Verizon Serves Up DSL at Wal-Mart Connection Centers

Millions of shoppers at 549 Wal-Mart stores across 24 states can soon get connected with Verizon Online DSL when they visit the stores’ Wal-Mart Connection Center departments. "Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer, with more than 138 million customers shopping there every week in the U.S.," said Mary Yarbrough, vice president, channel development for Verizon. "Now that more than half of all new broadband customers in America are choosing DSL over cable high-speed Internet service, Wal-Mart is the perfect place for us to both educate consumers about the benefits of our DSL service and to sign up customers who are ready to buy. Verizon Online DSL’s combination of fast connections, superior service and affordable pricing is an ideal fit with Wal-Mart’s focus on giving its value-conscious shoppers customer satisfaction and ’Every Day Low Prices.’" Specially trained Wal-Mart Connection Center associates at the 549 stores will help shoppers use an easy, automated ordering system that checks eligibility for Verizon DSL service and then lets them quickly place their order. A simple three-step, do-it-yourself installation kit will be shipped directly to the customer once the order is completed. Nearly 50 of the Wal-Mart stores will have Spanish-language sales materials to assist Spanish-speaking customers with their purchasing decisions. Verizon Online DSL is already offered in 10 Wal-Mart stores and will be in all of the 549 stores by the end of June. At Wal-Mart,Verizon Online offers a DSL speed for every need and a price for every budget, starting as low as $17.99 a month, plus fees and taxes, for a maximum connection speed of 768 kilobits per second (Kbps) downstream and 128 Kbps upstream with an annual service agreement. Qualifying customers can also order service with a maximum connection speed of up to 3.0 megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and 768 Kbps upstream for a promotional price of $17.99 a month for the first six months and $34.99 a month thereafter, plus fees and taxes, with an annual agreement. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving 53 million customers nationwide. Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks. Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more that 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion