Our records indicate that you currently subscribe to a Verizon High Speed Internet on a month to month plan. We are writing to inform you that your rate for your High Speed Internet package is changing to $33.99 per month.* [* "Additional surcharges, taxes and fees may apply."] Your new rate will take effect in no less than 30 days and you will see the new rate within two billing cycles.

If you are interested in other plans that may lower your rate, please go to www.verizon.net/greatrate or call 1-800-567-6789.

Seems like the new rate varies. I had trouble accessing the verizon.net site using Firefox w/ Noscript (something about XSS problems).

Update: I called the telephone number in the email--long, long, long time on hold. When an operator answered, I was told that my new rate was $33.99 w/o a one year committment or $31.99 w/ a one year committment (up from $29.99 w/o any committment). I asked for the first 30 day free/$19.99 1st 6 mos./$29.99 thereafter/$25 gift card deal on the verizon internet page (»www22.verizon.com/content/consum···lans.htm). I was told that deal was not available to me. I stated that Comcast looked like a better deal w/ $20/month first 6 mos/ $100 back (See »www.comcastspecial.com/internet.···j:552179) I asked how to go about cancelling Verizon (I got the sense that actually asking to cancel is critical to getting to the next step). The operator connected me to retention (800-358-2076). Retention asked whether I was concerned about price or performance. I said price and described the rates offered by the previous operator. The person I spoke to said, "I can do better than that...." and offered $19.99 1st 6mos/$29.99 thereafter w/ 1 year committment (no gift card or 30 days free). I asked about speed and was told it would be 3.0 down. I said I did a speed test last night and got 1.5 down. He said he would ask the tech folks to upgrade me to 3.0 if that was available at my distance from the CO. He said if my account started to be slow, that I should ask for a new modem b/c they only last two years. I replied that mine functioned fine but was more than two years old. He offered to send a new Gateway Actiontec modem/router (wired and wireless) for free. He said I could use the new modem or not at my choice and that it retailed for $90. I accepted the deal.

So I would have paid $29.99/month for 1.5mbps down for the next year while using my old modem ($359.88 paid to verizon). Instead, I'll be paying an annual total of $299.88 ($60.00 less) for 3.0 down (if available) plus I'll have a new $90 modem). Total loss to Verizon over the next year: $150 ($60 lower payments plus retail cost of modem). Had I gone for the 12 mos committment at $31.99/mo, Verizon would have made an extra $24/year. Hmmm.

I am not happy about these rate hike shenanigans and feel no customer loyalty, but I'll stick around for the time being for the same reason I originally signed up for Verizon: its the cheapest broadband alternative.

e_identity