Verizon FiOS: Speed bump & Fee bump

[Acer]

This just in: bottom-tier Verizon FiOS internet service in my area (Pittsburgh) being boosted to 15/5 from 10/2.

And, purely coincidentally, the bottom tier fee is going from $40 a month to $50 a month. The speed bump and the fee bump are explicitly stated in the announcement as "not related."

While I'm happy that at least I'll "just happen" to get a little more juice for the mandatory higher fee, I was quite content at the current speed and extra $10 in my pocket.

Any other Verizon FiOS folks get similar news? Sound like an OK deal compared to other options?

[mattkime]

Still far better than TWC

[mikebw]

I guess it really depends on your area, but here in Maryland I was recently able to go from 15/2 to 20/5 and get more TV channels for less than what I was paying when I signed up. Of course this was not an automatic boost, you had to call and ask about it.

[dk62]

Yes, mine goes from 15/2 to 20/5, and from $50 to $60 (Philadelphia area). Unrelated, of course.

[kj4btkljv]

Will somebody please share their FIOS connection with me? We can stretch a cable to the Chicago suburbs, if that works for you...



Jeff

[Acer]

I can give you an account on my wireless network. But you'll need a pretty big antenna.

[mikebw]

Acer wrote:
I can give you an account on my wireless network. But you'll need a pretty big antenna.

Did you know that some FiOS subscribers now have free access to many wireless hotspots around the country? http://www22.verizon.com/Residential/wifi Only for windows laptops, but free is a good start.

[MikeF]

Were any of you "FIOS-ites" concerned about the loss of the actual hardwired connection to your house?

I understand that they remove any leftover copper connection when you go to FIOS...

[mikebw]

MikeF wrote:
Were any of you "FIOS-ites" concerned about the loss of the actual hardwired connection to your house?

I understand that they remove any leftover copper connection when you go to FIOS...

This is not always the case. In my situation the utility lines run underground up to the house so they would have to dig to get them out, more work than necessary. And yes they did have to run the fiber underground but this was a short distance and it was pretty much non-invasive. I think they cut a very narrow trench with a special machine that didn't kill the grass and left no dirt showing, although there were some spray paint marks left on the ground for a few weeks.

As for concern over the loss of the connection, there is none. I don't even have a house phone with FiOS at this point.

[Acer]

I switched the phone over to FiOS at the same time; it was the standard installation with the internet package; anything else would require negotiation and I just did not care enough. However, near as I can tell, all the copper is still attached. We have all above-ground for wire-based utilities in this 1950s vintage neighborhood.