NEW YORK -- Verizon and DIRECTV have entered into a new agreement to collectively serve the multidwelling-unit market with a bundle of services that will provide better choice and value when compared to cable. The multi-year agreement will enable Verizon to serve as the single point of contact for a bundle of offerings that includes Verizon's broadband and telephony services in addition to DIRECTV's content and services. Verizon will offer the DIRECTV bundle in locations where it does not offer its own entertainment services.

To further provide DIRECTV and Verizon services in a bundle throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, Verizon and MDU Communications International (MDUC), a long-time partner and provider of DIRECTV services to multidwelling units, have entered into a sales-teaming agreement.

These two new agreements provide owners, managers and residents with a new set of choices as an alternative to their franchised cable operator. Verizon will offer a complete service bundle designed to outperform cable's "triple play."

With these new relationships, Verizon now can serve all the units in a complex with voice, broadband, and DIRECTV. Verizon will offer DIRECTV digital satellite programming in packages and bundles specifically designed for owners and residents of apartments, condominiums, cooperatives and other multifamily properties.

Verizon and MDUC will work together to jointly propose, provide, install, market, operate and maintain specially designed multidwelling-unit technology systems for the reception and distribution of DIRECTV's digital satellite television, and Verizon's FiOS broadband Internet, telephone calling and other telecommunications services.

"Verizon's premier FiOS Internet all-fiber optic broadband service and our reliable and versatile voice services are a draw for property owners and developers who want to differentiate their properties from others," said Eric Cevis, vice president of Verizon Enhanced Communities. "Now, with these agreements that allow us to deliver DIRECTV services as the entertainment component, we have a complete solution for those owners and managers, particularly where Verizon does not offer entertainment programming."

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ)