Logic announces new internet pricing
Logic customers will soon see some cost savings on their monthly statements. The internet service provider (ISP) has lowered the pricing on its internet packages, which means customers will see a reduction on their next bill.TBi's pricing, however, is still less overall than both North Rock and Logic's for most residential internet packages (See graph).The price reduction comes exactly one week after North Rock lowered the prices of its internet packages and brings the two companies’ prices in line with one another following the announcement of their merger.The two ISPs agreed to merge late last month — making the new entity a wholly owned subsidiary of KeyTech.“We are pleased to announce a change to our pricing structure for our Logic Broadband internet Service,” Logic advised customers in an e-mail. “We can see from our records that some of our customers will enjoy great monthly savings by signing up for one of our new plans: 1.5 Mbps, $29.95 2.5 Mbps $49.95, 4 Mbps $69.95, 6 Mbps $79.95, 8 Mbps $99.95, 10 Mbps $105.95, 15 Mbps $114.95, 25 Mbps $179.95.”Logic’s 1.5 Mbps is still $29.95 a month and its 2.5 Mbps package is now $49.95 a month — down $20 from $69.95 a month.Customers with Logic’s 15 Mbps and 6 Mbps plans however, will see the greatest savings. The 15 Mbps package, which was $179.95 a month, is now $114.95, a savings of $65. The 6 Mbps plan, which was $119.95 a month, is now $79.95 — a savings of $40 a month.“With the recent amalgamation of North Rock and Logic, we are delighted to be in the position to offer better prices and value to our customers,” said Vicki Coelho, CEO of Logic Communications. “These price reductions apply to the ISP rates. Customers will still need an access provider. Our customers will see on their next statement the reduced prices.”The rate reductions from Logic and North Rock come on the heels of TeleBermuda International’s (TBi) launch of residential internet two weeks ago. Packages with TBi start at 4 Mbps for $49.95 to 25 Mbps plans for $159.95 a month with no contract required. The packages also include access to TBi’s Wi-Fi zones around the Island.North Rock’s new pricing packages are also contract-free, but Logic’s requires a two-year agreement.TBi rolled out the new offering last week after being granted its long-awaited Integrated Communications Operating License, or ICOL, as part of an overhaul of the telecoms sector.Philip Micallef, CEO of Bermuda’s new telecommunications Regulatory Authority says consumers can expect to see more competitive pricing and additional offerings from the Island’s ISP and internet access providers.“I think we are only seeing the start of competition as far as prices are concerned and hopefully we shall be seeing more as other ICOL holders enter different markets,” Mr Micallef said.While customers in Bermuda still need to select either CableVision or BTC for their DSL or broadband in addition to an ISP for their internet service, there is hope that some companies will begin to offer both.“ICOLs permit carriers to provide the entire broadband chain but it is up to carrier to provide the entire chain or not. It is hoped that carriers will start offering this one-stop-shop type of service,” Mr Micallef said.