NewCardDude
06-26-2004, 01:38 PM
BellSouth, DIRECTV announce union
June 26, 2004
LAFAYETTE — Hoping to stay competitive in a growing telecommunications market, BellSouth announced Friday that it has partnered with DIRECTV to offer the digital satellite television service through BellSouth.
BellSouth will bundle the satellite service with its other products, allowing for a customer to put all the services under one bill, said John Williams, a regional manager for BellSouth. BellSouth and DIRECTV will offer local channels through the satellite signal and will give discounts on services under the bundle package.
“We want to be able to offer as many products as we can to our customers,” Williams said. “This gives us one more product to be a one-stop shop for our consumers.”
DIRECTV technicians would install the dish and receiver, and customers ordering the service would still have to pay equipment costs, Williams said.
Combining with the satellite provider was the next logical step for BellSouth, Williams said, as the company already offers DSL internet service. BellSouth decided to combine forces to stay competitive with telecommunications providers like Cox Communications that offer internet and television service, he said.
“It’s going to be a very competitive market, and we wanted to offer all the services competitors offer,” he said.
BellSouth is still ironing out the details with DIRECTV reps, but plans to roll out the service by October, Williams said.
©The Lafayette Daily Advertiser
June 26, 2004
June 26, 2004
LAFAYETTE — Hoping to stay competitive in a growing telecommunications market, BellSouth announced Friday that it has partnered with DIRECTV to offer the digital satellite television service through BellSouth.
BellSouth will bundle the satellite service with its other products, allowing for a customer to put all the services under one bill, said John Williams, a regional manager for BellSouth. BellSouth and DIRECTV will offer local channels through the satellite signal and will give discounts on services under the bundle package.
“We want to be able to offer as many products as we can to our customers,” Williams said. “This gives us one more product to be a one-stop shop for our consumers.”
DIRECTV technicians would install the dish and receiver, and customers ordering the service would still have to pay equipment costs, Williams said.
Combining with the satellite provider was the next logical step for BellSouth, Williams said, as the company already offers DSL internet service. BellSouth decided to combine forces to stay competitive with telecommunications providers like Cox Communications that offer internet and television service, he said.
“It’s going to be a very competitive market, and we wanted to offer all the services competitors offer,” he said.
BellSouth is still ironing out the details with DIRECTV reps, but plans to roll out the service by October, Williams said.
©The Lafayette Daily Advertiser
June 26, 2004