Bschneider
06-11-2008, 03:28 PM
Sorry about the late posting..
VERIZON (Lakeland): County's Major Telecommunications Providers Unveil Services, Products
By LORRIE DELK WALKER
POLK COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL
http://www.theledger.com/article/20080526/NEWS/805260336
LAKELAND | Technological advancements continue to change the face of telecommunications today. Here is a round-up of new services and offerings from Polk County's major telecommunications providers:
VERIZON
Verizon's newest announcement is that FiOS - telecommunications services offered over fiber-optic lines - is available in homes and businesses in parts of the new developments around Haines City, Cypress Gardens, parts of north Lakeland and Winter Haven, said Sharon Shaffer, a Verizon media relations spokeswoman.
FiOS Internet service comes in speeds suitable for everyone from the at-home Internet surfer to telecommuters and avid online gamers, Shaffer said.
Verizon's FiOS TV Premier package offers more than 200 all-digital channels, provides access to 31 high-definition channels and has more than 10,000 on-demand titles - 60 percent of which are free.
Verizon also offers Home Media DVR, which is a multi-room DVR feature that allows up to three simultaneous viewings of recorded programs. Customers also can access photos and music on their personal computers and play them on their TV.
FiOS TV Widgets is a free interactive feature that provides viewers with local weather and traffic information while they're watching television.
Verizon recently battled customer service complaints primarily related to billing, hold times on the phone and a FiOS promotion in which new customers received free televisions.
"We investigated the billing issues brought to our attention and determined that in most cases, the amount billed was correct," Shaffer said. "However, there was confusion with the many bill pages and the format."
Verizon responded with a shorter bill format that includes a summary sheet on the first page.
Verizon's free TV offer was a "huge success" and exceeded the company's expectations, Shaffer said. That resulted in the demand exceeding the supply. Most eligible customers have received their TVs at this point, and those who haven't will receive TVs or gift cards soon.
Consumers can check online at www.verizon.com (http://www.verizon.com) to see if FiOS Internet or TV are available in their area, or to request that Verizon contact them when it is available. To order FiOS TV or Internet, consumers can call their local Verizon sales office or 877-434-6788.
BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS
Bright House recently unveiled Bright House Networks Business Solutions, a "full-featured digital quality business phone service for small and medium businesses that is backed by award-winning customer service," said Joe Durkin, senior director of corporate communications.
The Business Phone service offers business features such as call forwarding, hunt groups and three-way calling for less than standard phone company rates, according to the Bright House Networks Business Solutions Web site. The hunt groups feature allows incoming calls to be routed to different extensions automatically, either sequentially or via uniform call distribution.
The business package also includes high-speed Internet access, up to 25 e-mail accounts, user-level security, up to 600 megabytes of remote storage and an optional static IP address.
Television enhancements include an additional 41 high definition channels and the free "Start Over" feature to more than 62 channels. Start Over allows viewers to restart a show already in progress. Some channels recently added to Start Over are Sundance, HGTV, SOAP, DIY, Fine Living and Toon Disney, Durkin said.
VERIZON (Lakeland): County's Major Telecommunications Providers Unveil Services, Products
By LORRIE DELK WALKER
POLK COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL
http://www.theledger.com/article/20080526/NEWS/805260336
LAKELAND | Technological advancements continue to change the face of telecommunications today. Here is a round-up of new services and offerings from Polk County's major telecommunications providers:
VERIZON
Verizon's newest announcement is that FiOS - telecommunications services offered over fiber-optic lines - is available in homes and businesses in parts of the new developments around Haines City, Cypress Gardens, parts of north Lakeland and Winter Haven, said Sharon Shaffer, a Verizon media relations spokeswoman.
FiOS Internet service comes in speeds suitable for everyone from the at-home Internet surfer to telecommuters and avid online gamers, Shaffer said.
Verizon's FiOS TV Premier package offers more than 200 all-digital channels, provides access to 31 high-definition channels and has more than 10,000 on-demand titles - 60 percent of which are free.
Verizon also offers Home Media DVR, which is a multi-room DVR feature that allows up to three simultaneous viewings of recorded programs. Customers also can access photos and music on their personal computers and play them on their TV.
FiOS TV Widgets is a free interactive feature that provides viewers with local weather and traffic information while they're watching television.
Verizon recently battled customer service complaints primarily related to billing, hold times on the phone and a FiOS promotion in which new customers received free televisions.
"We investigated the billing issues brought to our attention and determined that in most cases, the amount billed was correct," Shaffer said. "However, there was confusion with the many bill pages and the format."
Verizon responded with a shorter bill format that includes a summary sheet on the first page.
Verizon's free TV offer was a "huge success" and exceeded the company's expectations, Shaffer said. That resulted in the demand exceeding the supply. Most eligible customers have received their TVs at this point, and those who haven't will receive TVs or gift cards soon.
Consumers can check online at www.verizon.com (http://www.verizon.com) to see if FiOS Internet or TV are available in their area, or to request that Verizon contact them when it is available. To order FiOS TV or Internet, consumers can call their local Verizon sales office or 877-434-6788.
BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS
Bright House recently unveiled Bright House Networks Business Solutions, a "full-featured digital quality business phone service for small and medium businesses that is backed by award-winning customer service," said Joe Durkin, senior director of corporate communications.
The Business Phone service offers business features such as call forwarding, hunt groups and three-way calling for less than standard phone company rates, according to the Bright House Networks Business Solutions Web site. The hunt groups feature allows incoming calls to be routed to different extensions automatically, either sequentially or via uniform call distribution.
The business package also includes high-speed Internet access, up to 25 e-mail accounts, user-level security, up to 600 megabytes of remote storage and an optional static IP address.
Television enhancements include an additional 41 high definition channels and the free "Start Over" feature to more than 62 channels. Start Over allows viewers to restart a show already in progress. Some channels recently added to Start Over are Sundance, HGTV, SOAP, DIY, Fine Living and Toon Disney, Durkin said.