Dragon_F6

I'm considering an upgrade to HDTV and have two options. Upgrade my existing COMCAST service (TV, Internet and Phone Service) or switch to Verizon FIOS.

Doe anyone have experience with FIOS? or Comcast Phone Service?
I'm hearing horror stories with both services? Price-wise, the overall monthly costs are too close to be a deciding factor. Plus Comcast has a history of jacking the monthly cost up a buck or two every few months....and then blame it on Peter Angelos or the Nationals, or some other entity.

Looking for some of you experiences here in MID-A with either.

Thanks,

Steve

gfacter

I have the Comcast HD and cable modem service, it's been pretty reliable. I did have some signal strength problams at first, but they came out and rewired outside cable.

The cable modem speed is ok, but used to be blazing fast, something changed

Comcast is going to raise the rates again next month becase of the added nationals coverage.

Does the FIOS service offer TV programming?

I would like to cut down on the costs if posssible. All I want is the Speed channel and a few HD channels.

Dragon_F6

This is the breakdown of FIOS
Verizon information:


Requirements
3 PC connected to Internet
5 TVs (2 HD / 3 Regular)


Internet:
Package I - 34.95 per month (5 Meg Download Speed- Same a COMCAST Currently)
Package II - 4.95 Per Month (15 Meg Download Speed - Faster than COMCAST)
Installation, Wireless router are free. PC cards cost $$$

Installation:

1) Replace Telephone network interface box on the outside of the house with an OMT (Fiber Optic Interface).
2)Run Fiber to a Wireless router in the house
4)Configure the Pcs to connect to internet.

TV
Basic Expanded Services (180 channels including Local Station)
34.95 a month.
Movie Package (optional) 11.95 a month
HBO 14.95 a month Cinemax 14.95 a month or Combined for 24.95 a month
Standard TV Box:3.95 a month
HD Box: 9.95 a month
Multi-room DVR 19.95 a month
3 rooms included in the installation.
19.95 each additional room

Installation
From the OMT to Basement Cable distro box (splitter) to TVs
(uses the existing house cable infrastructure for TV Service only)


Side Benefit (or so they say)
Existing Phone service is clearer because if Fiber to the house. At no additional charge.
As part of the installation a battery backup is installed to keep the phone system functioning for "some time" if power goes out.

Installation schedule: 7 business days.

gfacter

That's a good $ 30.00 a month cheaper.

Now hurry up and get it and let me know how it works

Dragon_F6

I hear ya, George.
Then I have the hassle of switch all my email from comcast to msn or yahoo.

FrostyWinters

My parents just got FIOS last month. They got the $34.95 with 5 mbps download speed. It's pretty amazing, and it feels faster than my Comcast cable when I had it.

Installation took about 3.5 hours. The guy had to install a FIOS hub in the basement. Since my parents' house is pretty new (2002), it had the Verizon residential hub installed when built. So the FIOS goes into the FIOS hub, then wires come out from the FIOS hub and connects to the residential hub, which has the CAT5 switch. From there, it's all CAT5 up to the study and connects the router and computer. If your computer has built-in ethernet port or wireless cards, you don't have to get them. You just have to set up the router correctly.

After that they have to check the connectivity of your FIOS. On ours it turned out there was a loose connector outside the house so the tech had to replace it. Everything done and ready in 3 and a half hours. I'd say this experience is much better than what I had with Comcast.

Get the FIOS. I'd get it in a heartbeat if it's available in my area.

S2KinVA

The comcast gets slower as they add users. The FIOS is all fiber optic and should be able to handle a greater load.

Of course I live in BFE so I cant get either

CaptKirk

I'm switching to Verizon 15 mbps Fios tomorrow. I currently have Cox 5 mbps cable...which has given me a lot of grief and headache over the past month or two.

I am then planning on switching our TV service over from Cox to Verizon once I figure out a good way to transfer some stuff I have on my DVR to DVD.

I will let you know how the FIOS performs in the next few days...

Dragon_F6

Thanks.

MD06LBP

I have Verizon 15mbps FIOS. Fast as hell, no lag in any games. I used to work for Verizon Wireless, the Germantown store was the first one in the county with a Verizon FIOS kiosk. Go there, the guys there will take care of you. They're good people, and got me set up nicely. Also, I don't know if this is continued, but back in May when I left Verizon they had a thing going where if you signed up for FIOS, you got a $50 Verizon Wireless gift card. You can use it to pay your cell bill, buy a new phone, accessories, whatever. Of course, if you don't have VZW, doesn't do you much good. Any other questions about Verizon, ask away.