Verizon announced that it will be boosting the upload speeds of its FiOS service to match its download speeds, as the company meets the demands of its users that are sharing more content online than ever.
Verizon said that the speed upgrade, which will be for free, is a component of the company's commitment to reward its loyal customers.
As per Verizon chief marketing officer for consumer and mass business Mike Ritter, upload speeds that are faster equates to improved sharing experiences for users.
"All Internet sharing - whether videos, large photo files or gaming - starts with uploading. FiOS all-fiber-optic technology offers a unique opportunity to enhance our customers' Internet experience on a mass scale by increasing our upload speeds to equal to our industry-leading download speeds. As the Internet of Things becomes a reality, equal download and upload speeds will become essential," Ritter said in a statement.
The plan with the slowest speeds for Verizon's FiOS Internet service, which currently has a download speed of 15 Mbps and an upload speed of 5 Mbps, will see the upload speed be increased to 15 Mbps. The plan with the fastest speeds for the service, on the other hand, will see the upload speed increase to 500 Mbps to match the plan's download speed.
Verizon listed some of the activities that will be boosted by the company's upgrade of upload speeds. The list includes uploading videos, chatting with video on FaceTime or Skype, uploading files for sharing on Twitter or Facebook, bidding in an eBay auction, shopping online using new e-commerce platforms such as Rue Lala, playing online games, sending files with big sizes, and uploading files to the cloud to back them up.
Upgrades to equalize upload speeds with download speeds will be implemented over the fall season. However, the upgrades will begin with Verizon customers that are part of the company's My Rewards + program, including those that will newly sign up for the program.
Verizon's My Rewards + is a loyalty program which incentivizes the everyday tasks of the company's customers, including paying bills and buying or renting videos. Points earned through the program can be redeemed for Visa Prepaid Cards or used at participating establishments.
Verizon's announced upgrades to its FiOS service may be the company's response to competitor Google Fiber's rapid expansion throughout the United States. Google has recently signed an agreement with the Portland city council for the installation and operation of a high-speed fiber optic network through 2024.
