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Leaked 2010 Verizon FiOS Rate Hike Info
Higher prices, huge early termination fee...
by Karl Bode Monday 21-Dec-2009 tags: prices · Fiber · business · exclusive · telco · BBR-News · consumers · Verizon FiOS
Broadband Reports has obtained documents, accidentally posted by Verizon to a publicly accessible website, that highlight some of Verizon's 2010 FiOS bundle and pricing plans. The information indicates that customers can look forward to price hikes ranging from $10 to $20 depending on your bundle -- starting January 17 of next year. Packages will be revamped slightly in several markets, with Verizon's "TV Essentials" package being replaced, and symmetrical FiOS tiers making an official return.

Most interesting perhaps? The information indicates that double, triple and quadruple FiOS customers can also look forward to a $360 early termination fee in 2010. The ETF will be pro-rated (it decreases slightly for every month you're under contract). In a clear effort to salvage their declining landline and home voice business, FiOS customers won't have to pay this ETF if they're willing to sign up for residential voice service.

According to the information, users will be forced to pay this ETF if you move to a non-Verizon area. That's a tricky proposition in markets like Manhattan, where a user could technically move a few blocks and wind up in an area that hasn't been wired with FiOS yet. Verizon has promised to wire all of NYC by 2014, but the NYC franchise agreement does allow some wiggle room -- and you can probably expect Verizon lawyers to wiggle once the most lucrative neighborhoods have been wired.

Keep in mind of course that these broadband hikes, like the AT&T U-Verse hikes we reported this morning, come as the cost of wholesale bandwidth and network hardware continues to drop. The television hikes, meanwhile, come despite the fact that Verizon and AT&T lobbied state lawmakers in dozens of states promising lower TV prices -- if they were willing to reconfigure the video franchise system to make life easier on the baby bells.

It also appears that Verizon will be further expanding their free Wi-Fi offer to include customers on 15 Mbps tiers. The service previously was restricted to FiOS customers that subscribed to 20 Mbps service or faster. Like speed? It looks like Verizon's symmetrical 35 Mbps tier, which is only available in select markets, will be showing up in all Verizon markets next year. The company's 25/15 Mbps tier will officially become 25/25 (most customers report those speeds already).

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N3OGH
Certified GLG-20
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
kudos:1
Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS

Dogs

All of them, DOGS!

Fortunately, I locked in my rate a few months ago. When my deal is up, I have no problem pitting Comcast & Verizon against each other for my business.

Before Verizon came, I did not have this option. Comcast knew it, and treated me as such.

Now when my current deal is up, I can pit mommy against daddy and get the best deal.

Fios is really nice and I'm happy with the service, but money talks, and bullshit walks....
--
Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power…
phantom6294

join:2002-02-27
Abingdon, MD

Re: Dogs

said by N3OGH:

Before Verizon came, I did not have this option. Comcast knew it, and treated me as such.
Same here...

...except now that Verizon FiOS is here... Comcast hasn't changed a bit. It would seem I am not the only one in my neighborhood fleeing from Comcast. The day I had FiOS installed there were three other Verizon trucks on my cul-de-sac of 14 houses. I noticed later that I could see 4 new wireless networks all with short names and WEP encryption which fits the pattern of the default settings on the Actiontec routers Verizon is using. So, out of 14 homes on our cul-des-ac, 5 signed up for FiOS as soon as it was available.

I'm half tempted to drive through the entire sub-division and see how many unique SSIDs I can find that are most likely FiOS related.

Evidently, Comcast either hasn't gotten the message in Harford County, or just doesn't give two shits about its customers.

jester121
Premium
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL

Re: Dogs

Or they assume (probably rightly) that for every customer who hates Comcast, there's one that hates Verizon with equal vim and vigor.

N3OGH
Certified GLG-20
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
kudos:1
Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS

Re: Dogs

I dislike Comcast, and I admittedly enjoy my Fios service very much.

But you bet yer ass if I can save a buck, I will try Comcast again.

Comcast lost me several years ago when Verizon brought DSL into my area.

I originally got a cable modem back in 1998 when we were still served by Suburban Cable, and the ISP was @Home. Boy, those were the good old days.

Comcast's service became slower and slower. I was dealing with pretty much dial up speeds from about 4 PM until bed time....
--
Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power…
phantom6294

join:2002-02-27
Abingdon, MD
said by jester121:

Or they assume (probably rightly) that for every customer who hates Comcast, there's one that hates Verizon with equal vim and vigor.
Well, I was fed up with Comcast, I did not hate Comcast. I got tired of the incredibly poor suppot -- both technical and customer.

Any ways, I don't disagree... but in my particular neighborhood's case, Verizon hasn't been offering service beyond POTS. So, it's not as if people can suddenly leave Verizon. I can't speak for the entire county... but I've heard very few positive things about Comcast from friends and neighbors.

So, as might be expected... people are going to switch to FiOS; perhaps they go from non-triple play price with Comcast to a cheaper triple play with Verizon, perhaps because they hate Comcast, who knows. For now, Comcast will be the one shedding customers -- right now, Verizon can't really lose customers, as they're the 'new' player. I have no doubt some people will end up being unhappy and switch back. Eventually, things might settle out to a relatively 'stable' split.

However, what's annoying is that Comcast surely knew FiOS was coming. Instead of at least pretending to care... they seem to have just resigned themselves to losing a lot of customers. I realize I am just one customer... but I expected Comcast to put up at least SOME kind of effort to retain me as a customer or at the very least try and actually solve the numerous problems I was having.

Obviously I was expecting way too much.

Z80A
Premium
join:2009-11-23
Reviews:
·Cox HSI

ETF is sort of understandable

Given the cost of trenching the yard to the house, bringing out an ONT, installing it, etc. When you cancel, they don't get their ONT back (at least in my area VZ leaves everything, ONT, battery, etc). But that ETF should then apply to every new sub, not just double/triple/quad play.

Meanwhile I think the magic triple play number is $99 and they're going for $109 which puts them 10% higher than cable competitors in many markets.

GinaETF

@yscriticalcare.com

Re: ETF is sort of understandable

Verizon loves those ETF's.

So what if they have to spend money getting the customer. That's the risk of doing business. Provide a great service at a fair price and most people will stay put unless they lose their job or have to move (unforseen circumstances).

Verizon has to invest money to get money. That's part of running a business.

Penalizing a customer for defecting is very bullish and more of a scare tactic than anything.

Z80A
Premium
join:2009-11-23
Reviews:
·Cox HSI

Re: ETF is sort of understandable

said by GinaETF :

Verizon loves those ETF's. So what if they have to spend money getting the customer. That's the risk of doing business.
So what if the customer has to pay an ETF...they agree to it when they sign up....
sven_kirk3

join:2002-07-23
Lithia Springs, GA
Reviews:
·AT&T Southeast
·Clearwire Wireless
ETFs ARE reasonable, considering marketing, installation, sales commissions, and maintenance just to name a few.

Unless you want a HUGE bill to go month-to-month. Virtually all (service) industries have these.

How would you feel if you spent a grand to to start a customer, then to having them wanting to disconnect a month or two later.

***please note that i never said that i liked them
rcabor

join:2007-04-17
Grand Prairie, TX

Re: ETF is sort of understandable

How would you feel signing up for a service, said service sucks, but you have to pay a high amount to get out of crappy service?

kmb40

join:2004-08-02
Fort Washington, MD
I would feel like I need to find out why that person is leaving me as a customer and address that issue.

Jacking up EFT's says you know they will leave so you want to cover your ass.

What about putting measures in place that make me want to stay?
margaf77

join:2000-12-22
Bayonne, NJ
Reviews:
·Optimum Online
·Verizon FiOS
said by GinaETF :

Verizon loves those ETF's.

So what if they have to spend money getting the customer. That's the risk of doing business. Provide a great service at a fair price and most people will stay put unless they lose their job or have to move (unforseen circumstances).

Verizon has to invest money to get money. That's part of running a business.

Penalizing a customer for defecting is very bullish and more of a scare tactic than anything.
If you want the best theres a premium to be paid. At least its not like Cablevision with their ultra service $300 install fee. This way you only pay if you leave otherwise its no charge.

Z80A
Premium
join:2009-11-23

Re: ETF is sort of understandable

True.
majortom1029

join:2006-10-19
Lindenhurst, NY
kudos:1
See thats an unfair comparison since if you do leave you pay a higher fee then cablevision. ITs like verizon putting a 100/100 plan. They would have to upgrade some people to gpon and put in a significant expedniture to do it.

Cablevision puts that price to not get people who will have it a month then drop it. It is pretty cheap since businesses will be the only ones really getting the service anyway.
margaf77

join:2000-12-22
Bayonne, NJ
Reviews:
·Optimum Online
·Verizon FiOS

Re: ETF is sort of understandable

said by majortom1029:

See thats an unfair comparison since if you do leave you pay a higher fee then cablevision. ITs like verizon putting a 100/100 plan. They would have to upgrade some people to gpon and put in a significant expedniture to do it.

Cablevision puts that price to not get people who will have it a month then drop it. It is pretty cheap since businesses will be the only ones really getting the service anyway.
I recently defected from CV after them not being able to come even close to the 30/5 I was paying for, Id hate to see how they under-perform with Ultra.

But how is them charging up front so you dont leave and VZ charging you if you do any different? Aside from the fact that I pay nothing but my bill if I just keep service running, which seems easy from my POV.

DaveDude
No Fear

join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1
cable can. telco cant. I guess that should be Verizon new phrase, we cant do what cable has done for years. Plus Cable doesnt get funds from the government.

Z80A
Premium
join:2009-11-23

2 edits

Re: ETF is sort of understandable

Cable can what? Charge a $300 install fee like CV does for their top tier service? Offer a service without caps? Oh yeah, that isn't cable, that VZ. Take annual 3X inflation price increases. THAT, cable CAN do.

fifty nine

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
kudos:1

Fiber optics are not cheap

Hence the high ETF. Verizon is in it to make money.

I don't see what would make people leave though.
NYDude25

join:2007-08-23
Massapequa, NY

Re: Fiber optics are not cheap

said by fifty nine:

Hence the high ETF. Verizon is in it to make money.

I don't see what would make people leave though.
Like the article mentions, you may have to move, and since FIOS has such limited geographic availability, you may move to an area where FIOS is not available.

All of a sudden, you could wind up giving Verizon over $300 for nothing.

N3OGH
Certified GLG-20
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
kudos:1
Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS

Re: Fiber optics are not cheap

Look at the hand outs.

If you move to a non Fios area, they only charge you the ETF if you don't get your home phone through them.

It's similar circumstances with cell phones. If you move to an area not served by your present provider, they usually don't hit you for the ETF...
--
Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power…

NOCMan
MacChatter
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Colorado Springs, CO
"According to the information, users will be forced to pay this ETF if you move to a non-Verizon area. "

I doubt this will hold up to any legal review. The standard has always been if you move to a unserved area they can not charge you an ETF or they have to provide service. It is not like people have a choice when moving. You move because you have to or want to, but it's not all the time you can move into a serviced area.

DaveDude
No Fear

join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1
Cable is fiber to the node. How come they arent charging ?
iansltx

join:2007-02-19
Golden, CO
kudos:2
Reviews:
·Comcast
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: Fiber optics are not cheap

The majority of Verizon's setup costs are specific to your house. Cable has amortized their network mostly/completely by now and is one customer out of 250 is no longer on their node it's not such a huge deal. But if you sink several hundred dollars into a customer for the ONT, fiber, etc. then they defect, you've got a problem...
jjeffeory

join:2002-12-04
USA

Re: Fiber optics are not cheap

People move. The house will already be wired. So what?
iansltx

join:2007-02-19
Golden, CO
kudos:2

Re: Fiber optics are not cheap

Verizon is apparently paranoid that they won't get the cost of the equipment amortized by the next person who moves in. It's a business decision that they chose to make.

DaveDude
No Fear

join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1
Reviews:
·ViaTalk
·Vonage
·Comcast

Re: Fiber optics are not cheap

said by iansltx:

Verizon is apparently paranoid that they won't get the cost of the equipment amortized by the next person who moves in. It's a business decision that they chose to make.
And like the leave tax in NJ, it had a wonderful effect. No one wants to move to NJ, because they leave, they get a penalty. Why would i sign up, if i have to pay a penalty if Verizon under-performs ?
--
They Live... We Sleep...

“Spreading the wealth around” never results in a better outcome for people. It always results in destruction.

iansltx

join:2007-02-19
Golden, CO
kudos:2

Re: Fiber optics are not cheap

Easy: you assume that Verizon doesn't under-perform

DaveDude
No Fear

join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1
Reviews:
·ViaTalk
·Vonage
·Comcast

Re: Fiber optics are not cheap

said by iansltx:

Easy: you assume that Verizon doesn't under-perform
My friends PPV, hasnt work consistently since he got it. Plus his channels sometimes fall off his account, he has called them at least twice a month since he switched.
jjeffeory

join:2002-12-04
USA
Oh I understand, but chances are that they will eventually get that back over the life of a house. I've had the service and loved it, but this sucks.

FiOS_Man

@comcast.net
said by iansltx:

Verizon is apparently paranoid that they won't get the cost of the equipment amortized by the next person who moves in. It's a business decision that they chose to make.
Verizon actually allows those who already have an ONT to sign up for new service with most of the new customer offers ($150 Visa or $30 for 6 months and 24 Month Price Guarantee) without a contract.
jjeffeory

join:2002-12-04
USA

Re: Fiber optics are not cheap

Now this is fair and they should be touting this to remove any backlash. Hopefully it's true and they'll catch up in the marketing department.
rifleman69

join:2006-04-12
Beaverton, OR
said by jjeffeory:

People move. The house will already be wired. So what?
Neighbor down the street from me sold his house in March or April and had FiOS. Renter comes in and wants to get FiOS, five customer support, a supervisor, and a truck roll later...it's determined that they can't use the FiOS that's already hooked up to the house and working.

So they went with Comcast. That's $$$ that VZ has lost. Have heard a few more stories similar to this but this is the first I've physically seen and heard.

fifty nine

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
kudos:1
said by jjeffeory:

People move. The house will already be wired. So what?
Not every new owner gets fios. One of my coworkers just moved into a house that has the ONT and everything and he got OOL and IO TV instead because he wanted to watch howard stern on demand.
fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3
Very simple.. they pull the ONT and use it at another home... I wasn't aware that they left the ONT once the service was discontinued anyway.

Cable always pulled the phone boxes on the house of a CDP install.. I know other Fiber providers that pull the equipment as well.. I would figure Verizon would do the same since the equipment is charged to the customer if removed.

birdfeedr
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
kudos:5

Re: Fiber optics are not cheap

said by fiberguy:

Very simple.. they pull the ONT and use it at another home... I wasn't aware that they left the ONT once the service was discontinued anyway.
I think they leave it. That was the original incentive for them to put up fiber -- it's not copper, therefore not mandated to allow CLEC services.

If they pull the ONT, can I get ILEC DSL back in here? If I'm on fiber, nope.

fifty nine

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
kudos:1
said by DaveDude:

Cable is fiber to the node. How come they arent charging ?
Cable doesn't have an expensive ONT on your house. Besides, cable is at a marketing disadvantage to Verizon so they can't afford to lose customers.

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
kudos:4
said by DaveDude:

Cable is fiber to the node. How come they arent charging ?
because they know cable cant offer the levels of service that fios can.
--
When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee

fifty nine

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
kudos:1

Re: Fiber optics are not cheap

said by dvd536:

said by DaveDude:

Cable is fiber to the node. How come they arent charging ?
because they know cable cant offer the levels of service that fios can.
Like I said - marketing advantage. Neither fios nor cable are offering the highest level of service they can.

Van
Premium
join:2009-07-08
New Orleans, LA
Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
said by dvd536:

said by DaveDude:

Cable is fiber to the node. How come they arent charging ?
because they know cable cant offer the levels of service that fios can.
I had Comcast all of last year. If it meant a lower bill, I would switch and stay with them in a heartbeat

Their service may not be the best of the best but it more then satisfied my needs for speed and reliability.

jsz0
Premium
join:2008-01-23
Jewett City, CT
Fiber is actually pretty cheap. The prices today are far lower than what Verizon was paying when they started deploying FIOS. This not only goes for fiber optic lasers, fiber optic cable, but also splicing equipment, testing equipment and ONTs. The real cost is just the physical labour of installing it all which is something all service providers share copper, fiber or wireless.

I think what we're seeing with Verizon is that they've cherry picked most of the highly profitable customers/areas and to move forward they have to start making it very uncomfortable for those customers to leave (increased ETF) and have to increase rates to cover building out to less profitable areas where they won't see a return as quickly. A $1 increase for every existing FIOS customer helps pay for existing infrastructure investments and helps cover new deployments. In the case of video there's also increased programming fee's that they pretty much have to pass along to customers or they are simply making less money for providing the same level of service which is something most companies don't like doing.

jmn1207
Premium
join:2000-07-19
Reston, VA

Pricey, but Still a Good Deal

Month-to-month pricing with no ETF is only $20 more.

So for $134.99 + $35 (all premium movie channels) would get me a 35/35 internet connection with every TV channel outside of Playboy and foreign language channels. Considering that Epix is included, which it currently is not, is a bonus, as is NFL Red Zone.(I paid $50 for this) I'm not seeing too much of an increase, since I get all of the channels now.

$170 is still much cheaper than what I was paying with Comcast for a similar setup. And if I opt to go for the 24 month contract, it will only be $150. (all of this is before the added cost of the DVRs)

The one thing they neglect to mention is the cost of the DVRs. Right now I use a combination of my own DVRs along with some Verizon DVRs, but for those that have many TVs in the house, it can get quite expensive.

As soon as these are made available I am switching over. I want the 35/35, and that's worth $114.99 just by itself to me.

Kramer
Premium,Mod
join:2000-08-03
Richmond, VA
kudos:1
Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
Host:
Microsoft Help
Satellite Radio
Wireless Security

$360 ETF Fun

I can't wait to see the Comcast commercials that use the $360 fee as ammunition. I suspect it will hurt too. I have a year and a third left of guaranteed prices and wouldn't dream of switching back to Comcast until that lapses, but if Comcast increases their HD offerings and improves their DVR by that time and doesn't institute the ridiculous ETF, I will switch to them just to spite Verizon. My cellular contract is up this summer and while I may continue with Verizon (it is no longer certain now), I will not continue with the prospect of a huge ETF hanging over me.

Congress needs to move on these fees immediately. These ETFs destroy a competitive environment. Let Verizon charge them up front as a hook up fee and see how far that gets them. They wouldn't get away with it and they wouldn't even try to do it.

See 10 replies to this post
iansltx

join:2007-02-19
Golden, CO
kudos:2

Wait, there's a 35/35 tier somewhere?

I thought it was just 35/20. Also, how much is it and doesn't it require a bundle? Thx.

Zero

join:2009-07-01
Collegeville, PA

Re: Wait, there's a 35/35 tier somewhere?

Currently, 35/20 is provisioned for 35/35, 25/15 is provisioned for 25/25, and 15/5 is provisioned for 25/25. Actual speed results will vary, but most should be able to obtain these speeds when subscribed to the current plans.

This over provisioning, also known as "fluff" in the Verizon FiOS forums, may or may not change as of 1/17/10 when the new tiers and bundles take into effect.
iansltx

join:2007-02-19
Golden, CO
kudos:2

Re: Wait, there's a 35/35 tier somewhere?

Hmm, interesting. Wish I could get some of that...uh...15/5 action here

TaZaR

@verizon.net
I had FIOS triple play installed on the 7th and attached my wireless on the 11th to make it a quad play. Under the triple play I was supposed to get 25/15 , but was seeing 25/25. The quad play upgraded my video services and internet speed. New speed was supposed to be 35/20, but I'm currently seeing about 34/37.
I didn't ask for it, but perfectly happy to take it.
JPL
Premium
join:2007-04-04
Downingtown, PA
kudos:1

Quad play

One thing that looks interesting is the cost with the quad play. I don't currently have the quad play because the cell plan included doesn't work for my family. But if I'm reading that pdf correctly, it looks like you may be able to bundle any cell service in (otherwise, why would they phrase it like that?). If that's true, then I would most definitely go for it - and my price would actually DROP compared to my current contract. My current contract is $120/month for the Extreme triple play. If I can bundle in any cell plan for the quad play, I could get the Extreme triple play I have now (with faster internet upload speeds I might add) for $10 less per month than what I'm paying now.
xirian
Premium
join:2003-01-26
Beacon, NY
kudos:1

Re: Quad play

You can already bundle any existing cell plan. When I check fios availability and type in my cell # it gives me the option to keep my current plan.

FiOS_Man

@comcast.net

Re: Quad play

You are correct, unless it is a senior plan.
jjeffeory

join:2002-12-04
USA

1 edit

Anti-Consumer

There is not much more to say other than this is an incredibly anti-consumer move. My opinion is that all ETFs are so, but society has allowed that to happen. Under some circumstances I can understand the "need" for an ETF, but there are MANY more circumstance for NOT having them. This action is just a further extension of many injustices we endure today from 'papa corporation'.

Are there more important things going on in the world to complain about? Yes!
We should, however, not accept these small "defeats". Every year it's another little concession on the part of consumers. It just doesn't stop. Hooking up the service is simply a cost of doing business with the customer. If Verizon isn't willing to dig a trench and wire a house to get their basic fee, then they shouldn't offer service at all ( which is what they've done in many areas thus far. ). What this ETF is doing is adding insult to injury. What is our government regulators doing right now to protect the consumer? Certainly not keeping things like this from happening!

During the past decade this whole market segment has gone from being an affordable and life enhancing option for consumers to being an unaffordable yet increasingly necessary tool for us in our daily lives. If Verizon gets away with this, look for the other big boys to follow...

See 8 replies to this post

cableties
Premium
join:2005-01-27
Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS

Math please...

Increase in service? Not likely.

But I see 10-20% hike in plans.

My salary sees 2% if lucky Cost of Living increase because company I work for is tightening belt rather than laying off.

In this economy, the Government is sending the wrong messages!

We reward the banks and they jack up our credit rates from 3.99% to 21%. And still raising them.
We reward the telcos with some Broadband fund, and they jack their rates up.
And the Government doesn't want you to borrow yet they've spent money based on taxes they won't collect till 14 years from now!

I'm ranting..huh. Oh well. Good night.
--
Splat
jjeffeory

join:2002-12-04
USA

1 edit

Re: Math please...

I know people who haven't gotten a raise in many years or who took pay cuts, yet they are spending more on these company cost of living increases. The middle class is shrinking and being squeezed at the same time!
iansltx

join:2007-02-19
Golden, CO
kudos:2
Reviews:
·Comcast
·Verizon Online DSL

Seriously people...

Verizon is effectively building the customer part of their buildout costs for FTTP into their monthly fee, and punching you with an ETF if you leave before they've amortized the customer equipment. Sounds perfectly reasonable to me, though I also say that the raised VZW ETFs are reasonable. If you don't like them, use cable which has no ETFs. Or go month-to-month with Verizon.

Building setup fees into the monthly cost of service happens all the time (cell phones for example) and that's why there are ETFs if you end service before the end of a contract, at least in this case.

If you want to know why cable doesn't have such ETFs, that's an easy answer: you rent (or buy elsewhere) your cable modem, and chances are your house has already been hooked up for cable before so installation costs are minimal. Verizon OTOH gives you an ONT and router at install time and does some rather expensive fiber-pulling to give you service. They only do this if you sign up, so it's a cost that's directly tied to your account.

Seriously though, if you sign up for a triple play bundle that guarantees a low price over two years with DL/UL speeds that cable can't match, would you really switch out from FiOS? If so, budget $15 per month of your remaining contract as an installation fee, spread over 24 months. Would you really rather have the $360 as an upfront installation fee? I didn't think so either.

Now whether Verizon is shortsighted and paranoid about their customer base by charging ETFs and effectively assuming that someone who cancels service before two years are up won't come back to finish amortizing equipment costs is another matter. I would say they are. But to my knowledge Verizon FiOS is never the only internet option in a given area (there's always cable) so that fear may be well-founded, and if customers don't want FiOS they don't ahve to get it.

See 9 replies to this post
MTU
Premium
join:2005-02-15
San Luis Obispo, CA
Reviews:
·AT&T Yahoo

Pay to Play

I'm proud that Verizon is flexing its corporate muscles to put the peons in their place. Not only do the fickle cellular customers get to eat the big ETF, now also do those ungrateful FIOS gluttons.

Tough love is the only way to sculpt a marshmallow customer-base.

Good to know that the US will never get a national broadband policy. That chaos would likely to reduce my dividends.
rmckofke

join:2001-05-15
Staten Island, NY

will these rate hikes affect my current pricing?

I just reupped for 1 year with a guarantee of 2 year pricing - I have the 99.99 triple play so as I understood it I wouldn't see any change in the bundle price for at least 1 year, 2 id I decided to reup again next year.
jvanbrecht

join:2007-01-08
Bowie, MD

I'm slightly confused

Where is the definition of what is good, better best or whatever they are calling it.

I would be curious to know the specifics..

Gary A

join:2008-03-02
Odessa, FL
Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS

Lock In Today's Rate

My 2-yr old bundle had ended and I was debating what to do. When I read the forum topic last week and saw this coming price increase, I made my decision.

Last week I agreed to a new bundle that has a 1-yr agreement and a 2-yr price guarantee. I'm glad I did.
glinc

join:2009-04-07
New York, NY

Cablevision

I wonder if Cablevision will still pay customers VZW ETF for customers who left them for FiOS lol

Jmartz

join:2000-07-20
Tenafly, NJ

Re: Cablevision

said by glinc:

I wonder if Cablevision will still pay customers VZW ETF for customers who left them for FiOS lol
Cablevision will do anything to keep your business. All you have to do is order FIOS and then call Cablevision to setup a disconnect. From there, they will check if you are lieing, and if you aren't you'll get freebies from them.. I've seen people get a year of free DVR service... 2 years locked in Triple Play pricing, etc.

There is a guy who complained so much and wanted boxes for free... he was adimate and wouldn't back down. Ultimately they did offer him something like 4 cable boxes for free for a year (worth about $28 bucks a month). -- And he wasn't switching to FIOS.

It should be fun to see what kind of winback promos they have after the new ETF comes into effect.
tmc8080

join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY
Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS

strange, amidst competition

Well, price increases maybe in the works.. but they are cycling through promotional materials of which they are offering triple play for $69.99 a month for 1 year (plus taxes and fees)-- in the NY, Long Island area.. home turf of Cablevision.

I can't imagine prices going higher if none of the cable companies follow suit.. (though, leave it up to comcast & time warner to announce triple play and single service price increases next above and beyond what they've already announced) obviously this was going to happen as soon as AT&T pushed out their rate hikes... I'm not surprised the top package isn't even 50/50 megabits yet and the entry level tier is asymmetric. No firm price was also listed for stand-alone internet. If they meant +$15 above a dual play package, they are nuts. That would force a lynchmob of backlash, and probably result in the state puc's getting involved in this money grab. There is also no distinction between freedom value "voice" and FIOS digital voice.. you still get the same crappy 3 features on either, unless they are cooking up a more feature rich (ie, every feature you can possibly want for voice) for FIOS digital voice-- something that is kind of too little too late. Most people can buy unlimited cell phone coverage for $30-50 a month inclusive of taxes & fees, so why have a landline? You could get virtually free voip land-line from google. That leaves you with a choice of internet. I think cable tv rates are getting too hot to handle (from ANY service provider) for the average consumer.

Bundling services is a dying breed.. and now the two wire duopoly is poised to gouge internet access with collusive pricing! Good luck with that idea!
nanoflower

join:2002-07-14
30876

The links to the Verizon documents are down

Looks like someone didn't like having the pricing information made public as each of the links brings up a message about the account being suspended. Anyone have a backup link to the documents?

birdfeedr
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
kudos:5

Re: The links to the Verizon documents are down

2010_FiOS_Bu···inal.pdf
Handling Customer Objections to ETF
Try this. Since Karl is already hosting the other two documents "The pricing sheet (pdf)" and "Yet another document (pdf)" on DSLReports, this one should also be legit.

birdfeedr
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
kudos:5

No free wireless for 15/5 unless NY-DMA

quote:
On the positive side of the equation, the documents also indicate that Verizon will be further expanding their free Wi-Fi offer to include customers on 15 Mbps tiers.
Left columns for non-NY DMA indicate Wi-Fi for 15/5 customers is only in NY DMA.

Also, link for the
quote:
Another leaked document indicates that double, triple and quadruple FiOS customers can look forward to a $360 early termination fee in 2010.
is broken. Not sure if that document has been revised since the original post in the FiOS forum.

What I'd want to know is if I have had a triple play bundle for the past two years, if they plan on socking me with an ETF when I renew after my third year, or whenever. Also, if they have discretionary promotional pricing that will give me a solid $15/month discount (or more) to offset the ETF penalty if I was actually forced to cancel. IOW, carrot to keep me, stick if I leave.

Don't sound too eager when you call. There are promotional incentives to sign up that should make the ETF palatable. Anyone who pays full price is paying too much.

mr_slick

join:2003-05-22
Lynnwood, WA
Reviews:
·Frontier FiOS
·DSL EXTREME
·Verizon FiOS
·Verizon Online DSL
·Comcast

[slightly OT]

just got my bill for my 10/2 service yesterday stating that the price is now 52.99 (up from 42.99)....

also stated that i could call to find out about great bundle savings if i call them.

i may have to go to dslextreme or comcast unless they will budge when i call them--- which i doubt.

i only want internet, no bundle, and 10/2 is plenty fast. at least i live where i have "some" choices
cableguy619
Premium
join:2003-06-24
Chula Vista, CA

Programmers rake the Providers

"There is no such thing as a free lunch"

No matter how you look at it the Networks will always drive the price up. Verizon and ATT were suppsoe to drive prices down, well you can't drive prices down and lose money, you will go under.

TV is the largest expense for any provider and the networks have the ball on their court. Network owns say 10 channels and you want 3 or 4 of the major ones. The network will not just sell you one you get all 10 plus the cost of them even if your viewers don't want them. Sucks, but it has been that way for years.

Bottom line no business wants to lose money on their service and well even in a recession networks and providers will raise prices.

You think Kobe or Arod will care for a recession? If You want the best you will pay the price, bottom line....

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