Verizon FIOS vs. Comcast Internet/Phone

[SDon1969]

A door-to-door salesman interrupted my solitude tonight, but maybe it was a good thing. I didn't know that FIOS was available in my area now, but so it is. I have an appointment for March 21st. My decision was based purely on cost - not features, performance, service or anything. Right now I pay $165/mo for TV/Internet and the wife pays about $70/mo on phone, total $235/mo. This guy is quoting me $143/mo, total, for TV, Internet & phone with comparable features (HD Box, HD/DVR Box, 1 Set-top box and two converters, Call waiting & all that). I don't really believe it'll be this low, and I guess after a year it goes up 10 bucks (the HD Box is free for a year), but whatever it is, the cost will seemingly be significantly lower. I'll call before installation and go over pricing again to be sure.

But in any case....good move? I'm basically happy with my current Comcast TV & Internet right now but it costs soooo much...

I did read some older threads on the subject, I just wanted some up-to-date feedback...

[davidxiphoid]

I hear from virtually everyone that FIOS is a lot better quality wise to anything out there. We are just getting it installed in our neighborhood this week. Waiting to see what they are offering price wise.

As it is I already have Verizon dsl, Land phone line and long distance which we pay about $90 bucks a month for On top of the $100 we pay for Dish Network.. If it's a good deal once it gets up and running I think i will def give them a try.

[QwikSand]

I have Comcast and I'm waiting for the other services to come into my area, but everyone I know that is lucky enough to have Fios swears by it and says it's better than they imagined. Supposedly it's the fastest internet offered but I am not sure if that varies by area. My Comcast tv/net/phone bundle just ran out but I was able to renew it for only $10 more at $139. Al I lost was Starz and I never watched that anyways.

[SHines-IT]

FIOS is the shit man, don't even question it and get 20 up and 20 down... But Verizon Cable sucks by what I hear...

[SDon1969]

Well, sounds like it's worth a try, especially for the money I can save. Thanks for the input!

[ground chuck]

a buddy had comcast and switched, raves about it.....

[SHines-IT]

Originally Posted by SDon1969

Well, sounds like it's worth a try, especially for the money I can save. Thanks for the input!

I guess from the money standpoint, it's worth it in this economy.

[Sammy]

We got stuck with uverse in our area as it is historically Pac Bell ==> at&t territory. The pq is pretty pixalated but they only provide fiber to the node and not fiber to the premises as FiOS does. Uverse has way more HD channels but they are not of quite as good of quality as Charter CATV provides (and it is pixelated too) in this area. From what I hear FiOS has way better picture quality than uverse does, but I've never seen FiOS before.

What, exactly, are you getting in the way of programming, internet speeds and telephone service for that price?

[Moefiz]

Yep, same thing happen to my brother in law got a visit for the Fios door to door sales guy, I guess they do that when they first move into an area.He is paying about the same thing as the OP and he is totally happy.Just wish they were in my area

[SDon1969]

Originally Posted by Sammy

We got stuck with uverse in our area as it is historically Pac Bell ==> at&t territory. The pq is pretty pixalated but they only provide fiber to the node and not fiber to the premises as FiOS does. Uverse has way more HD channels but they are not of quite as good of quality as Charter CATV provides (and it is pixelated too) in this area. From what I hear FiOS has way better picture quality than uverse does, but I've never seen FiOS before.

What, exactly, are you getting in the way of programming, internet speeds and telephone service for that price?

Standard programming (Hi-Def x1, HD/DVR x1, Set-top Box x1 and Digital Converter x2), no premiums channel pkgs (the list he gave me looked about the same as what I have now, maybe even more HD channels really), FIOS internet speed he called "20 to one" or something, maybe someone could explain that to me, and telephone service I didn't pay much attention, the wife handled that part.

[mikejet]

Get regular cable tv/internet then get the Magic Jack! Magic Jack FTW!

[davidxiphoid]

Originally Posted by SDon1969

Standard programming (Hi-Def x1, HD/DVR x1, Set-top Box x1 and Digital Converter x2), no premiums channel pkgs (the list he gave me looked about the same as what I have now, maybe even more HD channels really), FIOS internet speed he called "20 to one" or something, maybe someone could explain that to me, and telephone service I didn't pay much attention, the wife handled that part.

My only possible problem with this is that they seem to have tier pricing for different download and upload speeds. this is completely new to me regarding high speed net. Right now I pay 34.95 flat for regular verizon DSL.

I think the lowest tier is 10mbps for 44.99. my DSL is somewhere arounf 7 MBPS download, is it worth it for the extra speed to switch for $10 bucks more? I do a lot of gaming online if that helps anyone with advice.

[SHines-IT]

The best bang for the buck from FIOS is there 20 Up and 20 Down. But I don't think 3 MBPs is worth the extra $10, but I like speed and if I could afford it... I would jump on it. But what speeds are your ups?

[davidxiphoid]

Originally Posted by SHines-IT

The best bang for the buck from FIOS is there 20 Up and 20 Down. But I don't think 3 MBPs is worth the extra $10, but I like speed and if I could afford it... I would jump on it. But what speeds are your ups?

good question.. Don't do a lot of upping other than photos or music when sending to other band members. Mostly just stream watching stuff like hulu, you tube, netflix online etc which I think would be greatly improved with fios.

Not sure if it would cut down on the occasional lag I get while playing my PS3 online or not?

[SHines-IT]

Originally Posted by davidxiphoid

good question.. Don't do a lot of upping other than photos or music when sending to other band members. Mostly just stream watching stuff like hulu, you tube, netflix online etc which I think would be greatly improved with fios.

Not sure if it would cut down on the occasional lag I get while playing my PS3 online or not?

It should help cut it down, I have 7MBPs down and like 4MBPs up and when I gamed online it was not to laggy. But 3 extra MBPs should help out in that case, a bit.

[supersix4]

Just a quick reminder to people with fios who have had it for a long time.. I just found out today that in your internet bracket they've updated speeds, so mine was like the 30 download speed but I just found out that if you call they will bump you up

so if you had 15/2 now you can get 20/5

in my case I had 30/5 or something now for free I get 50/20

they wont upgrade you without you calling them, I think I've lost a year+ not knowing about this

[austin126]

Originally Posted by supersix4

in my case I had 30/5 or something now for free I get 50/20

that is INSANE! 50/20 internet speeds for residential..ive got the 20/5 and its very fast

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by austin126

that is INSANE! 50/20 internet speeds for residential..ive got the 20/5 and its very fast

yeah frickin apparently reading from forums this has been the case since like 07 that they did this... so we've been paying like 130 a mo. for our 30 instead of getting the 50 for two years or at the very least a year!

[tommyboy81]

Remember if you get comcast you have to be prepared to not have a phone line when the power goes out or the cable goes out. Hope you have a cell phone. Don't know if it's just us but certain parts of the day and sometimes certain days when you get on the internet you can hears pops in the phones and the cable starts breaking up when you go to another page on the internet.

[supersix4]

well I just called verizon this morning and got the free upgrade it took all of 5 minutes they were very helpful ... they just release more speed to your connection so no service calls or anything....


Awsome!