NEW YORK-Verizon Communications has unveiled its first bundled offering allowing the residential customer of many of its local telephone companies who purchase any Verizon Wireless digital calling plan of at least $30 per month, or renew an existing wireless plan, to receive free home Internet service and free Mobile Web access through Memorial Day next year.
The offer is available until Nov. 30 and for now will be offered in 22 states and the District of Columbia.
As part of the promotion, the regular $7 mobile Web access fee and Verizon Online dial up home Internet access fee of $20 per month will be waived through May 31, 2001.
Verizon noted that Mobile Web access airtime will be charged against the calling plan’s monthly allowance and will be billed at per-minute rates applicable to each plan, once air time allowances have been exhausted.
The plan also includes 100 message alerts per month, with additional alerts charged at 10 cents per alert.
“Verizon can bring the benefits of these tools to far more people with this kind of bundle,” said Jody Bilney, president of Verizon’s consumer group. “For example, if a parent on the way to a soccer match one Saturday morning can’t find the other team’s soccer field, they can get directions using their Mobile Web to access an Internet map. If they get a business inspiration while watching the game, they can fire off an e-mail message. When they get home, they can check the other teams’ scores on a local leagues Web site and print out the standings for the players. Everything come together with services like these.”