Verizon Gives Triple Freedom a Complete Makeover

Telco Adds Features, Content, Credits, Starz Play

Looking to land more triple-play customers in cable-dominated regions not served by its FTTH network, Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) has overhauled and been more aggressively promoting a threesome of services, including an offer from DIRECTV Group Inc. (DTV).

Verizon Triple Freedom, launched last year, initially included satellite TV, voice and high-speed Internet. Initial pricing appeared to be based on adding the cost of each service together, making it look like three services instead of a true bundle.

But recently, Verizon has given the non-FiOS TV troika an extreme makeover, making changes and additions in numerous areas of the now-bundled offering. The triple-play bundle now comprises DIRECTV, non-FiOS Internet of up to 3mbps and unlimited local and long-distance voice calling, all for $99 per month for one year. Verizon Triple Freedom also features Starz Play and free movie channels for a limited time, two items not originally offered with the threesome.

Now Verizon Triple Freedom is priced identically to triple-play bundles long offered by cable giants that have faced little wireline competition for TV, Internet and voice together.

Customers that order by month’s end get Verizon’s Movie Pass, which includes four free months of Starz and Showtime premium movie channels and four free months of unlimited Starz Play downloads.

The telco and Starz teamed earlier this year to launch Starz Play, which supports the Internet download of the content giant’s movies and videos for viewing on PCs, laptops and MP3/video players.

The satellite TV element of the package offers 200 digital channels and an upgrade to DVR service. HD junkies can access up to 130 national channels depending on the programming package they choose. At the launch of Triple Freedom, HD programming through DIRECTV was an extra.

The package is targeted more aggressively at customers in cableco territories that the telco can’t yet, or won’t, reach with their expanding FTTH network.

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