Posted on: Thursday, June 10, 2004

Verizon offering DSL in 9 new areas

By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer

Verizon Hawaii yesterday announced several changes to its high-speed Internet service meant to attract customers from dial-up and cable competitors.

The telephone company, which is being acquired by the Carlyle Group, also said its digital subscriber line, or DSL, service is available in nine new areas including three on O'ahu, four on the Big Island, one on Kaua'i and one on Moloka'i. Verizon's service previously was unavailable on Moloka'i.

Among other changes, new DSL subscribers will be eligible for a $99.95 rebate on the purchase of a wireless router until July 17. Such devices allow the sharing of an Internet connection within a home among several computers.

The DSL upstream speed, or speed at which information is sent from the customer's computer, has increased from 128 kilobits per second to 384 kilobits per second at no charge.

For business subscribers Verizon said it has lowered the starting price for business-grade service to $59.95 a month.

The rate for residential service remains $34.95 a month for stand-alone service and $29.95 a month with a qualifying Verizon long-distance and local phone service package.

Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8093.