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 Review by wifi4milez 
Posted: 23 days ago
member for 5.3 years, 2017 visits, last login: 3 days ago
 New York,New York,NY
 $50 per month (12 month contract)
 about 30 days
 "Good connection, low ping times"
 "Horrible back end with regards to billing and rates"
 "FIOS is honestly not any better than cable, the "speed" difference is not noticeable at all."
| Pre Sales Information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
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Some people wont like this review, but it needs to be said. FIOS is a decent internet service, but its not the amazing product some think it is. The reality is that the internet isnt noticeably "faster" on a 20/5 FIOS connection than it is on a 5/512k cable connection. In fact, many home devices cant even handle the increased speed FIOS provides so its pointless in that regard. Unless you are constantly downloading files via P2P, I would suggest only switching to FIOS if you get a really good deal.
Followup comments:  
keyboards
join:2001-02-14
Doylestown, PA
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Comcast
| Speed is Internet server limited Actually, most home computers can easily handle the speed (assuming a 100 Mb NIC and running Verizon's optimizer to set a few parameters). The problem is that there are very few Internet sites that can support the FiOS available speeds. I was able to download the whole XP SP-3 ISO (350+ MB) in just a few minutes because Microsoft's site supported the speed (and was done at an off hour so it wasn't overly busy).
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REMEMBER: Stupidity should be painful !! | |
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Ignite
Premium,VIP
join:2004-03-18
UK
clubs: | Re: Speed is Internet server limited Ah ok. My last 3 routers were all capable of over 20Mbit, even my venerable old Buffalo. | |
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Zero
join:2009-07-01
Collegeville, PA
| 20/5 vs. 5/512k I can't say that I fully agree with your comparison. If you have multiple internet users then you're going to see a difference between those 20/5 and 5/512k connections. I do agree that the switch from cable to FiOS is not nearly as noticeable between to switch to cable from DSL.
However, even if its only a single user on that 20/5 connection you should still be able to notice faster download transfers compared to a 5/512k cable connection. You won't see a difference in web browsing, email, and simple internet tasks from cable because a 5/512k cable connection is adequate of bandwidth for those kinds of simple tasks.
With any downloads/uploads or other bandwidth intensive activities you will see the increase in speed and less transfer time with that 20/5 connection - if the server can support those speeds. | |
| | | | | davidplatt
join:2003-02-13
Herndon, VA
1 edit | Re: 20/5 vs. 5/512k Well I certainly don't agree. There is a huge, noticable difference in speed with FiOS over cable.
I had a 15/2 cable connection from Cox and when I switched to FiOS at 30/5 (now 30/10) there was a gigantic difference. Especially using remote desktop from my office to my home PC or from my home PC to my office.
When I am remoted into my work pc, it's like I was in the office. Not so when I had cable. | |
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wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY
·Verizon FIOS
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·RoadRunner Cable
 ·BroadVoice
| Re: 20/5 vs. 5/512k said by davidplatt :Well I certainly don't agree. There is a huge, noticable difference in speed with FiOS over cable. I had a 15/2 cable connection from Cox and when I switched to FiOS at 30/5 (now 30/10) there was a gigantic difference. Especially using remote desktop from my office to my home PC or from my home PC to my office. When I am remoted into my work pc, it's like I was in the office. Not so when I had cable. You are confusing a few things about RDC and the public internet. Unless you are running some sort of high bandwidth streaming media program (or CAD program) via remote desktop the bandwidth difference shouldnt make a difference. More than likely the FIOS connection had lower ping times to the remote machine. This could be something as simple as both machines being on Verizons network for example.
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"If it's to be a bloodbath, let it be now. Appeasement is not the answer."
-Ronald Reagan-
»www.theadvocates.org/quizp/index.html
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Zero
join:2009-07-01
Collegeville, PA
| said by wifi4milez :First, as I mentioned in my review, unless you are doing a lot of P2P the average user wont notice any difference at all. Almost any download in general, large or small, should benefit from faster speeds on any connection - not just FiOS. It should transfer quicker and take less time period. With a small download it may not be too obvious but it will complete sooner than on a slower connection.
said by wifi4milez :Second, you are correct about the remote server needing to be able to support high bandwidth (which most dont) Generally speaking however, even having multiple computers/users wont reveal the difference between cable and FIOS unless all of the users are downloading video (or other large files) at the same time. Popular and active servers tend to have more bandwidth available to meet the demand and typically those are the sites that users will visit. Unless the user is communicating with a less popular server then they probably will be able to use their extra bandwidth.
As I stated before, web surfing and email won't see any difference. If that's what you call "average user" then you're correct.
Also, it takes just one user doing a large download/upload that's using up the majority of the bandwidth to affect everyone else on the same connection. Even simple web surfing users would see their pages start to load slightly slower depending on QoS and how badly the connection is being maxed out. | |
| 
rexbinary
Mod King
Premium
join:2005-01-26
Plano, TX
·Verizon FIOS
1 edit | Usage It depends on your usage model.
I move a lot of data. For instance I purchase most all software online, especially huge games that average around 8GB+ in size. I get my full 25MB download speed with FiOS from all the product sites I use, such as Steam, Fileplanet, Impulse, etc. My bandwidth saves a ton of time.
So I see no issues locally or on the backend, I get my full speed on all computers from all the sites I go to all the time.
If you just browse the web and check email, yes just about any broadband will work for you.
So yes there is a huge difference between cable speeds and FiOS speed, you usage model doesn't take advantage of your new speed.
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Verizon FiOS subscriber since 2005 | Mac owner since 1990 | Fedora user since 2006 | CentOS user since 2007 | "Anyone who is unwilling to learn is entitled to absolutely nothing." - graysonf | EDIT: I seldom post without an edit. | |
| 
The_ANoN
@verizon.net
| Wow.. What do you do online? Just check email? There's a huge difference between 5/512k and 20/5 (I have 25/15).. My HD movies on Netflix load up MUCH faster, I can DL game demos on Xbox Live MUCH faster. I dled a 1GB file in 7-8 mins. I dont think that would happen on a 5/512k cable connection. | |
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 Review by vz_jake
Posted: 24 days ago
member for 24 days, 8 visits, last login: 8 days ago
Seffner,Hillsborough,FL
$220 per month (24 month contract)
about 12 days
"The very best Internet and TV product available"
"Unable to transfer recorded shows from one stb another when a replacement is needeed"
"Best product on the market"
| Pre Sales Information:
Install Co-ordination:
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In the last 2 years I have had to replace 1 router and 1 dvr. both were sent via UPS. replacement was easy and the service is outstanding. I have a 20/20 internet package which has never failed me (except when the router went down). i have 5 computers using the service, 3 hardwired and 2 wireless in a two story house. Speed is consistant on all wired machines and speed on the wireless is acceptable considering it IS wireless. Able to stream movies from my hardwired PC to a wireless Xbox360 with no buffer issues. Install was clean but they did install the router in my garage which I wish had been located closer to the computers. Again, even people who have had technical issues or billing problems agree...nothing else on the market today compares to the quality and speed available through Fios.
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Review by old_wiz_60
UPDATED: 25 days ago
member for 4.4 years, 1373 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Bedford,Middlesex,MA
$141 per month
"Stable Connection, good speeds, good quality TV."
"Billing Service abominable!"
"FIOS works well most of the time."
| Pre Sales Information:
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I have had FIOS for 1 year now in Bedford Mass. I was an early adopter. Installer was not familiar with my MAC, but I handled that part of it. I have only lost the connection once or twice and that was due to local power failure that left the entire neighborhood dark. I have not used tech support at all, so my rating for tech support is a guess. I have the lowest tier, 5MB, which was fine since I was on dialup. I have the dlink 624 router. Their website said it would not work wireless with a MAC, but it worked just fine. I suspect they say this so they don't have to try to do tech support. I don't use the verizon e-mail or their 'verizon central'. A little confusion on the install, they did it in two days, first day installed wire and the box outside, 2nd day inside. I ordered via web.
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Updated 12/11/07. We upgraded to triple play with FIOS TV on 12/3/07. Interesting setup, needed new router (which they provided) since the schedule is received via the net. Saved a bit of money due to triple play (had Comcast before for cable). They were late arriving, but did call, and techs apologized and said other install went over expected time. Contrast to the original install, the techs knew more about the system (which isn't surprising as they've had time to learn the newer stuff). FIOS Tv runs fine, at least as well as Comcast, and we get more channels for lower price. No problems since install.
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Update July 25, 2008. Now we have billing issues. In May, they raised the price of the internet connection by disconnecting and reconnecting, ignoring the fact we signed for two years. (Billing tried to fix it, but apparently they can't.) This apparently caused rest of system to think we no longer have the triple play. Our monthly bill went from $ 138 to $ 180! I'm now planning to dump FIOS TV; it's not worth the new prices. The billing people try to help, but they are stuck with a computer system that is hideous. FIOS TV is now $80 per month, where before it was $62. I can't figure out how they can get away with raising prices after agreeing to keep the price for 2 years!
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Updated July 28. After speaking with a Verizon rep they told us the billing system is known to screw up like this. They apologized and told me they would issue a credit and it will be correct next month. I'm happy they can correct the billing - the service is great otherwise.
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August 25, 2008. Not surprisingly, the Verizon billing is STILL screwed up! Despite repeated calls and "promises" to fix it, Verizon is unable or UNWILLING to fix it. Our bill should be 141 per month according to the Verizon reps, but this time it is $169. They are simply unable to fi x the billing system and I am getting very very tired of having to call them EVERY SINGLE MONTH to complain. The billing people TRY to help, but they are totally stuck with a system that . I guess it is time to finally file a formal complaint with the State public utilities. Verizon is simply unable to fix their own errors, or unwilling to do so.!!!!!
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September 8, 2008. We checked with Mass Department of Telecommunications, and they said to write to Verizon first, so we did that and got ahold of a supervisor who said the only way to fix the problem is to do a new Triple Freedom package. He went ahead and entered a new package. Today I get a e-mail from Verizon stating that we haven't accepted the TOS for our new package. I did this then re-read the mail from Verizon and found out that the new plan was for a ONE year contract, where the orignal plan signed in November 2007 was for TWO years. So Verizon has again managed to screw the billing. We're also going to be billed "partial month" for service change, which usually is not well pro-rated and costs more than it should. On top of all this, due to the disconnect/reconnect (again) we got a SALES call from Verizon trying to get us to 'come back' to Verizon! It is so sad, because when you talk to the Verizon people they REALLY TRY to help, but unfortunately they can't really fix the billing system. It is so frustrating since the service itself has been so good; phone, internet, and TV have all been top quality. We expect more hassle with Verizon to keep trying to get the original contract price and period, but I suspect we will just wait for next month's bill and go to the Department of Telecommunications and file a formal complaint.
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Update 9/15/08...Well, Verizon's Customer Advocacy people called us after I complained to Mass Department of Telecommunications (public utilities) and e-mailed two contacts provided here via IM from two Verizon friends or employees. I explained the situation, and they understood my point of view perfectly - I had a two year contract and they should honor it. Next a supervisor from billing called, and said that it is impossible to get the two year contract anymore, but instead they would give me the one year contract at the original two year price and then a credit so I'd pay that price for 2 years. They fully understand my reasoning, especially when I pointed out that if I was a contractor for Verizon and tried to get out of a two year contract they would never let me get away with it. They promise my monthly bill will be no higher than it should be for the term of the original contract. Our monthly bill goes out this week, so it should be interesting. I'm expecting to have to call them a few more times until the billing settles down. I suppose it's acceptable, but it just sounds like the billing system is causing them so much trouble. Why can't they fix it? I'm certainly not the only person having these troubles. The Verizon reps have all been polite and helpful and do their best, but it's sad to see they can't simply fix their billing system.
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Updated 10/20/08. Surprise? Despite promises from Verizon that my bill would be no more than 141, this month they charged me for $168! Verizon is very good at appearing to care, but in fact they really don't want to fix it. Despite complaint to public utilities, e-mails to various Verizon executives, they are overcharging and we have to call every **** month and argue with them again and again. If there was a workable alternative I would dump them in a heartbeat. Comcast is available, but they are probably no better or worse.
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11/11/08. Finally they have the billing straight. It only took from July to November, numerous phone calls, numerous e-mails, and not one but two complaints to Mass Departent of Telecommunications and Energy (public utilities). sheesh.
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11/3/09. Billing has been correct for almost a year now. However, I'm running out of the 'introductory' price, so I don't know if it will go up soon. The connection continues to be stable, good speeds, and TV works well.
Followup comments: 
Technogeez
Gone but not forgetting
Premium
join:2007-01-20 | Get the state involved Call your state's department of consumer affairs. | |
| vtec30cl
join:2004-01-07
Washington, DC | billing Call daily. Ask to speak to a manager or someone above a supervisor. verizon should be investigated by the FTC because EVERYONE knows they are messing up their billing and the practice is criminal. | |
| | nickfie
join:1999-11-23
Wynnewood, PA
·Verizon FIOS
| Renew Now Verizon offers VERY aggressive pricing right now. I renewed early a few months ago. It was a consumer fantasy:
Me: "I would like to see how much it would cost to get the 25 / 15 Internet speed instead of my current 15 / 5"
Agent: "We would have to move you to the new package to get that speed."
Me: "How much will that cost?"
Agent: (pause) "It looks like your monthly bill will drop about $40."
Me: "What about my TV channels?"
Agent: "We no longer offer the package you have now."
Me: "What do I get instead?"
Agent: "Our new package has MORE high-def channels."
Me: "Let me make sure I understand. If I want faster Internet I'm going to have to pay LESS every month and get MORE high-def TV channels?"
Agent: "That's right. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Me: "Not unless you want to cross the state & give me a shoe-shine."
And it all came true. Though I did have to go on-line & cancel some add-ons she slipped in. | |
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Review by ccc3
Posted: 28 days ago
member for 8.3 years, 17 visits, last login: 19 days ago
Belmont,Middlesex,MA
$91 per month (12 month contract)
about 8 days
"Fast, reliable"
"FiOS ONT generates VERY strong radio noise throughout HF range."
"Great if you can suppress the RF noise. (I could, with ferrite and filters.)"
| Pre Sales Information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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I ordered a "bundle" including one telephone number for $51.18/mo. (incl. long-distance etc.) and Internet service (at "up to" 25 Mbps down & 15 Mbps up; I actually get 25 Mbps both up & down) for $64.99/mo., less bundle discount of $24.99/mo., for net cost of $91.18. This cost is less than what I paid for one tel. no. and ADSL Internet service at "up to" 3 Mbps down & 768 kbps up; so switching to FiOS was a no-brainer.
Verizon's website provided very little information regarding the so-called "router" that would be provided along with the optical network terminal (ONT), and much of the information given was incorrect. In particular, it appeared that this "router" included a wireless access point (WAP) that could use WEP (in)security but not WPA2 security, which I used and wanted to continue to use in my wireless LAN. I asked whether I could do without this "router" and was told no. After the ONT and "router" were installed, I learned that the Verizon "router" was not as bad as advertised; it did support WPA2. However, it still lacked features that I had and did not want to give up. So I disabled the WAP in Verizon's "router" and connected my own WAP to a LAN port of Verizon's "router." It appears from my reading of the manual for Verizon's "router" that I could dispense with Verizon's "router" completely and could connect my own router+WAP directly to Verizon's ONT; but I have not tried this because my present setup works just fine.
The level of radio frequency noise emitted by the ONT is terribly, shockingly high, and almost certainly violates FCC regulations for "conducted" noise at HF. A licensed ham radio operator like me, or a short-wave listener, could not continue to enjoy his/her hobby with such a noise source in his home, unless he happened to be experienced in RF noise mitigation techniques, as fortunately I am. If I were not, then I would have had to get rid of my FiOS service. If you need help reducing the noise from your (or a neighbor's) FiOS ONT, read and do _everything_ that this article says to do. Omit nothing. Choke _everything_ including the ground wire. Expect to spend at least $200 on ferrite and a good L-C filter for the AC power-line connection.
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Review by chunkhead
UPDATED: 29 days ago
member for 6.8 years, 53 visits, last login: 29 days ago
Arlington,Arlington,VA
$99 per month (24 month contract)
about 3 days
"Fast, low latency, rapid installation once the order was actually in"
"Labrynth of voice menus to talk to someone"
"Currently the Mercedes-Benz of connectivity"
| Pre Sales Information:
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(ratings match consensus)
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After 4+ years as a Covad (by way of Digizip) customer my DSL connection was getting long in the tooth and it was time to part ways. There are a number of other DSL offerings available in my geographical area but I considered this to be a good opportunity to move away from the telco's copper plant. Not that there have been any significant problems but considering it's age (the pole wiring in my neighborhood is at least 40 years old) I concluded it's only a matter of time.
My requirements were fairly simple - not DSL, available static IP addressing, no port filtering. That narrowed things down to two providers - Comcast and Verizon FIOS.
The FIOS package ordered was the lowest service tier with the availability of a static IP - 20/5 which had an advertised cost of $99/mo (+applicable taxes) with a 24 month agreement. The installation includes a $99 router and $89 installation fee, both of which are to be rebated after the first bill arrives.
The installation probably could not have been smoother taking almost exactly two hours from the truck appearing to the installation tech pushing packets over the newly installed line. I requested inside installation of the ONT and was met with no resistance; it seemed almost welcomed. Note if you are considering the same; the new ONT units Verizon is deploying are Motorola GPONs that have a smaller footprint than other installations you may have seen but are significantly deeper (an extra 2-3" perhaps) to allow for slack fiber to be coiled internally. Also included is a ~6"x8" UPS and a power brick.
The included router is an Actiontec that you can read about elsewhere. After the tech departed I disconnected it, packed it back into it's box, and plugged my freshly renumbered Linux box straight into the ONT so I could make direct use of my static IP. Link was established nigh-instantaneously and a few trips to speedtest.net between 1900 and 2100 confirmed I was receiving the promised service (19.55Mb/s down, a max of 5.03Mb/s up, latency was between 8 and 10ms.).
Actually getting to the point of a truck roll was an exercise in frustration and patience. Ordering a business line for a residence appears to be something that is still a bit off script for Verizon's sales dept. so if you decide to go this route be prepared to sit through a lot of transfers and hold queues. My original order, allegedly placed almost three weeks prior, was discovered on the promised day of installation to not have actually been entered. Calls prior to the date to obtain an order number or confirmation were fruitless but at no time until the day I was sitting at home was I told that the original order had never been entered. Highly annoying, but the representative I spoke with on that day who did a new order from scratch nailed it just fine and three days later I was pushing packets.
Because of the above I had to deduct a point from install coordination; except for that problem it was actually a pleasant experience with plenty of information provided in a timely manner.
ETA 10/30/09 - there was some confusion regarding billing. I'd asked if the $99/mo promo price was inclusive of any taxes/other fees and was told no. The latest bill indicates otherwise, showing $99.99. No complaints here. As promised I also received a letter with instructions on obtaining the equipment and installation rebates - that's been submitted and is being processed. Service is still functioning great with a rock solid 7-11ms latency, 19.55 down/4.8 (+/- 0.2) up regardless of the time of day.
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 Review by SqueeksDad
UPDATED: 30 days ago
member for 7.2 years, 3107 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Silver Spring,Montgomery,MD
$55 per month (24 month contract)
about 2 days
"FAST! Love the whole house DVR!"
"Waiting to see if bill is correct"
"Did I mention this thing is fast?"
| Pre Sales Information:
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(ratings match consensus)
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Moved to a new house in September and was unable to get an acceptable installation appointment from Comcast. Decided to give Fios another try (billing fun from previous try). Install went smoothly, got the new model of the Actiontec and everything is working great. 7 TV's (2HD, 1HD DVR and 4SD)
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 Review by DC Denton
Posted: 31 days ago
member for 7.4 years, 1933 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Glen Burnie,Anne Arundel,MD
$85 per month (12 month contract)
about 14 days
"Fast, Friendly tech, presecure router!"
"Expensive "deals""
"If its whats there go for it, otherwise shop around."
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I decided that in my new home I will need a new provider, however my loyalty for my last ISP didnt follow me across the USA.
I chose FIOS since I have been hearing good things on it.
We placed the order before my wedding/honeymoon, for a window of 1-5pm the day we got back.
Everything appeared to go smoothly in my opinion. The tech was very friendly, although confused about the area he was in. We informed him that this was a mixed building of comcast and verizon. Also the building nextdoor that shared wall had a fire of some sorts in the past. He noted that a lot of the cabling was terminated and he had to rerun a few things but the main hardware was not damaged.
He began running cables for us, liberallly used Coax cable to suit our needs. Checked the signals and stated everything was good.
He informed me he needed to install some Verizon specific software to make sure router was up to date firmware wise and to provision the cable boxes.
He seemed very knowledgeable about what was being done. I still coincidently had to wipe my computer anyway after.
Otherwise, speeds were very impressive. 25/8 to D.C. I only ordered 15/5 so I suppose this is that "fluff" or what not. Not complaining I am overly happy.
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 Review by rockotman
UPDATED: 35 days ago
member for 9.3 years, 5110 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Allison Park,Allegheny,PA
$45 per month (12 month contract)
about 14 days
"Fast, fast, fast"
"Verizon is an even bigger bureaucracy than Comcast"
"Seems good, so far."
| Pre Sales Information:
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(ratings match consensus)
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I switched from Comcast to Verizon FIOS because of an issue with Comcast not wanting to honor the agreed upon triple-play price for the full two years I had agreed to. Up until three weeks ago, I was a happy Comcast customer, and have used cable (Comcast and its predecessors) HSI since 2000.
So far, the FIOS internet connection has been great. I was getting about 16/3 with Comcast (even though I was only subscribed to 6/2). With FIOS, I am getting a rock solid 20/5, which is consistent with the package I signed up for.
I signed up for all three services from Verizon (HSI, TV, Phone), and the package price is very competitive (better than what Comcast was offering). It is difficult to state what the actual price for the HSI is, as it is a bundled package. The 20/5 tier which I am receiving has a standalone price of $55, but the entire bundle, include phone service and the Extreme HD TV package bills out at $110 (plus $30/month for full premium movie package). Verizon charges extra for each TV STB that you use, so that brings the price up to about the same as what I was paying for the Comcast bundle (I got the DVR STB included in the Comcast bundle price). On the plus side, with the FIOS package, I am getting the DVR STB free for 6 months, and one additional HD STB free for a year. So that will make the price lower than the Comcast package for the first year.
Installation went smoothly; installer arrived at ~1:00 pm and was done by 5:30.
He did a nice job of running the fiber cable into my house, via a hole he drilled through the cinder block wall at about grade, so the entry is easily concealed by my landscaping. The ONT/PS/BBU is mounted in the garage is the same general are where my cable and old POTS lines come in. The installation is very neat and professional looking. The installer did have one problem getting the router to maintain the internet connection at first. After about 15 minutes of operation, it blocked all internet access. He could not get it to reestablish a connection, and had to do a hard reset of the router. That seemed to cure the issue. It has been rock solid since then.
On the down side; Verizon only allows a total of 10M online web storage, to be shared amongst all email accounts (max 9), as opposed to the 25M per email account (max 6, for a total of 150M) that Comcast allows.
The only other downside items seem to be related to the TV and phone service.
When I signed up, I asked to also have the movie package included for an additional $30 month (similar to what I had with Comcast). I realized later that night that the channels were not available, and it took phone calls three days in a row to finally get someone to acknowledge that they could turn on the movies for me, but that it would take about a day to take affect. So we will see... tomorrow will tell if it is working as it should. BTW, in talking to the rep. today, he told me that the first two months of the movie deal is free.
[UPDATE]Movie package finally showed up about a week after initial installation[/UPDATE]
The one issue with the phone service is with respect to their voice mail. I noticed that the Verizon voice mail was answering the call after 4 rings; we have our answering machine set to 6 rings, and would prefer to just use our answering machine. When I navigated through the laborious Verizon voice mail configuration menu, I finally got to the setting that would allow me to increase the number of rings before their voice mail would answer. Despite trying several times to change the setting to 8 rings, I kept getting a message telling me that my change was not successful, and that I should try again. The representative that I spoke with today told me that it was probably because the account was so new, and that I could try again in a few days; then offered to just turn off the voice mail for me. I agreed to have him do that.
[UPDATE]Never did get Verizon voice mail working properly. I finally gave up - it wasn't that big of a deal to me anyway. I prefer an answering machine.[/UPDATE]
[UPDATE]Nearly six months after install, and still no gripes. The FIOS internet service has been great. The FIOS TV is real nice, but I actually prefer the STBs and the menus and displays that I had when I was on Comcast. But not enough to make be switch back.[UPDATE].
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 Review by mikepd
Posted: 35 days ago
member for 9 years, 4057 visits, last login: a few hours ago
New Port Richey,Pasco,FL
$89 per month (12 month contract)
about 13 days
"fast speed, upload provisioned slightly higher than ordered speed"
"none important"
"great switch from DSL and with price guarantee for two years"
| Pre Sales Information:
Install Co-ordination:
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(ratings match consensus)
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I ordered the service via the website and selected the double-play bundle with the 25/15 Internet plan along with the Freedom Essentials telephone service.
The bundle came with a price guarantee for two years at a price of $89.99/month with some discounts thrown in to bring the final price down to that point.
Ex-GTE areas get the Westell 9100em router which is not that bad although the firmware is not as mature as it could be. If you go in to the log section of the router, you will see the kernel errors that the router is logging and that should not happen if the firmware were better developed.
It is a shame the DHCP lease is as 'sticky' as it is and that you have to reboot the ONT to release it but that is a minor matter.
Overall, the service is excellent and having the Verizon Direct forum for service requests is great.
If FIOS is available then I strongly recommend it.
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 Review by jbgroup1
UPDATED: 36 days ago
member for 9.5 years, 3683 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Beltsville,Prince Georges,MD
$114 per month (12 month contract)
about 3 days
"Fast Speed"
"Unremarkable"
"Eh! It's the internet. TV is alright."
| Pre Sales Information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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It took a while to get setup (two weeks after moving in to my house) but once setup I have been very happy with the service. I was a little bit disappointed by the DVR because ReplayTV would use all the available space to record live TV. It took some getting used to with the one hour record time for live television. I was happy with the dual tuner recording but I wish it would work better and one could have access to the second tuner. As for the internet it is very fast and does not have the slowdown that I had with Comcast. I get all of my speed all of the time. I have the 15/15 package and the HD DVR although I do not have an HDTV. Overall it is very good but largely unremarkable.
Update 11 Sept 2008: I now have the 20/20 package and the television is great. The other quibles still stand however the new IMG is better than the one that was there when I started.
Update 22 Oct 2009: I now have the 25/15 which is provisioned at 25/25 and am still pleased with the service. I no longer use the DVR regularly (I use the television with the digital adapter mostly)
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