more on Verizon to Sell High Speed Net Connections for $14.95 a month

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Brett Glass <brett () lariat org>
Date: August 25, 2005 7:03:41 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net, Ip Ip <ip () v2 listbox com>
Subject: Re: [IP] Verizon to Sell High Speed Net Connections for  
$14.95 a month


Dave:

This would be incredible if the price were really only $14.95 a  
month. But go to Verizon's Web site and check out the fine print,  
which is reproduced below:


Offer by Verizon Online for all new DSL customers. $14.95/mo. rate  
available for new residential DSL customers ordering 768 Kbps/128Kbps  
service. One year commitment required. A $19.95 shipping and  
activation charge will apply to each DSL order. An additional monthly  
Supplier FUSF recovery charge and, where applicable, a tax recovery  
charge applies and will be added to your monthly bill. Early  
termination fee of $79 applies to one year plans. Verizon residential  
local service is required. Service not available in all areas or on  
all telephone lines and subject to final confirmation of services by  
Verizon. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied you may  
cancel your DSL service within 30 days of your service ready date,  
return all equipment provided to you by Verizon and receive a refund  
for any charges you have paid to Verizon Online. Minimum system  
requirements apply. Acceptance of Verizon Online Terms of Service is  
required. Only Web based features of Verizon Yahoo! for DSL are  
Macintosh® compatible. Software for MSN Premium versions of Verizon  
Online DSL is not Macintosh® compatible.Only Web based features of  
Verizon Yahoo! for DSL are Macintosh® compatible. Software for MSN  
Premium versions of Verizon Online DSL is not Macintosh® compatible.  
Applicable taxes apply. Actual throughput speed will vary. Speed and  
uninterrupted use of the service are not guaranteed. Equipment is new  
or fully inspected, tested and warranted return unit. Equipment  
provided with the one-year commitment offer will vary by location.  
Offer subject to change without notice. Other terms and conditions  
apply. Valid through 9/17/05


As you can see, the rate is introductory and goes away after the  
required one year contract expires. There's also a $20 activation  
fee, a "Supplier FUSF recovery charge" (even though Internet service  
isn't subject to the Universal Service Fund), and a "tax recovery  
charge" even though Federal law makes it illegal to tax Internet  
service. And, of course, you're required to buy a phone line from  
Verizon. By the time your bill is totaled up, do you think the  
service costs $14.95? Methinks not. Oh, and the speed and uptime  
aren't guaranteed at all....

--Brett Glass




-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as lists-ip () insecure org
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/