Verizon Heeds Need for DSL Speed

Verizon is boosting digital subscriber line
speeds to appeal to consumers who work from home, play multi-player games
and e-mail pictures and other large content files.

The new service tier hits 3 Mbps downstream and 768
Kbps upstream and comes at a time when carriers,
cable operators and ISPs are competing for broadband customers using price
and speed.

For example, last month, Cox Communications increased the
speeds of each package of its cable broadband service. Its flagship package
boasts 4 Mbps of download speed (up from 3 Mbps) and 512 Kbps
upload speed (up from 256 Kbps).

Verizon is introducing its new option in Delaware, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont,
West Virginia, Washington, D.C., and parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia.

The Baby Bell will offer 3 Mbps DSL service later this year in the remaining
11 states where it now offers up to 1.5 Mbps DSL service. The offering will
be priced at $39.95 when purchased as part of a bundle of calling services.

The existing 1.5 Mbps/384 Kbps will still be offered to consumers in 23
states and the District of Columbia for $29.95 a month.

The faster speed is also available to businesses, and is being packaged with
domain name e-mail, tech support and unlimited remote dial-up.

“Advancements like increasing the speed for DSL, and the introduction of
products like Voice over Internet Protocol and fiber to the premises are
examples of how Verizon Online is positioned to meet our customers’
broadband needs now and in the future,” John Wimsatt, vice president of
broadband for Verizon Online, said in a statement.