Verizon Enters Connecticut Long-Distance Market with Simple, Innovative Plans
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NEW YORK -- Verizon Long Distance today announced innovative, straightforward long-distance calling plans that bring the true benefits of competition -- choice and value -- to Connecticut business and residential callers.
In July, Verizon received approval from the Federal Communications Commission to offer long-distance service in Connecticut. Since then, the company has been working to clear the final state regulatory hurdles to offer operator services associated with this service.
"Now that we have long-distance approval, we can jointly market local and long-distance services to Connecticut customers," said Paul Crotty, president of Verizon for New York and Connecticut. "We look forward to bringing long-distance service, simplicity and savings to Connecticut. It is gratifying to see the ripples of competition unleashed by Verizon's entry into long distance."
Verizon's long-distance plans have competitive, per-minute rates without pricing gimmicks. Most plans do not have monthly charges or minimums.
"It's long distance made simple from Verizon," said Maura Breen, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon. "We're offering Connecticut residents and businesses long-distance calling plans that are innovative and easy-to-understand. We've eliminated the hidden fees and complicated rate structures. We've made it easy -- one provider, one bill and one call for customer service.
"Both residential and business customers told us they want to 'keep it simple' and Verizon's long-distance plans do just that. We offer customized calling plans tailored to fit our customers' lifestyles and calling preferences," Breen said.
Verizon offers the most value for consumers not subscribing to a long-distance plan from their current long-distance company. These customers may pay as much as 25 cents a minute for calls. Verizon's most popular plan, Timelesssm, offers consumers a flat rate of 10 cents a minute for state-to-state and 8 cents a minute for all in-state long-distance calls, and has no monthly plan fees.
Verizon's plans, available in 40 states including Connecticut, have proven very popular with consumers and businesses alike. The Telecommunications Research and Action Center, an independent watchdog consumer group, estimates that New Yorkers have saved $284 million annually on long-distance calling since Verizon began offering long-distance service there.
Innovative Calling Plans for Consumers and Businesses
Consumers and businesses can choose from an assortment of Verizon long-distance plans designed for domestic and international calling. Verizon also offers toll-free plans and calling cards for both consumers and businesses. Verizon's prices are based on state-to-state, direct-dialed domestic calls. In-state rates may vary slightly. International rates vary depending upon the country called.
Some plans enable customers to purchase long-distance service in advance or to bundle long-distance with packages of Verizon products and services. For instance, Verizon Connecticut customers who subscribe to the ValuePack package can add long-distance service at 8 cents a minute (both state-to-state and in-state) and a number of features, including Call Waiting, *69, Call Forwarding, and Speed Dialing, among others, all for $15.99 a month.
"There's a plan here for everyone -- from the highest to lowest volume long-distance callers," Breen said. "We will make it easy to do business with Verizon. Customers can sign up for Verizon Long Distance service through our Web site at www.verizonld.com or their local Verizon Connecticut business office.
Verizon Communications
Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 128.5 million access line equivalents and 28.7 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with 256,000 employees and approximately $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.
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Verizon
Long Distance Made Simple. Only From Verizon.
Choose from the following simple, 'surprise-free' plans for residential customers:
TimelesssmCalling Plan | One low, 10-cents-a-minute rate for direct-dialed, state-to-state calls, in-state long-distance calls, and 8 cents for in-state calls - every time, every day. No monthly charges or minimum usage requirements. |
e-ValuessmCalling Plan | Five cents a minute for direct-dialed, state-to-state calls and in-state calls on weekends, and 9 cents a minute Monday - Friday. Sign up at www.verizonld.com. |
Talk Time Calling Plan | Save on long distance by buying in bulk with rates as low as 6 cents a minute. The more time purchased, the lower the rate: buy 60 minutes for $5 a month (additional minutes are 10 cents a minute), 300 minutes for $21 a month (additional minutes are 8 cents a minute) or 500 minutes for $30 a month (additional minutes are 6 cents a minute). |
Best TimessmCalling Plan | Five cents a minute during off-peak calling hours (5 p.m. - 8 a.m. Monday - Friday and all weekend) and 7 cents a minute during peak calling hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F) for in-state calls and state-to-state long-distance calls. Monthly recurring charge of $4.75. |
SmartTouchsmPlan | Eight cents a minute for direct-dialed, state-to-state calls and in-state long-distance calls when you buy time in advance with cash, or a credit card, or a Visa(r)- or MasterCard(r)-branded check/debit card. Voice prompts tell how many minutes you have for the call and your remaining account balance. Taxes and surcharges included. Sign up at www.getsmarttouch.com. |
International Savings Plan | Low, flat rates for direct-dialed, international long-distance calls. Rates vary by country, with a $3 monthly charge. |
Personal Toll-Free | A toll-free number with a private PIN code (personal identification number) that callers use to reach customers free of charge. Basic rate is 25-cents a minute to receive calls made in the U.S. |
Calling Card | With all plans, a Verizon Long Distance calling card lets you make away-from-home domestic calls for 50 cents a minute when Verizon carries and bills the call. In states where Verizon Long Distance cannot carry the call, United States Advanced Network, Inc. (USAN) will provide service at rates, terms and conditions set by USAN. If you use a payphone, a federally-mandated, 24-cent payphone compensation surcharge will apply. |
ValuePack Package | Eight cents a minute (both state-to-state and in-state) to add long-distance service plus calling features like Call Waiting, *69, Call Forwarding, and Speed Dialing, among others. |
Appropriate taxes and surcharges apply.
Choose from the following simple, 'surprise-free' plans for business customers:
FirmRatesmCalling Plan | For business customers who spend less than $100 a month on long distance, Firm Ratesm offers a rate of 9 cents a minute for direct-dialed, state-to-state calls -- every time, every day. No monthly plan fees or minimum charges. Optional term plans lower the 9-cents per-minute rate. You can even add Toll Free at the same rate, with no additional monthly charges or sign-up fees. |
SimpleOptionssmCalling Plan | For business customers who regularly spend more than $100 a month on long distance, SimpleOptionssm offers a variety of low, per-minute rates (7 1/2 cents or less for state-to-state calls) based on volume and term commitments. Toll-free and international usage applies to minimum spending levels. No monthly plan fees. |
FirmRatesmPlus | This local and long-distance package features 7 cents per minute on state-to-state, direct-dialed calls for long distance customers who subscribe to certain local services, such as Centrex. (Similar discount packages are also available with the SimpleOptionssmCalling Plan). No monthly plan fees. |
e-Values for Businesssm Plan | Available only on the web at www.verizonld.com, this package offers a flat rate of 8 cents a minute for state-to-state, direct-dialed calls. No monthly plan fees or minimum charges. |
Talk to the World Plan | This plan is for businesses that make international calls. For a $3 monthly service fee, businesses can save on calls to more than 250 foreign countries and locations. |
International Regional Calling Plan | This plan provides business customers with greater savings if they call a single country or region the most. Customers pay $3 a month and pre-select a region to receive the lowest rates to the countries they call the most. |
Toll-Free Service | Enables businesses to stay in touch with customers and suppliers by using an "800," "888" or similar number. |
Calling Card | With all plans, a Verizon Long Distance calling card lets you make away-from-home domestic calls for 36-cents a minute (or less under term plans) when Verizon carries and bills the call. In states where Verizon Long Distance cannot carry the call, United States Advanced Network, Inc. (USAN) will provide service at rates, terms and conditions set by USAN. If you use a payphone, a federally-mandated, 24-cent payphone compensation surcharge will apply. |
Business customers can save even more with valuable local and long distance packages. In-state rates may vary from state-to-state rates.