As the cable MSOs aggressively target the SMB market with their own branded bundle of voice, data and video--a lot of which is being achieved with their existing HFC plant--telcos such as Verizon have to get creative with their own offerings. This week Verizon announced two flexible pricing plans that combine traditional voice, Internet access and TV. Verizon claims these new bundles, which it says were developed to help small businesses weather the economic storm, will cut these companies' service bills by about 25 percent.
These offerings, which include the Single Line Business PAK and Freedom for Business Expansion PAK, can be purchased in either a triple-play option (voice, video and data) at $119.98 a month or as a double-play option (voice and Internet) at $84.99. Perhaps the only catch with Verizon's offering is that the SMB has to sign for a three-year agreement. However, Verizon does offer interested SMBs the option to purchase a yearly bundled service contract with a 10 percent discount off month-to-month prices for the services priced individually.
Touted as a way to simplify telecom services for SMBs, these bundles can be purchased by both traditional wireline customers and SMBs located in the FiOS footprint. The traditional wireline customers can get bundles with DSL, DirecTV and Verizon Freedom for Business calling plan, while FiOS subscribers can purchase a mix of FiOS Internet, TV and Freedom for Business.
For more:
- CED has this article
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