Verizon to wholesale DirecTV

Verizon will now resell DirecTV service on a wholesale basis, enabling its customers to offer a triple play package of voice, DSL and satellite TV.

The two companies announced their agreement Wednesday. It will add DirecTV – which Verizon already resells on a retail basis – to the Verizon Partner Solutions package that now includes Wholesale Advanced voice service and high-speed data services. Among Verizon’s wholesale customers are ISPs, local and long-distance telephone companies, wireless carriers and international carriers.

David Small, president of Verizon Partner Solutions, said in a prepared statement that the agreement was made possible by regulatory changes.

“The agreement demonstrates wholesale telephony’s progress as an industry since the Federal Communications Commission allowed providers to enter into commercial agreements for many wholesale services last year,” Small said. “Verizon is dedicated to helping our wholesale customers compete with the cable industry’s triple play. By joining with DIRECTV, the market-leader in digital satellite TV services, we add a strong video brand to our voice and DSL services for wholesalers, creating a powerful combination and an attractive triple play at a discount.”

The triple play service package is expected to be available beginning in July.