Verizon this week unveiled a new premium tech support option that will cover every connected device in the home -- for an additional $10 per month. According to the company's announcement, "Tech Support Pro" is now being offered to both DSL and FiOS customers, giving Verizon customers a 24/7 customer support line providing help on everything from your laptop to your smart refrigerator. The service costs $15 per month if you bundle it with the FiOS Quantum Router (which alone costs $10/month to rent).
"For 24/7 support of almost any connected device in the home, it’s an exceptional value," Verizon insists.
Tech Support Pro also features up to five "Mac or Windows PC tune ups a year," 50 gigabytes of data transfer of pictures and music between any storage devices, and a smartphone app that provides instant access to Verizon support representatives through phone or text.
"The more devices someone owns, the more chances there are for problems to arise, and in 2015, consumers averaged over seven connected devices per household," insists the company. "For Fios and High Speed Internet customers, Tech Support Pro removes the frustrations of complicated setups, software glitches, and any other hurdle that might come up in their connected world."
It may go without saying that many Verizon DSL and FiOS customers already feel their existing bill is already too high, giving this program limited appeal. Verizon clearly however hopes premium tech support will help it differentiate its service as it prepares for more intense competition from cable providers; especially as Altice begins pushing new promotions at recently-acquired Cablevision later this year.
