Verizon to Add FiOS VoIP Soon

Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) today confirmed plans to add a digital voice element to its FiOS TV and Internet double play, with availability slated for early next year.

Though the company has not issued an announcement, or provided details on the voice service, Verizon has been testing the service internally for some time and plans to offer it in at least a few FiOS markets “soon,” according to a spokesperson for the telco.

“This is offering FiOS customers a voice service that leverages the FTTP network to bring them new features,” said the spokesperson. “It’s the natural next step in our FiOS bundle.”

The news comes nearly one year after AT&T Inc. (T) began commercial deployment of U-verse Voice, (January, 2008) effectively providing an IP triple play bundle for consumers.

Telco TV providers hope that triple plays that include IP voice will stem losses of consumers and businesses to cablecos, many of which already have a digital voice element to their triple-play offerings.