OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, Embarq Corporation unveils a new suite of consumer products and pricing plans designed to simplify customers' lives. EMBARQ's products merge common sense with innovation; making it easier for customers to use communication services to stay connected, informed and entertained.
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The company has spent several months overhauling its product and pricing structures, to make it easier for customers to match the right service to their needs.
"So many companies force their customers into packages and products that just don't make sense for how they communicate. Their customers frequently end up paying for services they don't need," said Harry Campbell, president of consumer markets. "Our customers have told us how they would like to use our services and we listened. We are simplifying our plans and allowing people to pay for what they need and use."
New Products for Residential Customers Enhance and Simplify Life
-- High-Speed Internet (HSI) - EMBARQ customers with qualifying calling
plans will be eligible for HSI services for $24.95 a month for speeds
up to 1.5 mbps. This price will remain the same for as long as the
customer has the service.
-- $34.95 per month for speeds up to 3.0 mbps and $44.95 per month
for speeds up to 5.0 mbps.
-- For a limited time, as part of this offer, customers who sign up
for HSI service will get their first month free.
-- Home Phone Service and Unlimited Domestic Long Distance - Residential
customers also will be able to bundle all or selected services
together for greater cost savings. EMBARQ customers can get home
phone service and features combined with Unlimited Domestic Long
Distance together for $44.95 a month.
-- Home phone customers also can get a bundle that includes wireless
starting at $60 a month. All bundled services will appear on one
bill, in a new easy-to-read format.
-- Wireless Rate Plans and Handsets - Customers will be able to bring
wireless service together with home phone service for as little as
$60. Customers will get free calling between the home phone and
wireless phone and bonus anytime wireless minutes for having home
phone service. Additionally, customers who buy a voice package can
integrate their voice mail and get a $5 wireless service discount.
Customers can also get a free wireless phone with a 2 year purchase
agreement.
-- Customers who currently have their Sprint PCS wireless service
bundled with their home phone service will be given a choice to
convert to a new bundle plan that includes EMBARQ wireless service
after their current Sprint PCS contract expires. Until then,
Sprint PCS contract wireless services will remain unchanged.
-- Bundles - Customers who wish to bundle a reliable home phone and HSI
service will be able to do so for $55 per month with one month free of
HSI.
-- With EMBARQ's home phone, customers will get a dial tone with a
clear connect and no delays, no dropped calls and operations even
when the power goes out.
-- The 24/7 broadband Internet connection affords advanced security
and protection tools, along with a free modem (including $12.95
shipping and handling) and $50 online rebate that covers the
activation fee ($49.99).
-- Integrated Voicemail - Common sense and consumer feedback led EMBARQ
to create integrated voicemail; allowing wireless and home phone
customers to retrieve all their voicemail messages - from their
wireless or wireline phone - from one mailbox.
-- Customers will be notified on both devices when they have a
message and can listen to their messages on either device.
-- Dish Network TV - EMBARQ customers can save money by bundling this
service with their home phone or high speed Internet services.
-- DISH network has a variety of channel packages to fit customers'
needs and will waive the $49.99 activation fee with an 18-month
contract agreement.
-- For a limited time, new customers will get one free month (up to
$30) of DISH service when they sign up.
-- DISH network provides 100 percent digitally-delivered satellite
TV, plus the most international and high-definition programming in
the nation. DISH offers more than 500 channels, nearly double the
channels of cable television.
EMBARQ's New Retail Stores Will Offer Lifestyle-Based Shopping
EMBARQ currently has 33 retail stores in its 18-state territory and expects to increase that number to between 55 and 60 stores by the end of 2006. The stores offer customers the opportunity to see and touch the company's complete portfolio of products and services for homes or businesses, including high-speed Internet, wireless handsets, DISH Network satellite TV and home phone plans. Customers can also purchase entertainment services such as home gaming devices and MP3 players. All future stores will open with a new life-style enhancement design that will change the way residential and business customers shop for communications services.
"During the weekend of June 3rd, multi-functional teams of employee volunteers will disperse around the country and assist with converting our stores with EMBARQ branding," said Campbell. "On Monday morning, June 5th, all of our stores will be decked out in green with refreshed layouts and features that make shopping for products and services easier."
About EMBARQ
Embarq Corporation provides a suite of communications services to customers in its local service territories. EMBARQ, which is expected to rank among the Fortune 500, brings common-sense ideas, reliable service and a renewed commitment to the communities it serves. EMBARQ focuses on offering its customers practical, innovative products and competitive pricing. The company has approximately 20,000 employees and operates in 18 states offering local and long distance voice, data, high speed internet, wireless, and entertainment services. For more information, visit http://www.embarq.com/ .
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