Verizon Eliminates Symmetrical FiOS Internet Tier
Telco Says ‘Vast Majority' of Customers Subscribe to Other Plans
Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 6/23/2009 12:32:08 PM
Verizon Communications has stopped offering its symmetrical FiOS Internet service, which offered 20 Megabits per second both upstream and downstream, to new customers.
The telco, as part of boosting the speeds of its entry-level and midtier FiOS Internet plans, has replaced the 20/20 offering with a 25/15 service in most FiOS Internet markets and a 35/20 offering for bundle customers in New York City and the surrounding suburbs, Verizon media relations director Bobbi Henson said. Existing customers who have the 20/20 tier will not be affected.
The change was made, according to Henson, because "our portfolio is evolving with higher overall speed (downstream and upstream combined) for the plans that the vast majority of our customers subscribe to."
Verizon will still make the symmetrical service to customers who are served by its VDSL2 architecture in some multiple-dwelling unit (MDU) buildings in certain areas, she said.
On Monday Verizon raised the speed of its entry-level FiOS Internet service from 10 Mbps down and 2 Mbps up to 15/5 Mbps. The midtier offering is being increased from 20/5 Mbps to 25/15 Mbps, while the top tier remains 50/20. The tiers are available only in bundles with TV and phone service.
Verizon pricing for the FiOS triple-play now starts at $109.99 per month (with an annual contract) for a bundle that includes the 15/5 Internet, whereas the telco had previously offered a $99-per-month package. The middle-tier bundle, with 25/15 service, also increased $10 per month, to $119.99. The prices do not include FiOS TV equipment charges.
Cablevision Systems on Monday afternoon issued a statement about Verizon's new FiOS Internet speeds that said in part, "the most interesting thing about today's phone company announcement is that it includes a significant entry-level price increase for new FiOS customers."
Verizon, in response, countered that "these are new speeds at a new price."
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