Verizon FiOS getting VoIP in early 2009

Coming in early 2009, Verizon is going to roll out a VoIP phone service for FiOS. It's not the defunct VoiceWing, but something completely different.

Verizon execs say FiOS Digital Voice service will be priced comparably to the phone company's existing calling plans, so it's not a low-cost play. This is an interesting statement, but the more interesting issue is how pricing will look when service is either included in a triple-play bundle (Internet, TV, voice) and/or otherwise competitively discounted. The offering is further described as a customer acquisition and retention tool.

The new VoIP service has been in limited deployment in markets in Virginia and Maryland since September and will be marketed to new customers across the 14 states where FiOS TV and Internet services are available.

Reports say FiOS Digital Voice service will use in-home wiring so customers can use existing phone jacks and include the usual bells and whistles such as caller ID, voice mail and visual voice mail through a web page, as well as new (for Verizon) capabilities such as scheduled call forwarding, simultaneously ring to multiple phone numbers, phone book synchronization and click to dial. Verizon will likely also throw in virtual phone numbers as an extra monthly charge.

Another interesting kicker is a choice of two calling plans: one provides unlimited direct dial calling to the U.S. and territories, Canada, and Puerto Rico for a flat monthly, and the other offers domestic calls for 5 cents per minute. Who's billing at 5 cents per minute for local calls these days?

For more:
- Multichannel News rings up Verizon VoIP story. Article [1].