Verizon FiOS in Hillsborough

[Untamed]

Ok, I got curious from the central CFS meet thread. I understand FiOS is a broadband internet service from Verizon, however I was wondering if it really is better than cable?

I currently have 13MB broadband service from Patmedia. Other than this recent problem with connecting, I haven't had any problems with my cable internet service. Its pretty fast and have no complaints.

Is FiOS truly better? Or is it just cheaper? What is the reliability like? Do I have to have Verizon long distance service as well?

Thanks!

[WildBillyT]

Dave-

I got the triple play- Phone, Internet, and TV. It is about $100 a month for all 3. I also sprang for the HD channels and the DVR, both of which were well worth it.

Regarding the phone, it is:
Unlimited local, regional and long distance calling in the U.S. and Puerto Rico
-Home Voice Mail (where available)
-Caller ID
-Call Waiting

I had Patmedia before and it is noticibly faster on the Internet side- if you are cabled. If you use a wireless I don't think it will matter too much. You will be limited by your wireless connection.

The TV service is good as well. It's just like digital cable would be I guess.

No real complaints other than that they have a backlog of installs so you have to wait a month or two before they can come hook it up.

[Tru2Chevy]

Unless you are saddled with 802.11 B only (as in not 802.11 G or N) you will notice a big jump from any cable line to FiOS....

- Justin

[WildBillyT]

Unless you are saddled with 802.11 B only (as in not 802.11 G or N) you will notice a big jump from any cable line to FiOS....

- Justin

I didn't. Might just be my setup though.

[Tru2Chevy]

Well, and 802.11g setup (with good signal) should be able to pump 54mb across the connection.....when most cable packages are 6-12 mb downstream, and FiOS is 25 (will vary in some areas), you *should* be able to record that difference when testing your connection speeds.

Do you have any 802.11b devices on your wireless network? Sometimes the whole network will drop to that speed.....

- Justin

[PolarBear]

In this case Better is relative. Where I am I have Optimum. Is Fios better than Optimum? The answer is subjective but my feeling is "yes". Is Fios better than Comcast and Patmedia, I would also say yes. My uncle who also had optimum went to fios because it was going to save him money. They had some issues with the service and when the Optimum sales guy came around to customers who switched from them, he went back. My friends neighbor also had MAJOR problems with Fios, they would shut his internet off every week even though he had the tripple package.
I dont like Verizon in general from having a wireless phone from them. They also block the ports on your internet so you cant run a website from your home, that is if you want to. I am hosting my friends website now because of verizon.

[Untamed]

Well the cable modem works again and is fast. Few song DLs then watched a TV episode off a website with no problems.

Kinda hard to make the jump when things are working. It's only when I'm without my 'net fix that I contemplate other sources I guess. I'd like to find a cheaper source, but I also want reliability. So far this last hiccup was the only problem I had with Patmedia. Gonna think about htis one some more because saving a few bucks is equally important.

Thanks for the insight guys.

[foff667]

Well the cable modem works again and is fast. Few song DLs then watched a TV episode off a website with no problems.

Kinda hard to make the jump when things are working. It's only when I'm without my 'net fix that I contemplate other sources I guess. I'd like to find a cheaper source, but I also want reliability. So far this last hiccup was the only problem I had with Patmedia. Gonna think about htis one some more because saving a few bucks is equally important.

Thanks for the insight guys.

Yup, i got sick of my cable internet dropping so dropped cable internet instead & changed to verizon's dsl when it was $15/mo...compared to my $50/mo cable it was slower but for 1/3 the price I didn't care much. I recently upgraded to the better $30/mo verizon package which is twice as fast as the old dsl so its been very good so far.

Fios would be nice but I don't think a necessity YET...obviously im in a business where I need fast internet(most files that are sent to me now are 2-4mb in size) but until im getting a ton of these files every day I'll stick with what I have.

-Bill

[HardcoreZ28]

Dave when I had my house hooked up about 3 weeks ago I called around and PatMedia is pretty much the only option in Hillsborough still. FIOS isn't available and Optimum wasn't but should be in a few weeks. I've had nothing but good service so far with my Pat Media though even with song DL's and everything else.

[Tru2Chevy]

I guess it depends on the area you're in....I had FiOS for a year (May 2006-May2007) and never once had trouble with it. I've had Comcast (in my apartment where FiOS isn't available yet) sine June 07, and my cable has been out at least a dozen times......sigh. I miss my FiOS.

- Justin

[BonzoHansen]

FIOS >>> Optonline.