Author Topic: Cable or FIOS? (Read 1447 times)

Halo · « **on:** January 12, 2008, 06:03:09 PM »

Lotsa similar threads, but cut to the chase for 2008 update: If you could have either Cable or FIOS internet connection for TV and computer, which would you choose and why?

I've been a happy camper with Comcast TV/computer cable for years except for bemoaning its high cost as well as the high cost of Verizon telephone (including wireless). Now Verizon soon will offer FIOS in my area.

Imagine this: I could save writing one check a month by having only one grande communication bill instead of two tall communication bills!

I've Googled and pondered, but so far can't quite believe it's worth the hassle to switch from cable to FIOS. Yet. And Comcast is making noises about even faster internet service than FIOS in the future.

If you have been in similar decision throes for cable vs. FIOS, I'd appreciate your insight. Thanks.

Eagler · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2008, 11:22:21 AM »

cost shouldn't sway you as they will cost the same in the end

I have been a happy cable sub for years and plan to stay that way.

Verizon is the Terminators SkyNet in its infancy

streakeagle · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2008, 10:27:37 PM »

I had road runner cable internet, dish tv, and verizon phone for years.
I recently switched to Verizon for everything.

I ended up with the same monthly bill, but here's what I got over what I had before:
HD channels (dish would have charged me more for those)
20MB download/ 5MB upload (compared to cable with 7MB/512kb)
I could have saved some money going for 10MB/2MB, but there are times when I could really use the 5MB upload, so that's what clinced the deal for me switching to FIOS. The most cable would give me was 1.5MB upload, and I would have had to pay through the nose to get it.

Here is what I lost:
Great customer service. Verizon has had great difficulty getting my order right. Specifically, I didn't have the 20/5 service for a couple of months despite specifically switching to FIOS for this ability. Of course they weren't charging me for it either... but I really had to nag them repeatedly to get this service. Their 1-800 menu blows... designed to keep you going in circles before you actually get to anyone who can help you.
Also, my landline phone now has background interference... like a tv or radio station always talking on it with some static noise thrown in for good measure. Haven't had the time to get them to come out and fix it.
Finally, their router blows. It has some nice features at a glance, but the NAT doesn't seem to work nearly as well as my Linksys WRT54G. I have found information online to allow me to turn their router into a bridge so that my WRT54G gets the WAN assignment, but I haven't had time to mess with that yet. Hopefully, that works and restores me back to the full port forwarding abilities I had before to support hosting games, etc. as even setting a PC to DMZ doesn't quite work with all my games MP interfaces.

What sealed the deal on my decision to switch is when road runner suddenly failed for no reason. tech came out a few days later, had it fixed by replacing all the cable terminals and eliminating a filter that blocked tv stations... then a week later internet went out again. So out of 14 days, I had maybe 4 days of internet. I don't know what their problem was and don't care. FIOS hasn't dropped out yet. Road runner was also in and out all the time when I first moved in to this neighborhood. Took a coulple of years before it got fairly reliable.

Verizon HD channels are pretty darn good. Look great on my 46" 1080p lcd tv.

Halo · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2008, 11:09:36 PM »

Thanks, streakeagle. Exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for. Still considering the options, and so far still inclined to stick with cable for awhile until FIOS gets more mature.

If I were starting from scratch, probably would start with FIOS. But still not even sure about that. Nice to have such excellent competition from which to choose.

Eagler · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2008, 05:24:01 AM »

one more thing .. you have to sign a year contract with Verizon.
Be sure to read the fine print.

howdy streak
can you post a ping plotter to AH (206.16.60.38) for your FIOS?
here is one from my Bright House Networks Road Runner:

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2008, 07:20:58 AM »

switched from Comcast to Fios.
My main complaints about comcast were price and arrogance.
I really didnt have any issues with the internet. So between one and the other for me is a wash.
There are tradeoffs.

Whereas with comcast I was spending around $120 per month for only internet and TV service, which included 1 High Def box and HBO as a premium channel which I could only get on the set with the box.

Fios I am spending around $130 per month for internet TV awnd phone.
We estimated the savings to be about $30 per month on our phone bill.

With Verizon TV we have 3 set top boxes including 1 high def box and we can watch all channels on all TVs. And showtime and the Movie Channel as one of the premium channels

Tradeoff is with Comcast their basic package was better. that is stations you can receive without having a converter box We had something like 70 channels Discover,History channel ETC we could receive just by hooking up the coax calbe to the TV with no set top boxes needed.
With Fios Any tv without a box will only get 49

If your a Football fan. At least in my area the NFL Network is a premium channel with comcast.
With Verizon its part of their standard package for all sets with a box.

I liked Comcasts "on demand" selection better then Fios has. As there seemed to be more variety of choices.
Not that there is any less selection with verizon.
With Comcast I just seemed to have a better variety.

All in all I havent had any problem with costumer service with either.
Actually Verizon is my first experience with an automated system actually working in helping ot resolve an issue.
And I had the option of letting a Cus serv rep call me back rather then sitting on hold for 1/2 hour.

All in all as far as quality I'd rate both about the same.
but there are tradeoff and benifits to each.
Like I said. my two complaints were price and arrogance.
For the longest time Comcast was the only game in town. And thats exactly how they acted.

So when I finally had the option of going elsewhere. I did.

Eagler · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2008, 08:09:10 AM »

DREDIOCK
Did you have to sign up for a year?
Can you post a ping plotter for comparison? I want to see if verizon goes thru Level3 hops like my RR does now. thanks.

Eagler · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2008, 05:31:33 AM »

*BUMP* for a FIOS ping plotter to AH .. thanks

Skuzzy · « **Reply #8 on:** January 17, 2008, 07:11:22 AM »

My traces do not contain Level3 and PingPlot shows 13 hops total. Not that it should matter.

Eagler, you need someone from Florida to make a trace.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2008, 08:07:44 AM »

Sorry. forgot about this thread.

Yes Had to sign up for a year.
But typically with Comcast deals they want you to keep it for a year as well.

You can get out of a verizon deal.

All you have to do is complain enough and THEY will quit you. LOL

There was an article about it a few months ago.

As for ping.
I guess what skuzzy said

Halo · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2008, 01:15:49 PM »

And of course the core question: Skuzzy, which system plays Aces High better, FIOS or cable?

Skuzzy · « **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2008, 01:20:09 PM »

If it is a good connection it does not matter. You can get a bad Internet connection no matter what the physical last mile (your connection) is.

FIOS is like DSL and has a better chance of being more consistent than cable.

With Comcast doing the traffic shaping they are doing, I would avoid them like the plague as they are doing far more than just traffic shaping.

TwinBoom · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2008, 07:02:30 PM »

eagler tampa fios verizon trace

715 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2008, 02:47:58 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
With Comcast doing the traffic shaping they are doing, I would avoid them like the plague as they are doing far more than just traffic shaping.

Skuzzy:

With lots of ISPs, and even backbone providers like AT&T, talking about "shaping" and filtering the net, do you forsee any problems for AH and it's use of UDP protocol? For example, will Comcast's sending of fake reset packets get triggered by an AH UDP session?

Do you see the future possiblity that ISPs and/or backbone providers will come to HTC and demand "protection" money to let your UDP packets get to your customers on time?

715

PS- why does Comcast call it "shaping" when they just reset, ie cancel, P2P torrents? I guess that they figure "zero" is a shape?

Halo · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2008, 09:57:37 AM »

Yards along our street have been striped and spiked with little wirey orange and yellow and red flags.

FIOS is coming.