Verizon FiOS Internet Speed Boost: Up To 20Mbps Uploads

If you've considered Verizon's FiOS internet service but dismissed it for being too slow for your tastes, the news that they're speeding up the fiber-optic system will come as a pleasant surprise.  The company is boosting downlink/uplink speeds of its entry-level package from 10/2 Mbps to 15/5 Mbps, while the mid-tier 20/5 Mbps climbs to 25/15 Mbps.  New York City and Long Island will see even greater increases.

In fact, those two locations will see their entry-level package jump to 25/15 Mbps, with the mid-tier package landing at 35/20 Mbps.   That sort of uplink speed is enough to upload a one-hour high-definition movie in around 20 minutes; according to recent research from In-Stat, Verizon says with no small amount of gloating, the average cable internet user sees upload rates of 2.68Mbps.

If sheer speed isn't enough to lure you in, Verizon  are also offering gadget incentives to new subscribers.  Anybody subscribing to a triple package of 25/15 Mbps internet (or higher), Extreme HD TV and Essentials voice will get their choice of a Compaq Mini netbook or a Flip Ultra camcorder.  Anybody choosing the slower 15/5 Mbps (or higher) connection with TV Essentials and Essentials voice service will get a free Flip Ultra.  Those unable to get FiOS will have similar offers for Verizon's DSL service.

Press Release:

Verizon Amps Up FiOS Internet With Increased Two-Way Speeds and Launches Free Netbook/Camcorder Promotion

Verizon Fast is 'Two-Way' Fast With Upstream Speeds That Optimize Today's Interactive, Multimedia Internet Experiences

NEW YORK – Verizon FiOS continues creating the ultimate broadband and home-entertainment experience by introducing on Monday (June 22) new, faster broadband speeds – both downstream and upstream – for the most popular FiOS Internet services. The company is also offering compelling incentives for consumers to subscribe to FiOS. New customers who order qualifying FiOS bundles are eligible for a free Compaq Mini netbook* or a Flip Ultra™ camcorder.

"From its inception just five years ago, Verizon FiOS has transformed the American broadband and home-entertainment experience by delivering innovative services that our competitors can't match," said Mike Ritter, chief marketing officer for Verizon Telecom. "Today FiOS leaps forward again with faster two-way broadband speed options that free customers to fully participate in today's interactive, multimedia Web."

Verizon is doubling to quadrupling the upstream connection speeds and increasing the downstream connection speeds of its most popular FiOS Internet offerings. The company has raised the connection speed of its entry-level FiOS Internet service from 10/2 megabits per second (Mbps) to 15/5 Mbps, and has raised the connection speed of its flagship, mid-tier offering from 20/5 Mbps to 25/15 Mbps. In New York City, on Long Island and in other New York City suburbs, FiOS Internet is even faster with a new entry-level connection speed of 25/15 Mbps, and a new mid-tier offering of 35/20 Mbps, available only in bundles.

According to a survey of residential broadband users in the U.S. by the market intelligence firm In-Stat ("US Broadband Speeds on the Rise," In-Stat, Feb. 2009), the average upstream connection speed used by cable broadband customers is 2.68 Mbps. Verizon is offering speeds two-to-seven times faster than this typical cable upload speed.

"From grade-schoolers to grandparents, no one wants to wait for long uploads any more than they want to wait for long downloads," said Ritter. "Verizon has good news for people who want to enjoy interactive applications like video chat, quickly back up their hard drives, upload photos and videos to e-mail and social networking sites, or send large files to co-workers or clients: The ultra-fast downstream and upstream speed you need every day is here. It's widely available, affordably priced, and there are no artificial limits placed on how much you can use."

Using a 20 Mbps upstream broadband connection, a consumer could upload 200 photos in about 90 seconds, a 20-minute high-def video in less than 7 minutes and a one-hour HD movie in about 20 minutes. (Listen to photographer and educator Kathy Halamka on why fast FiOS connections are important to her.)

New Promotion Provides Powerful Incentives

To encourage even more customer defections from cable to FiOS TV and Internet services, Verizon has also launched a compelling new promotional offer that runs through Aug. 15.

New customers who sign up for a triple bundle that consists of FiOS Internet with a connection speed of 25/15 Mbps or higher, FiOS TV Extreme HD service and FiOS Essentials voice service will receive their choice of a free Compaq Mini netbook* valued at $299.99 (customer only pays shipping, handling and taxes) or a free Flip Ultra camcorder, valued at $149.99.

New customers who order a triple bundle that consists of FiOS Internet with a connection speed of 15/5 Mbps or higher, FiOS TV Essentials service and Freedom Essentials voice service will receive a free Flip Ultra camcorder, or they can opt to purchase a Compaq Mini netbook* for just $99.99.

Verizon also announced on Monday the continuation of its price guarantee for stand-alone, DSL-based High Speed Internet — and a similar camcorder and netbook incentive offer for customers. See companion news release for more details.

"A free netbook or camcorder is the perfect companion to the amped-up speed of FiOS Internet," said Ritter. "With faster downstream and unparalleled upstream connections, plus the latest in cool electronics, FiOS Internet customers can explore the unlimited possibilities of a fully interactive online experience."

FiOS Internet also provides a gateway to other valuable Verizon services, including a suite of Internet security measures, premium technical support and backup and sharing.

Bundle pricing varies by market and starts at $99.99 for triple bundles and $79.99 for double bundles. Both double and triple bundles require a one-year service agreement; however, customers will receive a two-year price guarantee.

New and existing FiOS customers can opt to subscribe to the new services by calling Verizon at 888-GET-FiOS. For more information about FiOS, visit www.verizon.com/seefios.

Features of the Compaq Mini netbook include:

10.1-inch diagonal widescreen display.

Lightweight, one-inch-thick design that conveniently fits in backpack, briefcase or purse.

Intel Atom™ processor.

Windows XP Home operating system.

Features of the Flip Ultra™ camcorder include:

Pocket-size design with one-touch recording and digital zoom.

Up to 120 minutes of high-quality video.

4GB of built-in memory.

Two-inch anti-glare screen.

Built-in USB arm for direct connection to PC or Mac.

Pre-loaded FlipShareTM software that allows easy video organizing, editing and emailing, along with simple upload to social media sites such as YouTubeTM and MySpaceTM.

Connection speed refers to the speed between a user's location and Verizon's central office. Actual surfing speeds will vary based on many factors and be lower than connection speed.

Promotion Terms and Conditions:

*Compaq Mini netbook available with $299.99 coupon (or $200 coupon for $99.99 discounted-price offer) redeemable online at HP Home & Home Office while supplies last. Valid credit card required. Customer pays taxes, shipping and handling. Must sign up by Aug. 15 and install by Oct. 15, 2009. Must have service for 60 days and no past due balance. Coupon sent within 90 days of install date and requires redemption within 60 days of receipt. For residential customers new to FiOS TV and Internet.

Flip Ultra ™ Camcorder available while supplies last. Must have service for 60 days with no past due balance to qualify. Gift will be sent within 90 days of install date. Other terms and conditions apply.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 86 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 237,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

Press Release:

Verizon High Speed Internet Experience Better Than Ever With Broadband Deals That Offer Cool Electronic Devices

Compaq Mini Netbook or Flip Ultra Camcorder Free to Qualifying Customers Who Choose Voice and High Speed Internet Bundles; Price Guarantee Extended for Non-Bundled High Speed Internet Service

NEW YORK – Consumers looking for the utmost reliability and value in broadband bundles can now choose Verizon's latest super-fast connections of up-to-3 Mbps (megabits per second) or up-to-7.1 Mbps High Speed Internet bundle offers and get gear to take full advantage of the service.

Under a new offer from Verizon, qualifying new voice and broadband customers get either a Compaq Mini netbook* (valued at $299) or a Flip UltraTM camcorder (valued at $149.99) — two of the most popular electronic devices on the market today.

"Consumers get our highly reliable High Speed Internet service, which is perfect for surfing the Web, e-mailing, and sending and receiving large amounts of data," said Susan Retta, Verizon vice president of consumer product management. "With Internet service, they also get a winning combination of all-digital-quality DIRECTV® service, and unlimited local and long-distance phone service delivered on our 99.9 percent reliable network. To make it irresistible, we're offering hot electronics that customers can use to get the most out of their new High Speed Internet service."

To encourage even more consumers to leave their cable provider and select Verizon, the company announced Monday (June 22) the launch of a compelling new promotional offer: New customers who select voice and High Speed Internet service and sign up for a one-year, double- or triple-play bundle that includes either the up-to-3 Mbps/768 kilobits per second (Kbps) or up-to-7.1 Mbps/768 Kbps** service will receive their choice of a free Compaq Mini netbook or Flip Ultra camcorder.

Existing Verizon voice customers who add either the up-to-3 or up-to-7.1 Mbps High Speed Internet service will receive their choice of a Compaq Mini netbook for $99.99 or a free Flip Ultra camcorder. These promotional offers continue through Aug. 15.

Verizon also announced on Monday higher FiOS Internet speeds and a similar camcorder and netbook incentive offer for new FiOS customers. See companion release.

"In addition, this new offer provides additional incentives for consumers, particularly cable company customers, to sign up with Verizon," Retta said. "The offer enables consumers to use their Compaq Mini netbook or Flip Ultra camcorder on the road, around town or anywhere on campus."

Triple-play bundles that qualify for Verizon's new promotion start at $99.99 per month for one year, while qualifying double-play bundles start at $69.99 per month. Features of the Compaq Mini netbook include:

10.1-inch diagonal widescreen display.

One-inch-thick, 2.35-pound design that fits in a backpack, briefcase or purse.

Intel Atom™ processor.

Windows XP Home operating system.

Features of the Flip Ultra camcorder include:

Pocket-size design with one-touch recording and digital zoom.

Up to 120 minutes of high-quality video.

4GB of built-in memory.

Two-inch anti-glare screen.

Built-in USB arm for direct connection to PC or Mac.

Pre-loaded FlipShareTM software that allows easy video organizing, editing and e-mailing, along with simple upload to social media sites such as YouTubeTM and MySpaceTM.

Additionally, Verizon will continue to offer its price guarantee for non-bundled High Speed Internet service (up to 1, 3 or 7.1 Mbps speeds), ranging from $17.99 per month to $39.99 per month with a two-year agreement. Pricing will remain the same for customers as long as they continue on the same High Speed Internet service plan and retain local voice service.

Verizon High Speed Internet, which uses digital subscriber line technology, is the company's most widely available form of broadband data service. More than 25 million households in parts of 24 states and the District of Columbia can order the service. Verizon High Speed Internet subscribers are not subject to bandwidth caps that some Internet service providers assess, so there's no penalty for heavy usage.

According to PC Magazine's 2008 readers' survey, Verizon High Speed Internet beat the average cable provider's score in reliability, the likelihood of a customer choosing an Internet service provider, as well as the associated costs and fees for the service.

Verizon High Speed Internet customers also receive access to an extensive portfolio of value-added services, including 250 MB (megabytes) of free Verizon Online Backup and Sharing, which provides useful disaster-recovery support.

The company's popular Verizon Internet Security Suite provides comprehensive online protection from spyware and viruses for as little as $5.99 a month and includes a firewall, parental control, a pop-up-blocker and privacy manager software to help keep customers safe from hackers and phishing attacks.

Customers can also obtain a combination offer of Verizon Online Backup and Sharing and Verizon Internet Security Suite for $8.99 per month.

In addition, customers can protect their home-entertainment and communications investments by subscribing to a comprehensive suite of device protection plans such as Protection Pak Enhanced, which, in cases of a malfunction, covers the repair or replacement of all eligible computers, telephones and TVs in a customer's home, regardless of the device's place of purchase or age. Coverage is less than $1 a day.

Consumers can obtain more information about Verizon's High Speed Internet service by visiting www.verizon.net/highspeed or by calling 1-800-483-4000.

VERIZON PROMOTION TERMS AND CONDITIONS

NEW VOICE + NEW HIGH SPEED INTERNET CUSTOMERS

Customers establishing new Verizon service who select a double- or triple-play bundle featuring either the up to 3 or 7.1 Mbps High Speed Internet service and Verizon Freedom Essentials qualify for a free Compaq Mini netbook (customer pays taxes, shipping and handling charges of approximately $50) or a free Flip Ultra camcorder (customer does not pay taxes, shipping and handling charges).

*Compaq Mini netbook available with $299.99 coupon redeemable online at HP Home & Home Office while supplies last. Valid credit card required. Customer pays taxes, shipping and handling. Must sign up by Aug. 15 and activate service by Sept. 30, 2009. Must have service for 60 days and no past due balance. Coupon sent within 90 days of activation date and requires redemption within 60 days of receipt. For residential customers new to Verizon voice and High Speed Internet service.

Flip Ultra ™ camcorder available while supplies last. Must sign up by Aug. 15 and activate service by Sept. 30, 2009. Must have service for 60 days with no past due balance to qualify. Gift will be sent within 90 days of activation date. Other terms and conditions apply.

One-year agreement required for bundles; a $120 early termination fee applies if the High Speed Internet or voice component of the bundle is cancelled or downgraded before expiration of term.

EXISTING VOICE CUSTOMERS

Existing voice customers ordering new up to 3 or 7.1 Mbps High Speed Internet in a double or triple play bundle qualify for a $99.99 Compaq Mini netbook (plus tax, shipping and handling charges of approximately $50) or a free Flip Ultra camcorder (tax, shipping and handling included).

* $99.99 Compaq Mini netbook available with $200 coupon redeemable online at HP Home & Home Office while supplies last. Valid credit card required. Customer pays taxes, shipping and handling. Must sign up by Aug. 15 and activate service by Sept. 30, 2009. Must have service for 60 days and no past due balance. Coupon sent within 90 days of activation date and requires redemption within 60 days of receipt.

Terms and conditions for the Flip Ultra ™ camcorder apply as presented for new voice plus new High Speed Internet customers.

One-year agreement required for bundles; a $120 early termination fee applies if the High Speed Internet or voice component of the bundle is cancelled or downgraded before expiration of term.

** Internet speeds refer to the connection speed between the user's location and Verizon's central office. Actual surfing speeds will vary based on many factors and be lower than connection speed.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 86 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 237,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.