Verizon DSL speeds to get big increase

Verizon Communications Inc., the third-biggest provider of high-speed Internet service in the United States, said yesterday that it was more than doubling some connection speeds to keep customers from switching to cable companies.

The faster version of Verizon's existing digital subscriber line, or DSL, service is available now in about 400 U.S. locations, the New York company said. The Philadelphia area is not among them, but may be added by the end of 2008 as the company expands the new service, a Verizon spokeswoman said. Eventually, the faster speed will be available nationwide.

Verizon aims to reignite consumer interest in DSL service after growth slowed last year. Some customers are turning to cable competitors, such as Philadelphia's Comcast Corp., which offer Internet access packaged with TV and phone service. Verizon also is switching some users to its $23 billion fiber-optic network.

In areas where the fiber network is not available, Verizon is offering download speeds of as much as 7 megabits a second, compared with a previous top rate of 3 megabits a second. The new service is priced at $39.99 a month with a yearlong contract. Comcast sells download speeds of as much as 8 megabits a second.

Verizon added 56,000 DSL customers in the third quarter of 2007, down from 301,000 in the 2006 period. Fiber-optic customers increased by 229,000, up from 147,000 the year before.

The company ranks behind AT&T Inc. and Comcast in U.S. high-speed Internet customers.