Warning Boring Nerd Post Follows:
Finally, Verizon Fios Internet has been installed!
<Nostalgia> I remember when I was about 14 or 15 and the phone company came to our house and had to go into our backyard to measure for *future optical lines*. At the time I was using my sweet new 14.4 modem to access the internet so I then researched what optical lines were and carried, and boy I became excited!</Nostalgia>
So when I first read about Verizon’s plans to run fiber optics to each person’s house and then the subsequent tests in NY… I was interested. A few years back when I was driving down Downey ave and I saw the Giant spools of fiber optic cable being strung down the street it’s really unnecessary to say I was SUPER excited. Last october when I found out they were building networks and hooking up houses in Long Beach… lets just say I became antsy. Then two months ago when we found out we were moving to Lakewood and then a few days later in the neighborhood I saw a Verizon truck where I stopped and had a conversation with the tech about the FIOS network they were currently building… at this point I was doing a silent happy dance.
Now I that I have it installed it’s time for a review:
Verizon offers a few different packages for Internet: 5mb/2mb, 15/2 and 30/5 service. I chose the 15/2 service. My thoughts… it’s crazy fast! You find that your connection is better than quite a few websites and others just appear. Technically, I’ve been able to max out my connection at 1.86 MB/s (Mega Bytes per second) which translates to being able to download a full single layer/single sided DVD (4.35GB) in under 40 minutes.
They also offer phone service which is priced reasonably but I find that I don’t use my landline much during the month so VOIP serves my purposes fine. Starting April 1st Verizon switched on their TV service, which I consider the final nail in the coffin for Cable companies. I currently don’t have the TV service because I’m still finishing my contract with Dish Network but a friend does have it and I must say the Picture quality (of standard definition TV) is where cable and satellite providers were 10 years ago. Their HD service is both full bitrate and full resolution which makes for a stellar picture. Their pricing for TV and available channels is also very competitive making me want to switch over when my contract runs out.
Bottom line is no one touches Verizon Fios Price/Performance and I don’t think many will be able to. If you’re in an area that has it, get it. If you’re on a waiting list call your contact weekly to check the status of your order as they aren’t as excited as you. If you’re in an area that has the lines but hasn’t had the network built, you’ll just have to wait. I understand the demand is out-weighing their construction/install crew capabilities, but they are getting more efficient with each neighborhood block they build. As Petty sang… the waiting is the hardest part…. but it’s sure worth it!
