Verizon Offers Small Businesses DIRECTV Service to Enhance Their Atmosphere and Entertain Customers
Digital Satellite Video Programming Brings Information and Entertainment to Businesses of all Types
NEW YORK, Dec. 6 /- To serve the information and entertainment needs of small businesses, Verizon has begun offering DIRECTV, all-digital, multi-channel satellite television to its small-business customers, across all industries.
Programming from DIRECTV can be used in a variety of ways onsite. For businesses with customer waiting rooms, DIRECTV service enlivens the atmosphere, entertains customers and can reduce perceived waiting times, which can help improve customer satisfaction. For bars and restaurants, the quality and variety of DIRECTV programming can help bring in new customers.
"In today's world, people want to be in the know, all the time, everywhere. And, they also want to be entertained," said Jamie Jessel, vice president, commercial business, DIRECTV Inc. "With DIRECTV programming, a business owner has the total solution in-house to bring customers what they want."
Michael McLaughlin, director of business marketing strategy for Verizon said, "Video programming can add to the business atmosphere, bringing national and local news, weather and traffic reports when you need it the most. At Verizon we're bringing our customers, from professional service industries to fitness centers and restaurants and taverns, 100 percent digital-quality video and audio entertainment suitable for business venues."
Verizon will offer its small-business customers several DIRECTV programming packages tailored to their customer-base. For Verizon's customers in the restaurant industry, Verizon will offer the DIRECTV COMMERCIAL CHOICE® PLUS package, including five ESPN channels, regional sports networks, local channels and more, starting at $148.99 per month for locations with up to 50 persons in the viewing audience. Prices vary based on the number of viewers.
Small-business customers that are not focused on generating revenue from the sale of food and beverage, such as a real estate agency or a doctor's office, can sign up for a complete package with 80-plus channels -- which includes sports, news and entertainment programming -- for $67.99 per month. Local channels can be added for a nominal fee. All packages come with free standard professional commercial installation and free standard DIRECTV system with up to three free standard receivers.
Randy Moran, director of DIRECTV product management for Verizon, said, "To kick off Verizon's new offering until the end of the year, we're partnering with DIRECTV to offer the 80-plus channel package, plus local channels, for $39.99 per month from the second through the seventh month, saving customers who sign up over $200."
DIRECTV is a leading provider of all-digital entertainment solutions to small businesses, with 100 percent digital-quality picture and sound, including exclusive sports programming, such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET (TM). The package is available at additional cost, and can help draw new customers and drive business.
DIRECTV was recently named the top cable or satellite entertainment provider by the University of Michigan American Customer Satisfaction Index survey, beating Echostar by three rating points and cable companies by as much as 16 rating points. This is the third year out of the last four that DIRECTV won the category in the ACSI survey.
Verizon offers a variety of products and services that allow small businesses to customize the solutions they need to better compete in the marketplace. In addition to broadband Internet access, solutions include e-mail encryption and communications management tools.
Frost & Sullivan recently recognized Verizon for offering one of the most robust portfolios of products and services to small businesses. From broadband access, voice services and video - in select markets - Verizon offers a "triple-play" bundle of unlimited calling, DSL and DIRECTV to qualifying small businesses, starting around $100.
For more information about Verizon's various DIRECTV promotions and packages for small to medium-sized businesses, customers can visit www.verizon.com/business. Customers in New England states can also call 800- 941-9900; customers in New Jersey can call 800-339-9911; and customers in Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin can call 877-892-4988.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a New York-based 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 nearly 57 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which operates one of the most expansive wholly owned global IP networks, and Verizon Telecom, which is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
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Source: Verizon
CONTACT:
Ellen Yu,
+1-908-559-3496,
ellen.yu@verizon.com,
or
Jim Smith,
+1-908-559-3477,
james.albert.smith@verizon.com
Web site: www.verizon.com/
