Announced in an email distributed to existing DSL subscribers, Verizon will start bundling local voice service with all new subscriptions to the company’s DSL high speed Internet service starting on May 6, 2012. In addition to brand new subscribers, Verizon categorizes anyone that wants to make a change to their existing DSL service as a “new subscriber.” For instance, if a current subscriber calls Verizon to notify the company that they will be moving to a new residence, that subscriber will be forced to pay for a landline after the move. If a subscriber calls Verizon to upgrade or downgrade the speed of the Internet connection on their current plan, they will be paying for a new landline if they decide to continue with Verizon DSL.
The email also indicates unspecified discounts will be included when bundling the DSL and landline service with DirecTV service as well as a subscription to Verizon Wireless service. Of course, encouraging users to bundle a landline with a Verizon cell phone plan would be moving against the current trend of people dumping home phones for mobile-only households.
According to a 2011 study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, the amount of people that went to a cellphone-only household jumped from 13.6 percent in 2007 to 26.6 percent by June 2010. If the percentage continues to grow at the same rate, the amount of households that ditch landlines could reach 40 to 50 percent of all U.S. homes by 2013.
During the past year, Verizon reported a eight percent decline in the amount of people that subscribe to local voice service and attributed that loss to people relying exclusively on a wireless phone as well as people utilizing Internet service to communicate with software like Skype or hardware like the popular MagicJack. As mentioned by PCWorld, the inclusion of the landline as a bundled service is expected to increase the average Verizon DSL bill by five dollars for the basic local voice service.
My BS meter red-lined when I called Verizon a few days before the deadline to see about upgrading my DSL service. The representative was saying that requiring phone service will help their techs in case of technical problems with DSL service and indicated that running remote diagnostics/trouble-shooting was difficult otherwise. Not buying it.
Ironically, it appears that a small DSL provider in my area co-locates equipment at Verizon COs and basically resells Verizon Internet. It looks like this small provider still allows dry-loop, but I’m not sure.
I just found out when I called to remove my phone because of a price jump.
I don’t recall getting any notice but around November of last year I called to cancel my land line because of a screw up with my service that resulted in small price increase. I Never used my land line anyways. She convinced me to stay by giving me a $15 credit for 24 months (plus my dsl would have gone up $5 without the phone). I told her I could say no, that’s $20 off.
I just received a letter telling me that I have been getting a $15 discount that I am not eligible for. Starting next month I will get charged $15 more….and they state that they will Not back bill me….how nice. Looks like they figure, why give the discount since I can’t cancel now.
Unfortunately, verizon DSL is the only service in my area for internet.
I got this letter too. Since I have no need for a landline, I will be leaving Verizon soon.
Still waiting for FIOS in my area (times 4 years +/-) ever since I hears of FIOS. and Yes, I’m from New Hampshire’s Capital – Concord.
ABSOLUTELY MORONIC. I was able to get DSL without a landline from Verizon in the late ’90s. Then all of a sudden they pretended that DSL depended on landlines, and not to know what customers were talking about when they requested only DSL.
Then a few years ago they finally admitted that you could get DSL without a landline, saying that customers could now request a “dry loop” DSL or some such bullshit.
And now they’re regressing 10 years, exactly when they can’t afford to do so? And this is especially stupid after they discontinued FIOS.
DISGRACEFUL, OFFENSIVE, and STUPID.
Had been a GTE/Verizon customer for 40 years. Got tired of Big Red’s higher prices, unfufilled promises, declining customer service & support, predatory business practices… finally dumped everything that had to do with Verizon. All the other carriers & providers are catching or caught up, or surpassed Verizon.
Verizon is bleeding customers, and using ugly tactics rather than offering more bang for the buck.
I know someone on the east coast who just got FiOS, and was forced to take a landline with it.
Talk about greed.. Verizon is the perfect example..