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[IP] more on Verizon to Sell High Speed Net Connections for $14.95 a month





Begin forwarded message:

From: Brett Glass <brett@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: August 25, 2005 7:03:41 PM EDT
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx, Ip Ip <ip@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [IP] Verizon to Sell High Speed Net Connections for $14.95 a month


Dave:

This would be incredible if the price were really only $14.95 a month. But go to Verizon's Web site and check out the fine print, which is reproduced below:


Offer by Verizon Online for all new DSL customers. $14.95/mo. rate available for new residential DSL customers ordering 768 Kbps/128Kbps service. One year commitment required. A $19.95 shipping and activation charge will apply to each DSL order. An additional monthly Supplier FUSF recovery charge and, where applicable, a tax recovery charge applies and will be added to your monthly bill. Early termination fee of $79 applies to one year plans. Verizon residential local service is required. Service not available in all areas or on all telephone lines and subject to final confirmation of services by Verizon. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied you may cancel your DSL service within 30 days of your service ready date, return all equipment provided to you by Verizon and receive a refund for any charges you have paid to Verizon Online. Minimum system requirements apply. Acceptance of Verizon Online Terms of Service is required. Only Web based features of Verizon Yahoo! for DSL are Macintosh® compatible. Software for MSN Premium versions of Verizon Online DSL is not Macintosh® compatible.Only Web based features of Verizon Yahoo! for DSL are Macintosh® compatible. Software for MSN Premium versions of Verizon Online DSL is not Macintosh® compatible. Applicable taxes apply. Actual throughput speed will vary. Speed and uninterrupted use of the service are not guaranteed. Equipment is new or fully inspected, tested and warranted return unit. Equipment provided with the one-year commitment offer will vary by location. Offer subject to change without notice. Other terms and conditions apply. Valid through 9/17/05


As you can see, the rate is introductory and goes away after the required one year contract expires. There's also a $20 activation fee, a "Supplier FUSF recovery charge" (even though Internet service isn't subject to the Universal Service Fund), and a "tax recovery charge" even though Federal law makes it illegal to tax Internet service. And, of course, you're required to buy a phone line from Verizon. By the time your bill is totaled up, do you think the service costs $14.95? Methinks not. Oh, and the speed and uptime aren't guaranteed at all....

--Brett Glass




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