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Business Today

By Times Wire
Published February 2, 2005

VERIZON ADDS DSL FEE: For the second time in a year, Verizon Communications has decided to impose a monthly fee on its high-speed DSL customers to cover the cost of taxes or regulatory fees the company had previously absorbed. This month, the company will add a fee of about $2.50 to the bills of customers who buy DSL service on a month-to-month basis without buying other premium Verizon services. The fee will pay for state and local taxes on Internet service providers, but will be removed in November once such taxes are repealed nationwide, Verizon spokesman Bob Elek said. In June, Verizon imposed a $2 to $3 fee on most DSL customer bills to cover a regulatory charge used to help keep phone services affordable in schools, public libraries and rural hospitals. Excluding the fees, Verizon charges $34.95 a month for DSL service without a one-year contract.

PRO TECH MONITORING SUED: A Nashville competitor has sued Odessa-based Pro Tech Monitoring for patent-infringement. In a suit filed in U.S. District Court in Tennessee, Satellite Tracking of People seeks an injunction preventing Pro Tech from offering its CrimeTrax system. Pro Tech chief Steve Chapin denies the suit's allegations, saying a Pro Tech employee who worked on the technology left the company and got a patent that he then licensed to Satellite Tracking. CrimeTrax allows police to monitor criminal offenders on probation or house arrest using a GPS device.

COAST DENTAL GETS CEO: Thomas J. Marler has been promoted to chief executive officer of Coast Dental Services in Tampa, succeeding Terek Diasti, who remains company chairman. For the past two years, Marler has been chief operating officer at the dental practice management company. Prior to joining Coast Dental, Marler was vice president for Lazard Technology Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm. Coast Dental is a closely held company whose major shareholders are the Diasti family.

HEALTH MANAGEMENT ACQUIRES HOSPITALS: Health Management Associates Inc. of Naples has acquired three hospitals from the Bon Secours Health System. The hospitals are in Venice, Port Charlotte and Norton, Va. No price was disclosed. HMA, which operates more than 50 hospitals in nonurban areas, said it intends to buy four to six hospitals this fiscal year. The company operates hospitals in Dade City, Spring Hill, Brooksville and Crystal River.

AIRTRAN ADDS INDIANAPOLIS FLIGHTS: AirTran Airways will begin nonstop flights between Tampa International Airport and Indianapolis on April 9, the day before ATA Airlines stops flying to Indianapolis from St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. AirTran's Web site listed one-way fares as low as $79, not including taxes and fees.

Last year's Super Bowl was played in Houston. A story Tuesday identified a different city. Also, the photographs that accompanied the story were taken last week. Captions included an incorrect date.

[Last modified February 2, 2005, 00:37:52]