Broadband / Phone Survey

FIOS is a switched technology where Cable internet is shared. FIOS can theoretically support more nodes on a segment with better aggregate bandwidth per user than cable can. Copper can currently carry nearly as much BW as fiber (we have a copper gigE link at work) and most top tier BW vendors are using copper as the last mile for it's ease of termination and lower maintenance costs. Newer technologies like CIsco's multiplexed copper cable equipment can/will supply up to 100X the speed of current fiber technology. Having said that, fiber tech is moving ahead and will probably keep up with copper's offerings.

Bottom line is that either technology is fine. There are pros and cons with each one. As far as a phone, I'd lean towards buying internet access and then hang my own phone off the link, something like Magic Jack.

Newer TVs will/do some with Ethernet ports that allow direct access to mutiplexed programming right from the wire. No more digital boxes required. With that comes direct streaming content from sources like Netflix. It's all here now, if you want to pay for it.

FIOS, as it is explained and marketed, seems like the better technology. Right now it just seems hard to get in some areas and hard to get installed when it is "available." Once I actually see the benefits of it I could switch but it would take a lot as I understand Verizon wants you to sign a contract and I don’t think Comcast is doing that right now. Once thing about Comcast is that if you call them and tell them you are switching to Verizon you can get an amazing deal to stay with them. Try giving them a call and see if they call your bluff if you are not interested in switching.

On a side note of the direct vs. shared issue I really caught a salesperson off guard a few weeks back. He came to the house and says how great FIOS is and all and starts to explain that with Comcast I am sharing my bandwidth with the neighbors and that with FIOS I wouldn’t suffer that slowdown that is sometimes experienced. He kept going on and finally started reading off names of my neighbors who had signed up. He says do you realize your one of only 3 people in your neighborhood that hasn’t switched to FIOS yet? Without missing a step I said I didn’t realize that but now I wouldn’t have to worry about sharing that bandwidth anymore. He looked dejected and said thanks for your time.

Have Cablevision (Optimum Online) voice/data now, switching to FIOS and Vonage as soon as it's fully rolled out here. Fiber is on the pole but not lit yet.

I have several clients on FIOS - great service ONCE it's installed, it usually takes them a few times to get it right. Big problem with FIOS is that they setup everything MoCA by default and you need to use their Verizon (Actiontec) router as a coax/ethernet bridge. I've seen several fail after 1-2 years use and it's difficult to get Verizon to replace it.

If you only do FIOS internet access you can have them enable the ethernet port in the ONT and use your router on that; the Actiontec is difficult to bridge and as of last week they now don't support bridging. If you get FIOS TV service you can't use the ethernet port in the ONT - everything has to run MoCA.

There are threads on dslreports.com about bridging the Verizon/Actiontec unit to use your own router.

I'm going to try FIOS Internet-I set an install for Feb. 7th. I read many mixed reviews with magic jack. Have u tried it?

traderfjp wrote:I'm going to try FIOS Internet-I set an install for Feb. 7th. I read many mixed reviews with magic jack. Have u tried it?

Yes and I have 6 friends that use it as their main phone. They're all pleased with it.

I have 42.6 kbps

I just love my FIOS !!!!!

We were just outside the range of traditional DSL from the hub so I had to endure dialup here for many years....that and rotary phones. I was too cheap to pay an additional $ 1.00 per month for touch tone. We had to get DIRECTV as cable company (Comcast) wanted $ 800.00 just to run the cable back our long driveway to the farm houses.

I first got FIOS internet and phone when it was available. Several months later they offered the video. When I found out that they carried the Flyers games on the TV portion, it was a no brainer for us. It seems like the owner of Comcast also has the lock on Phila sports teams.

Had 2 occasions to get repairs. First time a branch ripped the line from the side of the house. They were here in 1 1/2 days. Second time, they were here next day. When I originally got the FIOS, they offered a $ 100.00 gift card for signing up. Then because they had to delay the install 1 day they offered another $ 100.00 for the inconvenience. Hell, I took that too.

I ran all new wires in the house to a distribution block. The connector box and UPS are attached to back side of the coal bin. From there 1 cable to the distribution block and another to the wireless router. As the tech was wiring the router, he agreed to run a second ethernet outlet into the kitchen where I'm sitting right now. I ran the wire as he was connecting everything.

The only issue we have is that there are 2 houses sharing the same address. I finally got them to give me the circuit number for our line so we can keep the 2 houses seperate. Makes it easier to talk to tech support.



Rick

Where I live there are 3 choices: dial up, satellite (Hughes net), or nothing. Needless to say I have Hughes and it's the biggest load of $600 upfront equipment costs plus $69.99 a month *censored* I've ever experienced. I've had it for 3 years. Like being in prison without the benefits of free meals and interesting friends. Typical download speeds are 8-12 kbps unless I alter my schedule and download stuff at off-peak times when it's 100kbps. I can get YouTube to stream at 300kbps rarely, about one in ten times it will work. I pay for 1200 down/300 up *. (* speeds not guaranteed) The cable wire is a little less than 3/4 of a mile down the road from here, how do I convince the company to run a line? Hughesnet customer service is a joke, they connect you to India where they just bullshit you in circles until you give up.

If you are within range of a Verizon Wireless tower and they have installed the 3G equipment you can get good speeds and reliable service from them. Many of the towers are owned by American Tower Corp. and serve multiple cellular companies. See:

http://www.americantower.com/atcweb

They have a cell tower locater search function to find one near you.

I had Comcast Cable Bradband First and was one of the first areas to get Verizon Fios. No comparison in performance FIOS has been stable and never degrades as did Comcast. I also use viatalk for my ip phone service which runs a great deal of $199 for the first two years service. Unlimited us and canada long distant calls included, and two incoming lines and two out going lines but one phone number. I now have a private line in my home office that no one else is on in the house can use at no additional cost. http://www.viatalk.com Much cheaper than Vonnage

Does anyone here have BPL(broadband over powerline).I dont personally,i have time warner.Just curious as to how well it works.