Cable operators have made headway in targeting small- and medium-size businesses (SMBs), but they can expect increased competition now that Verizon has vowed to tackle the same market segment.
Multiple-tenant units (MTUs) – SMBs located in strip malls, street level shops and offices – will be the subject of a marketing campaign by Verizon Enhanced Communities, which is Verizon’s business organization that markets communications services to single- and multiple-dwelling unit (MDU) properties. The effort is an outgrowth of Verizon’s program to link apartment buildings and other MDUs to offer FiOS services to tenants.
“Verizon is excited to bring FiOS service to small- and medium-size businesses in commercial properties,” said Monte Beck, VP of business marketing for Verizon. “Now as our teams of engineers are expanding the reach of our FiOS services, we’ll sell the services to commercial properties, just as we’ve done successfully in apartment buildings.”
Last fall, sales managers from Verizon Enhanced Communities began contacting owners of small- and medium-size commercial properties in California, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Since then, Verizon has been working on bringing Verizon FiOS Internet for Business to MTU properties in parts of 16 states where the company is doing business.
Verizon FiOS Internet for Business service can deliver Internet access with a maximum downstream connection speed of up to 50 Mbps on the company’s all-fiber-optic network.
In some areas, Verizon’s FiOS Internet for Business service delivers Internet access with maximum downstream connection speeds of up to 30 Mbps, and maximum upload speeds of up to 5 Mbps or 15 Mbps.
In other FiOS-related news, Verizon is offering a discount to new subscribers who sign up for its Movie Package. New FiOS TV subscribers who enroll between now and July 19 will be eligible to sign up for Verizon’s Summer Movie Pass, which includes four free video-on-demand (VOD) selections and 90 days of free access to the Movie Package. In addition, the Summer Movie Pass will offer customers an upgrade to the Home Media digital video recorder (DVR) for the price of a high-definition (HD) DVR for 90 days.
Verizon also announced that it’s now offering its new Flex Double Play bundle that lets customers subscribe to Verizon Wireless service, add Verizon broadband, and get both on one bill. FiOS TV service, where available, can also be added to create a triple-play bundle.
The double- and triple-play bundles are available in any Verizon market that offers Verizon Wireless, FiOS TV, and either FiOS Internet or high-speed Internet service. As Verizon introduces FiOS services in other markets, or further expands the reach of its broadband service, customers in those locations will also be able to order the wireless and broadband bundle.
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• Broadband Briefs for 6/17/08
