said by JoeSchmoe007:$85 3-play probably includes at least $25-30 in discounts valid for duration of contract (before taxes).
As far as not having to call up and haggle - not sure what you mean. My price for FIOS internet +Phone went from $50 to $75 (before taxes/fees which is about 10%). I wouldn't call it "slightly more". As a result of my switch to CV my price will now be about $35 total (phone+internet).
But $75 is the current price for FiOS Internet + Phone. They may have had a $50 price when you signed up, but they do not at present. They just offer $75 -- to you as well as to a new customer. How much more "no-haggling" can you get?
As I stated, Cablevision's non-promotional price is $50 for 20/2 Optimum Online, plus $35 for Optimum Voice. That's $85.
At $75 + 10% tax = $82.50, Verizon is not even "slightly more" -- it is "slightly less."
Now, if there were some other FiOS price that's higher than $75 + tax, then that would change the equation. But if this is the actual price, then you're basically comparing FiOS's actual price to Cablevision's promo price.
I happen to pay the same $35 that you pay -- but I also realize that I'm unusual. 85% of Americans subscribe to pay TV. For them, double-play is Internet + TV, not Internet + phone.