Verizon FIOS.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Any FIOS customers out there?





I got a letter from Verizon a few days ago and it looks like they will be installing FIOS in my area. I'm thinking about making the jump from Cox Communications cable company.

The plans and prices seem to on par with what Cox offers, although FIOS seems to offer more with their package plans. Cox is also doing a lot of hustling and trying to offer more now that FIOS is in town.


Just want to know if you FIOS customers are happy and glad you made the switch. Does the HD TV really look better? Is there a noticeable difference in the speed of your internet connection? How's the customer service? Also, which company did you upgrade from? Was it cable, DSL, etc.? I've been searching around on the web for opinions (www.avsforum.com/ & www.dslreports.com, google), but like most things there's a lot to sift through with both accalades and horror stories for FIOS. Love to hear what you guys have to say.


Thanks!

[57pbass]

I have been receiving telemarketing calls from Verizon but we have not switched over..yet..I am waiting for the better half to graduate and we will do the apartment over..which will include a new flat screen

[Kenbuntu]

Im still on basic regular cable.

[bwv1013]

my folks have it and they love it. the internet COOKS and the tv is as good or better than any other service out there. i'm jumping on it as soon as it's available in my area.

[coreyfyfe]

Just got it two weeks ago. Freaking awesome. We were setting up a new internet service and I was going back and forth between Comcast and RCN, neither of which were really wowing me and decided to check if we could get FIOS. It was installed two days later. They provide the fastest service in their price range, free installation, first month free, free wireless router.

I'm not trying to sound like a FIOS commercial or something, but I have dealt with so much bs from Comcast in my last apartment, and they were just jerking me around trying to get service set up here. And for the price, RCN just couldn't offer the same level of service (available speed) that Comcast or Verizon could. Seriosly, I can't believe everyone in the area hasn't dropped comcast or RCN for FIOS.

We didn't get the cable, but it was like $12.99/month more or something like that. Internet alone is $49.99/month for 25/10mbps (not sure why its one over the other, but that's what they told me on the phone). Customer support was great as well, I set it up online, got an email confirmation, and phone call later that day, and a phone call the day after to confirm that everything went well and that the guy gave me his boss' card (standard procedure I guess?). The install took about 2 hours, they had estimated that it would be about 4-8.

For comparison, the cheapest services we could get with comcast was 15mbps for $63ish, and 5mbps from RCN for $45.

[Kwesi]

I love it on my family's Windows computers and HATE IT WITH A PASSION on my Macbook Pro. It works beautifully on windows systems; at least now it does. For the first 2 months I had it it was abysmal on all computers. It would go from blazing fast to dial-up slow like an epileptic monkey and it had a tendency to stick around the slow side of things. After those initial months it worked nicely. But then around Thanksgiving (we had gotten it in March '08). It started flip-flopping again on all computers and it stayed that way for months. We called techs down that were very friendly and professional (much more so than the Comcast guys) but they didn't help much. then finally we got one tech to software update our router (btw, it baffles me as to why we have to call a tech to do that) and it works great on all computers but my Macbook pro.

I've searched all over google and the forums it has lead me to for a solution but I only found more people with similar problems. The funny thing is that the connection is great for torrents and downloads (most of the time) but when I'm just surfing the net the speed is all over the place and the pages stall often. Recently Safari has been working perfectly where as my favorite browser, Firefox, hasn't been doing so hot. Previously, they both had terrible speeds so maybe it's the browser now?

Overall, I recommend that you wait until they COMPLETELY finish fiber optic cable installations in your area then go for it unless you regularly use a Mac, in which case stick with what you have unless the benefits of FiOS completely outweigh whatever connection issues your Mac may encounter.

We also have FiOS TV which is awesome. We switched over from Direct TV (which was also awesome) and I'm very happy with it. There was one channel on Direct TV that I miss called the 101 and they showed live concerts all the time but Ovation delivers some in its stead. The remote that they provide you sucks though. It's supposedly a multi-purpose remote but when programed, buttons don't always activate on the selected device and often activate other devices, so just use the remote for the FiOS box.

One more thing; If you notice your TV or internet acting up there is a good chance on e will affect the other since the two are connected through the router Verizon provides you and the "base station" that they usually set up in your garage. If anything starts acting funny contact Verizon ASAP, they're really good about sending people out (after you get through the god-awful voice automations) and whatever problem you may have wont fix itself .

[FreaqyFrequency]

It's great. The picture and sound have less distortion than any previous system we ever had, and the internet experienced a notable improvement in speed.

Though I don't have an HDTV, my friend does (and he got FiOS a couple months ago), and FiOS HD on-demand is almost indistinguishable from Blu-Ray. The quality is simply breathtaking, with very little audible/visible distortion or compression.

Also, the customer service in our area was great, and the diggers were very careful not to mess up our underground pipe/sprinkler system in the backyard, though in this case, YMWV.

I highly recommend it.

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Overall, I recommend that you wait until they COMPLETELY finish fiber optic cable installations in your area then go for it unless you regularly use a Mac, in which case stick with what you have unless the benefits of FiOS completely outweigh whatever connection issues your Mac may encounter.

Using it on two newer macs (both around 1 year old) running without issue. Haven't had any of the problems you've described, as of yet, but it's only been a few weeks.

[hover]

Originally Posted by Kenbuntu

Im still on basic regular cable.

Yup.

[JimB52]

My drummer is the regional manager for FIOS.
Can't get it where I live. Neither can he. Oh, irony.
Everyone I know that has it, loves it, although I've heard Verizon's billing dept and customer service leave something to be desired.

[MCBTunes]

Maybe threaten to leave your current provider unless they beat the prices Verizon offers.

[Kenbuntu]

Originally Posted by MCBTunes

Maybe threaten to leave your current provider unless they beat the prices Verizon offers.

+1 Rogers are known for this. They'll throw offers at you like its no bodies business. These guys will do anything to get your money.

[Philbiker]

Verizon is marketing the hell out of FIOS to me, they just installed the lines (and seriously screwed up my lawn in the process ). I get flyers every day.

One thing I've noticed: with the proliferation of FIOS in my neighborhood my cable modem internet download speeds have skyrocketed. I'm on the cheapest/slowest plan that Comcast sells, and it absolutely smokes. Internet is only as fast as the network traffic can handle, and everybody switching to FIOS makes me very happy.

I called the FIOS people and the "$99/month" they quote doesn't include charges for each TV box you'll need, it's only the most basic channel line-up they sell, etc. etc. So many strings attached to their "great price". Plus I assume they'll have to do even more damage to my lawn in order to go from the box to my house. No thanks. I'm satisfied with Dish Network for TV, OTA antenna for HDTV and secondary TVs, Comcast cable, and Verizon economy phone service.

[baba]

I love FIOS service. I've had it for at least 2 years now and it is rock solid. I've never had to reboot my router due to slow speeds like I had to with DSL and cable. Never have any TV pixelation, etc. No outages. No issues, great service. I'm not a fan of Verizon at all, but this service is way beyond DSL or cable offerings in terms of reliability.

[ZoomBoy]

We are going to be notified when they run the cable on my street. It's available in parts of town now. Once we get the word we are signing up. I can't wait to be away from Charter. Terrible service and their customer service sux balls.

[jkritchey]

I'm with Phil, same situation, they're crawling all over my neighborhood, peppering me with 3-4 flyers a week, plus door to door guys. Thing is, I have Verizon DSL, and I may be the last guy in my neighborhood still on it.

I'd like the faster speed of FIOS, but it solves a problem I don't currently have. I have little interest in disconnecting my always available copper phone line, and I love DirecTV. I can't get a simple answer as to what my price would be after the sale period.

And frankly, I have no interest in signing up for a federally granted monopoly on the FIOS lines.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Thanks! Some good info in here and things to think about.

Ultimately I will have to call both and find out what the deals are. I think my only fear with FIOS is the big conglomerate lacking in customer support and service. I've read a few stories, both good and bad. Customer service is one thing I can give Cox Communications a thumbs up. In the past fifteen years I have only had one billing problem and one equipment problem and both were resolved with little effort on my part. I know one person at work who has had FIOS for a little while now (less than one year?) and has one billing problem. A four hundred dollar statement this month. He's positive it's a mistake on their part and so far loves the product. At the end of his movie channel trial period he called to cancel all the premium movie channels and they gave him another month free. He also raves about the internet speed.

As far as the plans go, FIOS seems to have more for about the same price as cable. I'm not expecting FIOS to be much cheaper than what I'm paying for COX, but from what I understand for what I am paying now I will get twice the internet (dl) speeds and a whole bunch more HD channels. Their incentive prices will save me a few bucks as well. Staying with Cox is still an option for me. They really are hustling trying to get more HD channels. I read over at the AVS forums that Cox will be adding four more by the middle of next month. They also added a TV-caller ID function. My only grip is they should have been adding this stuff a long time ago. When their only competition was satellite Cox really had no plans to add,..........well, anything and every little price increase was passed onto the consumer.

Now, I can get the same incentive prices from Cox. Mater of fact, I have already did it once. Last year I called to inquire about changing my movie channel and they freely offered to "save me some money" and put me on their $99.00 (all three services) package. This period is now over and my prices have gone back up, but the representative from Cox did tell me to call back when it was over and they should have even more to offer for the same price. The only downside is any time you re-up it's under a one year contract with an early termination penalty fee. So, the ball is in my court and it seems to be a buyers market.

Thanks again!

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

I think my only fear with FIOS is the big conglomerate lacking in customer support and service. I've read a few stories, both good and bad. Customer service is one thing I can give Cox Communications a thumbs up.

Consider yourself fearless then . As long as I have had FiOS their customer service has been excellent, phone-bots excluded of course but damn near every company has those now .

Before FiOS I had Comcast and their customer service was BS. They would give you ridiculous times for a tech to come out to you, then forget they scheduled one, and when they finally get one out they would be absolutely useless and look like it too; very unprofessional. Though it may not be a big deal to some, one thing that seriously got on my nerves with Comcast is that when you try to get help over the phone you would ALWAYS foreigner. I have no problem with people outside of this country, but when I can't understand a word they're saying that reflects badly on the companies choice of "customer service representatives". Over a phone it can get difficult to hear people without accents so when there is one things just go to crap.

Anyway, if the FiOS service in your area is anything like mine they'll be nothing but helpful.

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

Using it on two newer macs (both around 1 year old) running without issue. Haven't had any of the problems you've described, as of yet, but it's only been a few weeks.

Be glad and hope you don't ever have to, lol.

[ryco]

I live in a very isolated small town.

Just got Verizon high speed cable about 6+ months ago! I'm very pleased!!

Dial-up just sucked!!

I doubt we'll have FIOS any time soon, even though they ran fibre optic cable through here about 5 years ago. I live on West coast 101.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Consider yourself fearless then . As long as I have had FiOS their customer service has been excellent, phone-bots excluded of course but damn near every company has those now .

Before FiOS I had Comcast and their customer service was BS. They would give you ridiculous times for a tech to come out to you, then forget they scheduled one, and when they finally get one out they would be absolutely useless and look like it too; very unprofessional. Though it may not be a big deal to some, one thing that seriously got on my nerves with Comcast is that when you try to get help over the phone you would ALWAYS foreigner. I have no problem with people outside of this country, but when I can't understand a word they're saying that reflects badly on the companies choice of "customer service representatives". Over a phone it can get difficult to hear people without accents so when there is one things just go to crap.

Anyway, if the FiOS service in your area is anything like mine they'll be nothing but helpful.



Be glad and hope you don't ever have to, lol.

Thanks! Perhaps I should have wrote "my biggest fear". I've heard horror stories from friends using Comcast in neighboring Massachusetts. They really must suck straight across the country.


Oh, one question regarding lawns being ruined. Do they bury all FIOS cable? If so, it's something I may have to bring up. Not so much about the concern for my lawn, but I live on a corner lot. The power lines come in on one side of the house and the telephone line come in on the opposite side. These phone lines stretch across my backyard. If I could get rid of these telephone lines it would be a huge plus. Not only are they an eye soar, my trees have dropped branches on them three different times and pulled them off the house.