 BH
@verizon.net | Verizon Fios and Copper I believe that Verizon is using unfair business practices to shut out the competition, in home telecommunication services. There is a lawsuit present, which if I am not part of the class, my landlord surely is. I called Verizon and inquired about DSL internet service in approx. the winter of 2005. I was not given information about DSL, I was told about Fios ( fiber optic internet) and how later Fios would provide television. I signed up and they came out and ran a box into the home. Since then we have had a couple of problems with billing, where the service was cut off 2xs. Each time I called and had it taken care of on the same day. Although 1x their fault and 1x mine, both times they issued new account numbers extending the contract and (at least 1x) increasing the fees. (Even though it was taken care of on the same day it was disconnected.) I had made up my mind that if it happened again I would look into DSL. Today (5/31/07) I decided to look into a special being offered by Cavalier, $79.99 for TV, Internet, and Telephone. I found out(and later verified with Verizon) that because they do something to the copper wire coming into the home when installing Fios, no other service provider can access the home with internet (such as DSL), and quite possibly TV and other landline phone services. I called Verizon and asked about their DSL services and was told at that time, that DSL cannot be put in the home once Fios is installed. Of course if I had been told this up front I would not have ordered Fios, as it not only limits my choices, but materially alters my landlords rental property. Verizon said that fiber optics will be the only thing available in the future, but it is unfair as they are the only ones that offer it now, and lower cost services cannot be obtained after installation. Verizon does now offer television over Fios at a higher rate than Cavalier. But since I cannot change my internet provider all package deals are lost. It is unclear if any choices, such as, telephone companies or landline non-cable digital television services are still available, as it is unclear if Verizon cut the existing copper wires or just altered them. It also explains why you get another account number after a short disruption. I transferred to Fios after many disruptions in cable. If I am dissatisfied with Verizon's service, where else am I going to go? Dial-up is out of the question. Oh, did I fail to mention that although I kept the same package with each disruption, the speed is a lot slower than when I signed in 2005. Another reason I thought DSL would be just fine. I think there is a problem with disclosure here. Also, Verizon should not be allowed to cut the existing copper wires (the new box is in a different location in the house, as I believe it is done to make sure you stay with them for services. And when offering this service they should make sure that the home owner knows or should know by way of tenant, that the property is going to be altered. For instance, now in rental listings it might have to say no DSL or Verizon services only. Also, I was not told they would put a sophisticated box in my home, but upon seeing it when I came home from work, after installation, I did not think it was a big deal, as I thought it increased the choices for services to the home, not limited them. Thank you, BH |
