Small businesses can now get big-business speeds for super-fast Internet access and data transmission with today's launch of Verizon FiOS (FYE'-ose) Internet Service for Business in parts of California, Florida and Texas.

"It's like going from a tricycle to a sports car at a great price," said Marilyn O'Connell, Verizon senior vice president of broadband solutions. "FiOS for Business gives companies powerful connection speeds for today's bandwidth-intensive applications at prices close to those they pay for ordinary broadband services."

Verizon FiOS Internet Service for Business transmits signals over fiber-optic technology at speeds designed to boost productivity and ignite performance. The service is intended for companies with 50 employees or fewer.

Verizon has offered a similar service to consumers in some parts of the country since last summer. Now Verizon is delivering FiOS Internet Service for both business and residential customers over its revolutionary fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network, which it now is building in half the states where Verizon provides landline communications services.

FTTP technology uses fiber-optic connections – instead of copper wire – to transport a broad array of voice, data and video applications directly into homes and businesses. FiOS Internet Service for consumers is already available in portions of 10 states, and the company will announce FiOS for Business in other areas as it becomes available.

Small-business owners have a choice of three tiers of service with download speeds of approximately 5, 15 and 30 Mbps (megabits per second) and either a dynamic Internet protocol (IP) address or a static IP address. Dynamic IP addresses are best suited for small businesses that do not have a Web site but still use the Internet for research or light to moderate e-mail. Static IP addresses, where a specific Internet routing code is assigned for exclusive use, are ideal for small businesses that are highly automated; need to host Web or e-mail servers, or both; use e-mail extensively to send large files with attachments; have e-commerce capabilities; or have employees that telecommute.

There are three tiers of Verizon FiOS Internet Service for Business:

15 Mbps downstream and 2 Mbps upstream. Ideal for companies performing significant amounts of online research. Its upstream speed accelerates transactions and large-file transfers. $59.95 a month with a dynamic IP address and $99.95 a month with a static IP address.

5 Mbps downstream and 5 Mbps upstream. A powerful symmetrical service, with the same high capacity downstream and upstream. Suited for companies with multiple computers needing Internet access and e-mail. $169.95 a month with a dynamic IP address and $209.95 a month with a static IP address.

30 Mbps downstream and 5 Mbps upstream. Designed for communications-intensive companies with bandwidth-hungry needs such as video streaming, network storage applications and Web hosting. $349.95 a month with a dynamic IP address and $389.95 a month with a static IP address.

Business customers can receive discounts by buying the service as part of a package that includes local and long-distance service. The Freedom for Business package offers a 20 percent discount off the monthly charge, making the 15 Mpbs-2 Mbps service only $47.95 with a dynamic IP address. Veriations for Business offers a 10 percent discount off the monthly charge for a dynamic or static IP address. A one-year agreement is required for any service tier, with or without a package.

All service tiers include free professional installation and 24x7 business-grade technical support. Companies also receive 20 MB (megabytes) of Web space and unlimited remote dial-up access that keeps employees connected when they're on the road.

FiOS for Business is available to customers served by Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises network in parts of the Los Angeles, Tampa and Dallas metro areas. Customers can contact their local Verizon business office or account manager to determine if they qualify for the service.

For more information about Verizon FiOS, see our Verizon FiOS category or our article, "Have you caught the FiOS fever?"