MSN, Verizon Team Up For New High-Speed Internet Service

The deal is part of MSN's efforts to catch up to America Online and increase its reach as many DSL access companies, including Covad Communications, are launching special promotions or deals to win customers.

The companies did not disclose the terms of the agreement.

Verizon currently has 1.4 million customers for its Digital Subscriber Line, or DSL, service, which allows high-speed connections to the Internet, said Bobbi Henson, a Verizon spokeswoman.

Verizon will continue to provide the billing and customer service functions for its customers, Henson said, but customers will be able to use MSN's e-mail, subscriber-only content and other features that Microsoft plans to add to its new version of MSN this fall.

Verizon charges $49.95 a month for DSL with promotions offering lower prices, Henson said.

MSN has 7.7 million subscribers with dial-up or broadband access.

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