Description
Why isn't Verizon (FIOS) allowed to lay lines down so that we (Saratoga County Residents) can have more choice in the Cable/TV/Internet service we want to use? Spectrum (Timewarner) was allowed to lay down lines, and is still allowed to offer services without any competition. Why should this be the case?
2 Comments
Al Karoly (Registered User)
There is nothing stopping Verizon from installing fiberoptic cable except economics. I know for a fact that Brookfield Place (off of Harris & Guideboard) had Verizon fiber installed when the development was built several years ago. It was brought in overhead from the Verizon substation on Grooms Rd to the development, then placed underground before any driveways were built. I'm not certain but I believe that Clifton Knolls also has Verizon fiber because all of their utilities are above ground. The requirement to place the fiber underground and the need to place it under driveways in the hope that you might connect is not a reasonable business decision. I believe another driving force is the desire for wireless providers to eventually move internet & tv distribution to their wireless networks.
That's my 2 cents.
user (Registered User)
You need to contact the construction dept at FIOS, and ask them if they can add your address to their system. It is difficult to install FIOS after the development is built, since they like to go underground for all their services.
It requires hubs in the underground boxes, and from the box they then run a line to your home. If the underground services are not existing, you would need to convince your neighbors to let them run the lines and put in the boxes in the ground that they need.
I have experience with this, in S.C. and they approached the HOA and made a pitch to all the homeowners, and they offered huge discounts for anyone willing to sign up then and there. I think the deal was Phone, Internet and Cable, with HBO and Cinemax, might have even included more than that, but it was at least that much, and they were offering that package, a 200.00 a month package, for 50.00 a month for 3 years.
If you rent, even if it is a townhouse, there is little chance FIOS or any other provider will run new service.
But, if you and your neighbors all own the lots, and the houses, you should go to your HOA and have them approach Verizon with a list of addresses that would take service now and sign a contract for a 3 year agreement.
It is all about money, and doing all the work, for 2 or 3, or even 6 houses, it does not pay for them to do this, especially with the new technology coming out.
In a few years they are going to start rolling out the high speed Internet and TV over the air, using the new 6G frequencies.
There is some 4G, and I think one or two towers that use 5G in Saratoga County, but 6G is coming, and with it unlimited data, but it is going to be a while.
For now, TWC is most likely what you are stuck with. But, it never hurts to try. Contact your neighbors and your HOA and have them ask for a meeting at your next HOA meeting, and make your case to Verizon.
I have FIOS, and I love it. I had to plead my case to get it, and the "flower pots" that is what the boxes in the ground are called, they were already here, there was even one in my yard, and the conduit was underground, but there was no fiber in it.
They had to come out and run from the nearest hub, a new line, to my flower pot, and then into my house.
The most awesome thing is, if the power goes out, they have a battery backup box, that takes D cell batteries, that allows you to keep using your phone, and if you have a backup generator, you can keep you Internet and phone and TV working, even if the whole city is without power, that happens a lot up in Clifton Park.
I know, I used to live there, and 6 days without power was typical a few times a year up there.
There is DSL, I think 3mbs downstream, 1mbs upstream. Slow, but it is an option if you can't get FIOS and don't want TWC.
BTW, TWC is really good, compared to Comcast. If you ever have to deal with Comcast, you will long for the days of having TWC. I had to switch when I moved, and I was crawling the walls to get away from Comcast after they robbed me, about 800 dollars, for 1 month of service, after they promised a 1 month free trial, and luckily I did not sign anything, or I would have been paying 400 a month for 2 years.
They were really upset that I did not sign, and they looked all over for the contract, and yelled at everyone from the installer to the tech on the phone about it. Something like, "you MUST get them to sign, or don't give them the "1 month free trial""
In other words, we lie, and we steal from customers, and we are really a horrible company.
Thank God Comcast was not allowed to buy TWC.
Comcast is trying to buy AOL, which is TWC, and several other ISPs, and DirectWay.
Comcast wants a complete monopoly of the Internet. It would be horrific if it happens, and Verizon is our last hope for a fair price and good service.
100% reliability. I have never had an outage. Really incredible service, and a fair price, and the upload speed is 50mbs, which is amazing to see. Download is the same 50mbs, and you can go up to 300mbs if you really need it.
Good Luck, and let us know how you make out.