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Product Spotlight - FiOS
Verizon FiOS

Welcome to the Product Spotlight -- a continuing series of articles highlighting individual products commonly used by our members.

In The Spotlight: Verizon FiOS
Last week: HughesNet

Even the non-technophile has probably seen campaign spots for Verizon's FiOS -- broadband-to-your home seductively delivered by light over fiber optic lines. Fiber is the ultimate in Internet service, and Verizon has embraced the technology, investing heavily, while shareholders and analysts debate if their large investment will ever be profitable.

Requirements, Hardware and Installation

At Verizon's website, the telco pitches its FiOS service as "beyond super fast surfing." Their marketing pitch reads:

    "When FiOS meets your computer, you'll have access to blazing fast speeds. Online gaming, video chatting like it's instant messaging, downloading feature films and CD-quality audio... Do it all faster than ever with FiOS. FiOS Internet gives you everything you need. Essential features, exclusive entertainment, option to choose an online service (MSN, AOL or Yahoo!), special member discounts and great extras are all available."

Verizon FiOS is stated as being compatible with Windows 2000, XP and Vista but actually, like nearly every other broadband service, no software is required. Your PC speaks to a regular wireless or wired router, and the complexity, once setup, is hidden behind that.

Minimum and recommended systems for each speed package are charted here. Verizon notes that wireless adapters are not officially supported for Macintosh.

The cost for equipment and standard professional residential installation depends on whether you choose to sign a one-year agreement or join a month-to-month plan. With a one-year contract, installation is free for your primary computer (though there is a one time $19.99 activation fee). If you choose to pay month-to-month, installation will cost you $69.99. You will also be given the option of setting up additional computers during the initial installation for $75 each.

Click for full size
A free wireless router is included with installation (or you can use your own). The main routers offered seem to be the DLink 624 and, more recently, the ActionTec MI424 WR (pictured on left). A small but pertinent discussion on the two routers can be read here in our Verizon FiOS User Forum. The customer must provide the appropriate wireless adapters for other computers you wish to connect to the router.

Verizon also installs a backup power supply that will provide up to 8 hours of backup power for voice calls. Installing FiOS leaves the old fashioned copper to your house (powered by the central office in an electricity outage) dead. Your data, and FIOSTV, will cease to function until full power is restored to the ONT (Optical Network Terminal).

Click for full size
Pictured to the right is a typical outside wall box for FiOS (click to expand). An excellent description of the actual installation and some good advice on the process can be found here in our Verizon FiOS FAQ. Average installation time seems to be about 5 hours, and most reviews generally agree that installs go well overall. Order-to-live service time seems to average roughly 10-14 days according to reviews, though as little as one day and as long as 6 months have been reported.

If you cancel a one-year agreement between months 2-12, there is a $69 early termination fee. There is no termination fee for cancelling month-to-month service.

Speed, speed, speed! And reliable, too...

Having been a FiOS Internet customer since May of 2006, I have had an entire year to use the product and break it in. Well, there was no break in period. It has been extremely reliable and has NEVER been down or unavailable in the year that I have had it. I consistently get 20000 down and 5000 up, and it is always the same. It quickly recovers after a power interruption, and you are back on-line in seconds.

There are three speed plans to choose from, as listed on the Verizon FiOS website. Speeds are the same whether you choose a one-year contract or go with month-to-month service. However, there are differences in price between a one-year contract and month-to-month service.

If you sign up for one year, your speeds and cost of service are: 5Mbps download/2Mbps upload for $39.99/month; 15Mbps download/2Mpbs upload for $49.99/month; and 30Mbps download/5Mbps upload for $179.95/month.

If you go with month-to-month, the prices change to 5Mbps/2Mbps for $47.99/month; 15Mbps/2Mpbs for $57.99/month; 30Mbps/5Mbps for $199.95/month. All speeds are listed as "up to."

Earlier this year, Verizon upgraded these packages to 10Mbps/2Mbps, 20Mbps/5Mbps and 50Mbps/5Mbps in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. Verizon has not announced when additional regions will receive the speed upgrades. In many service areas, Verizon also offers a $5 monthly discount for double-play service (TV, Internet) and a $10 monthly discount for triple-play (TV, Internet, phone).

Most reviews state that their service meets or, in some cases, exceeds the expected and impressive advertised speeds. Many reviews also cite the service as being extremely reliable, with very little downtime.

Service Areas

Though the telco seems to be rolling out the service at a pretty good pace, Verizon does NOT reveal their road map for service areas. It is fair to say that if you don't live in a commuter belt suburb with easily trenched gardens and large lots, FiOS is unlikely to be passing your door anytime soon. The technology, requiring entirely new lines and equipment all the way to the door, does not lend itself to cityscapes.

You can check out where service is available (and where it posssibly could be available soon) on our availability map. It is interesting to zero in on cities like Boston and New York to note the clusters around, but not in, these cities.

You can also keep checking on availability by entering your address at Verizon's FiOS Qualification page or entering your Verizon telephone number at Verizon's FiOS homepage.

Nobody is perfect -- especially Tech Support

While the majority of the current reviews of Verizon FiOS are very positive, no service is perfect, and there are some problems that are pointed out in more than one review. The most common problem cited in customer reviews of Verizon FiOS is their tech support and customer service. Typical comments from reviews on this subject are:

    What do you do when call back after call back is promised, but no one ever calls back? How do you respond when a technician shows up at your door and complains AT YOU because there's no installation on the side of your building? Why do billing reps not know their own pricing?
    Sales support is not clear on what is allowed, and what ports, if any, are blocked. I asked for answers beyond the standard browse-the-web and read-email questions, and threw the guy for a loop. But, I let him off the hook, since I knew the answers from here.)
    Bottom line - it's still the same clueless Verizon techs at the other end of the line. But at least they're rude/clueless/indifferent/hostile (use your own adjective) in clear, plain English. Wonder how long it will take for FiOS to get outsourced to India, China or one of the "Stans."

Terms of Service

The FiOS service is subject to Verizons ToS. This means, even with all this power, no web servers are allowed (Section 3.7.5 of the ToS: "You may not use the Broadband Service to host any type of server whether personal or commercial in nature"). According to our FAQ, "Port 80 and Port 25 inbound are blocked; however, port 25 outbound seems to be open at this time." In addition, although FiOS does not impose any hidden bandwidth caps, using excessive net traffic may alert Verizon, who then may monitor your line for "suspicious" activity. Also, Verizon apparently caps email size at 8MB if you use Verizon Central, with 2GB storage. However, the email size limit increases to 20MB if using a 3rd party client, such as Outlook or Thunderbird. There are also some reports here and there of localized problems with the service.

Summary

I have informed friends who say that Verizon is actually trying very hard with FiOS and that their new services are good. This experience has been good. If you're able to, I say get It. The Internet data rates and having a fixed phone/tv/Internet monthly bill alone are worth it.

So, does Verizon FiOS live up to the hype? Yes! If (a big if here!) you live in suburbia and they are rolling it out in your area, it is a leading contender for your broadband dollar. In fact, the underlying technology is different enough from cable and DSL that if the focus on suburbs continues, FiOS alone may contribute to the opening of a new "digital divide" in the US: suburbs vs cities.

Good value for the money -- especially with their bundle options -- decent choice of service plans, good reliability, excellent speeds and the overwhelming number of positive reviews on this site. These good points outweigh any Tech Support flubs, the somewhat annoying limitations put on the service by Verizons ToS and the small risk of a messy installation.

Verizon has a winner in FiOS if they continue rolling out the product as they have so far. It is not surprising the service maintains a Gold Rating here and is consistently ranked at the top of our combined rating chart.
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chakey
Premium Member
join:2004-06-14
Gladstone, NJ

chakey

Premium Member

I Just ordered Fios!

I'm happy to report that I am moving to NJ and one of the first things I did was schedule a Fios TV and internet installation for July 2. Assuming the install goes well (see horror stories), I look forward to it! Consumer Reports just said in their most recent issue that if Fios is available in your area--GET IT!

NPGMBR
join:2001-03-28
Arlington, VA

NPGMBR

Member

Re: I Just ordered Fios!

My installation was suppsoed to be this weekend but the tech called an canceled. When I called today to reschedule the said that the soonest date I could be rescheduled for was June 14. I then told them that I had alraedy called Comcast and they were expected to arrive on Tuesday evening. Then the VZ tech called back and told me he would be out firs thing Wednesdy morning.

I really do want FIOS but considering that I wasted an entire Saturday waiting for a tech it kidna ticked me off. Anywho, im gonna cancel Comcast now but if the VZ tech deos not show again or something else happens I'll just go back to Comcast.
mglunt
join:2001-09-10
Fredericksburg, VA

mglunt to chakey

Member

to chakey
Article needs to mention that some states get the 30Mbps plan for $59.95 or whatever it is...

QuakeFrag
Premium Member
join:2003-06-13
NH

QuakeFrag

Premium Member

additional computers

"You will also be given the option of setting up additional computers during the initial installation for $75 each."

Does this include just pushing the power button on a Wi-Fi equipped PC/laptop? $75 seems steep to 'setup' a computer that just needs to be turned on to receive an IP address from a router (wired or wireless).

Am I missing something? Does setting up additional computers involve more than just configuring the network adapter?

chakey
Premium Member
join:2004-06-14
Gladstone, NJ

1 edit

chakey

Premium Member

Re: additional computers

When I spoke to the Verizon rep yesterday, he said that the additional $75 per computer would really only be worth it if you wanted the installer to run cat5e cables and outlets to your computer. Definitely not worth it otherwise!

The install includes getting a primary computer up and running. If you are just pressing the power button on a wireless laptop, you won't need help!

Raptor
Not a Dumptruck
join:2001-10-21
London, ON

Raptor

Member

Re: additional computers

If that's the case, then it could be worth it if you want to wire and install jacks on say a top floor (assuming the Fios hardware is say in the basement) if you're not into a wireless setup. A bit steep though, but could be nice to get the professional wiring if you aren't a DIY'er. Drop that down to $20 a pop and you might get a few more bites.

cableties
Premium Member
join:2005-01-27

cableties

Premium Member

Re: additional computers

said by Raptor:

A bit steep though, but could be nice to get the professional wiring if you aren't a DIY'er. Drop that down to $20 a pop and you might get a few more bites.
Steep? I'm afraid you aren't informed that ethernet drops are $100/node. $75 is damn cheap for running 20-30' of cat5e. Even if it takes only one hour. I'm sure they don't place a nice Leviton box, or mount a switch for you. And I'm sure most houses are not easy to run wire for, else it would be done by the owner.

Raptor
Not a Dumptruck
join:2001-10-21
London, ON

Raptor

Member

Re: additional computers

said by cableties:

...ethernet drops are $100/node. $75 is damn cheap for running 20-30' of cat5e. Even if it takes only one hour....
Please inform, what makes it so expensive? Seriously, I don't get it and would appreciate the info.

Surely it's not the cable? Are you saying it should be more expensive because of the labour (i.e. effort) involved or is it the equipment/material involved?

Besides, regardless, I still think it's steep since you're just signing up for their service, so they're about to lock you in (essentially) to their service. That's generally why these kinds of installs are free or low-balled, no?
Ahrenl
join:2004-10-26
North Andover, MA

Ahrenl

Member

Re: additional computers

If you've ever hired an electrician, who does basically the exact same thing (granted he needs to be more familiar with current electrical code) you'd know that $65/hr is an average rate for labor. You'd also be aware that they will almost NEVER quote you before hand because a single drop could take 15mins, or all day depending on the age and accessibility in your house. $75's flat rate is actually pretty reasonable, though it's MUCH cheaper to do it yourself, which you should certainly attempt.

Raptor
Not a Dumptruck
join:2001-10-21
London, ON

Raptor

Member

Re: additional computers

I'll give you the cost of labour for using a certified electrician, but we're dealing with your average ISP techs no? Are these not the same caliber of guys we see at any ISP? The same guys that answer ads in the paper that say 'Do you own a drill? Do you own a ladder? Do you own a shady kidnap van? Then you can work for Comcast!'

Are the Fios techs above and beyond or something? Are they working up the poles? If they're pulling in anything close to $50+/hr I'm in the wrong field/country.
Ahrenl
join:2004-10-26
North Andover, MA

Ahrenl

Member

Re: additional computers

Have you met most certified electricians. I hate to generalize, but it's not like they're a cut above the average Fios techs. In fact, you probably have to be significantly more capable to be a FIOS tech then some of the certified electricians I've had the (dis)pleasure of working with.

Raptor
Not a Dumptruck
join:2001-10-21
London, ON

Raptor

Member

Re: additional computers

Ha, well mostly just my Grandpa, and he is essentially MacGyver when it comes to anything electrical...

Thanks for the replies.
bolivian
join:2007-05-01
Martinsburg, WV

bolivian to Raptor

Member

to Raptor
Well this guys are good and do a good job and they take their time and make good money. Most of the C5e runs are custom with krone jacks, they are the same as leviton jacks. they even cut the drywall not like the cable guy that drills hole and pulls the coax so it can hold the jack. fios tech even vacuum and clean up after them self's.
proletarian2
join:2007-01-08
00000

proletarian2 to Raptor

Member

to Raptor
said by Raptor:

Are the Fios techs above and beyond or something? Are they working up the poles? If they're pulling in anything close to $50+/hr I'm in the wrong field/country.
fios technicians are definitely a cut above the average cable technician. they are generally more experienced (many with many years of phone company experience working the line and more).

And most do make in the $30 range (add significantly more when the company calculates the cost to employ with benefits and more) and I think $75 is definitely a fair charge for work that doesn't create any ongoing revenue for them.

Lightguy
@geusnet.net

Lightguy to Raptor

Anon

to Raptor
Actually there are quite a few electricians and ex-pole climbers that do install this stuff and believe me a $75 flat fee is more than fair for a second or third cat5 run.
bolivian
join:2007-05-01
Martinsburg, WV

bolivian to cableties

Member

to cableties
oh yes they do put a nice jack called krone and is like the leviton jacks and most of the time they do it custom work and even vacuum your floors after they finish. They look good trust me i know

rudnicke
Premium Member
join:2004-10-23
Rantoul, IL

rudnicke

Premium Member

Want it bad

I cannot wait until Verizon finally decides to roll out FIOS here in rural Illinois. It will probably be 5 years, but I'm looking forward to it.
04192377 (banned)
BooB Man
join:2007-04-07
Newark, DE

04192377 (banned)

Member

Re: Want it bad

said by rudnicke:

I cannot wait until Verizon finally decides to roll out FIOS here in rural Illinois. It will probably be 5 years, but I'm looking forward to it.
I think when hell freezes over is when you'll see FiOS in Illinois.

likewireless
@verizon.net

likewireless

Anon

$19.99 just to get started?

It seems as though Verizon is bowing to pressure (shareholder?) for the subscriber to bear some of the cost of installation/service call to install the service. Once the products and customer service get better, this may be more acceptable, however as of late customer service leaves very little to be desired. They **REALLY** need to clean house and fire some of these people, as their attitude smacks of taking the customer for granted. That does not bode well for Verizon's future.

Gone are the days of "How may I provide you with outstanding (customer) service?" I guess this was bound to happen when they become involved in the cable-tv business.
King Duck
join:2005-04-10
Elizabeth City, NC

1 recommendation

King Duck

Member

Re: $19.99 just to get started?

said by likewireless :

however as of late customer service leaves very little to be desired.
So, essentially, what you are saying is that customer service is pretty good?


Jafo232
You Can't Spell Democrat Without Rat.
Premium Member
join:2002-10-17
Boonville, NY

Jafo232

Premium Member

How About

How about posting information on what business class offerings these ISP's have, and whether or not you can get static IP's.

Some do, some don't.

index1489
Premium Member
join:2004-03-12
Chino, CA

index1489

Premium Member

Re: How About

»www22.verizon.com/conten ··· ices.htm

With Static IP accounts no ports are blocked!
Rick5
Premium Member
join:2001-02-06

Rick5

Premium Member

Way to go Verizon....

It couldn't have been easy for your management to look out across your entire service area and to realize what you had to do to really compete with the cable industry, but you did it and made that call to spend upwards of 20 Billion or more on doing this job right..the first time.

Today, you're being rewarded with hundreds of thousands of customers signing up, reviews like the one above appearing across websites and trade magazines...and countless numbers of people waiting with great expectation for the day that they can get it too.

And, the cable co's? They fear you now. When Fios arrives on the scene..cable speeds and service improves..and prices moderate and come down. That is what real competition is all about.

I'm sorry to have to report however that your chief rival in the telco world..AT&T..aka..The death Star..doesn't seem to quite see things your way..yet.

Their plan calls for massive sized vrad boxes to be hung from telephone polls in historic communities here in Ct., lawsuits and fights with cities and towns around the U.S.,
all in the name of delivering to we consumers, 1/3rd the speeds we already see on the likes of Comcast.

What a plan, eh?

Is it any wonder their customer count to date is so pathetically poor?

Consumers, are now speaking out about what they think of hdtv, hsi..and voip..being delivered over old and tired copper that lays buried all across their service area.

They are saying..we don't want it.

AT&T..Take your UVERSE service and GO HOME.

The good thing is, there's still time to change. But it's growing preciously small. The cable co's are raking in your landline customers by the hundreds of thousands per quarter. Perhaps you'll soon wake up to the fact that the master plan at the cable co's appears to be..there will be no more AT&T.

Can they do it? Keep on the path you're on and I think you will find out soon enough that the answer is Yes..they can do it.

They can leverage the power of their HSI and video..to give customers..FREE PHONE service via their triple play.

Imagine..a world without Ma Bell anymore.

It's happening..right now.

You are losing MORE CUSTOMERS PER QUARTER THAN AOL DIALUP DID. WAKE UP AT&T.

It is time, to ditch Uverse. And rollout your own version of FTTH.

Those of us in your service area want that from you. We welcome that competition for cable co's who raise prices without fear. They do not fear you now.

Why should they?

Will I be switching my 20Mb Comcast service when your flyer arrives on my door?
Of course not.

Soon, it will be docsis 3.0, and an even greater gap.
It will be the cable co's and Verizon.

The death Star will explode.

And will be...no more.

supernac3
join:2003-03-26
Springfield, MO

1 recommendation

supernac3

Member

Re: Way to go Verizon....

You need a hobby.
Cod2
join:2000-07-05
Kernersville, NC

Cod2

Member

Re: Way to go Verizon....

said by supernac3:

You need a hobby.
LOL. ya think? Its the same re-hashed garbage everyday. Almost comical.
Rick5
Premium Member
join:2001-02-06

1 edit

Rick5

Premium Member

Re: Way to go Verizon....

said by Cod2:
said by supernac3:

You need a hobby.
LOL. ya think? Its the same re-hashed garbage everyday. Almost comical.
What's really comical is your description of AT&T's last mile copper service.

»Re: no dial tone, but Internet works fine

30 year old, half buried copper.

Lord help AT&T UVERSE!
Cod2
join:2000-07-05
Kernersville, NC

Cod2

Member

Re: Way to go Verizon....

said by Rick5:

What's really comical is your description of AT&T's last mile copper service.

What's even more comical is naming yourself after a cable company that you self admittedly get crappy service from.
Rick5
Premium Member
join:2001-02-06

Rick5

Premium Member

Re: Way to go Verizon....

said by Cod2:
said by Rick5:

What's really comical is your description of AT&T's last mile copper service.

What's even more comical is naming yourself after a cable company that you self admittedly get crappy service from.
I get great service from Comcast.
Cod2
join:2000-07-05
Kernersville, NC

Cod2

Member

Re: Way to go Verizon....

said by Rick5:

I get great service from Comcast.
really?

»Waterbury Ct. Prime Time Speed Problems.......
Rick5
Premium Member
join:2001-02-06

1 edit

Rick5

Premium Member

Re: Way to go Verizon....

said by Cod2:
said by Rick5:

I get great service from Comcast.
really?

»Waterbury Ct. Prime Time Speed Problems.......
Yes, really.
You might want to actually read what you link to to see if things are resolved.

And really, I don't think that any isp can be faulted completely for buying out another one and having some initial problems.
After all, comcast was taking us adelphia customers from 4000k to the 20,000k speeds we now see. Granted, it was a bit of a rocky road for a couple months, but all is well now.

In any event, hopefully this isn't your best defense for Uverse?
I dare say the 5400k speeds they see pales in comparison to what we see on comcast.

Pretty sad actually, for a next generation service.

Oh, and BTW..I think it's only fair to ask. Seeing my Comcast service is now running great, were you able to get your Mom's 30 year old copper buried again Ok?

Actually, come to think of it..someone should bury it..

for good.

en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA

en102

Member

Re: Way to go Verizon....

What percentage of customers sign up for 20Mbps ?
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

1 edit

1 recommendation

fiberguy2 to Cod2

Premium Member

to Cod2
Rick and I don't always see eye to eye, but at least he's offering something to the conversation. Often, people who pound out the longer messages have something to say, at least... What does posts like yours offer? Trolling & Fueling flames?

If you Like it? Read and respond... don't like it? Move on and shut up, or, start your OWN thread and leave his alone. It's the beauty of forum software...

It's only garbage because it doesn't fit into your own views and he's not here being a rah rah for your side!

EVEN IF I don't agree with what Rick has to say, he's offering substance, which is more than what some others, who complain, often don't.

Some could say your protest to his post is VERY MUCH the same "re-hashed garbage everyday" don't you think? His posts are much more fuel for thought and interesting to read than your type of posts any day.. agree with him or not, it's fuel for thought.. that's what a discussion is all about to begin with.

Get everyone in the room that agree talking and what do you have? A republican or democrat convention.. boring!

••••
Rick5
Premium Member
join:2001-02-06

1 edit

Rick5 to supernac3

Premium Member

to supernac3
said by supernac3:

You need a hobby.
What, you mean like following evangelist Benny Hinn instead?

»Re: [video] Evangelist Benny Hinn Using His Healing Powers

AMEN BROTHA!

Perhaps we can get him to pray for AT&T and their new Uverse service!

supernac3
join:2003-03-26
Springfield, MO

supernac3

Member

Re: Way to go Verizon....

I wouldn't recommend anyone follow him, not even you

en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA

en102 to Rick5

Member

to Rick5
For a minute... I thought it was 'Benny Hill'
massysett
join:2006-01-04
Silver Spring, MD

massysett

Member

New digital divide?

It's a bit much to say there will be a "new digital divide." First, Fios is only available in a fraction of the country to begin with. Second, much of the country has affordable broadband access already, in the form of cable and DSL. Third, Verizon is moving into cities--see for example NYC. Cities, with their dense MDUs, are too profitable to pass up, and the cable operators are ramping up their efforts in cities, so VZ must move in to compete. Yes, FIOS is nice, but not life changing or digital divide material.

JTRockville
Data Ho
Premium Member
join:2002-01-28
Rockville, MD

1 recommendation

JTRockville

Premium Member

PC World award, not mentioned in justin's article:

»PC World Ranks FiOS as 4th in Top 100 Best Products of 2007

RARPSL
join:1999-12-08
Suffern, NY

RARPSL

Member

No Servers allowed per the TOS

I assume that due to the "No Servers Allowed" TOS Terms, that running a BitTorrent Client (which has a built-in Server function as part of its operation), means that I am in violation of this TOS provision.

•••••••

Rob A
Adjusting
Premium Member
join:2005-01-17
Pompton Plains, NJ

Rob A

Premium Member

Great read!

I'm so looking forward to fios!