Verizon bumps FiOS Quantum Internet to 500/100 Mbps

Having seen Comcast top its highest download data rate by 5 Mbps last year (see "Comcast counters Verizon with 305-Mbps broadband plans"), Verizon (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) has upped the ante with a new FiOS Quantum Internet tier that supplies 500 Mbps downstream and 100 Mbps upstream.

The new service tier is available “in parts of every FiOS market,” Verizon says. The company expects to complete availability across its fiber to the home (FTTH) footprint in 2014.

Verizon is marketing the service to both residential and small business users. The former can sign up for the service either as part of a bundle or as a standalone offering. Prices start at $309.99 per month for a double play or $329.99 per month for a triple play with a two-year agreement. Small businesses can only subscribe to the service in an unbundled way, starting at $369.99 per month with a two-year agreement. Both residential and small business customers can sign up on a no-contract, month-to-month basis. Verizon did not announce the price for this option.

With the new 500/100 Mbps offering, Verizon has six tiers available, starting with a 15/5 Mbps service. Verizon will continue to offer its previous top speed, 300/65 Mbps, as part of its service slate.

"Internet-power users have found a friend in FiOS Quantum Internet," said Bob Mudge, president of Verizon's consumer and mass business group. "Over the past year, one-third of FiOS Internet customers have upgraded to Quantum speeds of 50 Mbps or faster to do more of what they want, whenever they wish, on more devices throughout their home or office.”

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