I Love FiOS

jmcohen23

that's $20 more than I'm paying now. right now, it's all about making cuts. and since we were doing just fine without the premium channels before the switch to verizon, we can do just fine without it since the conversion.

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monjul

LOL, I was being facetious.

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jmcohen23

I figured that, but I know some people that really would not use Comcast even if they did offer the service for free. Comcast seems to have more haters than loyalists.

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El'_Gato_Negro

I'm with you. I switched mainly because I am saving $60 per month with the same channels as before using Comcast. While I hate Comcast and how they rape you for every last penny, at least things worked like they were supposed to. For instance, here is a small list of issues one may possibly have when making the change:

I'll start with Internet. The speed is faster now with Fios, but not enough to make a big deal to me. The main problem I have here is 1) I have a TV tuner and would watch TV on the computer while working, and no longer can do that, 2) I have a print server and Network attached storage that neither one of which is useable now. At least my installer could not figure out how to do it. I am not very technologically savvy, so I get lost easily and cannot figure a way to make this work with Verizon's router/modem. The installer mentioned that I could go back to using my own router, but I would have trouble getting the onscreen cable guide to work and I am not smart enough to figure out how to tackle that issue. So I really miss these two devices. Also, I had almost instant access to the Net when firing up my computer (less than 10 seconds), but now it can take a couple minutes.

As for the phone, it is the same with no problems, though I did lose some options like Call-Waiting ID, Distinctive Ring (which eliminated my fax capabilities without intervention). I had Comcast for cable and Verizon for phone and DSL. So the phone is basically equal.

The biggie is the TV. I had very good PQ with Comcast, and Fios is great also. I am not that into having the ultimate in PQ. The onscreen guide and menu just sucks! Comcast's guide is much more intuitive and easier to read/use. Basically, any of the software that runs the displays for the guide or DVR is inferior to Comcast in my opinion. I also miss the "remind" option with Comcast's DVR. And setting up series recordings with Fios is not as easy. The whole process of programming recordings on the Fios DVR is lacking when compared to Comcast. Sporting events often run long, and Comcast had a way to continue your recordings that Fios does not have. I like the Parental Controls better on Comcast than Fios, and the On-Demand content is not even close comparing the two. And that is if you weed through all the menus to even find something to watch, you likely will have to pay for it. I am also experiencing intermittent loss of sound and a freezing picture from time to time, but only for a second or two. It is still annoying. Fios does have lots of HD content, but much of it is stuff that you may not be interested in.

I know this is kind of long and jumbled, but if someone is on the fence regarding making the switch, make sure you will get what you want. Had I known I would lose my ability to use the print server and NAS, I would not have switched. But now it comes down to money, and saving $60 per month is more important right now than anything else. I just wish I would have been better informed. I realize it is still a new product, and I am hoping things will improve, so I am patient. I would recommend you hang onto whatever you are using for TV now, and then try out the Fios before cancelling. I did not do that, and it would have been too much of a hassle to take advantage of Verizon's 30-day trial period, then switch back to services I had already cancelled. My mistake.

jmcohen23

try posing your questions on the Verizon FIOS Community Forum (on verizon.com), they have some knowledgable techies that could help you through your issues

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"A nickle just ain't worth a dime anymore."
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El'_Gato_Negro

Thanks, I'll do that. I wish I was smarter so I could figure these things out on my own.

iluvink

Well...Here I am 90 days or so with FiOS and guess what...


...I STILL LOVE FiOS. NO regrets.

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Dallas, Texas

Shark2k

Reading your first post in this thread about your network printer not working 99.99% not a problem because of FiOS. You can easily attach another router to the Verizon router, all you need to do is disable DHCP on your router, the Verizon router will take care of that. Once you do that you can plug in more devices or if your router is wireless connect to it that way.

I'm not really sure why you can't watch TV and use your computer at the same time, unless your Tuner card does not have a QAM tuner, but that would more than likely become a problem with all providers at some point in the future anyway.

-Shark2k

GymBrat98

I've had it for 8 months, and I'm still loving it!

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Lew_B

My take on FIOS:
First let me say that I have no great love for ANY major corporation. Having said that, I have to give props to Verizon for actually investing billions of dollars into their distribution system (technology) after realizing that their business model for copper was in trouble. That fiber cable is the biggest pipe on the block. Bigger pipe = more stuff in pipe = more stuff they can charge for.
I've had FIOS for my ISP for 2.5 years and for my TV for a few months, I formerly had CV.
The Internet connection is rock solid, speeds do not vary with time of day or usage. The phone is also solid. I just got the TV and the HD picture blows away what I had with CV. I'm finally getting my monies worth out of my plasma TV. I see the widgets as the tip of the iceberg in terms of what FIOS can do. The actiontec router lets the STBs communicate with the internet side, this to me will be major in the future as FIOS matures.
I did have 1 hassle with getting the PS for the router replaced when it failed and was quite P.O.'ed about it. Nothing has gone wrong since and the HD TV has made me a happy camper again.

admo

I also just signed up for fios, and the current gimmick is that we get a $150 visa card for signing up. Of course, we have to have the service for a few months, be in good standing, blah blah blah. But what I think is so nice is that it seems they actually WANT to give me this card. Rather than the normal rebate in which companies hope you forget to submit receipts etc, Verizon sent me a postcard telling me that I should receive the card at some point, and even has instructions on how to track the status of receiving this card. I'm quite impressed.

Lew_B

I got my card about 2+ months after original install. Came in what looked like an over-night pack. Took it to my bank and got the cash. No muss no fuss.

iluvink

5 MONTH UPDATE!!!

... I STILL LOVE FiOS.

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Dallas, Texas

jmcohen23

since you love FIOS so much, I thought that you might want to comment on this article:

http://jaker023.newsvine.com/_news/2...tion-providers

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-- Yogi Berra

JPL

A couple points that I picked up in that article. First off, yes, ALL of these service companies need to do a better job of providing communication, and of answering questions. It's not just relegated to telecom companies. That's not to excuse the behavior, but just to clarify that this is nothing that's specific to one such industry. Second, I've never waited more than a couple minutes when trying to reach a Verizon rep. Their phone numbers aren't hard to find (there's a nice big Contact Us link on their web page, offering up a slate of phone numbers). I can contact them by phone, by e-mail, or by on-line chat (the last is my preferred method). Do I get some bone-headed responses sometimes? Sure. But overall, I have a hard time complaining about their responsiveness. Granted, this is MY experience. I've heard many a horror story from others... but I can only relate my personal experience. And to be honest, I think Verizon's made huge strides on this front. Do they have room to improve? Obviously.

Second, this part threw me:

"Thus, we typically stick with one company for awhile, allowing them to steadily take advantage of us all along. For example, when I signed up with Comcast in 2001, I was offered to get cable service for $43/month. By 2008, that rate climbed to $63/month (nearly a 50% increase in just seven years). I understand that companies need to maintain their cost structure and have to pay their employees, thus factoring into the all important "cost-of-living" factor. But inflation sure did not rise by 50% over that time."

All I can say is 'ugh'. I really hate these types of comparisons, mainly because they're so shallow. It's like people telling me that they used to only pay $.50 for a gallon of gas - yeah, but your car got 9 miles to the gallon, you had to change out your tires every 10,000 miles, and your car needed tune-ups every 10k miles, making your cost of going from point A to point B MORE expensive than it is today... not less so. But I digress. Talking about cost is important, but so is putting that cost in perspective. Does this guy really mean to imply that his service between 2001 and 2008 didn't change at all? Really? You mean that Comcast didn't implement digital service, DVR service, VOD, and HD (among other things) in that period of time? Really? Before decrying that the cost has significantly outpaced inflation, how about a little perspective on what that cost gets you?