Verizon's arrival cuts cable prices in Dallas area

By DAVE GUSSOW
Published October 10, 2005

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When former monopolies compete, prices fall.

That's certainly the market dictum holding true for Verizon Communications in its challenge to cable TV in a suburban Dallas market.

Because Verizon rolled out its new FiOS TV service in Keller, Texas, Charter Communications, the incumbent cable carrier for that area, has been offering a package that includes 240 channels and high-speed Internet access for $50 a month. Previously, the TV package alone cost $68.99.

Not that Charter welcomes the competition and lower prices. "It has a negative effect on margins," company spokesman David Anderson told Bloomberg News.

Verizon, which has franchise agreements to launch a similar TV service in Temple Terrace and unincorporated Manatee County, offers 180 TV channels for $43.95 and fast Internet access starting at $34.95.

The goal, of course, is to persuade customers to buy phone, TV and Internet access services from one company.

So far, Bright House Networks, the dominant cable company in the Tampa Bay region, has not responded directly to the upcoming TV challenge. But it has bumped up its basic Internet access speed, as well as offering two premium and even-speedier access packages for customers.