Leesburg, Loudoun County Residents to Begin Benefiting from Cable Choice
Verizon Expands FiOS TV Availability in Northern Virginia Communities
LEESBURG, Va., July 12 / - Verizon today announced that many residents in Loudoun County and Leesburg are now eligible for FiOS TV, offering a true choice for subscription television and on-demand programming via the company's all-digital, fiber-optic network. Verizon is the first company to offer such a communications network, connecting homes and businesses directly to fiber optics on a widespread scale.
Verizon is now taking orders for its fiber-optic TV services in the Town of Leesburg and parts of Loudoun County. The company continues to upgrade to an all-fiber network, and more residents will be able to order the service in the coming months.
Verizon obtained cable franchises from Loudoun County on June 20 and the Town of Leesburg on June 27. Verizon has been granted franchises in a total of 11 jurisdictions in Virginia to date.
"Residents in Loudoun County and Leesburg now have an outstanding, superior choice for their video entertainment," said Robert W. Woltz Jr., president of Verizon Virginia. "Customers who liked what FiOS did for their Internet connection will love what it does for their TV. We've harnessed the speed and capacity of fiber-based broadband with the power of broadcast to create a revolutionary, new entertainment experience."
Service highlights of FiOS TV include:
o A broad collection of all-digital programming and compelling consumer choice.
o An initial service package of more than 180 digital video and music
channels for $34.95, when combined with high-speed Internet service or a
calling plan. With an annual savings agreement, customers can waive the
monthly standard definition set-top box fee of $3.95.
o More than 20 high-definition (HD) channels, with extraordinary clarity
and theater-quality sound.
o Over 2,500 on-demand titles available to customers now, increasing to
over 3,500 titles in the next several months.
o Channels grouped by programming genres such as entertainment, sports,
news, shopping, movies and family entertainment, making it easy for
audiences to find their favorite programming.
o An easy-to-use interactive programming guide that integrates HD
programming, on-demand content and the digital video recorder along with
broadcast television into a seamless user experience.
o A dual-tuner, HD-capable Digital Video Recorder (DVR) that gives
customers the freedom to pause and rewind live TV, record two shows
simultaneously, and fast forward to their favorite part of the
program - all without a VCR, tapes or DVDs.
Information on packages and prices is available now at http://www.verizon.com/fiostv.
In addition to consumers in parts of Northern Virginia, FiOS TV is also available to customers in parts of six other states: California, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Texas.
FiOS TV is designed to be a formidable competitor to cable and satellite. Verizon's fiber network delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. In addition to FiOS TV, Verizon's fiber network also allows the company to offer consumers and businesses high-speed FiOS Internet service, which is currently available in many Virginia communities.
Programming choices for Hispanic, African-American, Asian, Russian and other multicultural audiences are available in every market. Because FiOS TV has so much capacity, it is an outlet for emerging and independent networks to showcase their diverse programming.
(More information about FiOS TV and fiber optics is available in Verizon's online News Center at http://www.verizon.com/news.)
Service and Package Details
FiOS TV subscribers can choose from three simple-to-understand service offerings, each with built-in choice and value. They can then choose from packages and premium channels with programming that meets their special interests. Verizon offers three set-top boxes: standard definition for $3.95 per month; high definition, which includes HD channels, for $9.95 per month; and a dual-tuner, HD-capable digital video recorder for $12.95 per month.
The services include:
o FiOS TV Premier, which delivers more than 180 digital video and music
channels for $39.95 as a stand-alone service or $34.95 a month with
Verizon FiOS Internet Service or a qualifying voice plan. This tier
includes access to on-demand content and requires a set-top box. High-
definition channels are included in this tier at no extra charge, and
customers must have an HD set-top box and an HD-ready TV to view them.
o La Conexion, an alternative to FiOS TV Premier service designed for
bilingual consumers who enjoy both English and Spanish language
programming, for $27.95 per month with Verizon FiOS Internet Service or
a qualifying voice plan. La Conexion is also available as a stand-alone
service for $32.95 per month. The package includes nearly 140 channels
with English and Spanish-language programming and access to on-demand
programming. This service requires a set-top box. High-definition
channels are included in this tier at no extra charge, and customers
must have an HD set-top box and an HD-ready TV to view them.
o FiOS TV Local, with access to 15-35 local broadcast, weather and
community channels for $12.95 per month. The service is digital with a
set-top box, which also provides access to on-demand programming. FiOS
TV Local is also available as an analog service that does not require a
set-top box for viewing.
Consumers with a passion for movies can add the movie package with 44 channels of Starz, Encore, Showtime, The Movie Channel, Sundance and Flix, as well as 255 titles of on-demand programming, for a regular price of $11.95 a month. Sports enthusiasts can add a 15-channel sports package for $5.95 a month. Or, both packages can be purchased for $14.95 a month. In addition to the movie package, customers with a set-top box can order new, on-demand movie releases for $3.95 each or choose from a selection of movie library titles for $2.95 each.
Verizon also offers 14 HBO channels and 12 Cinemax channels as premium services, with each set of channels available for $14.95. The price includes access to each channel's subscription on-demand library. Subscribers who want both HBO and Cinemax will pay $24.95 per month.
The value of FiOS TV extends to the installation and customer support. Specially trained Verizon technicians will install the service and acquaint subscribers with FiOS TV features and services. Verizon is waiving the installation fee for up to three existing TV outlets, and there is no charge to install a needed optical network terminal at the subscriber's home. Charges for other installation services, such as additional outlets, may apply. Verizon provides 24x7 technical assistance by phone from its specialized Fiber Solutions Centers.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 53 million customers nationwide. Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks. Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com/.
Source: Verizon
CONTACT: Christy Reap of Verizon, +1-202-392-1021, creap@verizon.com
