Verizon Communications previewed its upcoming "Fios" FTTP service, which it will soon begin offering in Keller, Texas and other select locations in California and Florida. Verizon "Fios" will consist of three consumer Internet access tiers:
- 5 Mbps/2 Mbps for $34.95 a month as part of a calling package, or $39.95 a month stand-alone
- 15 Mbps/2 Mbps for $44.95 a month as part of a calling package, or $49.95 a month stand-alone
- 30 Mbps/5 Mbps at pricing to be announced later
Each consumer data offer includes the suite of services currently available to Verizon Online DSL customers at no additional charge, including: MSN Premium content; Verizon's new Broadband Beat entertainment portal optimized for high-speed access featuring news games, streaming video and more; up to nine e-mail accounts with 30 MB of storage for the primary account and an additional 10 MB for each sub-account; address book and calendar; 10 MB personal Web space and a Web site building tool; and access to newsgroups.
Verizon plans a Fios video offering to give consumers an alternative to cable TV in 2005.
Verizon also announced that the following FTTP plans.
- In California, Verizon plans to pass about 100,000 homes and businesses with FTTP technology in the Huntington Beach area and in other parts of Southern California.
- In Florida, Verizon plans to pass about 100,000 homes and businesses with FTTP technology in the Tampa area and parts of Hillsborough County.
- In Texas, Verizon plans to pass 100,000 homes in part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, including Keller, which was announced by the company in May.
Verizon confirmed that it intends to pass 1 million homes and businesses in parts of nine states with fiber by the end of the year. http://www.verizon.com
- In February 2004, AFC signed a definitive agreement with Verizon to provide its FiberDirect solution for the carrier's FTTP initiative. Under the terms of the agreement -- which extends through 2008 -- AFC's FiberDirect solution will provide Verizon with the central office and premises electronics, or "active" elements.
