AOL Teams With BellSouth, Time Warner and Verizon In Major Broadband Expansion

America Online Inc. has joined forces with American telecommunications giants to expand its national broadband network, offering high speed service to subscribers for as little as $25.90 per month. AOL has signed deals with BellSouth, Time Warner Cable and Verizon, as well as other major DSL suppliers.

The popular Internet service has already begun an aggressive marketing campaign. In addition to more widely available broadband access, which AOL says will be available to the majority of its members, the company is offering simplified telephone and web-based ordering of services and digital subscriber line (DSL) and cable modems.

"With the new AOL broadband network, we're leveraging the strength of our service and our customer relationships to make the most of the shifting broadband marketplace," America Online Chairman & CEO Jonathan F. Miller said in a statement. "We are taking advantage of the improving economics of broadband access to create an offering that combines the AOL service with the speed of broadband at a competitive price."

The monthly rate for the expanded service will be slightly higher in BellSouth territory, where subscribers will pay $29.90 per month.