Verizon Communications Inc., the
biggest U.S. local-telephone company, is trying to retain
customers by allowing some of them to keep high-speed Internet
service when they cut their phone line and go wireless.
For the first time, Verizon customers in 12 states, including Rhdoe Island and Massachusetts, who are
moving their local-phone numbers to wireless devices can keep
their high-speed Internet service, known as DSL or digital
subscriber line, spokeswoman Briana Gowing said.
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The offer is a departure for Verizon, which has sold its
Internet service in a bundle to encourage customers to buy more
services. New York-based Verizon, which has about 2.7 million DSL
subscribers, has said it needs 4.3 million to make the business
profitable. Competition is increasing as Comcast Corp. and other
cable providers roll out digital phone service.
“We do believe stand-alone DSL is the right move for
Verizon and the rest of the Bells,” UBS Securities analyst John
Hodulik wrote to clients.
“This for us is really about keeping that broadband
relationship with the customer,” spokeswoman Bobbi Henson said.
Right now, local-phone customers in New York, New
Jersey, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maine, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland and Vermont can take advantage of Verizon’s stand-alone service. Verizon won’t say how many customers are switching their
local numbers to mobile phones or how many are buying the stand-
alone Internet service.
Bloomberg News
