Verizon High Speed Internet Now Available at 10 to 15 Megabits per Second

NEW YORK, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon's High Speed Internet entered a new realm on Monday (Aug. 30) with the introduction of a 10 to 15 megabits-per-second (Mbps) downstream and 1 Mbps upstream* service initially available to more than 4 million households and small businesses.

"Consumers and small businesses everywhere have a need for speed," said Shawn Strickland, Verizon's vice president of consumer strategy. "With our new 10 to 15 Mbps speed tier, downloading files, photos and other content will be faster, plus our High Speed Internet customers will have peace of mind because our service is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee policy."

The new 10 to 15 Mbps speed tier is the latest addition to Verizon's existing suite of High Speed Internet speeds – 4 to 7 Mbps, 1.5 to 3 Mbps' and 768 kilobits per second to 1 Mbps downstream for consumers, as well as similar business packages.  All HSI services include a dedicated connection to the home or business over the company's copper network, so service won't slow down when neighbors are online at the same time.

"This new, faster Verizon High Speed Internet service has the potential to attract business and residential customers who value the affordability, reliability, and everyday performance of their broadband connection," said Amy Lind, consumer broadband research manager for the global technology market intelligence firm IDC.

"One of the issues with cable Internet is that its bandwidth capacity is shared by multiple users at a node, so the speed a customer actually receives can vary considerably depending on how many cable customers are online simultaneously," said Lind.  "DSL-based High Speed Internet, on the other hand, offers each end user a dedicated connection, so its performance is more consistent all the time."

Pricing for the 10 to 15 Mbps/1 Mbps service is $49.99 per month for residential customers with voice service from Verizon, and $59.99 per month for those without voice service.  Small-business pricing for the new, higher speed tier begins at $89.99 per month as a stand alone service with a two-year agreement, and $99.99 per month with no term contract.  Equipment fees and other charges apply.

For new residential customers, consumer bundles of Verizon Freedom Essentials that include unlimited nationwide calling, voice mail, popular calling features and 10 to 15 Mbps/1 Mbps HSI service begin at $69.99 monthly.**  Comparable packages are available to small and medium-sized businesses, beginning at $84.99 monthly** for 10 to 15 Mbps/1 Mbps HSI service and unlimited nationwide calling.

Details on HSI eligibility, access to thousands of Wi-Fi hot spots and consumer packages that include Verizon unlimited domestic calling and award-winning DIRECTV® service can be found here. Information about discounted small-business bundles with unlimited calling and DIRECTV®  service can be obtained here, or by calling 1-800-Verizon (1-800-837-4966).

* Actual download and upload speeds will vary

** Plus applicable fees and taxes

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 92 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon