Ordered FIOS - TV Today...

[pilotbob]

Well, the Verizon FIOS sales guy was at my house talking to the wife when I got home today. We signed up...

Gotta tell you, for a sales guy he didn't really know as much as he should. He didn't have any info on the PVR, nor did he have a channel line up.

They wanted to put you on a $40 a month phone service, which was not needed to get some of the special prices. Also, they wouldn't not budge on the phone service price.

So, I ordered...

FIOS Internet 15mbps $34.95
FIOS TV Extended Basic $34.95
HD DVR $12.95
Standard box $3.95
Standard box $free

All these are special prices for the first year. Also, the first month is free and there is no install fee. This is about $25 less a month than BHN for about the same (only have one box with BHN).

As I said, I had to go online to read the info to learn about the DVR and get the channel line-up.

Anyway, I will report back with the install experience and how it all works.

Also, will be calling BHN to cancel to see if they offer me a lower price for what I have.

BTW: I am in the Carrollwood/Northdale area.

BOb

[Bschneider]

Please let us or at least me know how long it takes for them to set you up from start to finish.

[FTBoomerIII]

For 15mbps I'm paying $59.99, i think.

[jeffcraighead]

I had TV and internet service installed yesterday in Temple Terrace. It did actually take 6 hours and my house was allready wired. They had to install the ONT and battery, run the ethernet cable, change some splitters and set up the cable boxes. I've got 3 cable boxes & 1 dvr and 15/2 internet. So far everything is great. I believe the total is $114/mo. BHN will give you a better price but I'm liking the Verizon cable boxes and net service better already.

[Bschneider]

6 hours! Wow. Would it have been faster if the ethernet was already ran to the ONT or least nearby. What kind of splitters did they change?

I am rewiring my home this weekend and I want to be prepared at much as possible. I am installing a wiring cabinet in the master closet.

[pilotbob]

Please let us or at least me know how long it takes for them to set you up from start to finish.

It's scheduled for the 15th. They said it would take 4-6 hours.

BOb

[LonghornXP]

It's scheduled for the 15th. They said it would take 4-6 hours.

BOb

My service in Florida just for the internet service alone took four trucks with about 10 workers all working non stop (not counting an hour lunch break) from 8am all the way to about 9pm. That isn't counting the prep work the day before that took almost 8 hours. It sure isn't cheap but I had much more done than most and I paid extra for most of it as I knew it wasn't included in a free install. I did all this only to move up north but hey at least the new people are ready now.

[pilotbob]

It sure isn't cheap but I had much more done than most and I paid extra for most of it as I knew it wasn't included in a free install.

Such as? I am not aware what "more" is needed.

My one concern is how will they get the CAY 5 from one side of the house to the other. My PC/Router is on the opposite end of the house that the phone and main cable junction box is.

The cable box just burried the cable around the back yard to the other end of the house. Can verizon bury the CAT 5 cable? I guess there must be an outside type that will allow this?

Thanks,
BOb

5 days till freedom from BHN!

[tampatom]

How they get that cat5 from one end of the house to the other is really based on the installer, I think.

I had FIOS installed over a year ago, they said I was one of the first 10 in Florida to get it, and they really took their time and fished the cable through the walls, and the install was great. No extra charges.

Last week my next door neighbor had his installed and they just stapled the cable from the ONT, up the wall, under the roof soffit, all the way around the house, then down his back exterior wall, and drilled a hole into where his computer was. A pretty messy installation, if you ask me.

My suggestion, if you want a clean install, pre-run the cat 5, the way you want it, before they get there. You don't even have to terminate the ends, they'll take care of that. You can always take your chances, and hopefully get a good installer that will take the time, and do it right, or you can always pay to have it done right.

[FTBoomerIII]

or pick up a Belkin Pre-N wireless router. I get 108Mbps for nearly 50 yards in any direction in my house.

[pilotbob]

Ok,

I noticed this morning that Verizon had come and ran a cable from the curb to the side of my house where the current phone network interface attractive gray box is. Not sure when they did it.

The install is scheduled for this saturday.

BOb

* 2 days till Freedom from Brighthouse

[pilotbob]

Ok,

For those of you that asked. Verizon came to my house about 8:30 AM to install my FIOS TV/Internet. Two installers came and it took about 3 hours and they had all the equipment installed and connections made.

However, that is the end of the good news. The phone and TV seemed to work, but the data line would not work. So, no internet. Also, since Verizon uses the Internet to get the TV on-screen-guide that didn't work either.

So, about 12:30 one of the installers left, and told me the other would stay to complete the install. About 2:30 that installer came in and told me there was a bad "pron" or "pawn" (something) card at the office. They can't replace the card during peek hours, and also there are no internet techs on duty on saturday anyway.

The installer reconnected the BHN cable and my old router and cable modem, re-connected the BHN DVR. He told me he would be back "first thing" Monday to finish the job, it would only take about 20 minutes. Well, it is now 12:15 on Monday and I have not seen or heard from the installer.

So, that is all I can report on. I can't report on the service since I still don't have it. Also, I didn't understand how he could do this "first thing Monday" anyway. Since the card can't be changed at peek times, and the techs aren't in the office until Monday morning. Unless they could have changed the card out Saturday or Sunday night, I don't know.

Anyway... I'll report back with the conclusion of this saga.

BOb

[djkilla]

Thanks for the update. Be sure to let us know how the service is, both internet and tv.

-D j K i l l a-

[pilotbob]

Ok,

Well, an installer (not the guy from Saturday) finally showed up at 1 PM to finish the install. He was there for 4 hours according to the wife.

So, all told 10 hours streached over two days to get this installed. I will post first impressions in another thread.

BOb

[millerman101]

4 to 6 hours..damn thats going to drive some people nuts...

[Vaidy]

I hope my installation goes better than Bob's, especially since I need the internet service whenever I work from home. I will keep my fingers crossed.

[Jesse_Garron]

For internet - I thought they would give you a wireless router if you signed up for a year...

So, the prices for fios on Verizon's site are good only for the first year? Anyone have an idea of what happens during the second year?

I finally have our yard looking OK. What kind of job do they do laying the line from the fios box to your house? Do they trench it the whole way, or what? I'm guessing they just throw the grass they dug up - back down.

Also, I use a Samsung 360 sat. receiver - any chance HD would work through this? I'm guessing no, but was curious. I'm pretty certain that you can only pass through SD cable. I would guess the sat format would be different than fios, so one probbaly couldn't hook HD cable to Sat input.

Thanks,

JG

[pilotbob]

For internet - I thought they would give you a wireless router if you signed up for a year...


Yes... they do. Actually, you don't have to sign up for a year to get this. But, if you don't stay a year you have to return it or pay $80 charge.


So, the prices for fios on Verizon's site are good only for the first year? Anyone have an idea of what happens during the second year?


Actually, not sure what prices are on the site. But, I just got my bill, and was not charged what the sales guy told me. Surprise. But, after talking to them it sounds like:

For Internet new customers get $5 off for first year. Plus, you get $5 off for one year contract. So, first year is 29.95(5/2)/39.95(15/2) which is what on the phone they said my next month bill would be 39.95 for the 15/2. After the first year you have to pay $5 more (34.95/44.95) if you still with 1 year contract or $10 more if you go month to month.

For TV the base package is $39.95 a month. You can get $5 off or free SD box ($3.95) for 12 month contract. No discounts on premiums. Go for the $5, duh! Not sure if this remains after the first year. I assume it will if you renew for another year.

Also, the door-to-door special of 1 month free on the TV (core) is good.

Finally, if you have HD you are better off getting the DVR. The HD box is $9.95 a month the DVR is $12.95. So, only $3 more per month.


I finally have our yard looking OK. What kind of job do they do laying the line from the fios box to your house? Do they trench it the whole way, or what? I'm guessing they just throw the grass they dug up - back down.


You mean from the curb to the box? They made a little trench, and yes, replaced the same grass strip. I can't even notice it now... It would look better if it would rain a bit.


Also, I use a Samsung 360 sat. receiver - any chance HD would work through this? I'm guessing no, but was curious. I'm pretty certain that you can only pass through SD cable. I would guess the sat format would be different than fios, so one probbaly couldn't hook HD cable to Sat input.


I'm not sure what this is. If it passes the signal it should work. Passing bits is passing bits.

HTH,
BOb

[Jesse_Garron]

Thanks, Bob.

I signed up yesterday. My total bill SHOULD be (we'll see) 123 a month

Intenet 5/2 w/ free router
TV Basic package with DVR
Phone (no long distance)

I got the 29/mo deal on the internet for first year. Also, free first month TV.

Man, I hope this system works as they yank out your copper and apparently, you can't get it back.

The samsung 360 is a satellite receiver usually used with Direct TV. I use it solely for HD OTA. It will pass an HD satellite signal, but not an HD cable signal. I've never had satellite, and I'm not familiar what the signal is like. I'll give it a try...

[pilotbob]

I signed up yesterday. My total bill SHOULD be (we'll see) 123 a month

Intenet 5/2 w/ free router
TV Basic package with DVR
Phone (no long distance)


We stuck with the same phone service we already had. They didn't require us to up it to get any specials. But, even paying the "Real" prices I am still geting more then BHN for about $30 less a month.

Good luck. Let us know how your install goes.


The samsung 360 is a satellite receiver usually used with Direct TV. I use it solely for HD OTA.

Ah. Well... you won't need that any more. Or do you plan to continue using it for a second TV? If so, I doubt it will work with the FIOS TV signal, except for perhaps the first 15 channels. You can get those without a box.

BOb

[pilotbob]

My total bill SHOULD be (we'll see) 123 a month


Just remember that's before that $30ish in taxes.

:)

BOb

[Jesse_Garron]

I hope not. I asked specifically for the amount of the bill after all other charges. Have you received a bill yet?

[Jesse_Garron]

We stuck with the same phone service we already had. They didn't require us to up it to get any specials.

You mean you still have copper phone line service?

[pilotbob]

You mean you still have copper phone line service?

I have the same exact phone service I had before (price / package) but it now runs via the fiber. I assume if I cancel FIOS TV / Internet my phone would continue to run through the fiber.

BOb

[pilotbob]

I hope not. I asked specifically for the amount of the bill after all other charges.



Have you received a bill yet?

Yes.

So, here is what you said you were getting:

$29.95 Intenet 5/2 w/ free router
$39.95 TV Basic package with DVR
$12.95 DVR*
-$5.00 Annual contract special*

$28.95 Phone (no long distance)

I added/assumed asterisk items. For phone I assume you got/stayed with the Verizon Local Package (unlimited local, no ld, 3 features).

So, that totals you to:
$106.80

Then you have:
Phone fees/taxes
0.50 Gross Receipts
0.15 Tele Relay service charge
0.50 911-county
0.71 Federal USF
6.50 Federal subscriber line fee
0.87 Fed Excise Tax (3%)

TV fees/taxes:
.27 Equipment County Sales Tax
1.61 Equipment State Sales Tax
1.06 State Commmunications Tax
0.53 Local Communications Tax

Internet tax:
(Probably nothing here. I show $7 but the mistaken charged my $99 for an "additional router" which I didn't have.)

12.70

So, you may be close to your 123.

BOb

[Jesse_Garron]

Great, that's pretty much the setup I have. Thanks, Bob.

[Harry]

The Verizon guys came door to door in my area today (Carrollwood Village Phase III). They want to hook the optical up to the house and cut over your phone no matter what. They leave the copper in the house. All they want is to get rid of the copper on the street and shut down the old network. While they are setting that up they make a pitch to try either their TV or internet for a month for free and see if you like it better. I am going to try the TV. It looks like I could save a little money and may get a little better choice of channels so we will see. The pitch is all digital which is very attractive because the BHN analog is awful on an HD set. They are scheduled to come in three weeks and do it. We will see.

Harry

[Vaidy]

FYI, I cancelled my order which was scheduled on June 2. This was due to a couple of compelling reasons which have nothing to do with any possible installation problems!

BTW, a colleague of mine in New Tampa had FIOS internet (DSL) service working and the technicians came over to install FIOS Video yesterday. As part of their work, they upgraded the firmware on his router (or changed it?). Whatever they did, his video did not work. In addition, his internet (DSL) connection went down. He is technically knowledgable and believes that after his router firmware was upgraded, the signal to his PC fried his NIC card! He was able to hard-wire his laptop to the router and resume working from home using his internet connection.