New Yorkers now have a new option for broadband Internet access to their
home or office.
Bell Atlantic Corp.
introduced their Infospeed digital subscriber line services to parts of
Manhattan Thursday. Other parts of the New York metropolitan area are
scheduled to receive the server later this year.
In conjunction with the New York launch of home and small office DSL
access, Bell Atlantic is also introducing a quick and easy home
installation package that customers can complete themselves. The Quick
Start installation offer will be introduced in other Bell Atlantic markets
later this year.
Amy McIntosh, Bell Atlantic president of consumer data services, said New
Yorkers were anxious to gain access to high-speed services.
“Thousands of our New York customers made reservations online for our
Infospeed DSL service long before we started advertising today,” McIntosh
said. “We know they’re anxious to enjoy the speed and convenience that
Infospeed DSL gives them with immediate and unlimited access to the
Internet. With our new Quick Start installation, they’ll be able to cruise
the Internet in no time at all.”
McIntosh said that DSL access is poised to provide mainstream connectivity services this year.
“Now that we’ve opened up the New York market, we expect DSL to become the hottest product in the online market this year. It will accelerate the development and availability of new services and content, especially
e-commerce,” McIntosh said.
According to Courtney Munroe, IDC business
network services program director, there are 7 million small businesses
in the U.S. She said that the small business market is the fastest growing
segment for telecommunications services.
“This sector requires comprehensive Internet access and e-commerce
solutions that are inexpensive, reliable and flexible.” She added that DSL
access is a cost-effective tool that gives small companies a global web
presence.
DSL technology is capable of providing Internet access speeds up to 126
times faster than a 56 kilobits per second modem. By taking advantage of
unused bandwidth on existing telephone lines, the technology allows
consumers to use a single phone line to send faxes or make phone calls
while surfing the Internet.
Bell Atlantic DSL will be available in areas of Queens, Long Island and
Westchester County by early August. Service will be available in parts of
Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island beginning in September. By the end of
the year, Infospeed DSL service will be available to the majority of Bell
Atlantic customers in the New York metropolitan area.
Introduced by Bell Atlantic last fall, the service is already available in parts of the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston and Washington, D.C.
metropolitan areas and New Jersey.
Entry level DSL service plans start just less than $50 a month. Set-up
costs include a one-time $99 network connection fee. For Bell Atlantic
subscribers who make a one-year commitment, a DSL modem can be purchased
for under $100.
