Or what about Cox's cell phone service? I have neither but would get FiOS before I got Pivot. I love the internet but I'm a cell phone Luddite-lite.

I'm going to be trying out FiOS in my office setting just to see how effective it is. As far as cell phones, I'm going to wait and see what Google has for next year.

VirtualandMore,are you able to get FiOS currently at your workplace? If so, where are you?

I'm with you on the cell phone. I'm waiting to see about 1.) the next-gen iPhone (I'm betting it will have both 3G and GPS) and 2.) the Google Phone. If the GPhone is well done, I'll actually probably go with it as I'm a big Google Apps user.

I read recently that Verizon is trialing a symmetrical 20/20 Mb service in CT/NY/NJ for $65/mo. That is some crazy bandwidth, like half a T3. No idea whether it is limited to residential users, or whether they will restrict server use.

I think I'll wait for that to show up before switching off my Cox connection.

Based on the reading I have done, Verizon has a practice of removing the copper to your home when they install the fiber, leaving you no option to switch to a different landline carrier (if you still have one) or to a DSL connection.  I use Cox for my phone service because it's cheaper (and I get a decent deal having all 3 services from them).  I don't know how I feel about having the copper ripped out leaving no choice for competition on the landline phone.  I also don't know how I feel about losing the option of a low cost broadband service, which is now their DSL (leaving Cox as the only provider for a low cost cable connection with their economy plans).  I would definitely need to read up on it before I'd consider making a switch to FiOS.

Hey Jim,
On one level I hear your concerns about losing copper, on another though I feel that between coax and now fiber and soon WIMAX that copper's useful life is quickly drawing to an end. Anyone who wants my copper can have it. :-) (actually with copper prices what they are right now, I should probably re-think that...)

Jack

I've had the FIOS 20/5 service since, I'm not sure, maybe the Spring... whenever it was first available in my area.  I've been very pleased with it.  It's far superior to the Cox 5/2 service I had before (and not just before being faster -- Cox was crapping out on me every couple of days at the end there).  I've had no trouble with it, it's very fast, and installation was pretty simple (took the tech about 2 hours + 1 hour to replace the modem since the first one he took off his truck wasn't working properly).

That said, I know Cox now also offers a 20mpbs down service, and for something like $99/month you can get digital cable and phone service to boot.  I think that on price, at least, that beats the trifecta package (phone, TV, Internet) from Verizon.  But no idea if Cox's service is any better than it was before.

@runawayjim: Nice to see a fellow Phish fan on the board. ;) 

Read this Article

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/08/06/100141306/index.htm

wow that's very cool. Maybe we should spend more time "b.s.-ing" on the Nexus. I'll bring the homemade chocolates for weekends.

Does anyone on North Main Street (or nearby) in Providence have FiOS? At our office we're stuck with slow Verizon DSL and no option for COX cable (its an old building).

Verizon keeps giving me the runaround on when FiOS is coming to our building, and they can't even verify if anyone nearby has it yet.

Logicomm has had a 20/20 link w/a static IP for a few months...cost: $99/mo.  We've been really pleased, where we had problems with Cox, particularly towards the end of our contract with them. 

 It's true that they rip out the copper connection, but, as Jack said, with Wi-Max (eventually) being deployed, will it really matter? 

We plan on keeping FIOS for the immediate future.

We're located in the Wayland Sq. area of Providence's East Side.  It's my understanding that all of the East Side, downtown, and nearly all of Elmhurst is now  lit up.

 Jim Van
Logicomm, Inc
http://www.logicomm-inc.com

Towerstream's WIMAX service may be another option for businesses to check out.  I have the 8mbps service - which may be more than you need.   But I've also heard good things about their T1-3mbps service. Definitely paying more money than cox or FIOS for symmetrical upload/download speeds, great customer service, and the reliability... but I've been pretty pleased so far. 

Leaning towards FiOs in our new building (off Eddy st DT).  Would love a "Yes, Do It!" recommendation 

Any updates on Fios?  They are pushing it hard over here at the 5 Traverse Gallery in Fox Point, and I kind of wonder, why do they want me to switch SO BADLY that they are throwing money at us?  What's the catch?  A contract, okay, but why do they care so much?  

 And has it come up as an issue for anyone wanting to switch back? 

They're pushing it because, besides themselves (Verizon), the only other real competition they have is Cox. And after a decade or so of state-wide monopoly in Cable TV, I suspect a lot of people are tired of Cox and ready to change. I certainly was. They're also pushing it because the company is sinking tons of money into the fiber rollouts, and they need to be aggressive to ensure they make up their cost. So far I think they're doing pretty well.

Now that the mobile phone industry has gotten us all used to signing 2-year contracts to get the best prices, the traditional telco and TV providers are moving in that direction too. The terms are quite similar, I'm sure, and there's no reason for this to change from the providers' perspective.

One thing to note, just as with mobile phone pricing, the advertised price doesn't take into account taxes and fees, of which there are plenty.

Thanks for the reply.  Are they the only ones in RI to do fiber, so if I switch (and they rip out the copper) they will have *no* competition for my business?

Oh, just got an answer on another thread -- never mind, looks like Cox is getting in on it.

It looks like Fios is close to coming online in Pawtucket. I think some areas of Pawtucket are on and others are not. I called the other day and I think they are only doing single family houses right now. I unfortunatly live in an Apartment complex. But, I'm looking at buing a house.

Hopfully I'll find a house in an area that Fios is already online. Additionally, It would be nice to get a house that has already had the Fios installed. I heard its like a 4 hour job just to strip the copper and replace it with fiber.

I have Verizon FIOS. Let me describe it using Rhode Island terminology: "It's wicked fast."

:-)

What's really cool is my FIOS installer from Verizon showed me the actual cable and peeled away all the layers.  While the cable is roughly the size of coax, the actual fiber itself is thinner than sewing thread, inside a variety of different types of protective shields and layers.  Amazing stuff.  It's also amazing that they can splice this stuff in a truck.

I just bought a house in Johnston which already has Fios. so I don't have to wait for them to come online in Pawtucket. (they are really dragging along for some reason).

One thing that worrys me is If I want to add another outlet in my house down the road will that be something I would be able do on my own. I'm not sure how the availablility of Fiber cable is as opposed to the availability of Coax cable.