What are we doing?
Since launching in 2010, Fusion broadband and phone service has remained at a fixed price, with the standard level of residential service costing $40 monthly. Now, as we head into 2017, we are implementing our first Fusion price increase, ever. Beginning in February, the price for Sonic’s Fusion services will increase by $10 monthly.
I’ll address the reason for this and the details below.
Why is the price increasing?
This price increase will fund more fiber construction, allowing us to continue to expand the reach of gigabit service as rapidly as possible.
Over the last year, we have gone from just 1% of members connected with Gigabit service on Fiber to over 10% of our members now connected with Fiber. That is really good progress, and we believe it is now time to scale up!
Our mission at Sonic is to deliver fast, uncapped and unlimited service, and the ultimate goal is delivering full gigabit service via Sonic fiber. Today, one in ten Sonic members are connected with Sonic gigabit fiber service, and expanding our fiber reach will mean the the majority of our members will be on fiber in the next few years. Our mission is to continue to build more and more fiber, and this price increase means more fiber, and more Sonic fiber-connected members.
Meanwhile, we will also continue to add faster options and more value for all Fusion members, including higher speed interim services for many of our customers, with VDSL2, X2 and FTTN upgrades. See https://members.sonic.net/connections/serviceupdate/ for options for your location.
And for customers looking for ways to cut costs, we have launched low-cost DISH TV bundles that can help them save money by switching TV providers. See http://sonic.com/dish for details.
Who will this affect, and by how much?
Over time, all Sonic Fusion broadband and phone customers will be affected by this price increase. But for customers who are in a term agreement, no change will occur until the term agreement comes to an end.
As for how much, each existing Fusion service will increase by $10 monthly. So for example residential Fusion X1 of all forms (ADSL2+, VDSL2, FTTN, Fiber) will increase from the current rate of $40 monthly to a new rate of $50. And residential Fusion X2 of all forms (ADSL2+ or VDSL2 bonded broadband, and 50Mbps FTTN X2) will increase from the current rate of $60, to a new rate of $70.
What about re-rates or retention offers?
It has become commonplace in our industry to offer lower pricing to customers who call to complain about price, particularly if they threaten to cancel service. This is an unpleasant process for both customers and staff of the competitors, but more importantly, it is not fair to those who do not call, who are not aware a lower price is available if only they had called and spent significant time and effort threatening cancellation.
Instead, I hope that every customer will understand our mission, the quality local customer service we deliver, and both the value of our service and the values of our company. Out of concern for what is fair and right for all of our members, and the work environment for our staff, we are not offering a lower price to members who contact us to press for one.
Fusion is still an industry-leading value
Fusion remains a leading value. Sonic continues to offer uncapped and unlimited internet access, and when compared with competing broadband products that cost $55 to $80, and which all now levy monthly usage limits, Fusion is a great deal. And from competitors, unlimited phone service costs about $30 additional, making the Fusion bundle an even better value.
Over the years since 2010, we have added many features to our Fusion service, including faster connection technology, VDSL2, FTTN and fiber, and X2 bonding options. We have also improved Fusion by including free nationwide calling, and today calls to most countries are free too. Our popular FaxLine and personal web hosting, and VPN features all have added value to Fusion. And today FTTN and fiber customers can even use Accession communicator to take their unlimited Fusion phone service with them on their mobile device.
If members are seeking ways to save, for Sonic members with TV service, switching to a DISH bundle with Sonic can be a really great option. If you’ve got cable or another satellite service, the Sonic DISH option provides lower-cost TV options, plus a $10/mo discount on Sonic service for a year. Together these two items can more than offset the upcoming price increase. Visit http://sonic.com/dish for info.
One last point: most of our members have the option of speed upgrades available at their location. For best available performance and price, I encourage you to check for VDSL2, FTTN, X2 and Fiber upgrade availability here: https://members.sonic.net/connections/serviceupdate/
Thank you for your continued support of Sonic as we pursue our mission to build the best internet service available for all: Local support, strong privacy policies, uncapped usage and of course, the fastest service possible.
Since launching in 2010, Fusion broadband and phone service has remained at a fixed price, with the standard level of residential service costing $40 monthly. Now, as we head into 2017, we are implementing our first Fusion price increase, ever. Beginning in February, the price for Sonic’s Fusion services will increase by $10 monthly.
I’ll address the reason for this and the details below.
Why is the price increasing?
This price increase will fund more fiber construction, allowing us to continue to expand the reach of gigabit service as rapidly as possible.
Over the last year, we have gone from just 1% of members connected with Gigabit service on Fiber to over 10% of our members now connected with Fiber. That is really good progress, and we believe it is now time to scale up!
Our mission at Sonic is to deliver fast, uncapped and unlimited service, and the ultimate goal is delivering full gigabit service via Sonic fiber. Today, one in ten Sonic members are connected with Sonic gigabit fiber service, and expanding our fiber reach will mean the the majority of our members will be on fiber in the next few years. Our mission is to continue to build more and more fiber, and this price increase means more fiber, and more Sonic fiber-connected members.
Meanwhile, we will also continue to add faster options and more value for all Fusion members, including higher speed interim services for many of our customers, with VDSL2, X2 and FTTN upgrades. See https://members.sonic.net/connections/serviceupdate/ for options for your location.
And for customers looking for ways to cut costs, we have launched low-cost DISH TV bundles that can help them save money by switching TV providers. See http://sonic.com/dish for details.
Who will this affect, and by how much?
Over time, all Sonic Fusion broadband and phone customers will be affected by this price increase. But for customers who are in a term agreement, no change will occur until the term agreement comes to an end.
As for how much, each existing Fusion service will increase by $10 monthly. So for example residential Fusion X1 of all forms (ADSL2+, VDSL2, FTTN, Fiber) will increase from the current rate of $40 monthly to a new rate of $50. And residential Fusion X2 of all forms (ADSL2+ or VDSL2 bonded broadband, and 50Mbps FTTN X2) will increase from the current rate of $60, to a new rate of $70.
What about re-rates or retention offers?
It has become commonplace in our industry to offer lower pricing to customers who call to complain about price, particularly if they threaten to cancel service. This is an unpleasant process for both customers and staff of the competitors, but more importantly, it is not fair to those who do not call, who are not aware a lower price is available if only they had called and spent significant time and effort threatening cancellation.
Instead, I hope that every customer will understand our mission, the quality local customer service we deliver, and both the value of our service and the values of our company. Out of concern for what is fair and right for all of our members, and the work environment for our staff, we are not offering a lower price to members who contact us to press for one.
Fusion is still an industry-leading value
Fusion remains a leading value. Sonic continues to offer uncapped and unlimited internet access, and when compared with competing broadband products that cost $55 to $80, and which all now levy monthly usage limits, Fusion is a great deal. And from competitors, unlimited phone service costs about $30 additional, making the Fusion bundle an even better value.
Over the years since 2010, we have added many features to our Fusion service, including faster connection technology, VDSL2, FTTN and fiber, and X2 bonding options. We have also improved Fusion by including free nationwide calling, and today calls to most countries are free too. Our popular FaxLine and personal web hosting, and VPN features all have added value to Fusion. And today FTTN and fiber customers can even use Accession communicator to take their unlimited Fusion phone service with them on their mobile device.
If members are seeking ways to save, for Sonic members with TV service, switching to a DISH bundle with Sonic can be a really great option. If you’ve got cable or another satellite service, the Sonic DISH option provides lower-cost TV options, plus a $10/mo discount on Sonic service for a year. Together these two items can more than offset the upcoming price increase. Visit http://sonic.com/dish for info.
One last point: most of our members have the option of speed upgrades available at their location. For best available performance and price, I encourage you to check for VDSL2, FTTN, X2 and Fiber upgrade availability here: https://members.sonic.net/connections/serviceupdate/
Thank you for your continued support of Sonic as we pursue our mission to build the best internet service available for all: Local support, strong privacy policies, uncapped usage and of course, the fastest service possible.