AUSWR News

AUSWR
The Association of U S West Retirees

Qwest's Heavy Duty Internet ties the broadband dots together

Fierce Telecom

July 26, 2010

Qwest (NYSE: Q) may have already launched Fiber to the Node (FTTN)-based service with 40 Mbps top capabilities last summer, but it realized that it needs to augment service speed with a host of additional value-added features. Its response to that call is its Heavy Duty Internet service.

Of course, there are the speed options. Eligible Qwest customers will be able to choose speeds that start out as low as 1.5 Mbps and scale to 40 Mbps at an introductory rate of either $14.99 or $19.99 for six months.

Knowing that speed can only get you so far especially as local cable operators expand their voice, video and data offerings, Qwest Heavy Duty Internet service users will also get WiFi capabilities and security. Customers will be able to get WiFi-enabled home networking access to their broadband connection in addition to being able to WiFi hot spot services that it offers through its partnership with AT&T. Topping off the Heavy Duty service is Qwest @Ease^TM, a series of suite of backup, security and support services that includes Norton ^TM AntiVirus Online and Qwest Personal Digital Vault^TM storage services.

Qwest itself operates in a highly competitive market that includes aggressive cable operators such as Cox Communications that's been responding to the RBOC's FTTN service drive. Interestingly, Cox Communications debuted a 50 Mbps DOCSIS service not long after Qwest went live with its 40 Mbps FTTN service last summer.

Unlike its RBOC compatriots AT&T and Verizon, Qwest does not have a wireless arm to fall back on and the new service is recognition that to stay competitive it will have offer customers something besides just a fast pipe.

"Customers are demanding more than just speed from their technology providers," said Dan Yost, Executive Vice President, Qwest in a release. "They want to know that Qwest understands what they need and how they are using technology in their homes to do everything from downloading movies to gaming to sharing photos."