Verizon Launching FiOS TV Service
Already in 3.2 million homes and businesses around the country, Wednesday Verizon will begin offering its FiOS TV service to 55,000 homes and businesses in La Quinta, Indio, Palm Desert, Bermuda Dunes, Coachella and Indian Wells.
As you might expect Verizon is touting FiOS which is delivered over its fiber-optic network as a step up from what cable and satellite providers can offer.
“One is the picture quality, we have fantastic HD quality, no compression,” said Maitreyi Krishnaswamy, Director of Product Management for FiOS TV. “I think the second aspect is we’ve introduced a lot of mobility features for customers.
“For example if you wanta buy a video on-demand title you can buy it anytime anywhere on up to 5 devices and watch that same video on-demand title even if I am on a flight.”
The timing of the Verizon launch comes with Time Warner Cable recently announcing a rate increase. So is Time Warner worried about losing a share of the market?
“No. We have the people, the products and the local customer service to compete anywhere,” said Kathi Jacobs, the Palm Desert office Public Affairs Director for Time Warner. “Rate increases like these affect all video service carriers, including our competitors.”
Still, Verizon is not shy about going after customers who want the latest technology and tend to multi-task while watching the tube. Among the widgets available; one that allows you to use your smart phone to Tweet or check your Facebook page while watching a program.
“So what we’ve done we’ve converted your mobile phone to a remote control,” said Krishnaswamy. It works with your in-home wifi. I can actually change channels and input text within my home.”
It’s always good business to give back to the community. Customers who sign up for FiOS can designate a non-profit group they support. If the group is registered with Verizon’s Velocity Program, Verizon will donate up to $65.00 to the non-profit.
And from News Channel 3’s stand-point it’s good to know the Desert’s News Leader is a part of the package.
“We have all the local channels available here,” said Jon Davies, a spokesman for Verizon. “So customers can get all the local news all the local weather all the aspects of the community.”
