Verizon FiOS TV: Company Plans To Extend Service Into 'Dozens And Dozens' Of Gadgets

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc is pushing hard to move its "FiOS" TV service beyond the set-top box and onto the latest gadgets - from TVs and tablets to gaming consoles - to fend off competition from online video services such as Netflix Inc, Amazon Inc and Apple's Inc iTunes.

Verizon plans to extend its service to "dozens and dozens" of devices in connections that let users stream Web video alongside FiOS content.the next 12 to 24 months, Joe Ambeault, director of product management for FiOS TV, told Reuters in an intereview at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The company announced deals this week to get its service onto "smart" TVs from LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics Co. Unlike traditional televisions, these sets - which Verizon is testing - have Internet

Verizon, which had already forged a FiOS deal with Microsoft Corp for its Xbox gaming console, is also negotiating with content providers to allow consumers to access its TV service on devices such as tablets outside the home.

Such partnerships could encourage cost-conscious consumers to end their FiOS TV subscriptions, but Ambeault noted he had no choice, but to compete with Web-based services.

"I've a whole new set of competitors," Ambeault said, adding that his embrace of these devices is proactive. "It's too late after people are already fleeing."

Another big source of competition could be iTunes. Apple is widely expected to launch a living-room television as soon as this year. Ambeault does not know if or when that might happen, but if it does, he hopes to make sure FiOS content is available on such a product.

"We would love to integrate our content onto the Apple TV," he said. "My alternative is to do nothing and ignore the device, and you go there anyway as a consumer ... or be on that device and have a fighting chance and keep your business."

Ambeault also noted that, if FiOS is associated with innovative hardware, it can help keep consumers interested. He cited a feature on the upcoming LG TV, which allows the user to control the TV by waving a "magic wand" remote control instead of using traditional controls.

To help ensure FiOS is the service consumers associate with such innovation, Ambeault is planning joint advertising with LG, similar to the way Verizon Wireless features its latest phones in advertisements for its wireless service.

"If I'm there first, I've a higher likelihood of winning. If I'm not on that device, I'm out of here," he added.

(Reporting By Sinead Carew; editing by Andre Grenon)

Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions.

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Comments

[Archie Bonker]

02:14 PM on 01/15/2012

You will soon all be controled by Verizon

[flashfyre]

12:28 AM on 01/15/2012

It's a little surprising that they are working with Microsoft's xbox division on this. Verizon has done very well with their Droid phones, one thinks they would embrace Android ICS for this task.

[thtech]

05:31 PM on 01/13/2012

Until they are cheaper than my Netflix/hulu plus combo they have no hope of selling me anything. Smartest thing I ever did was to setup a Home Theater PC.

[mactownfun]

05:19 PM on 01/13/2012

Verizon wireless internet is the worst service I've ever had. I'd rather they fix their current products than expand on others that probobly won't work either. Buyer beware.

[cjgirg]

04:24 PM on 01/13/2012

Verizon doesnt care baout thier customers, they care babout busting unions, sending jobs overseas and stuffing their pockets. This master scheme is going to make them more money, otherwise they wouldnt be doing it.

[fisherdude47]

02:10 PM on 01/13/2012

Well they better lower their cost on their service.. Right now cell phones bills are higher than peoples electrical power. There are no restrictions on how much a cell provider can charge customers and they should be....People talk about the 99% vs the 1%, well you 99% people if you keep paying those rates for your cell phones and I don't care which cell provider you have your supporting the 99%.

[Sandra Ann Coombs]

01:59 PM on 01/13/2012

There goes my new LG for my DEN.I have a new 42" its great but not with Verizon.

[Morgan378]

01:36 PM on 01/13/2012

I'm still waiting to get FiOS in my area. Comcast has us all sewn up here. Either Comcast or the Dish services - which everytime a fly farts the screen goes blank - it's gouge or expect large periods without TV service. Comcast just raised their rates and we hear that when the Disney deal goes through they're raising them again! You'd think for all the clout they have Comcast could get programming better than what they have on hundreds of channels. Guess they're keeping costs down - hiking rates just to pay for the tallest building in Pennsylvania they just built. With cash. It's a wonder the FCC, Justice, SEC or some regulating body doesn't pick up on the monopoly they've got. If Verizon doesn't come into this market strong - Comcast will eat them for breakfast.

[Sita001]

12:15 AM on 01/16/2012

you could be stuck with Cox. I have requested CurrentTV several times and specified I want an actual answer from someone; still waiting; at least FiOS would give me options Cox doesn't think I deserve.

[Amy LeClair]

01:05 PM on 01/13/2012

You are right! My husband works on the land line end of Verizon in PA has been working without a new contract since August they have cut all over time so servicing of customers. Above and beyond the fact that my husband works for them this is another example of a company that is stuffing their pockets as fast as they can.

[mielkele]

12:10 PM on 01/13/2012

Too bad FIOS can't extend its basic service into James City Co., VA. Our neighbor Williamsburg has it but we do not. The consenus around here is that Cox made a better "deal" with our local government. What a shame - have been waiting for a LONG time.

[midnitebride]

01:06 PM on 01/13/2012

Same thing where I am. Everyone has it but my building. Ridiculous.

[Morgan378]

01:47 PM on 01/13/2012

True mielkele - our "nemisis" here is Comcast. All around us people have access to FiOS - but here in Philly we can't get it. It's as though Comcast has a pact with Verizon to leave this market to them. Comcast MAKES the laws governing cable in this area - right in Harrisburgh and Washington DC. Everyone is making money - the crap they put on TV is cheap and their rates keep going up. There are the Dish people - but they're losing out to Comcast's dominance and the fact we seem to be on stormway which renders dish blank for hours. If the FCC or Justice Dept. can't see the veritable monopoly or price fixing going on (Comcast built the highest building in PA with cash) I don't know what it will take. Unless a strong cable company comes in here with sights set on beating Comcast with a large cash hoard - Comcast will eat their lunch. Seems there are paper bags of cash being exchanged in dark alley's keeping Cox and Comcast top dog in markets they can do with as they please.

[plyrock]

12:08 PM on 01/13/2012

Verison might think about servicing the customers they already have, before worrying about how to get bigger.

[dansup]

06:04 PM on 01/13/2012

truth

[iamwired]

10:33 AM on 01/13/2012

VOD is a nice option. Right now thru my XBOX I can only stream live TV, which since I have to pay to have the service already, doesn't do much for me. Gives me the choice of watching some chanels on the xbox, or switching to the STB and watching. Not big win, and no reason for me to drop Netflix. But VOD might give me reason, if they carry enough content.