Verizon pushes faster (and pricier) FiOS bundles

June 23, 2009 By ANDREW VANACORE , AP Business Writer

(AP) -- Verizon is boosting speeds on its FiOS service. And it's throwing in a high-definition Flip video camera or Hewlett-Packard computer to get you to join.

But to get all that, chances are you'll also pay more if you sign up now.

The monthly rates on Verizon's two least expensive "triple play" bundles - for Internet, phone and TV services- are both up $10. The lower-tier bundle is now $109.99, while the middle-tier bundle costs new customers $119.99.

There's actually a $10 drop for the top-level bundle, with the highest speeds, to $129.99.

Current customers keep the same prices and speeds.

Internet speeds on all the bundles are ramping up, especially for upload capacity - a feature Verizon says is in higher demand as people increasingly work from home and send pictures and videos on to social-networking sites.

Upload speeds traditionally lag download speeds in broadband plans from cable and phone companies, but the relative gap is closing.

Downloads under the basic plan, for instance, will move at 15 megabits per second, while uploading will be 5 Mbps. That's up from 10 Mbps and 2 Mbps, respectively.

The top two bundles also come with a choice of Flip Ultra camcorder or HP "netbook," a small laptop.

The TV channel selection has also been tweaked on the top bundle, which now offers Showtime instead of HBO.

Prices and speeds do vary some by region. Verizon has slightly different plans in New York City, New Jersey and Florida.

Verizon is also offering a two-year price guarantee for those who sign up under the new terms.

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