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Verizon FiOS getting VoIP in early 2009
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Coming in early 2009, Verizon is going to roll out a VoIP phone service for FiOS. It's not the defunct VoiceWing, but something completely different.
Verizon execs say FiOS Digital Voice service will be priced comparably to the phone company's existing calling plans, so it's not a low-cost play. This is an interesting statement, but the more interesting issue is how pricing will look when service is either included in a triple-play bundle (Internet, TV, voice) and/or otherwise competitively discounted. The offering is further described as a customer acquisition and retention tool.
The new VoIP service has been in limited deployment in markets in Virginia and Maryland since September and will be marketed to new customers across the 14 states where FiOS TV and Internet services are available.
Reports say FiOS Digital Voice service will use in-home wiring so customers can use existing phone jacks and include the usual bells and whistles such as caller ID, voice mail and visual voice mail through a web page, as well as new (for Verizon) capabilities such as scheduled call forwarding, simultaneously ring to multiple phone numbers, phone book synchronization and click to dial. Verizon will likely also throw in virtual phone numbers as an extra monthly charge.
Another interesting kicker is a choice of two calling plans: one provides unlimited direct dial calling to the U.S. and territories, Canada, and Puerto Rico for a flat monthly, and the other offers domestic calls for 5 cents per minute. Who's billing at 5 cents per minute for local calls these days?
For more:
- Multichannel News rings up Verizon VoIP story. Article.
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Comments
Posted by James Park | December 15, 2008 - 4:17pm
$0.05 a minute makes sense if you do not use your landline phone very often but want / need one for the security system, occassional phone call, 911 dependibility, etc. If the unlimited usage is 25.00 that will buy alot of minutes at $0.05 each. In fact it is an excellent alternative to the expense of the unlimited plan. In today's economy, it doesn't matter if its traditional POTS or VOIP, I am not going to pay 25.00 or more a month for a home phone that I am not using enough to justify.
Posted by Jim D | December 15, 2008 - 6:19pm
If you have a per minute calling plan then in-network calling is free to any other Verizon residential customer nationwide from the looks of it but the per minute would be for wireless and business customers and any phone number that isn't Verizon local service.
Posted by Anonymous | January 15, 2009 - 1:48pm
"defunct VoiceWing"?
That's an interesting description since my VoiceWing service is still active and my credit card is billed each month right on schedule.
Posted by Anonymous | January 24, 2009 - 7:32pm
I just receive a notice from VZ telling me that they will no longer offer VoiceWing service after 31 March 2009, that all VW services will be terminated at that time.
How nice. First they beat Vonage to a pulp, then they ungracefully exit VoIP.
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