, for a total of more than 65 HD channels.
The Ultimate and Extreme triple-play bundles – as well as the Prime triple-play bundle in the New York City market area – include free access to thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots across the U.S.
Verizon is also serving up promotional offers to woo new customers, including:
- A 12-month introductory price of $89.99 per month for customers who subscribe to the Prime HD triple-play bundle, $114.99 for the Extreme HD triple-play bundle and $129.99 for the Ultimate HD triple-play bundle; in the New York City area, the prices for these bundles would be $89.99, $99.99 and $129.99 per month, respectively.
- A free Verizon Home Media DVR, plus a free standard- or high-definition set-top box for six months (up to a $179 value). Customers who choose this option also qualify for special introductory prices of $99.99 per month for the Prime HD triple-play bundle, $124.99 for the Extreme HD triple-play bundle and $139.99 for the Ultimate HD triple-play bundle; in the New York City area, the 12-month introductory prices for these bundles would be $99.99, $109.99 and $139.99 per month, respectively.
Verizon also announced today that it has lowered the rate on its 7.1 Mbps DSL bundles by $10 per month and is offering new customers a free Compaq Mini notebook or a $150 prepaid Visa card on select bundles.
Verizon is also packaging in a free DVR upgrade on the video service it offers via DirecTV as part of a bundle package.
On the business side, Verizon is offering the 35/35 and 25/25 data tiers with an expanded FiOS TV lineup, or a data tier that is paired with DirecTV’s video service.
