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Review by tired_runner See Profile

  • Location: CT
  • Cost: $106 per month (month by month)
  • Install: about 7 days
Comparable video quality to cable, consistent stable Internet, CableCARD-ready
Bullshit taxes compared to cable, less channels compared to similar cable package
Very good alternative
Pre Sales Information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)

My Other Reviews

·Frontier FiberOp..
So I happen to live in an area served by Verizon FiOS and Cablevision for some time. After years of putting it off being content with cable, I decided to check them out.

I opted for the Preferred HD + Internet 25/25 package. Instead of getting raped in DVR and STB rental fees, I bought the compatible Actiontec router on eBay and re-used the Silicondust HDHomeRun Prime network tuner that I used with cable. CableCARD rental currently costs $5 per card/month compared to $9/month for a standard, non-DVR STB. Modem rental will also set you back $5/month. With my setup, I have three TVs and I can record content on all of them while watching something else, the same way that TiVo works. That's $51 per month in fees versus $10. You do the math.

The video quality of their TV service is nothing to brag about. To me it looks the same as cable. Same compression, same artifacts during high-action sequence. Depending on your local market and franchise agreements, you might also access local programming. I get the same local channels I had with cable with exception of cable-owned and branded news & other assorted BS.

Their true worth in my opinion is the Internet. It is consistent, over-provisioned 25/25 service that normally gets me closer to 30/30. Netflix does not stutter and neither does YouTube. I also use Voice over IP services from other providers and so far Verizon doesn't seem to be standing in the way of me using them as before. All my calls still come through and still sound loud and clear.

New York City customers can expect at least an additional $16 in bullshit taxes/fees/"Because We Can" surcharges and whatnot tacked on to your monthly bill. It's the reason why my total bill comes to $106 instead of $90 for the actual services. Promotional, non-contract customers like myself will find it delightful to call and cancel without detrimental financial consequence should the "below-the-belt" fees start rubbing the wrong way.

The install took forever and a day despite my aiding the tech in identifying which coax he could use, and where he could drill for the ONT. The tech started off nice and appeared to know what he was doing, and this was true until we needed to get the TV service working. Even though I told him on arrival I should have CableCARD's in my order, he conveniently decided to forget this and was happily ready to install STBs instead. Two hours later and a 15-minute call to Verizon repair, TV service was finally on.

Bottom line...... Internet is fast, TV works fine. Plan to give up an entire day for first-time ever installs. And don't let the tech jerk your chain. This is nothing to wet your pants about, but it's definitely a good alternative.

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