To promote its FiOS TV iPhone remote control app, Verizon Wireless is offering new buyers of its TV, Internet and landline phone packages a $200 reward card that can be applied to the cost of an iPhone 4 (or any other smartphone), plus a $5 to $20 monthly discount on their plan.
The deal, describing iPhone and FiOS TV as "A Perfect Pairing," is being promoted in a new TV spot.
The ad (below), depicts a remote control physically transforming into an iPhone 4 as a narrator asks, "what if you could combine America's most advanced fiber optic network with America's most loved mobile device - wouldn't that be something?"
The "Transformers" imagery appears similar to Verizon's hyper-masculine "Droid" ads that played throughout last year, although this time the campaign is directed at the company's recently released iPhone 4.
"Control your TV, manage your DVR remotely, and with the flick of a finger, send pictures straight to your flat screen, with the FiOS app for iPhone," the spot adds.
Update: Verizon has added the following details to clarify its promotion: "Only new customers who sign up for our qualifying triple/quad play bundles will receive a $200 rewards card. If the customer chooses to do so, this Verizon Reward Card can be used to offset the purchase of a smart phone (iPhone or other device)."
FiOS is Verizon's internet, television, and phone service delivered via fiber optic cable directly to the customer's premises. While only available in a limited number of areas, the service supports very fast (for the U.S.) Internet access compared to DSL or standard copper cable.
The company is now offering a bundle of more than 180 channels (40 in HD) FiOS TV with a DVR, 15Mpbs download and 5Mbps upload Internet access, and unlimited landline phone service for $95 per month with a two year contract, adding in a $200 rebate that can be applied to the purchase of iPhone 4, and a waived "activation fee" that normally costs $50.
When adding an iPhone service plan to the bundle, Verizon provides an additional $10 per month discount, making the bundle $85 per month plus the cost of the wireless plan.
AT&T offers its own U-verse cable, Internet and phone service package, and similarly released an remote control iPhone app and created bundles designed to woo users to a package of its services. The company does not appear to currently be running a U-verse/iPhone promotion however.
