By dramatically hiking up its FiOS installation and monthly rates, Frontier Communications (NYSE: FTR) has made it clear that it does not want to operate a TV business. But it's still happy to offer consumers video via its partnership with Dish Network (Nasdaq: DISH).
Frontier announced yesterday during its Q2 earnings call that it signed a multiyear renewal of their current partnership where Frontier will offer Dish Network video service as part of a bundled service package throughout its 27-state service footprint.
Available to residential and business customers, Frontier's Custom Value service packages will include Dish Network's 200 HD channels, audio channels, pay-per-view and on-demand titles. Under the terms of the agreement, Frontier will serve as the single point for customer service on Dish video and their traditional voice and data products.
But the agreement isn't just about providing more video content to users alone. During the Q2 earnings call, Frontier CEO Maggie Wilderotter touted the capabilities of Dish's new IP-based set-top box and the Sling adapter that enables users to view their video content on other devices such as tablets, smart phones or tablets.
"With a wireless modem, [we] can do IP video to the TV set," said Wilderotter during the earnings call. "And by using Sling, [customers] will be able to take video anywhere to any device."
Having lost 13,700 FiOS video customers and 4,900 FiOS data customers in Q2 2011, Frontier's agreement with Dish is intended to stem some of the ongoing bleeding of FiOS customers that don't want to pay the jacked up fees it implemented in areas where it offers the service.
For more:
- see the release
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