So Much For Fios
I'm a little dumbfounded that Verizon would let a customer of over three decades leave so quickly. Alas, I'm getting ahead of myself...
My modem died, and their only solution was to sell me a new one for $59.99 (trust me, if you saw it you'd agree it's a $10 part, tops). I would at least understand if they wanted to try and sign me up for another year to get the modem, like with a cell phone plan. Unfortunately, that's not the deal, even when I told them nicely that I'd be shopping around for "other providers"= Optimum Online that runs down my street.
So, it was off to Optimum we go. I called them up, explained the deal, and asked about both an internet deal, and triple play. I got the following prices: for internet only, including the modem (now a sore spot), they want $29.95 for six months, and then $49.95 thereafter. While the 15/2 speed is no slouch (when you can get it before the kiddies get home and start BitTorrenting), it's kind of expensive compared to Fios.
In for a penny, in for a pound. So, in for more, how about the triple play. I got quoted $29.95 for each of the services (phone, internet, television). Of course, they leave a few details out.
"Do I need a box," I inquired.
"Oh, yes, how many TV's?" was the reply.
I proceeded to tell them that I needed two settop boxes, one for HD and one for standard. I also wanted a DVR which runs $9.95 monthly. Each box (HD and standard are the same) was $6.50 with the remote. The internet is the same 15/2 with the included cable modem. The TV is Family iO package with "180 channels." The phone is a prioritized VoIP package which includes unlimited calling throughout the US.
So, the new total is $112.83 for all of this. Hmmm. Not quite the $29.95 each for all three services. You know, I'm in a Fios area, can you do better? I'm told that they can throw in the DVR for free, so the new total is $102.88. If I want the movie package it's an addition $10, but so far I'm passing on this as I wasn't expecting to do this for a few months.
I inquire about other fees. There's a $14.95 installation fee which they can waive. There's a $40 "number port fee" that they can't waive. I ask for it to reduced, but they won't. Ok, I go ahead, and give them the go ahead, and I make an appointment.
I call Verizon to cancel my DSL, which isn't working anyway, and all of a sudden, they can help. The nice folks now can give me modem for free, and a credit for my downtime. The only thing is that they sign me up for a monthly modem maintenance plan of 99 cents monthly. I'm tempted to go back to my original plan, and forego cable for a few more months.
So, I open this up to the peanut gallery? Was the cable deal I'm getting a good deal or not? Should I stick with Verizon a few more months?
Jonas
My modem died, and their only solution was to sell me a new one for $59.99 (trust me, if you saw it you'd agree it's a $10 part, tops). I would at least understand if they wanted to try and sign me up for another year to get the modem, like with a cell phone plan. Unfortunately, that's not the deal, even when I told them nicely that I'd be shopping around for "other providers"= Optimum Online that runs down my street.
So, it was off to Optimum we go. I called them up, explained the deal, and asked about both an internet deal, and triple play. I got the following prices: for internet only, including the modem (now a sore spot), they want $29.95 for six months, and then $49.95 thereafter. While the 15/2 speed is no slouch (when you can get it before the kiddies get home and start BitTorrenting), it's kind of expensive compared to Fios.
In for a penny, in for a pound. So, in for more, how about the triple play. I got quoted $29.95 for each of the services (phone, internet, television). Of course, they leave a few details out.
"Do I need a box," I inquired.
"Oh, yes, how many TV's?" was the reply.
I proceeded to tell them that I needed two settop boxes, one for HD and one for standard. I also wanted a DVR which runs $9.95 monthly. Each box (HD and standard are the same) was $6.50 with the remote. The internet is the same 15/2 with the included cable modem. The TV is Family iO package with "180 channels." The phone is a prioritized VoIP package which includes unlimited calling throughout the US.
So, the new total is $112.83 for all of this. Hmmm. Not quite the $29.95 each for all three services. You know, I'm in a Fios area, can you do better? I'm told that they can throw in the DVR for free, so the new total is $102.88. If I want the movie package it's an addition $10, but so far I'm passing on this as I wasn't expecting to do this for a few months.
I inquire about other fees. There's a $14.95 installation fee which they can waive. There's a $40 "number port fee" that they can't waive. I ask for it to reduced, but they won't. Ok, I go ahead, and give them the go ahead, and I make an appointment.
I call Verizon to cancel my DSL, which isn't working anyway, and all of a sudden, they can help. The nice folks now can give me modem for free, and a credit for my downtime. The only thing is that they sign me up for a monthly modem maintenance plan of 99 cents monthly. I'm tempted to go back to my original plan, and forego cable for a few more months.
So, I open this up to the peanut gallery? Was the cable deal I'm getting a good deal or not? Should I stick with Verizon a few more months?
Jonas
Labels: broadband, Digital Television, internet service provider, Optimum, triple play, Verizon
posted by digitaldoc at 11:36 AM
5 Comments:
It's not a great deal but it is the one that Garblevision offers. You don't need a box unless you want Speed Channel or one of their premium packages. (The HDTV, if QAM capable, will pick up around 23 HD channels from the standard signal.)
The kiddies don't seem to make much of a difference. If I remember rightly, the Cablevision maintains a 250:1 ratio and that works all right.
Do keep in mind that 911 calls are a mess on VoIP.
If it was me, I'd stay with FIOS. I hate Cablevision. I don't need any boxes so it makes it a cheap solution but the picture quality sucks --at least here.
Thanks for the input. I'm not as worried about the picture quality and can tolerate less than perfection if it keeps the costs down. Verizon quoted me a price of $125 plus around $10 in taxes to set me up with Fios Triple Play.
I rescheduled my install date for 4/29. In the meantime I'll cancel my DSL. I requested to keep the same number, and that takes a while to port over (and two Andrew Jacksons). I'd give Verizon another chance once they get the request, and they see I'm seriously leaving as I've got one foot out the door.
Also, Verizon Fios charges $55 for each new cable run, and Optimum told me they'd throw that in at no extra charge. I'm hoping for RG6 as my runs of R59 are probably 30 years old. Worst case is I use Optimum for the year, and then switch if Verizon offers a better deal at that point. This is getting interesting...
To bad I didn't see this sooner, I have a couple extra Verizon DSL boxes laying around on the parts shelves.
Thanks much Rich, but it all worked out for the best. I didn't think you got involved in that type of networking.
I do all kinds of networking. I even work on Comcrap connections...
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