Verizon launches first quad-play bundle

The much-vaunted “quad play” has finally landed at Verizon (NYSE:VZ), which today unveiled its first “quad play” bundles, available initially in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. The Verizon offers combine wireless service with wireline voice, data and video offerings for both FiOS and DSL customers. The basic bundles cost $134.99 a month for fiber-to-the-premises services and $124.99 a month for DSL/DirecTV-based quad play services.

Telecom service providers have been talking about the quad play for years, although not everyone is convinced of its value. AT&T (NYSE:T) began offering a quadruple play service earlier this year as part of its partnership with DirecTV.

According to Verizon, its new services are aimed at putting cable competitors on the defensive by offering wireless services they can’t currently offer as part of a service bundle, and the pricing is reasonably aggressive. Verizon also is offering a triple play service that doesn’t include wireline voice for customers who want only wireless voice service, and will allow current broadband-video customers to add wireless voice, and vice-versa, to create the bundle.

Verizon’s quad play incorporates its Freedom Essentials wireline voice service, normally $44.99 to $49.99 a month, which offers unlimited local and long-distance calling to the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, along with voice mail, caller ID, call waiting and other advanced features.

With the FiOS offering, consumers get the FiOS TV Essentials package of 250 channels including 14 High Definition channels, normally a $47.99 value, and Internet service at speeds of up to 15 Megabits per second downstream and 5 Mb/s upstream, normally $49.99 a month. The wireless service is Verizon Wireless Nationwide Basic 450, normally a $39.99.

That makes the FiOS bundle a $47.97 per month discount over Verizon’s current advertised pricing for the four services separately, although Verizon pegged consumer savings at $59 to $179 annually, factoring in other discounts.

Verizon is also offering consumers who sign on to the FiOS quad play by Jan. 16 a $150 prepaid VISA card.

For customers still on Verizon’s copper network, the quad play bundle features the same national 450 minute wireless plan, plus Internet access at speeds up to 3 Megabit per second and the DirecTV PLUS DVR package, with digital video recorder capabilities and 200 digital channels, plus local channels.

For both packages, Verizon requires a one-year commitment, although the DirecTV service also requires a two-year commitment with hardware lease are required with these bundles.

Consumers may opt for more advanced offerings, in addition to the basic bundles, according to Verizon.

The services will be available at a later date in Verizon’s other service territories, including Florida, California and Texas.