Verizon Online Launches DSL Service Tier to 16 More States

Verizon (www.verizon.net) now offers consumers and businesses in 16 more states a new choice in super-high-speed Internet access with the addition of a maximum connection speed of 3 Mbps (megabits per second) downstream and 768 Kbps (kilobits per second) upstream to its Verizon Online DSL service offerings.

"Today's broadband customers are looking for higher speeds to support working from home, multi-player gaming and e-mailing large files like photographs. But most of all, they're looking for great value," said Christopher Pizzirani, executive director - broadband data products for Verizon.

Verizon Online will offer the new, higher maximum connection speed for $39.95 a month to qualifying customers agreeing to subscribe to an annual service plan or who purchase the service as part of a package of local and long-distance calling services from Verizon. Other customers who qualify for this service tier will pay $44.95 a month.

Verizon Online now offers this additional DSL service tier to qualified customers in California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, in addition to all other states in the company's service areas.

Qualified customers who subscribe to an annual DSL service plan will receive a free combination modem and router "home gateway," enabling them to share their DSL connection among multiple computers in their homes.

The gateway is available for $49.95 to qualifying customers purchasing DSL as part of a Verizon calling package, or for $99.95 for customers not in an annual DSL plan or a calling package.

Calling package customers can opt for a free DSL modem, which costs $39.95 for customers who do not have such a package.

The business packages for small and medium-sized businesses include all the tools needed for business-grade access to the Web, including domain name e-mail boxes (username@yourcompany.com), round-the-clock business-grade technical support, 20 MB of Web space, unlimited remote dial-up service, 30-day money-back guarantee and On Time Guarantee.