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Review by San Michele See Profile

  • Location: Plano, Collin, TX, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified. (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 14 days
Single bill for phone lines, internet and TV; competent ordering and installation
Internet speed boost is above the threshold of being noticable -- if that's bad
This is where they are focused and this is where they are servicing
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(ratings match consensus)

I had recent bad experiences with Verizon during a DSL upgrade and thought long and hard about going down the road with them and FIOS. I had been paying about $41/month for 3mb/768k DSL. With FIOS it's $35 for 5mb/2mb. The TV subscription is $58 which includes HD-DVR and sports.

Their customer service ordering was very helpful. The only glitches in installation were a misunderstanding on scheduling and some sloppiness in burying the cable both of which were minor. The installation process took about 6 hours but the technician was competent. The technician installed one junction box outside my garage and two more on the inside just opposite of the one on the outside. It was fine for me but others might want to be more specific about placement. He also took the time to make sure all the TV connections in the house were "hot" so, I could add additional set-top boxes without trouble.

It has only been a week but I like the TV service, I am able to compare broadcast quality (which is excellent) to the FIOS and it's very subjective but I think the FIOS appears slightly brighter and sharper. I know it's a digital signal but it looks better to me. . .

As far as the Internet, maybe there isn't much to notice above about 2mb download unless you're sharing the connection. The new download speed is rated at 5mb and it tests out as high as 6 mb. It seems reliable and consistently high when testing. For those thinking speed is the answer, I find that there is still latency which is probably related to individual websites and factors on my computer such as anti-virus filters. eMail is definitely faster when large attachments are coming through. The 2mb upload also makes transmission of large files much better.

I printed the configuration pages from my old Linksys AG wireless router and was able to easily setup the new ActionTec router. The ActionTec has better signal strength and connection "persistence" than my first generation Linksys.

The next step is to see if the billing will be properly integrated. They are supposed to automatically disconnect my DSL in about 1 week. My email accounts have been unaffected.

Verizon had lost my customer loyalty during the DSL upgrade last year. I have had many years of excellent service from them so, it's good to see them earning my business again -- 4 stars is well deserved.

member for 21.3 years, 60 visits, last login: 3.5 years ago
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sameshtdd
join:2006-01-04
Teaneck, NJ

sameshtdd

Member

Internet speed boost is above the threshold...

what does that mean? You notice the increase of the speed boost and that has the potential to be bad?? I would think one would WANT to notice an increase in actual speed when they get a service that advertises an increase in speed.

Your negative comment at least to me makes no sense.
San Michele
join:2002-11-13
Plano, TX

San Michele

Member

Re: Internet speed boost is above the threshold...

Sorry, I was being sarcastic and that doesn't belong here. I don't notice an increase during normal use. It tests out much faster and I notice faster speed during large email exchanges but, most of the time I don't see a difference. I'm not into internet gaming or anything that really requires high-bandwidth and this is a residential connection without a lot of users.

I'm really happy with the net result of saving a little money, having a better router and speed in reserve. My comment was pointed at the fact that the speed difference is beyond being noticeable to me, most of the time.

Sorry for the confusion.

Review by malvado6 See Profile

  • Location: 00001
  • Cost: $45 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 7 days
Rocksolid connection. 100% uptime. Consistent speeds.
None.
There's nothing on par with FiOS to compare it to.
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Buh-bye, comcast.

member for 20.5 years, 261 visits, last login: 17.2 years ago
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Review by robnjit See Profile

  • Location: Dover, Morris, NJ, USA
  • Cost: $39 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 7 days
20 mb speeds....fast....real fast
Actiontec router is too detailed
Great price, great speed, great service
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-What speed did you order, at what monthly price?
20mb/39.95

-How was the order/install process?
1 day process, smooth install and professional

-What was the home equipment?,
Actiontec router, battery pack and other devices

-Static IP, dynamic IP, or PPPoE?,
Dynamic, but hasn;t changed in over 3 weeks now

-Other bad/good experiences?
Good: great speeds
Bad: Actiontec advanced configuration is not supported by verizon and when you contact actiontec they want to charge you for service. Verizon support was helpfull but wish they had higher level techs who could troubleshoot my geeky questions(Port forwading, firewall control, etc)

On another note: I might just go down to 10mb. I love the speed, but I hate to say it....It may be too much speed!

rob

member for 20.7 years, 7 visits, last login: 17.1 years ago
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rachelsfx
join:2004-09-27
Pensacola, FL

rachelsfx

Member

Lucky you

I'm in BellHell soon to be Death Star territory. I see in my crystal ball a huge advantage for Cox.

Review by Yeabuddy2 See Profile

  • Location: Carlisle, Cumberland, PA, USA
  • Cost: $44 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 62 days
Cost,Speed,Free Install,reliable
NOTHING
They Blow comcast away
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Verizon Fios is the best runs good never looses it speed man.

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InCARALISLE
@lmri.org

InCARALISLE

Anon

Are you serious?

Do you really have FIOS in Carlisle? I live right in town near Thornwald park. I'm so jacked at comcast, that i'm currently willing to spend more to get slower speeds. I really want FIOS. Let me know and the general area you live too if you would, please.






Review by asgroi See Profile

  • Location: Hillsdale, Bergen, NJ, USA
  • Cost: $39 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 12 days
Increidible Speed. Dedicated Bandwith. Just GREAT
Only so far is that I have to get rid of old ISP email address
Absolutely the best service that i have ever had
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I orderd Verizon FiOS Internet service only.
I got the 20/5 service for #39.95

I forget the actual date that I ordered it because it is brand new in my area. A Sales person actually came to my house where I basically knew more about the service than he did. I was just waiting for the day to get it. I ordered the service on the stop and they could have installed it within 5 days of my order. But i decided to put it off until Sept 26 so that i could have my end all complete. I was told they would be at my house at about 9am they showed up at like 9:15. 2 installers.

I already had underground conduit ready for the install. The installer basically loved my job cause he had very little work to install. He ran the fibre line from the pole next door to my house and basically tied it to a string that I already had in the conduit. He pulled it about 80 feet and into my garage.

In my garage I already had a piece of plywood on teh wall for him. He installed all the equipment. I already have a 27 port network patch panel in the garage so there was no cat 5 for him to run.

He was finished in about 3 hours and i was up and running. Speed tests show that i am at full speed. I regularly get 20300 up / 4455 down. So I am happy with the speed. I love it so far.

I actually just ordered Verizon Voice Wing (Voip) for my phone conversion.

I have to say that if anyone can switch to the fibre go for it. And i cant wait for Verizon to offer TV so that i can bail on my cable co.


member for 23.6 years, 112 visits, last login: 17 years ago
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primarykey
@verizon.net

primarykey

Anon

wow!

just wow, congrats

roakland12
@wyeth.com

roakland12

Anon

HOW IS IT??

so you've had it since Oct 8th.....hows it running now???....i am in Hillsdale too and am thinking about getting the fios.....just wanted to see if its still worth if at the price change with the speeds and reliability
asgroi
join:2000-08-01
Hillsdale, NJ

asgroi

Member

Re: HOW IS IT??

Sorry, I havent been here for a while. The service is ABSOLUTELY wonderful.... I have had no problems with it so far. I just switched to their Televsion also and that to is WONDERFUL. The non HD channels are actually better quality than Cablevison was.

Review by dawood1981 See Profile

  • Location: Brooklyn, Kings, NY, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
Everything
Nothing
Waiting for T-Mobile to offer UMA so I can add mobile minutes to my savings campaign, UMA will be bigger than you expect.
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Verizon is too good. I never had any problems with their DSL. I was paying $29.95 for their regular DSL service (slightly better speed than the $ 14.95). I moved into a house and this neighborhood is fiber only, so they upgraded me to FIOS 5MB down and 2 MB up for the same price of $29.95. I absolutely hated having to pay nearly $ 35 with tax. for the home phone service to keep my DSL, but back then I didn't have any other option.
COMCAST was my only other option and even if they give me internet for free, I still wont take it because of some very serious billing issues I ran into with them. Now, I dont need a landline any more to keep my internet going, I signed up for sunrocket (just to have a home phone), paid $ 99.00 for one year (plus $ 4.00 yes four for taxes) plus I get a GE phone from them for free worth $ 50.00. So, if I do the match correctly, I end up paying $ 4.00 a month for the home phone service including free long distance, canada ...etc. etc. etc. plus my internet became better for no additional charge. Can't be happier!


dslreports.com speed test result on 2006-10-07 13:01:47 EST:4651 / 1772Your download speed : 4651 kbps or 581.4 KB/sec.That is 22% better than an average user on verizon.netYour upload speed : 1772 kbps or 221.5 KB/sec.That is 97% better than an average user on verizon.netPS: Welcome to dslreports.com! Run more tests! see forums


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dot_com
join:2004-12-24
Brooklyn, NY

dot_com

Member

Fix your review. You're not in Brooklyn NY

Please fix your location for this review. I see that you live in Texas - not Brooklyn, New York. The fios map is getting too many errors.

Review by Vitanic See Profile

  • Location: Rockville Centre, Nassau, NY, USA
  • Cost: $34 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 11 days
3x my old DSL speed for $5 more
No FIOS TV available yet
An easy transition for great speed at a great price.
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I knew that FIOS has been run along the street on the poles about 7 months earlier, but I don't remember getting any form of "Congrats, you can have fiber" message. Had I not known it was run, I might not have known it was available.

I wanted to upgrade the wiring in the house myself to network the house computers (off of wireless) & upgrade POTS wiring. The house was built in the 1950s which had considerable white braided 3 wire. New lines (2coax, 2cat3 & 1cat5e) were run to the major rooms throughout the house terminating i new jacks. All cat3/cat5e was to concentrate at a 48port cat5e patch panel ($10-ebay). There also was no convenient outlet where I wanted the router to be, so I had to put in a 3prong outlet as well.

I ordered FIOS over the internet; 1st available date was over 1 week away. 3 days prior, the drop was run from the telephone pole to my house with enough left over to install the ONT in the interior of my house in the basement if the installer could do that. On installation day, the installer agreed to install the ONT in the basement, but didn't have a drill bit large enough. After about 90 minutes, the line was fished through. Hanging & installing the remaining equipment took about 2 hours.

It was a simple matter of configuring my Mac OS X computer to connect to the router. I logged into the actiontec router while the installer removed the copper aerial. The router is pre-configured (via the firmware) to connect to Verizon's servers and get onto the internet. Once I was able to see the router, I was connected to the internet too. Its a relatively full featured router. Its no Linksys wrt54g with dd-wrt firmware, but I was able to get the hang of it. I immediately updated the actiontec's firmware to the most recent. Getting it to give my main computer a static IP took repeated attempts, but eventually it took. There are 2 things I miss: 1 is snmp for my mrtg graphs & iog totals; the 2nd is not being able to get a new IP for things like rapidshare. With DSL I could power-cycle the modem for a new IP; FIOS seems to give me the same IP when I release the old one via the router. I'll cope.

I ordered 10/2 @ 34.95/mo - speed tests were all over the place. The highest speeds achieved (speakeasy.net) were 10061/1808 which seems close to real world tests (922k down for newsgroups - deep in offpeak / 205 up for ftp). I was previously a VerizonDSL customer with 3.0/768 (real world 3.0/576). I was frequently knocked off during thunderstorms - even 20 miles away. A thunderstorm passed the other night, and the FIOS connection was totally stable.

It was a very smooth transition - there hasn't been a whole lot of downside to being on FIOS.

member for 17.4 years, 40 visits, last login: 10.9 years ago
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Review by rbl00 See Profile

  • Location: Langhorne, Bucks, PA, USA
  • Cost: $35 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 10 days
Very Fast, Closest I've ever seen to advertised speeds, reliable
None so far
Great Service!!!!
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I ordered FiOS for my new house and arranged for it to be installed a few days after I moved in. When I got to my new house after the closing there was a small trench that had been dug to bring the fiber from the poll to the side of my house. They did a very neat job digging and filling it in, they even put grass seed in the dirt and left a note telling me to water my grass. A few days later a tech showed up to finish installing the service, he was very friendly and helpful, he even ran a line from the main box to my office and put a wall jack in. He explained what all the components were that he was installing and even hooked it up using my netgear router that I already had setup, he left the big ugly router that Verizon provides for free but he said the netgear was better and this would shield me form all the firmware updates Verizon does. A month later I could not be happier, I am a Vonage customer as well and my Vonage phone works great, no problems at all. I signed up for the lowest speeds available (5 down and 2 up) and every speed test I run shows very close to those speeds, I usually get about 4.8 down and 1.8 up which is fantastic. I do web development and am always uploading lots of files and I have no problem doing this as well as VPN into my office network.

Over I am very happy with FiOS and can;t wait for the TV service to become available here (the tech said probably in November, 2 more months) so I can try that to. I will never subscribe to a crappy over priced cable company again!!!

member for 18.2 years, 2 visits, last login: 17.4 years ago
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canuck999999
join:2004-04-19

canuck999999

Member

Clean install

I will never live in a FIOS market , however I must say that it is nice to see that Verizon takes digging up peoples lawns to run cable seriously and do it with minimal damage to the lawn.

Review by nismo9 See Profile

  • Location: Staten Island, Richmond, NY, USA
  • Cost: $40 per month
Ultra fast, Bandwidth not shared like cable
None so Far
If its in your neighbor GET IT!
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This is my first review and I thought it be best to write it on Verizon FIOS.( don't mind the spelling mistakes... english wasn't my major)

**10/4/06**

I recently had Verizon FIOS install on 10/2/06. I went with the 20/5 package for 40 bucks a month (beat that time warner). The installer showed up nice and early and did a great job installing the ONT and the CAT5. Even the construction workers that had to bury a line from the street to the house did a great job. no concrete damge at all and very little damage to the lawn but that doesn't matter much. The Actiontec router that was given to me from verizon is really nice. It's a little bigger than the common house hold router but it doesnt bother me much. It is very customizable and offers more options then some linksys, d-link, or netgear routers. After the install, the verizon agent ran a speed test from speakeasy and my DL was just a lil over 20mbps and my UL was around 4.3mbps.

All-in-all I only had the service for a few days and so far I really enjoy it. Verizon is doing an awesome job on rapidly deploying fiber to home users. This will surely cause a price war with cable operators which really needs to happen since cable operators steal our money for there services.

However I do have to give Time warner some props since Road Runner was very reliable and fast in my area ( DL avg 6-7mbps, UL avg 200kbps-500kbps). I will be writing up a review for them as well since I had RR for over 3 years.

member for 18.7 years, 416 visits, last login: 16 years ago
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heretrix
join:2006-07-26
Staten Island, NY

heretrix

Member

FIOS in SI

Congrats, I hope you had less trouble than I did with it in the beginning...

Problems aside though, the service/speed is fantastic...It would really be hard going back to cable..I'm happy more of my fellow Staten Islanders are getting on board.

travisbrw
@verizon.net

travisbrw

Anon

Re: FIOS in SI

I recently got fios re hooked because of bill probs and used to use the d-link router from the first set up. This time around they gave me the Actiontec M1424WR which so far is a piece of crap. Download and upload speeds are fine but when i try to connect to a game of counter strike, my net freezes and no servers will register. Ive tried upgrading the firmware, reactivating it to the network, and forward specific ports of the game and still nothing works. I can connect to maybe one server but if i try to leave that server or surf the net, my browser brings up nothing for about 10 minutes. AIM is the only thing that will work when this occurs. This is very frustrating and Ive been on the phone with tech support and none of them can seem to fix my problem. Is there a way i can use my old DLink router or is the mac ID blocked. Should i just go out and buy my own router, I'm not sure if that would work either. i just need some help baaaad!!! plz help me =\!
nismo9
join:2005-07-07

nismo9

Member

Re: FIOS in SI

Yes you can use your own router. they are no longer using PPPOE on there Fiber lines. they moved over to dhcp and since the router they supply you is not configured with any special configurations or passwords, you can connect your own router to the cat5 running from the ONT

travisbrw
@verizon.net

travisbrw

Anon

Re: FIOS in SI

I try plugging in my old DLink and it comes up with no connection at all. am i gonna have to go buy a new one?
heretrix
join:2006-07-26
Staten Island, NY

heretrix to travisbrw

Member

to travisbrw
I had this really weird problem when I first got FIOS, for some reason I would get disconnected after awhile. I couldn't figure out what the problem was and neither could Verizon..As a last resort I decided to add a new ethernet card to my PC to see if maybe my ethernet port on the motherboard was faulty. But before I did that I updated my drivers for the ethernet port...Viola! No more problems...So long story aside, I suggest you update your drivers if you haven't already, before you do anything drastic...Sometimes the simple solutions are best.

Review by ocrts See Profile

  • Location: Bethesda, Montgomery, MD, USA
  • Cost: $35 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 13 days
Curteous, knowledgable install techs, lightning speed
1 minor install hiccup, but solved quickly
First impression: WOW!!!
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Speed ordered: 5M/2M

First, a little history:

I've been a Verizon DSL customer for about 2 years and been fairly happy with the service. I originally got DSL when they first offered it, but the experience was horrific. VZ never got it to work, so I cancelled w/in my 30 day free period, waited a year until all the bugs were worked out and then ordered again. No problems since, although the service was on the slow side for DSL, mostly due to the distance to the CO from my house.

I was excited when VZ announced FiOS was available to me about a year ago, but I wasn't about to be their guinea pig again, so I waited. I'm interested in the FiOS TV as well, so when the impasse in the negotiations with Montgomery County, MD finally was broken last month, I decided to bite the bullet and get the FiOS internet installed as a stepping stone to the TV (which I hope will be available to me by around the first of the year).

I placed the order on-line around the 20th of September. They were pretty booked for installs, so I picked yesterday (Oct. 3rd) between 1-5pm. I wasn't really in a hurry, so that was fine with me. On October 1st, I got a pleasant automated phone call reminding me of the appointment and the requirements. At around 2:30pm on the 3rd, two nice techs shows up and asks where I would like the ONT, backup battery unit, router and inside CAT5e connection. By 5pm, the techs were mostly done except for the actual line pull from the street. This was the hiccup. They said the line needed to be pulled almost 500ft from the neighborhood junction box, and they couldn't do it. When I heard that, I thought, "Great, so much for an install today. More time I'll have to take off work. Typical." But instead, they spent the next hour on the phone with the home office trying to get a bucket truck to come and pull the line. VZ was finally able to get a bucket truck out around 7pm. I was impressed they were willing to stay so late to finish the job.

10 minutes after the line was run, we pulled the connection from the DSL modem and Linksys router I had, plugged everything into the Actiontec router, and connected the phone line. 5 more minutes and done. It would have taken longer, but since I was already set up with VZ DSL, there was no configuring or signup to do. And since I know what I'm doing with routers, I had that set up real fast too.

First thing I did after configuring the router was go to several speed test sites. On DSL, I was getting about 150kbps. Now I'm getting 4-5Mbps. Wow! I was floored! Speed difference is obvious, as page loads and downloads are now lickety-spit.

I obviously can't yet comment on reliability, but on first impression, I definitely give it a 10/10.

Now, come on MoCo, GIVE ME MY FIOS TV!!!!!!!!

member for 17.4 years, 39 visits, last login: 17.2 years ago
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Lenagainster
join:2005-01-07
Silver Spring, MD

Lenagainster

Member

me, too

Can't wait to drop satellite TV for FIOS-TV also. Jan 1? I hope so.

Now consider dropping that expensive Verizon landline for VOIP.

Lena

StephenDee
@atlantech.net

StephenDee

Anon

No FIOS Here :(

I thought Bethesda had FIOS, but I've been calling Verizon for six months straight asking them for FIOS, but they haven't come through yet. I received a telemarketing call from them a couple of weeks ago, and before the dude could try to sell me anything, I told him the only thing I was interetsted in from Verizon was FIOS and I wanted it now and if he wasn't going to sell it to me, to get off my phone and not call back until they would sell me FIOS. I don't understand why they're ignoring the customers who want it yesterday!

Frustrated in Bethesda. I refuse to give them _any_ of my business (wireless, cable .. anything) until they get FIOS into my house. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to hear how other people have it and I'm not allowed to buy it. Oooo .. it makes me mad!!!!