Consumer group: Video competition working in Texas
By Carol Wilson

Mar 2, 2006 10:56 AM


A new consumer group, claiming independence from industry funding, says its research shows consumers are benefiting from Verizon’s entry into the Texas video market, even if they don’t subscribe to its service.

Stephen Pociask, president of the American Consumer Institute, a relatively new group, said consumers who switch to Verizon’s FiOS TV from local cable offerings are benefiting from lower prices, but so are those who threaten to switch and don’t. In addition, he said, Verizon’s fiber-to-the-premises buildout and new broadband services are growing the overall market. The overall message, he said, is that competition works and will save consumers billions.

Pociask said his group is independent and is not funded by the telephone companies.

“We did this survey because we wanted to see whether or not we would really see the benefits of competition quickly to determine if maybe there is something to this idea of speeding entry,” he said. “We wanted to look at a place where competition is just forming to see if consumers really know what is happening.”

The survey showed that Verizon’s entry grew the overall market, as 23% of its customers were not existing cable or satellite users, Pociask said. In addition, the arrival of competition drove down overall prices, benefiting those who threatened to switch and didn’t.

Half of the consumers who switched service providers saved $22.60 per month on their service while consumers who stayed with their existing service provider saved $26.83 per month, according to the American Consumer Institute research.

“Verizon’s customers tended to buy more digital stuff--they bought broadband, telephone service, digital video recorders--overall, they bought more,” Pociask said. “So they saved money on their service but spent it on more services.”

The overall loser in the market share war was satellite service, he added.

“The wireline pie really is growing--that should alleviate the fears the municipalities have the competition will put franchise fees in jeopardy,” Pociask said. “That was one of the big shocks.”

The survey turned up two consumers who switched to Verizon’s FiOS TV and then switched back, a sign of very early churn considering the FiOS TV service was launched last fall in Keller, Texas, and expanded into six other Texas communities in December.

The survey covered 883 residents of three Texas communities that received the service within the last six months.

The American Consumer Institute is self-funded and explores consumer issues in addition to telecom matter such as consumer safety, food and drug recalls and health issues.

The results of the survey are available at www.theamericanconsumer.org.

http://telephonyonline.com/fttp/marketing/consumer_fios_texas_030206/

Has anyone in Fairfax got their VOD to work? I haven't been able to see any VOD programming in two days now.
Verizon needs a TV channel dedicated to system troubles - instead of everyone calling customer service they could just dedicate a channel to push out current info - like: VOD in FFX is down for the next 3 days.

I've had FiOS TV for just over two weeks and I have NEVER gotten it to work (not that I have tried alot). Either I get a message immediately that says "VOD is temporarily unavailable", or I actully start to watch something on VOD and I get the "unavaible" message about two minutes into it.

Has anyone in Fairfax got their VOD to work? I haven't been able to see any VOD programming in two days now.

I've had FiOS TV for just over two weeks and I have NEVER gotten it to work (not that I have tried alot). Either I get a message immediately that says "VOD is temporarily unavailable", or I actully start to watch something on VOD and I get the "unavaible" message about two minutes into it.

I called 1-888-553-1555 yesterday and got connected to the Hampton Roads FSC. I reported a problem I've been having trying to record programs via FireWire from the hard drive to a D-VHS VCR. During that call I also mentioned the erratic nature of the VOD that I've experienced so far in my 6 weeks of service. One thing the tech I spoke with drove home to me is that it is important to let them know about all the issues we are having, especially during the early part of their rollout. The more detailed you can be with your report, specific error message, time of day, etc., the better. The more diligent we can be about bringing things to their attention, the better the service will be in the long run. I plan to take the advice.

Has anyone in Fairfax got their VOD to work? I haven't been able to see any VOD programming in two days now.
Verizon needs a TV channel dedicated to system troubles - instead of everyone calling customer service they could just dedicate a channel to push out current info - like: VOD in FFX is down for the next 3 days.

It's worked perfectly for us from the day we got FiOS a few weeks ago, but we live in Texas. The pickings were slim compared to Comcast Cable, though, until we subscribed to the movie package. FiOS does not have the dozens of free movies on VOD that Comcast has in its On Demand section.

Both RG-6 and RG-11 have the same 72-ohm impedence. RG-11 is a thicker cable that has less loss per foot than RG-6. In home installations, for inside wiring, RG-6 is the most practical. This is especially true with digital signals. No changeout required.

WizDad

Consumer group: Video competition working in Texas
By Carol Wilson

Mar 2, 2006 10:56 AM


A new consumer group, claiming independence from industry funding, says its research shows consumers are benefiting from Verizon’s entry into the Texas video market, even if they don’t subscribe to its service.

Stephen Pociask, president of the American Consumer Institute, a relatively new group, said consumers who switch to Verizon’s FiOS TV from local cable offerings are benefiting from lower prices, but so are those who threaten to switch and don’t. In addition, he said, Verizon’s fiber-to-the-premises buildout and new broadband services are growing the overall market. The overall message, he said, is that competition works and will save consumers billions.

Pociask said his group is independent and is not funded by the telephone companies.

“We did this survey because we wanted to see whether or not we would really see the benefits of competition quickly to determine if maybe there is something to this idea of speeding entry,” he said. “We wanted to look at a place where competition is just forming to see if consumers really know what is happening.”

The survey showed that Verizon’s entry grew the overall market, as 23% of its customers were not existing cable or satellite users, Pociask said. In addition, the arrival of competition drove down overall prices, benefiting those who threatened to switch and didn’t.

Half of the consumers who switched service providers saved $22.60 per month on their service while consumers who stayed with their existing service provider saved $26.83 per month, according to the American Consumer Institute research.

“Verizon’s customers tended to buy more digital stuff--they bought broadband, telephone service, digital video recorders--overall, they bought more,” Pociask said. “So they saved money on their service but spent it on more services.”

The overall loser in the market share war was satellite service, he added.

“The wireline pie really is growing--that should alleviate the fears the municipalities have the competition will put franchise fees in jeopardy,” Pociask said. “That was one of the big shocks.”

The survey turned up two consumers who switched to Verizon’s FiOS TV and then switched back, a sign of very early churn considering the FiOS TV service was launched last fall in Keller, Texas, and expanded into six other Texas communities in December.

The survey covered 883 residents of three Texas communities that received the service within the last six months.

The American Consumer Institute is self-funded and explores consumer issues in addition to telecom matter such as consumer safety, food and drug recalls and health issues.

The results of the survey are available at www.theamericanconsumer.org.

http://telephonyonline.com/fttp/marketing/consumer_fios_texas_030206/

After reading the above, I sent the following email to the American Consumer Institute:

Personal experience:

We had DirecTV (north of Denton, TX) for several years until June 2004. SD (standard definition) only, no HD (high definition), even though we had a 50" HD-capable television for our last year or so of DirecTV.

From July 2004 until February 2006 we had Comcast Cable (in both Lewisville and now Highland Village, TX), including both SD and HD, as well as Comcast Internet. The SD was slightly better than DirecTV, esp. on the analog channels. The HD was, of course, very good.

In February 2006, we tried Verizon FiOS TV (we had already switched from Comcast Internet to FiOS Internet in March 2005 - FiOS was faster and cheaper than Comcast). Regardless of the cost, the SD channels were better than Comcast Cable (some of the movie channel stations look almost as good as DVDs, and Turner Classic Movies is a noticeable improvement over Comcast Cable), and the HD channels are likewise very good, and maybe even better than they were on Comcast. We didn't even do an A:B comparison before cancelling Comcast, as the picture quality improvement with FiOS was quite obvious.

If cost were one's consideration, then Comcast Cable might be the better choice, if they offer a low enough price to keep you as a customer. But if picture quality is what you're after, Verizon FiOS is the best you can currently get if your choices are DirecTV, Comcast Cable, or Verizon FiOS.

Their response:

Thank you for sharing for experience with us. It reflects the overwhelming sentiment of consumers we surveyed in Texas. I do appreciate you comments in this matter.

With Best Regards,
Stephen Pociask
The American Consumer Institute

I called 1-888-553-1555 yesterday and got connected to the Hampton Roads FSC. I reported a problem I've been having trying to record programs via FireWire from the hard drive to a D-VHS VCR. During that call I also mentioned the erratic nature of the VOD that I've experienced so far in my 6 weeks of service. One thing the tech I spoke with drove home to me is that it is important to let them know about all the issues we are having, especially during the early part of their rollout. The more detailed you can be with your report, specific error message, time of day, etc., the better. The more diligent we can be about bringing things to their attention, the better the service will be in the long run. I plan to take the advice.
Thanks for the advice. I called and after resetting both boxes, VOD works as advertised. While waiting for the boxes to initialize I chatted with the tech (who knows about this forum) and asked wheather cablecard will be available (he said a couple of months) and the networking feature of the boxes will be turned on (he said that will take longer).

Now if I could just get through all the CSR phone menus a bit faster - Verizon doesn't make it very easy for folks that don't have their phone service. :rolleyes:

Topic unstuck.

bump

VOD has worked relatively well for us, although there have been the ocassional system crashes when FFing late in a program. I have officially adopted a policy to stop doing that and just endure the short commercials. Maybe that was their plan all along....

A couple of things I would like to see with VOD:

1. More selections and faster update of existing selections. There are programs we just love, but it seems like the refresh rate on many categories is on the order of 1-2 months;

2. A better way to move quickly through a VOD program to a particular point. FFing 45 minutes into a 2 hour program sucks.

3. It would be really nice if after a VOD program is the menu fell back to the list where the program was selected, rather than forcing you to navigate through the entire set of VOD menus from the start. This is especially useful if you are sampling a number of programs quickly.

Verizon to offer Fios to apartments

By Marguerite Reardon, Story last modified Wed Mar 08 14:48:57 PST 2006
http://news.com.com/Verizon+to+offer+Fios+to+apartments/2100-1034_3-6047589.html

Verizon Communications said Wednesday that it will soon serve people living in apartments, condominiums and cooperatives with its fiber-to-the-home network, Fios.

Verizon has already deployed fiber-optic lines near more than 3 million homes in 18 states and roughly 800 communities. It plans to add another 3 million homes to its fiber network by the end of 2006. It has already begun offering TV service over this network to people in 24 communities in several states, including Texas, New York, California, Massachusetts, Florida and Virginia.

But until now, Verizon has sold service only to people living in single-family homes. That will soon change, according to Verizon executives. The company has already negotiated agreements for more than 57,000 apartment units. And it expects to triple that figure for 2006.

"Verizon has made a clear commitment to serving multi-dwelling buildings," said Eric Cevis, vice president of Verizon's Enhanced Communities group. "We are intensifying our effort, begun last year, to get Fios services into the MDUs (mutli-dwelling units), and we expect this year to dwarf last year's MDU sales penetration."

Verizon will initially concentrate sales efforts in places where it has already begun building Fios. It will also look for opportunities in some densely populated cities, such as New York City, where it has not yet deployed fiber. In some instances Verizon will negotiate exclusive arrangements with building owners, so offerings from cable operators won't be available. This has long been a common practice of cable operators, which have negotiated deals to exclude competitors from some buildings.

Verizon announced on Wednesday the first contract with the Huntington Landmark, a 1,238-unit senior-citizens complex in Huntington Beach, Calif.

In the past, cable companies, such as Cablevision in New York, have suggested that Verizon wants to serve only high-income residents. Some have implied that the fact that Verizon had not been offering service to apartment buildings was evidence that intended to exclude lower-income customers.

Verizon to offer Fios to apartments


But until now, Verizon has sold service only to people living in single-family homes. That will soon change, according to Verizon executives. The company has already negotiated agreements for more than 57,000 apartment units. And it expects to triple that figure for 2006.


By the end of 2006 , Verizon hopes to have fiber drops placed to nearly 75,000 apartments in VA, DE, MD, PA and NJ alone. The first FiOS install in an apartment was done last week in Evesham, NJ.

I have a question... does Verizon offer any "distant locals"? With DirecTV I get the east coast SD feeds for CBS and ABC and I was wondering if there was a way of doing the same with FiOS. It helps a lot when there are non-HD shows that conflict with HD shows. The only other way around this is to wait until the receivers are able to network and share the workload. Of course that wouldn't help with the ability to watch some shows three hours earlier (like I do with The Amazing Race).

FiOS is not much different from most local cable companies in its channel offerings - the main difference is a slight channel selection difference, PQ and cost. You are unlikely to get national feeds like you do on satelite.

Verizon Details Delays

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/9/2006 12:16:00 PM

Verizon told the FCC Wednesday that delays caused by local franchise negotiations continue to delay the roll-out of its FiOS video service.

In additional comments in the FCC's inquiry into franchise reform, the telco said that of 95 negotiations pending as of March 1, 2005, only 10 had been granted. Of 238 negotiations in progress as of six months ago, it said, only 15 franchises have been granted.

Ff the total 301 negotiations still underway, said Verizon, 22 are into their 15th month, 85 are over a year and the rest between six months and a year, said the company.

Verizon is seeking video franchise reform both in Congress and at the FCC, preferably a national franchising scheme. It has helped secure a state ranchise in Texas, and franchise reform bills are awaiting governor's signatures in Virgina and indiana.

The House and Senate Commerce Committees are both considering franchise reform as part of larger telecommunications reform legislation. Some House Commerce committee leaders, including the chairman and ranking minority members, are said to have reached agreement on some form of national franchise provision.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6314774.html?display=Breaking+News

The House and Senate Commerce Committees are both considering franchise reform as part of larger telecommunications reform legislation. Some House Commerce committee leaders, including the chairman and ranking minority members, are said to have reached agreement on some form of national franchise provision.



This is desperately needed. These cities should not have control of franchise agreements. My city is run by a bunch of crooks. They have an agreement with the most incompetent Adelphia franchise imaginable. A total of three non local HD channels and not additional channels in site. Horrendous service from what I hear now and from what I had years ago. Verizon Fios needs to get in here ASAP and any city official that blocks Fios in favor of the very lame Adelphia should be treated like a cockroach and eliminated. But of course, I'm being silly in thinking this as our city officials are most definitely on the take and enjoying the extra income I'm sure they are receiving from Adelphia.

I would bet large sums of money that most of the delays that Verizon has encountered involve them not agreeing to the existing franchise terms in these cities. The law is very clear on these franchises, no new franchise can be any more or less favorable than the existing franchise. Most cities have required cable operators to build plant to every household, this is something that Verizon has openly admitted to not wanting to do, even if given years to do so.

There are also the bizarre: A long while back, a Mayor in one town wanted a Statue of himself put in the town square - paid for by Verizon.

Then there's the more typical: Another town wanted Verizon to pay for new traffic lights and the continuing upkeep of them and all the other existing ones.

You can probably find these and other illuminating stories over at Broadband Reports. They have many of the older stories since they've been tracking the progress of FiOS, perhaps, longer than anyone.

I didn't blame it ALL on Verizon, I know there are some wierd ones out there! :D

I didn't blame it ALL on Verizon, I know there are some wierd ones out there! :D

I think this is what is called an understatement. :D

I'm not saying Verizon is blameless in every situation, but I can't begin to imagine the nonsense Verizon must face. I talked with one of their senior Fios engineers recently. It sure sounds like they really want to build a large infrastructure and reach as many as they can, but face various obstacles from the cities. And based upon some of the ridiculous interactions I've had with some of my city's departments, I have a lot of sympathy for Verizon and what they must deal with.

By the end of 2006 , Verizon hopes to have fiber drops placed to nearly 75,000 apartments in VA, DE, MD, PA and NJ alone. The first FiOS install in an apartment was done last week in Evesham, NJ.

There is no shortage of condos and apts in Reston that could handle some FiOS (hopefully TV & the Internets) by the end of the year.
I personally would love it to go along with the launch of the Series 3 HDTiVo and a purchase of a nice Plasma for the bedroom :)

Got an e-mail back several months back indicating Verizon had NYC fiber hookups planned for '06. Not sure how they'd fit fibers into my apt building, though. The hallways now have two separate cable runs for both Time Warner and RCN, covered with molding to hide the coax, enough runs for ~26 apartments/floor; another run beneath the molding seems impossible; perhaps they'd just enlarge the cover molding.

Signed up for Verizon last year, mostly anticipating a longer HD menu. But if Time Warner introduces switched broadcasting (http://www.bigbandnet.com/news/inTheNews/2005/news_053105a.php) locally that might unblock the supposed bandwidth limitations delaying new HD programming, such as TW's own Cinemax, here. With an apparent ~1290-line (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5175424#post5175424) max resolution limit here from TWC with STBs, reports of better-looking video from Verizon are encouraging, although still haven't seen any test pattern readings that help clarify 'better-looking' reports. -- John

Many people ask, " When will FiOS TV be offered here ? "

The most frightening thing about this is the most recent story of Valley Township in Chester County, Pa. Most stories that give any details about this say that they will get FiOS TV by 2007. I have to wonder why.

Is Verizon beginning to slow or halt the introduction of the TV part of FiOS in 2006, waiting for more Statewide/National franchise legislation ? I hope not.

The VA - Fairfax County local channel listing on the verizon website has dissapeared...?

Nothing is slowing down from a buildout perspective. Their deployment is twice what it was 12 months ago. Just google there press releases. The hurdle is video franchises. The road is being built while they wait for the green light to start putting cars on it.

Sitting here complaining won't do a damn thing. Everyone needs to push their local cable commision and mayors (where Verizon has built the network) to get out of bed with the Cable Co's and introduce competition to their communities?

Isn't this an election year? Threaten them with there jobs!

It also would not hurt to contact your senators and congressmen about enacting National Video Franchise reform to speed up the rollout of competitive services.

I am no Verizon apologist, but they have made it clear that they are not trying to have to pay any less than the Cableco's. They just want a statewide process where they can sign up for equal agreements at the local level as the cablecos.

I am no Verizon apologist, but they have made it clear that they are not trying to have to pay any less than the Cableco's. They just want a statewide process where they can sign up for equal agreements at the local level as the cablecos.


Not entirely true. Verizon has not hidden the fact that they have no desire to live up to existing franchise stipulations. ie: Building out entire communities.

Then there's the more typical: Another town wanted Verizon to pay for new traffic lights and the continuing upkeep of them and all the other existing ones.It sure the town elders much prefer to raise taxes through a third party like the cableco.

Got an e-mail back several months back indicating Verizon had NYC fiber hookups planned for '06. Not sure how they'd fit fibers into my apt building, though. The hallways now have two separate cable runs for both Time Warner and RCN, covered with molding to hide the coax, enough runs for ~26 apartments/floor; another run beneath the molding seems impossible; perhaps they'd just enlarge the cover molding.


I know that in Jersey we are going to be using a "raceway" that looks just like crown molding, just as you've described TW/RCN doing it. As far as I know there are different sizes and i'm sure the pathway contractors could cover the existing. The big downside would be if TW/RCN needed to get to their cables. An alternative would be if there were "stacked" closets in each apartment, a vertical pathway could be created but that's up to the engineers.

A couple of question?

1. Will they destroy my landscaping like they did when they installed the underground cables? Cost me over $10,000 to fix the mess they created.

2. I have a tv in the kitchen for watching the morning and evening news. Do I need a set top box for that tv to get the local channels.

thanks,
arlie

1. $10,000 for a lawn?

2. No, they offer a very basic analog service.

A couple of question?

1. Will they destroy my landscaping like they did when they installed the underground cables? Cost me over $10,000 to fix the mess they created.

2. I have a tv in the kitchen for watching the morning and evening news. Do I need a set top box for that tv to get the local channels.

thanks,
arlie
Depends on who Verizon gets as subcontractor for that portion of the work.

The locals and a few others up to channel 50 are available in analog (regardless of the kind of service you sign up for) - no STB needed for that.

Just an FYI for anyone in the No VA area - probably applies to all of FiOS. I did a channel search with the QAM tuner in my TV and came up with 314 digital channels, 66 of which are in the clear. The 66 are the audio-only (music) channels in the 6xx range and digital versions of the analog channels (17 in this area). None of the other channels are available in clear QAM. So for anyone thinking of getting basic cable without an STB, you won't have much more than what's available with a good antenna. This is unlike a number of other cable companies where you can find a number of digital channles (besides the locals) in clear QAM including any VOD feature playing on the neighborhood section of cable.

I know the FiOS VOD won't work without the STB because it communicates with the server over IP. Each STB has an IP address assignment in the NIM that is DHCP'ed from the router.

I'm not surprised you don't get much without the STB because of the amount of control they have over everything from the FiOS center.

The VA - Fairfax County local channel listing on the verizon website has dissapeared...?

It's back. They have removed HDNet and added MTV-HD.

I've read elsewhere that the lack of HDNet in FF County is due to V*'s inability to "blackout" channels during sporting events. However, V* didn't have any problems doing this over the weekend with ESPN-HD and the ACC Tournament.

What gives?

I miss HDNet :(

Thanks for the replies. Cant's think of a compelling reason to switch from Cox.

arlie

I've read elsewhere that the lack of HDNet in FF County is due to V*'s inability to "blackout" channels during sporting events. However, V* didn't have any problems doing this over the weekend with ESPN-HD and the ACC Tournament.


I don't know if this has anything to do with why we don't have HDNet, but perhaps they don't like the way the blackout is being done.

I had Dish Network before I recently switched to FIOS.

On Dish, when a program was blacked out, if you selected the channel, you got a pop-up that told you the program was blacked out in your area.

On FIOS, when I selected ESPN and tried to see the ACC tournament, I got either a black screen, or the receiver just would not change channels.

Perhaps HDNet does not want it to look like their channel is broken when a broadcast is being blacked out.

I have no idea if this is part of the issue or not. Just a thought. It would be nice if the FIOS receivers handled blackouts a little better.

On FIOS, when I selected ESPN and tried to see the ACC tournament, I got either a black screen, or the receiver just would not change channels.

Perhaps HDNet does not want it to look like their channel is broken when a broadcast is being blacked out

I saw the same thing on FiOS over the weekend. Either I got a black screen or the screen would freeze on the previous channel I was tuned to.

I would hope this isn't the reason we currently don't get HDNet...

Has anybody noticed a bit of "noise" on FiOS SD channels? Specifically, on the Children channels (like Nick, etc...), with animated programming (like Spongebob, Fairly Odd Parents, etc...). I still have D* as well as FiOS, and D* has noticeably less "noise" on these channels than FiOS. When I say "noise", I mean edges of the characters seem a bit blurred. I noticed this using HDMI output from the STB as well as S-Video.

I am extremely pleased with the HD PQ on FiOS, but jus a bit disappointed with the SD on some channels.

Can't say I've noticed anything like that - but I don't have anything to compare it either.

I saw the same thing on FiOS over the weekend. Either I got a black screen or the screen would freeze on the previous channel I was tuned to.

I would hope this isn't the reason we currently don't get HDNet...
It has been reported before that it was due to the lack of equipment to properly handle blackouts on that channel. I would guess the local/regional broadcasters take this blackout thing very seriously.

Note that in the Dallas area when an event is "blacked out" on HDNet what you end up getting is alternative programming on HDNet. A hockey game a week or so back that showed up on the HDNet schedule, but was also being broadcast on the local affiliate, caused HDNet to show a concert instead. It may be that HDNet has some special blackout requirements like this?

Verizon Scores FiOS First in First State

By Karen Brown 3/14/2006 5:52:00 PM

In a first for the “First State,” as a trio of Delaware towns joined the growing list of communities to grant Verizon Communications Inc. TV franchises to roll out its FiOS TV service.

Councils in Bellefonte, Delaware City and Odessa -- all in New Castle County -- voted unanimously in recent weeks to grant FiOS TV franchises. In all, the communities provide 3,000 potential new customers for the fiber-to-the-home-based TV service. Verizon expects to start offering service there later this year.

Meanwhile, the regional Bell operating company is also in negotiations with other Delaware communities, and it filed an application with the Delaware Public Service Commission for a franchise to offer video services in unincorporated parts of the state.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6315967.html?display=Breaking+News

Verizon Launches FiOS TV in Howard County; First Rollout in Maryland

New Service Offers Consumers Better Television Technology, True Competitive Choice and Greater Value


COLUMBIA, Md., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon unveiled FiOS TV in Maryland today to approximately 11,000 Howard County residents in Clarksville, Columbia and Ellicott City -- the first communities in the state to receive the company's new fiber-optic video service. Verizon will begin taking customer orders immediately.

http://sev.prnewswire.com/computer-electronics/20060315/NYW10715032006-1.html

National Geographic is coming to Verizon Fios by March 30th! :D

I just got a letter in the mail saying this channel as well as mtv hd (which has been active for a while) and another DC local channel. Good news, so it should pop up anyday now I would guess! :)

Just a heads up in case no one else got the letter in the mail.

Excellent! I have been waiting to see this one pop up!

I just got a letter in the mail saying this channel as well as mtv hd (which has been active for a while) and another DC local channel. Good news, so it should pop up anyday now I would guess! :)

Just a heads up in case no one else got the letter in the mail.
Yeah, I got the letter and posted in the local DC thread. What is that new channel 20 station?

Biker, who spends alot of time in the 8xx channel range :cool:

News Release

Verizon Launches FiOS TV in Howard County; First Rollout in Maryland

New Service Offers Consumers Better Television Technology, True Competitive Choice and Greater Value

March 15, 2006

Media contact:
Sandra Arnette, 410-393-7109

COLUMBIA, Md. - Verizon unveiled FiOS TV in Maryland today to approximately 11,000 Howard County residents in Clarksville, Columbia and Ellicott City - the first communities in the state to receive the company's new fiber-optic video service. Verizon will begin taking customer orders immediately.

"This is not cable TV. This is not satellite. This is FiOS TV," said William R. Roberts, president of Verizon Maryland. "Customers who liked what FiOS did for their Internet connection will love what it does for their TV. We've harnessed the speed and capacity of broadband with the power of broadcast to create a revolutionary, new entertainment experience."

Verizon, the only company building a large-scale, all-digital fiber-optic communications network directly to customers, launched FiOS TV in Keller, Texas, last September. The company also now offers the service in parts of California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Virginia.

Service highlights include:

* A broad collection of all-digital programming and compelling consumer choice - with more than 350 total channels and more on the way.

* A lead offer with more than 180 digital video and music channels, for $34.95 a month with Verizon FiOS Internet Service or a qualifying voice plan or $39.95 as a stand-alone service.

* More than 20 high-definition channels, with extraordinary clarity and theater-quality sound.

* More than 2,200 On Demand titles available to customers now, increasing to over 3,500 titles in the next several months.

* Channels grouped by genres such as entertainment, sports, news, shopping, movies and family, making it easy for audiences to find their favorite programming.

* An easy-to-use interactive programming guide that integrates high-definition (HD) programming, On Demand content and the digital video recorder along with broadcast television into a seamless user experience.

* A dual-tuner, HD-capable DVR that gives customers the freedom to pause and rewind live TV, record one show while watching another, and fast forward to their favorite part of the program - all without a VCR, tapes or DVDs.

Information on packages and prices is available at www.verizon.net/fiostv. Howard County customers also can call 1-800-880-2943 to see if they're able to order FiOS TV.

Verizon obtained a local video franchise in Howard County in January and is currently in negotiations with numerous municipalities in Maryland to obtain additional franchises. Under current state law, potential competitors to the incumbent cable-TV operators must obtain video franchises in each community they seek to serve.

"Howard County is fortunate to be among the first to gain access to this new service," said Howard County Executive Jim Robey. "Verizon's delivery of FiOS TV to our community now offers residents a choice in the way they wish to have video and Internet services delivered to their homes. This is an exciting option, especially for a county whose residents have been noted as some of the most 'tech-savvy' in the nation."

Howard County Council Chairman Chris Merdon said, "We're pleased to be the first county in Maryland whose residents will benefit from this new level of service from Verizon. Consumer choice in this industry should encourage a competitive pricing environment and high-quality service."

Delivered over Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network, FiOS TV is designed to be a formidable competitor to cable and satellite. The Verizon FTTP network, the largest of its kind in the country, is currently under construction in more than half the states where the company offers landline communications services, including numerous Maryland communities in Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

The network brings the power and capacity of fiber optics directly into people's homes and has industry-leading quality and reliability. Fiber delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. It also delivers Internet download speeds of up to 30 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 5 Mbps as well as high-quality voice services.

Since Verizon began building its fiber-optic network in Maryland, the company has placed more than 22 million feet of fiber and created hundreds of new full-time positions to build and support the network and FiOS services in the state.

Programming choices for Hispanic, African-American, Asian, Russian and other multicultural audiences are available in every market. Since FiOS TV has so much capacity, it is an outlet for emerging and independent networks to showcase their diverse programming.

In addition, sports fans subscribing to Expanded Basic, the lead Verizon FiOS TV offer, can follow regional teams and events through agreements Verizon has reached with Comcast Sports Net - Mid- Atlantic and the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN). Featured teams on Comcast Sports Net - Mid- Atlantic include the Capitals, DC United, Mystics, Orioles, Ravens, Redskins and Wizards, as well as NCAA games. MASN features Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles games.

Service and Package Details

FiOS TV subscribers can choose from three simple-to-understand service offerings, each with built-in choice and value. They then can choose from packages and premium channels with programming that meets their special interests. Verizon offers three set-top boxes: standard definition for $3.95 per month; high definition, which includes HD channels, for $9.95 per month; and a dual-tuner, HD-capable digital video recorder for $12.95 per month.

The services include:

* Basic, with access to 15-35 local broadcast weather and community channels for $12.95 per month. The service is digital with a set-top box, which also provides access to On Demand programming. Basic is also available as an analog service that does not require a set-top box for viewing.

* Expanded Basic, Verizon's lead offer, delivers more than 180 video and music channels for $34.95 a month with Verizon FiOS Internet Service or a qualifying voice plan. This tier includes access to On Demand content and requires a set-top box. High-definition channels are included in this tier at no extra charge, and customers must have an HD set-top box and an HD-ready TV to view them.

* La Conexión, an alternative to Expanded Basic service designed for bilingual consumers who enjoy TV programs in English and Spanish, for $27.95 per month with Verizon FiOS Internet Service or a qualifying voice plan. La Conexión is also available as a stand-alone service for $32.95 per month. The package includes nearly 140 channels with English and Spanish-language programming and access to On Demand programming. This service requires a set-top box. HD channels are included in this tier at no extra charge, and customers must have an HD set-top box and an HD-ready TV to view them.

Verizon FiOS TV customers who sign up for 12 months of Expanded Basic or La Conexión will receive additional discounts through a newly instituted annual savings agreement. FiOS TV customers will have the choice of receiving $5 off the monthly Movie Package price for an annual savings of $60. Or, customers can waive the monthly standard set-top box fee of $3.95 - an annual savings of $47.40.

Consumers with a passion for movies or sports can add the movie package with 44 channels of Starz, Encore, Showtime and The Movie Channel for a regular price of $11.95 a month and a 15-channel sports package for $5.95 a month. Or, they can buy both packages for $14.95 a month. In addition to the movie package, customers with a set-top box can order new, On Demand movie releases for $3.95 each and selections from a movie library for $2.95 each.

For wrestling fans, Verizon offers World Wrestling Entertainment's WWE 24/7, a subscription On Demand service, for $7.95 a month. Karaoke fans can sing along at home with a subscription to the Karaoke package for $7.95 a month.

Verizon also offers 14 HBO channels and 12 Cinemax channels as premium services, with each set of channels available for $14.95. The price includes access to each channel's subscription On Demand library. Subscribers who want both HBO and Cinemax will pay $24.95 per month.

The value of FiOS TV extends to the installation and customer support. Specially trained Verizon technicians will install the service and acquaint subscribers with FiOS TV features and services. Verizon is waiving the installation fee for up to three existing TV outlets, and there is no charge to install a needed optical network terminal at the subscriber's home. Charges for other installation services, such as additional outlets, may apply. Verizon also provides 24x7 technical assistance by phone from its Fiber Solutions Centers.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks; and one of the nation's premier wireline networks, serving home, business and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

####

News Release

Verizon Launches FiOS TV in Howard County; First Rollout in Maryland



####
:eek:
Good God, man. Just post the link next time. This was like reading a novel.

Has anybody noticed a bit of "noise" on FiOS SD channels? Specifically, on the Children channels (like Nick, etc...), with animated programming (like Spongebob, Fairly Odd Parents, etc...). I still have D* as well as FiOS, and D* has noticeably less "noise" on these channels than FiOS. When I say "noise", I mean edges of the characters seem a bit blurred. I noticed this using HDMI output from the STB as well as S-Video.

I am extremely pleased with the HD PQ on FiOS, but jus a bit disappointed with the SD on some channels.

Nope. In fact, some of those look the best they've ever looked to me.

:eek:
Good God, man. Just post the link next time. This was like reading a novel.
When faced with an overly-long post please perform the following procedure:

1. Stop reading.
2. Move your mouse to the right-hand-side of your browser window. There you will see something that looks like a scrollbar.
3. Click the scroll control and drag downward until the long post is no longer visible in the browser window.
4. Resume reading.

I noticed this topic (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15706154) over at Broadband Reports. I guess it is time for Virginia subs to call VZ and ask when we can expect CSN-HD. It seems it would be an analagous situation. It is particularly frustrating to me to not only not have HDNet but to lose out on the prospect of seeing all the MLB (over 50 games) that CSN-HD will produce this year.

I received a letter from Verizon today [I live in the Dallas Fort Worth area] where they plan to add new HD channels by 3-30-2006. The letter does state that 'Some channels may take a little longer to activate'.

815- Fox Sports Net- Southwest HD
822- National Geographic HD

They also list MTV HD [823] but that has obviously been added already.

Verizon could save lots of mass mailing money by just making the additon of the channels obvious while folks actually look at the TV - like the built in message feature.

The Digital Revolution
Verizon to Carry CBS Signal, Programs on FiOS


By Jay Sherman TVWeek.com March 20, 2006

CBS Corp. and Verizon Communications said Monday they have reached an agreement under which the telephone giant will carry CBS's broadcast signal and offer CBS shows on-demand to customers of Verizon's new video service, FiOS.

Verizon will have rights to CBS's analog, digital, multicast and high-definition programming seen on CBS owned-and-operated television stations. Also included is video-on-demand content from the O&Os and from the broadcast network.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though CBS CEO Leslie Moonves has repeatedly vowed that CBS will be compensated with cash for its broadcast signal as soon as opportunities to do so arrive.

The agreement does not encompass programming from the soon-to-be-shuttered UPN or from The CW Television Network, which is expected to launch in September.

The deal replaces a special agreement that had been reached between the two companies shortly before Verizon began offering FiOS last fall. FiOS currently is available in dozens of communities across seven states.

Verizon will make the CBS content available at no additional cost to FiOS subscribers who have a set-top box. Also, there will be no charge for VOD services in markets where CBS owns the CBS station. CBS owns TV stations in nearly every market where Verizon does business, with the exception of Washington.

http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=9582

Great to see CBS will go on Verizon. So...since Verizon indicates it doesn't compress, and CBS feeds its stations at what, 45-55 Mbps(?), that means Verizon customers, through the virtually unlimited bandwidth of optical fibers, will be getting bit rates surpassing the best 1080 DVDs (~40 Mbps). :rolleyes: Can't wait for the NYC installers to arrive! :-) -- John

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060321/nytu033.html?.v=47

Highlight:

Verizon Seeks FCC Intervention to Free Cablevision's Stranglehold on Sports Programming

Tuesday March 21, 10:00 am ET
Cablevision's Anti-Competitive Behavior in New York and Massachusetts Runs Afoul of 1992 Cable Consumer Protection Act


WASHINGTON, March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Stymied by extended stonewalling by Cablevision Systems Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Rainbow Media Holdings, Verizon has filed a formal program access complaint with the Federal Communications Commission to secure Rainbow's sports programming for Verizon's FiOS TV customers in New York and New England.

For more than a year, despite repeated requests to negotiate by Verizon, Rainbow has refused to begin to negotiate a carriage agreement for Fox Sports Network New York, Fox Sports Network New England and Madison Square Garden Network -- all controlled by Rainbow.

It should be noted the previous linked article is a Press Release written by Verizon. :)

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6317573.html?display=Breaking+News

Cablevision Responds:

"We are in discussions with Verizon, and their own spokesperson recently acknowledged that these negotiations 'can take a while.' It would be more productive for Verizon to negotiate with us than to file complaints and issue press releases,” Rainbow spokesman Whit Clay said."

... and the return volley:

Terry Denson, Verizon’s vice president of FiOS TV content strategy and acquisition, said in a prepared statement that Cablevision responded to Verizon’s requests for negotiations by demanding deployment plans -- information that was only valuable to Cablevision as a direct competitor, not as an element to evaluate any license bid.

I think the clock is running out on the cable cos and there anti-competetive practices. If they aren't careful the government will do to them what they did to the telcos years ago..............I, for one, can't wait.

Ya. Verizon needs to blow those cable companies out of the water. I want Verizon!

http://lw.pennnet.com/news/display_news_story.cfm?Section=WIREN&Category=&NewsID=132431

Fiber-optic service popular with Texans
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas (March 21, 2006)

Mar. 21--Six months after its initial launch, nearly one in three households in Keller has signed up for Verizon's broadband-over-fiber TV service, the company announced Monday.

In a speech at TelecomNEXT, an industry conference in Las Vegas, Chief Executive Ivan Seidenberg said "almost one-third" of customers in Keller have signed up for the company's FiOS TV service.

The exact figure is 32 percent of Verizon's customers in Keller, up from a 23 percent a month ago, said Verizon spokesman Bill Kula. Verizon's network in Keller covers about 8,000 of the city's 8,800 homes.

Keller was Verizon's first market for FiOS. It has since launched the service in 13 other North Texas communities and six other states.

Verizon has been able to expand in Texas thanks to a law passed last year allowing telephone companies to get statewide video franchises. Verizon has been pushing for similar franchises in other states as well as a nationwide system on the federal level.

Seidenberg said the popularity of FiOS TV in Keller serves as "pretty dramatic evidence that customers are ready for competition and innovation in video."

===

From 23%, up to 32% - looks like subscription numbers are jumping !

What was it originally ? They said their goal was 25% in 5 years, I think.

Cable Cards (1.0) are available to Fios customers if they ask. I can't speak for all the reps who field calls, but if you ask, they will provide you with one. They are not advertising this information however, so if you don't ask, they won't tell :)

I wonder, do or will they would offer a 2.0 also ?

Right now Verizon FIOS does not have an RF return path for two-way PnP service (ala Cable Card 2.0). Verizon uses a NIM/MoCA/IP setup for two way communications. It is VERY unlikely that Verizon will implement the Cable Card 2.0 spec as it is Cable TV specific (RF return path) and would be costly to implement. I personally think Cable Card 2.0 is DOA since DCAS is a better solution. Also, 2.0 hardware (TVs) isn't even shipping yet. I also don't think Verizon is going to get any simpathy from CableLabs on the 2.0 or DCAS spec since they're in the pockets of the cable industry. They're only hope is to petition the FCC to make the 2.0 and DCAS spec NON-Cable specific. Here is a letter from Verizon to the FCC concerning two-way plug and play support:

gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6518171130

Is there a way to track when FIOS is coming to Sterling, VA?

It's been confirmed. I spoke with a Verizon service rep and they do offer Cable Cards. They cost $2.95/month per TV. The lady also said it will be part of their procedure to 'ask' whether you want a STB or Cable Card. A Technician will be required to come out to install a Cable Card if you already have FIOS TV and a STB. Interactive services such as VoD, PPV, program guide will NOT work with Cable Card 1.0.

Is there a way to track when FIOS is coming to Sterling, VA?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FiOS

says that installation has begun there !

Great to see CBS will go on Verizon. So...since Verizon indicates it doesn't compress, and CBS feeds its stations at what, 45-55 Mbps(?), that means Verizon customers, through the virtually unlimited bandwidth of optical fibers, will be getting bit rates surpassing the best 1080 DVDs (~40 Mbps). :rolleyes: Can't wait for the NYC installers to arrive! :-) -- John


You've posted things like this a number of times. Forget it.

At best, it will be about 19 megabits/second.

Is there a way to track when FIOS is coming to Sterling, VA?Fios construction / deployment info for Virginia can be found here:
http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/va/

For example, the (planned) March construction locations:
http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/va/files/Construction_Update_03-03-06.pdf

Also, in Virginia you can keep track of where Verizon is digging (and going to dig in the next 30 days or so) via MissUtility:
http://www.missutilityofvirginia.com/main_UL.htm

Instructions here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7261187&&#post7261187

And finally, you tend to find alot of posts in the DC Local thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=517400

thanks dt_dc. Looks like Sterling, VA is not on their calendar as yet

It's been confirmed. I spoke with a Verizon service rep and they do offer Cable Cards. They cost $2.95/month per TV. The lady also said it will be part of their procedure to 'ask' whether you want a STB or Cable Card. A Technician will be required to come out to install a Cable Card if you already have FIOS TV and a STB. Interactive services such as VoD, PPV, program guide will NOT work with Cable Card 1.0.

im not familiar with the whole card thing. I am looking at purchasing a samsung dlp that is compatible with cable cards.

does that mean that i can spend 2.95 instead of the 9.95 for the hd box?

oh and does anyone know what international channels they offer? their website isnt any help for that.

im not familiar with the whole card thing. I am looking at purchasing a samsung dlp that is compatible with cable cards.

does that mean that i can spend 2.95 instead of the 9.95 for the hd box?

oh and does anyone know what international channels they offer? their website isnt any help for that.

You will need the 9.95 HD box if you intend to watch PPV, VoD, and use the program guide. If you don't care about those features, then go with Cable Card, all HD channels will come in, including HBO if you subcribe to any of the premium packages. Also, if you sign up for a year you get 5 bucks a month back per month, so your cable card is paid for for almost two TVs (or one series 3 Tivo with 2 cable cards installed).

thanks dt_dc. Looks like Sterling, VA is not on their calendar as yetTheir calander isn't 100% complete ... there's several people in Sterling with Fios ... or getting Fios ... or having fiber layed in their neighborhood for Fios ...

MissUtility is much more accurate (though harder to use).

Another thing you can do is go here:
http://www.dslreports.com/coinfo

Find what CO you're on. Verizon seems to be building out CO by CO. HRNDVAHE serves some parts of Sterling. However, it's mostly already built out for Fios. Everyone in Sterling I know with Fios is on HRNDVAHE. HRNDVAST also serves Sterling. Verizon seems to just be building out HRNDVAST now ... though mainly on the Fairfax side of the line. There's other COs that serve Sterling ... not sure what their buildout is ... but you can usually find out (Google).

I got a letter in the mail the other day stating they were going to be adding new HD channels to the lineup soon.

"In our ongoing effort to improve your Verizon FiOS TV experience, we're updating your channel lineup - including adding new Hi-Def channels. They should be available to you by 3/30/06."

Fox Sports Net - SW HD - 815 (This will be cool for me!)
MTV HD - 823 (Already up and running)
National Geographic HD - 822
QTN - 435

Now, what is QTN? They want another $7.95 a month for it. Must be porn. :p


Edit: Did a quick search and I guess I was close...but way off! I know what the Q stands for now! :eek: I guess it could be labeled as the "Brokeback Channel" ;)

http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=9600

Verizon Strikes Carriage Pact With NYC Regional Sports Channel

By Jay Sherman

Verizon Communications said Wednesday it has reached an agreement with SportsNet New York to carry the regional sports channel as part of Verizon's expanded basic video package in the New York area.

The pact comes a day after Verizon said it had turned to the Federal Communications Commission to step into an ongoing battle with Cablevision Systems over the cable operator's refusal to negotiate with Verizon for carriage of three Cablevision-owned regional sports channels on the Verizon video service, called FiOS TV, on systems in New York and New England.

In what appeared to be a dig at Cablevision, Terry Denson, VP of Verizon's FiOS TV content and strategy, said the pact between Verizon and SportsNet New York "shows how two companies can cooperate to offer quality sports programming to Verizon customers."

Launched earlier this month, SportsNet New York is a regional sports network founded by Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, Time Warner and Comcast Corp. It will feature up to 125 telecasts of New York Mets pro baseball games and serve as the year-round television home of the New York Jets pro football team.

The channel will be part of FiOS's expanded basic package, which offers 180 digital channels and more than 20 high-definition channels.

In New York FiOS is currently available to customers in Massapequa Park, Nyack and South Nyack-all New York suburbs.

You've posted things like this a number of times. Forget it.

At best, it will be about 19 megabits/second.
Actually, believe others have posted Verizon's vague "uncompressed" claim, and occassionally I post in hopes of pinning it down before signing up one of these days. The rolleyes :rolleyes: emoticon above suggests my doubt about the claim.

No doubt it's true if uncompressed in this context means Verizon's HD doesn't have the big changes of D*'s HDLite, the compression that could result from excessive multicasting by stations, or the lack of bit rate capacity for cable channels (SD and HD) undergoing statistical multiplexing and rate shaping that alters quantization levels.

If Verizon isn't compressing, it seems the bit rates should at least match that available to BUD (big dish) subscribers getting C-band etc. If Verizon is using 45-55-Mbps network downlinks to stations, which compress that down to ~19 Mbps (+ ~13-Mbps forward-error coding just during OTA transmission), then Verizon must have a technical policy that sets the final compressed bit rate. With an all-fiber path and subscriber comments about better video, some might be curious about what's happening. -- John

Can Verizon please invade the Bay area so I don't have to switch to Comcast from Directv? I can't wait 2 years for SBC to get their act together and am on the phone to Comcast in a month....I'd rather place an order with Verizon.

Actually, believe others have posted Verizon's vague "uncompressed" claim, and occassionally I post in hopes of pinning it down before signing up one of these days.Don't believe everything you read.

Verizon has never claimed to offer "uncompressed" video (except for their analog channels). In fact, they explicitly state just the opposite ... all of Verizon's digital video is compressed.

Now, what Verizon has made vague comments about (sorry, I'm going to have to paraphrase here ... I can't find the exact articles) is that video quality is very impotant to them. They are using video quality as a differentiator from their competitors. And, they don't do some of the things their competitors do which save bandwidth at the expense of video quality. They don't aggresively stat-mux, over rate-shape, re-compress or transcode, etc.

Basically ... what Verizon gets is what Verizon sends out ...

This is very different from claiming to offer "uncompressed" video ...

Verizon isn't going to send you a 45Mbps CBS feed (nor claiming that they will). Heck ... they couldn't even if they wanted to (without making some pretty drasitc changes to their network and/or sending everyone new STBs). QAM256 in 6Mhz channels (used by Verizon and cable) limits you to 38.8Mbps. BTW, the feed CBS sends their affiliates is compressed so ... "uncompressed" wouldn't really apply to that either.

What Verizon is (vaguely) saying ... and what they seem to be doing ... is that whatever the local CBS affiliate sends Verizon ... be it 5Mbps, or 10Mbps, or 19Mbps or whatever ... that's basically what you get. It doesn't matter that the local affiliate is getting a 45-55-Mbps feed. The local does whatever they want and Verizon gets a feed from them. Verizon then may do some minimal muxing (for example, two 19Mbps HD streams fit very nicely into a 38.8Mbps QAM256 channel). They may strip null packets, and other things that don't affect picture quality. But they aren't being over-aggressive like some cable companies and try to stat-mux three HD streams into a single QAM256 channel (for example).

Oh, and no need to believe (or not believe) Verizon. They don't aggresively stat-mux, over rate-shape, re-compress or transcode, etc because they don't have to (for now) and it would be an additional cost for them. And this isn't because of "almost unlimitless" capacity of fiber. It's (mainly) because Verizon doesn't carry a bunch of analog channels. Verizon has an 860MHz RF capacity ... if you're not using all 860MHz (yet) ... why spend the $$$ to save bandwidth (for now)?

There's plenty of articles and technical details about Fios TV. Basically, what you should expect (for now) for OTAs is about the same as you get OTA ... no more, no less. Although ... that's just an expectation. There's also plenty of reasons why OTAs could be different (better or worse) via Verizon than what you get via OTA ... for now and in the future. But you're reading way too much into people's (poorly worded) "uncompressed" comments. What most people are getting at is that Verizon (themselves) doesn't do anything to significantly impact / degrade picture quality (yet).

But you're reading way too much into people's (poorly worded) "uncompressed" comments. What most people are getting at is that Verizon (themselves) doesn't do anything to significantly impact / degrade picture quality (yet).
What you've outlined is what cable companies have long claimed, that they're just passing along what they've received. Without some valid measurements and comparisons, we're simply in for another decade of claims and counterclaims, generating lots of material for lengthy, detailed (but still vague :) ) posts here. With an all-fiber path into homes, and introducing hardware enhancements instead of apparently using standard cable gear, Verizon has the opportunity to greatly enhance PQ. With optical fiber bandwidths, there's no need to limit bit rates to 256-QAM cable's ~39 Mbps, cramming in 2+ HD channels. If 1080 DVDs can deliver 23--40 Mbps, with the potential for full 1920X1080 resolvable detail, saying Verizon's all-fiber delivery is limited to only ~19 Mbps, is, ah, puzzling. -- John

The bandwidth capacity of fiber is practically limitless. The limitting factor is the electronics you can hang on each end of the fiber. Verizons vision of an all fiber network is clearly the way to go if you want to future proof a network. They are biting the bullet and ,making a huge investment which I think will pay off for them.

As equipment evolves they will be able to simply replace the older equipment and be able to keep up with the seemingly exponential growth in bandwidth requirements the industry has been facing.

Verizon Strikes Carriage Pact With NYC Regional Sports Channel

By Jay Sherman

Verizon Communications said Wednesday it has reached an agreement with SportsNet New York to carry the regional sports channel as part of Verizon's expanded basic video package in the New York area.

The pact comes a day after Verizon said it had turned to the Federal Communications Commission to step into an ongoing battle with Cablevision Systems over the cable operator's refusal to negotiate with Verizon for carriage of three Cablevision-owned regional sports channels on the Verizon video service, called FiOS TV, on systems in New York and New England.

In what appeared to be a dig at Cablevision, Terry Denson, VP of Verizon's FiOS TV content and strategy, said the pact between Verizon and SportsNet New York "shows how two companies can cooperate to offer quality sports programming to Verizon customers."

Launched earlier this month, SportsNet New York is a regional sports network founded by Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, Time Warner and Comcast Corp. It will feature up to 125 telecasts of New York Mets pro baseball games and serve as the year-round television home of the New York Jets pro football team.

The channel will be part of FiOS's expanded basic package, which offers 180 digital channels and more than 20 high-definition channels.

The agreement will also allow Cablevision to deliver to its HD customers a high-definition version of all regular season home Mets games carried by SportsNet New York.Pulled from the carriage agreement announcement between CV and SNY. I noticed it was conspicuously absent from Verizon's announcement. Verizon has announced the addition of Fox Sports Net Southwest's HD feed to its Texas customers at the end of this month but no word on any other RSN HD feeds in its other service areas. It will be interesting to see how long it takes them to add NESN's HD feed for its Boston area subscribers. I wish Verizon would focus more on the HD sports offerings but there's obviously not much demand for it from John Q Public--yet.

What you've outlined is what cable companies have long claimed, that they're just passing along what they've received.No ... it's what people have long claimed on behalf of cable companies. Over-generalized, over-simplified claims which in some cases are accurate ... and in many cases are not ... and that don't tell the whole story either (since in many cases the feeds cable and Verizon recieve have already been groomed, rate-shaped, and stat-muxed).

Oh, and a key difference between what Verizon and those cable companies that aren't aggressively rate-shaping ... the reasons / motivations for each are (usually) different.With optical fiber bandwidths, there's no need to limit bit rates to 256-QAM cable's ~39 Mbps, cramming in 2+ HD channels.Hmmm ... cost, reliability, maintenance, use of bleeding-edge equipment that in many cases has not been developeded / manufactured / tested / and or significantly deployed anywhere (which again gets back to cost, reliability and maintenance). Wanting to stay in business and not needlessly burn $$$ ...

There is (technically) no need for a 38.8 Mbps "limit" on a 750MHz HFC cable plant either. I could sell your local cable company a system that uses the exact same 750MHz RF coax coming into the house they currently use and allowed for 10,000+ HD channels with a 100+Mbps bit rate per channel. It would be hideously expensive, require massive upgrades at the head-end and edge nodes, require new STBs for everyone ... not to mention massive overkill. I don't think people would be willing to pay the huge premium for such a service (compared to other MVPDs) that would be required for the cable company to stay in business ...

But sure ... technically it could be done.If 1080 DVDs can deliver 23--40 Mbps, with the potential for full 1920X1080 resolvable detail, saying Verizon's all-fiber delivery is limited to only ~19 Mbps, is, ah, puzzling.Let's see what I said ...Verizon isn't going to send you a 45Mbps CBS feed (nor claiming that they will). Heck ... they couldn't even if they wanted to (without making some pretty drasitc changes to their network and/or sending everyone new STBs).I never said Verizon's fiber limits them to 19Mbps. I said their current network (which, as commonly used, would include not only the fiber but certain equipment connected to the fiber and its usage) precludes a 45Mbps CBS feed. No, this is not a limitation of fiber itself ... just as cable's limitations are not inherent to RF coax. They're limitations of the current network(s).

I'm also not sure where you got ~19Mbps from. Perhaps:Basically, what you should expect (for now) for OTAs is about the same as you get OTA ... no more, no less. Although ... that's just an expectation. There's also plenty of reasons why OTAs could be different (better or worse) via Verizon than what you get via OTA ... for now and in the future.I thought I made it pretty clear that this is what your current expectation should be from Verizon for OTAs ... and that may (or may not) change going forward. Guess not. And again, not an expectation that is based on limits (or capabilites) of fiber ... but on how Verizon is actually using it and what they are doing ...

Oh, or perhaps you got the ~19Mbps from:What Verizon is (vaguely) saying ... and what they seem to be doing ... is that whatever the local CBS affiliate sends Verizon ... be it 5Mbps, or 10Mbps, or 19Mbps or whatever ... that's basically what you get.I never said locals where limited to sending 19Mbps to Verizon either. In practice, almost no stations are currently going to be sending more (getting back to expectations). But ... they certainly can.

If you want to know what Verizon is (and isn't) doing ... there's lots of publically available information (from Verizon and others). Verizon's fiber OR cable's RF coax could both be used to deliver significantly more (in terms of channels, bitrates, etc) into the home than they currently being utilized for. Don't base your expecations on the "limits" of either (fiber or coax) because quite frankly ... the "limits" will never be tapped (for either). Expecations come from how the fiber and coax is being used ...

Okay, I can't speak to the technical issues that most of you can. But I can tell you this. I switched from Comcast to Fios TV about 6 weeks ago and there is no question that it's better then Comcast whether it's the compression ratio or some other factor the picture quality is substantially better then Cable. Standard def is MUCH better and HD is somewhat better.

My guess, is that the claim of less compression is probably true since the 160GB DVR that they provided me with will only hold about 95hrs of standard def recording. But that's just my guess, I'm sure someone here will correct me if I'm mistaken.

Verizon facing uphill FiOS battle

March 25, 2006

NEW YORK -- Verizon Communications has made some big headlines as of late with its FiOS TV service, including a major retransmission consent agreement with CBS Corp. last week.

However, the rollout of the video competitor to cable and satellite TV services remains an uphill battle in many regards, according to Wall Street and industry observers, who regularly cite the high cost for developing and getting FiOS to consumers.

Chairman and CEO of cable giant Comcast Corp. Brian Roberts berated the new competitor at a recent investor conference, saying FiOS does "not show any economic promise."

Beyond the pure financials, however, Verizon has found it arduous to get local franchise approvals and apparently also has found that it isn't easy to get its marketing message out.

Case in point: New Jersey.

Verizon this month said that Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cablevision Systems have refused to run a 30-second commercial submitted by FiOS for placement in the cable operators' New Jersey markets.

The ad, titled "CPI," said that since 2001 cable prices have increased four times as much as the Consumer Price Index, making the case that consumers should look for alternatives. "In places where Verizon has been allowed to offer its all-digital fiber-optic TV ... people are paying less," an announcer tells viewers, according to a transcript of the ad.

"The cable industry is erecting yet another barrier to efforts to give consumers in New Jersey what they want and deserve: a choice of cable TV providers," Verizon New Jersey president Dennis Bone said.

The cable operators, however, point out that they are not doing anything wrong or unusual.

"Standard industry practice is not to accept advertising from your direct competitors ... Verizon still has the ability to place ads through broadcasters," a spokeswoman for TW Cable said.

A Comcast spokesman said his firm often runs Verizon ads and commercials from other competitors, but the ad in question was "part of a larger lobbying effort intended to secure preferential legislative treatment."

Industry observers also suggest that FiOS, which is not yet selling advertising, might not allow commercials for its competitors in the future, either.

However, one observer said that Verizon might have succeeded in drawing at least some more attention to its cause by making noise about the ad.

Satellite giant EchoStar Communications a few years ago also gained notoriety with a nationwide ad and public relations campaign that urged U.S. consumers to "stop feeding the (cable) pig." That campaign had a Web site that played a central role.

Similarly, the Verizon commercial in New Jersey also mentions an online venue that the telecom giant has set up to drum up support for its initiatives and create Web buzz - tvchoicenj.com.

Beyond reiterating the message of the ad, the site focuses on criticism of current N.J. rules, under which Verizon must seek individual franchise agreements in each town where it is building a network for FiOS.

In response to this, a Cablevision spokesman said: "The phone company should focus on competing fairly on a level playing field, which for some reason it has been unwilling to do."

Cablevision, TW Cable and Comcast are members of the New Jersey Cable Telecommunications Assn. The association has issued news releases countering Verizon's accusations, arguing that educational and governmental access channels only available on cable could be threatened, among others.

Verizon brass has signaled they are in the video business for the long run. For example, CEO Ivan Seidenberg said at an investor conference this year that he is "encouraged" by the early market acceptance for FiOS and said the more the company invests in it, the more revenue and return from the video business Verizon will be able to reap.

Of course, some investors fear that this will mean Verizon could lose billions that will be dumped into the further rollout of FiOS.

Seidenberg said he is aware of the scrutiny. "Most people haven't called me to say this is a good idea," he said. "But I think we're more interested in staying steady on this and giving people results."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002236328

You will need the 9.95 HD box if you intend to watch PPV, VoD, and use the program guide. If you don't care about those features, then go with Cable Card, all HD channels will come in, including HBO if you subcribe to any of the premium packages. Also, if you sign up for a year you get 5 bucks a month back per month, so your cable card is paid for for almost two TVs (or one series 3 Tivo with 2 cable cards installed).

wow, thats awesome.

i dont really care for vod or ppv, so it looks like im gonna be saving some money....

tell me this, how will verizon work as far as upgrades? say i replace a regular tube tv with another hd tv, will i be penalized for returning their box for a cable card?

wow, thats awesome.

i dont really care for vod or ppv, so it looks like im gonna be saving some money....

tell me this, how will verizon work as far as upgrades? say i replace a regular tube tv with another hd tv, will i be penalized for returning their box for a cable card?

I was told that a technician will have to come out to install your cable card. So there will most likely be a fee with that unless you opt for the cable card on your initial installation.

This is an odd question, or rather a comment. At quick glance, I haven't seen anyone talk about it, but what's with ALL movies getting a 2 star rating? There's nothing with more than two, and nothing with less than two. There are so many things that need to be worked out with the menu or that Motorola box (maybe both!), but the PQ just keeps me coming back! :confused: :p

Next weekend Showtime and Starz will be available free for the folks that don't have it. That's for the folks in VA - don't know about other markets.

Verizon's Package of Unlimited Voice Calling, FiOS Internet and FiOS TV is the Better Deal for Woburn Customers

28.03.2006 22:07:00

WOBURN, Mass., March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- There's no better feeling than when your competitor proves that you're right.

That's the way Verizon felt when RCN introduced a new data speed for its Internet access product in Woburn.

Verizon has said all along that when a new TV or data company enters the market, prices and packages from the incumbent monopoly companies almost magically get better. The problem with RCN's new Woburn deal is that Verizon still has a better deal.

Customers in Woburn, who are served by Verizon's fiber network, can get a package of services for $119.85 per month that includes:

-- Verizon Freedom Essentials voice calling plan, which includes unlimited local, regional and long-distance direct dialed calling, in addition to the three most popular calling features -- Home Voice Mail, Caller ID and Call Waiting. -- FiOS Internet service with connection speeds of up to 15 megabits downstream and 2 megabits upstream.* -- The new FiOS TV's Expanded Basic package, with more than 180 digital video and music channels, including more than 20 high-definition channels, and access to on-demand programming. Verizon currently offers more than 2,200 video-on-demand channels (increasing to 3,500 in the next several months).

RCN's package of services, with its new higher download speed, does not include long-distance voice calling and is priced at almost $130 -- $10 more each month than Verizon's package. In addition, RCN's package does not include any digital video channels. The price for an RCN package that includes unlimited local, regional and long-distance calling and digital video balloons all the way up to almost $175 a month, $55 more than the comparable Verizon triple-play package.

"This is a usual ploy by the incumbent companies," said Diane Collins, Verizon marketing director for New England. "Customers think they're getting a good deal, but when some new competition enters the market -- like Verizon -- they find a way to improve their offering. But even in this case, for Woburn residents, the Verizon deal is the way to go."

Verizon recently began offering FiOS TV in both Woburn and nearby Reading. FiOS TV has superior value, a broad range of programming choices and superior picture quality. FiOS TV and Internet Service are brought to Woburn and thousands of other communities across the country over Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises network. The network brings the power and capacity of fiber optics directly into people's homes and has industry-leading quality and reliability. Fiber delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen.

* Verizon reminds you to always download legally. Actual (throughput) speeds will vary.

http://finanzen.net/news/news_detail.asp?NewsNr=384419

More FiOS TV in Texas
3/28/2006 5:22:00 PM

Verizon Communications Inc. expanded its Verizon FiOS TV service to several thousand households in Highland Village and Rowlett, Texas.

The regional Bell operating company is now offering its fiber-optic television service in 16 communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area.

Verizon also announced the addition of MTV HD and National Geographic HD to its lineup as of March 30.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6319806.html?display=Breaking+News

Thinking ahead but, perhaps, missing what has been discussed before !

Let's see if I have this correct since I do not have FiOS TV yet:

The NFL Network is part of a Sports Package for $5.95

Most DBS and Cable companies put this channel in their Digital Package or even provide it as part of their standard (Extended) Basic Package (analog and digital).

So, since I don't want all those cr@ppy Sports channels year around in a FiOS TV Sports Package, I just need to waste money when the NFL Network broadcasts live games starting around Thanksgiving. This means no NFL Network for me most of the year !

You can bet that they (FiOS TV) will notice the jump in Sports Package subscriptions just before Thanksgiving, because I believe that there's a lot of people like me. This whole thing will be a little like (mini-echo of) the jump DirecTv always gets when the NFL Package starts every year.

*** FiOS Sports Package $5.95/month
- More than a dozen different sports channels
- Includes Fox College Sports, Outdoor Channel, GolTV, NFL Network and more

If you get the movie and sports package it's only $3 more than the movie package alone. The movie package is worth it because you get Starz!, Showtime, Encore, TMC, Flix and Sundance with Starz!, Showtime and TMC HD channels. So the $3 for the sports package isn't that much.

Looks like about $68 for Expanded Basic, DVR, movie and sports package, and premiums (plus taxes and fees). For me that would be cheaper than Comcast, and I don't have any premiums or the sports package.

what is the customer service # for FIOS TV? I am curious as to the upcoming channels and wanna talk to them about it.

what is the customer service # for FIOS TV? I am curious as to the upcoming channels and wanna talk to them about it.


I think the number for the FiOS center is (888) 933-3331.

thanks for the #

Post #28 Here (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=52877&page=3) indicates NGCHD is now online on FiOS TV...

Can anybody confirm this? I'm at work and won't be home till 5:30est.

you might also try 1-(888) 991-4999 .

Post #28 Here (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=52877&page=3) indicates NGCHD is now online on FiOS TV...

Can anybody confirm this? I'm at work and won't be home till 5:30est.

Nothing on 822 in FFX yet.

by the way does anybody know if the new tivo 3 that's coming out this year work with verizon fios tv? will the tivo3 record in HD?

There were some info-mercials on 822 this morning...

Something is going on.

Yes, 822 is up and running in FFX. Looks like a pretty good PQ even on the non-HD shows

Does anyone have any information regarding Fios adding YES to the lineup? I was promised that it would be active by opening day when I signed up, but now I'm hearing that they can't guarantee a start date. I need my Yankees!

Hello everyone,

I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but this thread is becoming a bit unwieldy. :)

I'm strongly looking into dropping DirecTV and switching to FIOS when they finally come to NYC, but I have a concern about the programming. I was wondering if they carry, or have any plans to carry any of the sports subscriptions, such as NBA League Pass? I know D* has NFL Sunday Ticket locked up for the next few years, but anyway, my main concern is the NBA.

I'm strongly looking into dropping DirecTV and switching to FIOS when they finally come to NYC, but I have a concern about the programming. I was wondering if they carry, or have any plans to carry any of the sports subscriptions, such as NBA League Pass? I know D* has NFL Sunday Ticket locked up for the next few years, but anyway, my main concern is the NBA.Take a look at this guy's website (http://www.longhornxp.net/Verizon.html). He has some inside contacts with Verizon and seems to know what he is talking about. I have had FiOS TV for over 2 months now and the picture quality versus D*, my former provider, is no contest. FiOS also offers the most national HD channels currently, as well they should with their virtually unlimited bandwidth into the home. Of course the sports subscriptions are still predominantly standard def and will be for at least the rest of this year. As you know, many of the regional sports networks are starting to provide a high def feed. Thus far, FiOS is only offering its Dallas area subscribers their RSN's HD feed. That would be FSN Southwest. Dallas area subscribers are also currently the only FiOS subs to get HDNet and its sports programming. For now I'm content to watch the limited sporting events I get through the networks, ESPN and ESPN2 and the NBA on TNT while I wait for Verizon to offer our local RSN's high def feed and come to some agreement with In Demand LLC for its programming.

Take a look at this guy's website (http://www.longhornxp.net/Verizon.html). He has some inside contacts with Verizon and seems to know what he is talking about. I have had FiOS TV for over 2 months now and the picture quality versus D*, my former provider, is no contest. FiOS also offers the most national HD channels currently, as well they should with their virtually unlimited bandwidth into the home. Of course the sports subscriptions are still predominantly standard def and will be for at least the rest of this year. As you know, many of the regional sports networks are starting to provide a high def feed. Thus far, FiOS is only offering its Dallas area subscribers their RSN's HD feed. That would be FSN Southwest. Dallas area subscribers are also currently the only FiOS subs to get HDNet and its sports programming. For now I'm content to watch the limited sporting events I get through the networks, ESPN and ESPN2 and the NBA on TNT while I wait for Verizon to offer our local RSN's high def feed and come to some agreement with In Demand LLC for its programming.

I just wanted to let everyone know I've updated this page with new information regarding other things beyond programming offerings talked about above. I know this was a little late but I've spent the last two weeks moving up north to New Hampshire from Florida so I haven't had much time for anything. Also being without internet service for two weeks also had something todo with it.

I just wanted to let everyone know I've updated this page with new information regarding other things beyond programming offerings talked about above.
Nice informative link (http://www.longhornxp.net/Verizon.html). Appreciate the effort. Might help to define all terms, such as ONTs.

First Verizon FIOS TV service is a 100% all digital offering and it also has the "best" SD and HD picture quality of any cable and satellite company today. They have so much bandwidth they must reduce the picture quality or your DVR would only record 1 hour total of anything. But even their reduction in picture quality is still much much better than anything out today so that should give you an idea....
Puzzled by this excerpt. Even higher professional network distribution bit rates (<55 Mbps) are less than 3X widely recorded OTA HD rates (~19 Mbps). Verizon's final bit rates to homes--ideally referenced with source bit rates from programmers--remains vague. Always thought comparisons with distribution satellite downlinks from C-band etc. would be valid, since BUD (big-dish) subscribers claim this service offers the best PQ. Since Verizon is using cable STBs and similar distribution hardware, it seems bit rates and PQ would be similar to high-quality cable systems. But I'm sure Verizon, to promote its PQ, is planning to release detailed tables comparing source bit rates, typical cable/DBS rates, and theirs. Guess they'd have to also include, where it applies, an indication of anyone's rate shaping, too, here meaning on-the-fly (without decoding) changes in quantization levels crafted to conserve bandwidth demands (by reducing the highest frequencies/details). -- John

Take a look at this guy's website (http://www.longhornxp.net/Verizon.html). He has some inside contacts with Verizon and seems to know what he is talking about. I have had FiOS TV for over 2 months now and the picture quality versus D*, my former provider, is no contest. FiOS also offers the most national HD channels currently, as well they should with their virtually unlimited bandwidth into the home. Of course the sports subscriptions are still predominantly standard def and will be for at least the rest of this year. As you know, many of the regional sports networks are starting to provide a high def feed. Thus far, FiOS is only offering its Dallas area subscribers their RSN's HD feed. That would be FSN Southwest. Dallas area subscribers are also currently the only FiOS subs to get HDNet and its sports programming. For now I'm content to watch the limited sporting events I get through the networks, ESPN and ESPN2 and the NBA on TNT while I wait for Verizon to offer our local RSN's high def feed and come to some agreement with In Demand LLC for its programming.

Thanks for the link. To clarify, are you saying that only Dallas gets HDNet on FIOS? That just won't do for me. I need to see Bikini Destinations and Get Out. ;)

To clarify, are you saying that only Dallas gets HDNet on FIOS? That just won't do for me. I need to see Bikini Destinations and Get Out. ;)That is correct. Verizon has said they intend to offer HDNet nationally "sometime in 2006."

Well, they're not even in NYC yet, and who knows when they will be? I'm hoping and guessing that all of these things will be settle before they launch in the city. At that time, I will have to see what they are carrying and make a decision.

For me, it's going to be a choice between upgrading my DirecTV to the new MPEG 4 receivers, dish and multiswitch or going to FIOS. In order for me to move to FIOS, in addition to the national HD channels (i.e. HBO, Showtime, ESPN, etc.), they will have to carry YES HD and NBA League Pass, they will have to offer an HD DVR, (I'm wary of any 'network PVR' plans) and I would like for them to carry Setanta Sports, the only place I can see European Rugby. The latter may not be a deal breaker as long as they carry Fox Soccer Channel and that channel continues to carry Southern Hemisphere Rugby (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa), although I do prefer the European Rugby.

Is there any place where one can request or suggest programming for FIOS to carry?

Thus far, FiOS is only offering its Dallas area subscribers their RSN's HD feed. That would be FSN Southwest.
While I did receive a letter from Verizon stating that Fox Sports SW HD would be added to the line-up by March 30, it has NOT shown up in my listings. Very disappointing, as I was hoping to fill in the many non-HD games that I am now forced to watch on Fox Sports SW-SD. The other evening the game was listed on HD Net but was blocked due to carriage on Fox Sports.

I am hoping someone has heard something about whether this is slated to show up soon, what the hold-up may be, etc.....

Nice informative link (http://www.longhornxp.net/Verizon.html). Appreciate the effort. Might help to define all terms, such as ONTs.


Puzzled by this excerpt. Even higher professional network distribution bit rates (<55 Mbps) are less than 3X widely recorded OTA HD rates (~19 Mbps). Verizon's final bit rates to homes--ideally referenced with source bit rates from programmers--remains vague. Always thought comparisons with distribution satellite downlinks from C-band etc. would be valid, since BUD (big-dish) subscribers claim this service offers the best PQ. Since Verizon is using cable STBs and similar distribution hardware, it seems bit rates and PQ would be similar to high-quality cable systems. But I'm sure Verizon, to promote its PQ, is planning to release detailed tables comparing source bit rates, typical cable/DBS rates, and theirs. Guess they'd have to also include, where it applies, an indication of anyone's rate shaping, too, here meaning on-the-fly (without decoding) changes in quantization levels crafted to conserve bandwidth demands (by reducing the highest frequencies/details). -- John

My quote your talking about isn't specific but tries to tell you that HD-Lite or any form of it doesn't exist on FIOS TV. Besides OTA local HD channels all other satellite delivered HD channels come at a much higher bitrate. I'm saying that FIOS has enough bandwidth to offer satellite delivered HD channels (ie espn hd or any non LIL HD channels) in the exact bitrate its sent to them which is around 45Mbps on average. Because your DVR could record very little HD content at these types of bitrates Verizon must reduce this bitrate. This reduction in bitrate is less than any satellite and cable company. The biggest difference is in the SD channels as Verizon doesn't reduce the bitrate of these channels to anything close to what both cable and satellite companies do. That is why SD looks so much better on FIOS TV than on cable and satellite. Also keep in mind that if Verizon gets a bad quality SD feed from the network it "will not" look as good as another channel that offers a better quality feed to Verizon. But Verizon should look better on these subpar feeds because they still would do less to alter it than say cable. Just remember the good old saying garbage in gives you garbage out.

I hope this gives you a better idea of what I'm talking about and what is being done.

Thanks for the link. To clarify, are you saying that only Dallas gets HDNet on FIOS? That just won't do for me. I need to see Bikini Destinations and Get Out. ;)

HDNet will be offered outside of the Dallas area once the new blackout hardware is put into place in all the CO that are serving video services. HDNet blacks out Dallas games outside of the Dallas market as they are required todo so by the sports leagues themselves. This isn't an issue in Dallas at this time but even the Dallas market needs this hardware to apply blackouts with the various sports packages that InDemand offers. Yes I do feel good from what I hear about Verizon getting carriage for all InDemand offerings including the sports packages. Just give it some time and it should be done in all video served areas before the summer.

Well, they're not even in NYC yet, and who knows when they will be? I'm hoping and guessing that all of these things will be settle before they launch in the city. At that time, I will have to see what they are carrying and make a decision.

For me, it's going to be a choice between upgrading my DirecTV to the new MPEG 4 receivers, dish and multiswitch or going to FIOS. In order for me to move to FIOS, in addition to the national HD channels (i.e. HBO, Showtime, ESPN, etc.), they will have to carry YES HD and NBA League Pass, they will have to offer an HD DVR, (I'm wary of any 'network PVR' plans) and I would like for them to carry Setanta Sports, the only place I can see European Rugby. The latter may not be a deal breaker as long as they carry Fox Soccer Channel and that channel continues to carry Southern Hemisphere Rugby (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa), although I do prefer the European Rugby.

Is there any place where one can request or suggest programming for FIOS to carry?

I feel very good about Verizon getting a contract with InDemand for both the two InHD channels and the sports packages but as with anything it doesn't help you until it happens. RSN networks such as YES HD and such are being worked on but some of these networks will not work a contract with Verizon until blackout hardware is in place. Also ESPN has said in their contracts that they cannot offer an RSN feed unless they can blackout the RSN feed if ESPN has exclusive rights to that event. The RSN's have also said they wouldn't work a contract with them unless they can blackout the event on ESPN when they have exclusive rights to this event in specific markets. I think you see what I'm getting at and you also shouldn't worry much about it as these deals will get done sooner rather than later.

Verizon will still offer an HD DVR box even if they offer an NDVR product. From what I've been told Verizon is hoping that an HD DVR customer will also order the NDVR service in addition to renting their HD DVR box. They are thinking about discounting the NDVR service if you have an HD DVR on the account. Just don't worry about not having an HD DVR box available to you. Also because of the issues with their current DVR boxes along with slow fixing schedules I'm hearing from a few people that Verizon is in deep talks with Tivo. For the specific Tivo information just read it from the link above.

While I did receive a letter from Verizon stating that Fox Sports SW HD would be added to the line-up by March 30, it has NOT shown up in my listings. Very disappointing, as I was hoping to fill in the many non-HD games that I am now forced to watch on Fox Sports SW-SD. The other evening the game was listed on HD Net but was blocked due to carriage on Fox Sports.

I am hoping someone has heard something about whether this is slated to show up soon, what the hold-up may be, etc.....

I've been away and offline moving up north for the last two weeks so I can't answer this question for you. I will try and find out but this may be hard as Verizon has local people that deal with these types of contracts so my contacts are more national based contracts who know nothing about any local contracts or issues. I will do my best to find out why this hasn't showed up yet.

I have had FiOS in Falls Church, VA for a month or so now, and have recently come across some problems with my signal during certain times. The picture pixelates and freezes and the sound drops out at seemingly random time. It was only apparent on certain channels.

Then I realized that it seemed to correspond with my cell phone being on a call. I decided to take the EE degree to work and did some troubleshooting.

The channels that drop out (as far as I could tell):
cartoon 831Mhz
comedy 825Mhz
discovery 825Mhz

Quad-band GSM on the Cingular network:

Band 1: 850 MHz (824.2 - 848.8 MHz Tx; 869.2 - 893.8 MHz Rx)

This is a legacy AT&T band(now that they merged), that allows for long transmit distances in area where the higher frequency towers can't reach. Looks like we have an interference problem.

So, I called the tech support, they are aware of the problem (have had a bunch of complaints), but seem to have no fix for it at the time. I provided them with all the information and got a call back in a few minutes. This seemed to be some new information for them, and they scheduled a visit to "troubleshoot" (or experiment with) the problem.

Let me know if anyone else has the same problem, I'm curious to know. I'll update with more info after the visit.

I've noticed the same problem on Comedy Central and Discovery (not HD). Haven't noticed on Cartoon Network, but then again haven't been watching it much. Anything we record off of these stations inevitably has a lot of instances of the sound drop out followed by pixelization. A couple of things we have tried to record off of Discover were almost entirely garbage.

Good to hear they are aware of this. Hopefully a fix is forthcoming.

I have had FiOS in Falls Church, VA for a month or so now, and have recently come across some problems with my signal during certain times. The picture pixelates and freezes and the sound drops out at seemingly random time. It was only apparent on certain channels.

Then I realized that it seemed to correspond with my cell phone being on a call. I decided to take the EE degree to work and did some troubleshooting.

The channels that drop out (as far as I could tell):
cartoon 831Mhz
comedy 825Mhz
discovery 825Mhz

Quad-band GSM on the Cingular network:

Band 1: 850 MHz (824.2 - 848.8 MHz Tx; 869.2 - 893.8 MHz Rx)

This is a legacy AT&T band(now that they merged), that allows for long transmit distances in area where the higher frequency towers can't reach. Looks like we have an interference problem.

So, I called the tech support, they are aware of the problem (have had a bunch of complaints), but seem to have no fix for it at the time. I provided them with all the information and got a call back in a few minutes. This seemed to be some new information for them, and they scheduled a visit to "troubleshoot" (or experiment with) the problem.

Let me know if anyone else has the same problem, I'm curious to know. I'll update with more info after the visit.

It's called ingress! Check ALL coax connections to ensure tightness. There is never going to be a magic fix for this. If the coax plant is installed and working correctly there should be no interference.

It's called ingress! Check ALL coax connections to ensure tightness. There is never going to be a magic fix for this. If the coax plant is installed and working correctly there should be no interference.

I can't quite remember what its called but this customer needs a new fitting on the cable. The fitting is the gold or silver metal thing at the end of each coax cable that screws into the jack. When these issues occur it means you need to have your coax cable stripped again and have a Verizon approved filter put on the cable. For some reason the Verizon network unlike cable networks cannot have much leakage from the cables. A bad fitting just kills the signal because of leakage. I haven't dealt with this in person but I know its a problem. Most cable companies don't use these types of fittings so they never become a problem. I must ask this customer if he/she is using a cable that was installed or spliced by a satellite company as they are the most likely to use these types of fittings. If you answer yes to this question you might just have your answer.

In simple terms this customer is having a signal leakage with the higher frequencies. It will be hit or miss with each channel above say 800Mhz and this leakage can also cause timeouts with VOD. If you use VOD a lot and have random errors when starting or playing back a show/movie this should hit the nail on the head. Also when I say error I mean getting an error code displayed on the screen at the start of VOD playback or during VOD playback with no specific reason.

My quote your talking about isn't specific but tries to tell you that HD-Lite or any form of it doesn't exist on FIOS TV. Besides OTA local HD channels all other satellite delivered HD channels come at a much higher bitrate. I'm saying that FIOS has enough bandwidth to offer satellite delivered HD channels (ie espn hd or any non LIL HD channels) in the exact bitrate its sent to them which is around 45Mbps on average. Because your DVR could record very little HD content at these types of bitrates Verizon must reduce this bitrate. This reduction in bitrate is less than any satellite and cable company. The biggest difference is in the SD channels as Verizon doesn't reduce the bitrate of these channels to anything close to what both cable and satellite companies do. That is why SD looks so much better on FIOS TV than on cable and satellite. Also keep in mind that if Verizon gets a bad quality SD feed from the network it "will not" look as good as another channel that offers a better quality feed to Verizon. But Verizon should look better on these subpar feeds because they still would do less to alter it than say cable. Just remember the good old saying garbage in gives you garbage out.

I hope this gives you a better idea of what I'm talking about and what is being done.
Thanks for the reply. But someone, somewhere, must have some hard data. Mention of Verizon's "higher bit rates" seems way too vague here. Clearly its bit rates would be compared to DirecTV's HDLite, which also involves reformating. My use of satellite downlinks didn't mean DBS, but instead the high-quality video enjoyed by the dwindling number of BUD (big-dish) users for C-band etc.

Agree fiber bandwidth should handle network downlinks (~45+ Mbps), and would think hard drives in user hardware, perhaps doubled in capacity, could handle those levels; MPEG-4, of course, requires about half MPEG-2's bit rates. Using these higher bit rates for networks such as CBS, NBC, etc. instead of <19-Mbps from local station compression to fit 6-MHz-wide OTA channels, complicates things (e.g. injecting local ads, if necessary). But a switching system monitoring both ~45-Mbps downlinks and ~19-Mbps local broadcasts might automatically switch to local material.

Suspect on a larger-screen 1080p display, many would notice the higher PQ of original ~45 Mbps downlinks--especially if the local station is sub-channel multicasting to where motion artifacts are ruining the main 1080i channel. Again, while the data would be hard to track down, what's needed is a table contrasting all these supposed bit rates, plus some authoritative links to back up the data. -- John
-

Does anyone have any information regarding Fios adding YES to the lineup? I was promised that it would be active by opening day when I signed up, but now I'm hearing that they can't guarantee a start date. I need my Yankees!


I'm with you, what's up.

I can't quite remember what its called but this customer needs a new fitting on the cable. The fitting is the gold or silver metal thing at the end of each coax cable that screws into the jack. When these issues occur it means you need to have your coax cable stripped again and have a Verizon approved filter put on the cable. For some reason the Verizon network unlike cable networks cannot have much leakage from the cables. A bad fitting just kills the signal because of leakage. I haven't dealt with this in person but I know its a problem. Most cable companies don't use these types of fittings so they never become a problem. I must ask this customer if he/she is using a cable that was installed or spliced by a satellite company as they are the most likely to use these types of fittings. If you answer yes to this question you might just have your answer.

In simple terms this customer is having a signal leakage with the higher frequencies. It will be hit or miss with each channel above say 800Mhz and this leakage can also cause timeouts with VOD. If you use VOD a lot and have random errors when starting or playing back a show/movie this should hit the nail on the head. Also when I say error I mean getting an error code displayed on the screen at the start of VOD playback or during VOD playback with no specific reason.

Ingress is ingress, once the RF leaves the ONT, FIOS is nothing different than a cable system.

Ingress is ingress, once the RF leaves the ONT, FIOS is nothing different than a cable system.

Most of it is the same but not all.

I just had a Verizon rep come to my house. I live in Olney, Md. I signed up for FIOS internet access and he said that he should be back in here in 3 weeks to offer FIOS TV. I told him I had not heard where our County Council had even approved Verizon to offer cable TV services yet. I did send an email to the Montgomery County Council a couple of weeks ago and inquired as to the status of a license being issued to Verizon for TV svcs, but they have not replied (big surprise). I had Comcast HD installed (and terminated DTV) just last Saturday. While Comcast HD is very good, their non-digital channels are very poor (even w/an amplifier provided by the installer) and the digital channels are still not as good as DTV. News at 11:00.

Bump!

Note that there is still no word or evidence per Fox Sports HD carriage in North Texas. I even went back to look at my letter to be sure I hadn't imagined it....

Verizon has updated its channel lineup page with MHD and National Geographic HD. Very impressive lineup.

http://www22.verizon.com/FiosForHome/Channels/FiosTV/channel.aspx

They have Comcast SportsNet in Howard County MD. No HD yet.

For those interested, I have posted a summary of the FiOS application in Chester County, PA in the Philadelphia local section.

Howard County, Maryland has a channel lineup now. Congrats!

Moderate *article on FiOS Tv customer thoughts and experience in TX:

http://www.cableworld.com/cgi/cw/show_mag.cgi?pub=cw&mon=041006&file=wakeupcall.htm

* I thought it was just a bit too long to post the entire thing here !

I just had a Verizon rep come to my house. I live in Olney, Md. I signed up for FIOS internet access and he said that he should be back in here in 3 weeks to offer FIOS TV. I told him I had not heard where our County Council had even approved Verizon to offer cable TV services yet. I did send an email to the Montgomery County Council a couple of weeks ago and inquired as to the status of a license being issued to Verizon for TV svcs, but they have not replied (big surprise). I had Comcast HD installed (and terminated DTV) just last Saturday. While Comcast HD is very good, their non-digital channels are very poor (even w/an amplifier provided by the installer) and the digital channels are still not as good as DTV. News at 11:00.

I sure hope they can bring FIOS TV to Montgomery County soon. I'm in Germantown, MD. I work for Hughes and have enjoyed free DirecTV service for the last 7 years. Unfortunately, DirecTV and Hughes (HNS) are no longer affiliated, so no more free service. No discount either, so it's time to survey the options. Please keep us posted if you hear back from Verizon.

So does anyone know where to send a channel request to Verizon?

I just noticed MASN on ch 66 - was that always there?

I called the County Council last week after the Verizon Sales guy told me that FIOS TV was coming in 3 weeks. You may have read this on other threads on this forum, but if not, here is the scoop. Verizon has not yet even applied for cable franchise license in Montgomery County. They are in discussions w/the County. The person I spoke to told me that they (the County) were hoping to be able to offer Verizon FIOS as choice to the Montgomery County residents by June. But they will need to have a franchise license to do so. My assumption is that Verizon has been waiting on Congress to pass a National Cable Franchise bill. Last week, on the 5th, the subcommittee on Telecomms & Cable approved a bill to permit the Telcos to avoid having to go county by county (nationwide that is thousands of counties) to get a franchise license approved. The telcos would then pay the county 5% of their annual revenues or risk substantial fines if they do not pay the proper amount to the counties (audits once a year). It is supposed to go to the Full Committee for a vote on April 24. There is no telling how long that will take and if it makes it to the Senate and then the President (for signature) is anyone's guess. The excerpt below details what happened before the vote approving the bill to go to the full committee. I cannot find the link (I had read it) w/the info about the approval.

Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., late Tuesday said a bipartisan package of amendments would be offered tomorrow to beef up key enforcement provisions in legislation to make it easier for phone companies to roll out pay TV services.

Story continues below...


The legislation, which is up for a vote by the House telecommunications subcommittee starting Wednesday morning, would clear the way for phone companies to roll out video operations through a national franchising process-one that would allow them to bypass the local franchising process that incumbent cable TV operators had to go through to launch the nation's existing cable systems.

"The measure would allow cable TV operators to switch from local to national franchises after a phone company launches video services on their turf or when the cable company's local franchise expires. One of the provisions in Rep. Upton's amendment package would give the Federal Communications Commission or a franchising authority the right to audit the books of national video franchise providers once a year to ensure that they aren't cheating on a requirement to pay local authorities up to 6 percent of their revenues. Another amendment in Rep. Upton's package would give the FCC the right to issue fines of up to $500,000 to telephone or cable companies that use their power over their broadband networks to discriminate against rival content providers. The amendment would also require the agency to resolve discrimination complaints within 90 days."

Here is the link to a site called Multichannel. The Headline reads: House Panel Leaders OK National Cable Franchise.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6314469.html?display=Breaking+News

http://www.mediaweek.com/mediaweek/images/pdf/cable%20report.pdf

Terry Densen (VP of Strategy and Acquision for Verizon) wants your house !

As part of a special report from Mediaweek,

"Mediaweek managing editor Jim Cooper spoke with Terry Denson, vp, strategy and acquisition for Verizon’s FiOS TV, who is working acquire content for the fledgling cable rival. He is focused on giving consumers what they want. “We’ve got the most diverse channel lineup in the business and we have the simplest packaging,” he tells Cooper. “Whatever the customer values is what we are going after.”

The story can be found on page 2 of the report.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mediaweek/images/pdf/cable%20report.pdf

Terry Densen (VP of Strategy and Acquision for Verizon) wants your house !

As part of a special report from Mediaweek,

"Mediaweek managing editor Jim Cooper spoke with Terry Denson, vp, strategy and acquisition for Verizon’s FiOS TV, who is working acquire content for the fledgling cable rival. He is focused on giving consumers what they want. “We’ve got the most diverse channel lineup in the business and we have the simplest packaging,” he tells Cooper. “Whatever the customer values is what we are going after.”

The story can be found on page 2 of the report.


And again I ask if anyone here knows where I can contact Verizon and request carriage of specific channels and programming? They are not it NYC yet, but I'd like to request it anyway so that it will either be on when they do arrive, or I can make it clear to them that I won't switch without certain programming.

In their usual spaghetti of helpful info it's hard to pin down any specific way to contact them in regard to channels and programming, this is the best I've found:

http://www22.verizon.com/foryourhome/ContactUs/Contactus_email_form.asp

Here's an old phone number (1-888-GET-FIOS), but I'm not sure if they can help you or not !

In their usual spaghetti of helpful info it's hard to pin down any specific way to contact them in regard to channels and programming, this is the best I've found:

http://www22.verizon.com/foryourhome/ContactUs/Contactus_email_form.asp

Here's an old phone number (1-888-GET-FIOS), but I'm not sure if they can help you or not !

I've been told that today only customers of FIOS TV service have the ability to provide specific programming requests and this can be done by calling into the FIOS support phone number and asking the CSR to put down a feature or channel request.

If you currently have FIOS internet service but not TV service yet you can call your internet support number and ask to make a channel request for TV service and you can also say your interested in FIOS TV service whenever it becomes available in your area but you will only switch if they carry these channels.

If you don't have access to FIOS services yet you can call their sales line and request a specific feature or channel but please note that your request may not be read if they get an overflow while a customer who has FIOS today will be sure to be read. They do this to avoid having to read thousands and thousands of requests from people that might be FIOS ready years from now. I hope this helps you all out and you can also send your request via a support email link as well. Again only support phone numbers and emails will take a request that is assured to be read at some point in time that is within reason.

Hey Longhorn!

Did you pick up any information regarding the Fox Sports Net SW HD carriage in North Texas? I know you said your sources are national rather than regional, but just wondered if you'd heard anything? CS is basically just saying it will be carried, as promised, but cannot provide any info or guidance as to what is going on.

Any news as to HGTV-HD? Not that I watch this station hardly at all, but any new HD is fun.

East Marlborough Township Consumers One Step Closer to Real Choice for Cable TV
Tuesday April 11, 9:31 am ET
Verizon Obtains Fifth Pennsylvania Cable Franchise, Opening Door for Cable Competition, Consumer Choice and Value


WEST CHESTER, Pa., April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chester County township of East Marlborough brought its residents a major step closer to choice for their cable television services, thanks to the township board's vote last night (April 10) authorizing Verizon to offer its fiber-optic-powered FiOS TV.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060411/nytu096.html?.v=44

Hey Longhorn!

Did you pick up any information regarding the Fox Sports Net SW HD carriage in North Texas? I know you said your sources are national rather than regional, but just wondered if you'd heard anything? CS is basically just saying it will be carried, as promised, but cannot provide any info or guidance as to what is going on.

Any news as to HGTV-HD? Not that I watch this station hardly at all, but any new HD is fun.

Fox Sports Net SW HD carriage I can't answer as I don't know. Verizon does have a deal for HGTV HD but expect to wait a couple extra weeks for it like MTV HD was. Also note that Scripps owns both MTV HD and HGTV HD in case you wanted to know. Just give it time as it will be coming very very soon. I would be thrilled to have a company that would add a new channel within two weeks of its launch compared to the norm today which is about a year or more. Two weeks is wicked fast compared to most other companies.

Also note that Scripps owns both MTV HD and HGTV HD in case you wanted to know.

Really? Hmmm...

Fox Sports Net SW HD carriage I can't answer as I don't know. Verizon does have a deal for HGTV HD but expect to wait a couple extra weeks for it like MTV HD was. Also note that Scripps owns both MTV HD and HGTV HD in case you wanted to know. Just give it time as it will be coming very very soon. I would be thrilled to have a company that would add a new channel within two weeks of its launch compared to the norm today which is about a year or more. Two weeks is wicked fast compared to most other companies.

Any new news whether verizon has signed up the voom channels or not? Some have said they have signed but are waiting to launch. I've heard many places where they have said this has been confirmed. Do you have any new update on this? How about InHD 1 & 2?

Also note that Scripps owns both MTV HD and HGTV HD in case you wanted to know.


MTV is owned by Viacom, HGTV by Scripps.

MTV is owned by Viacom, HGTV by Scripps.
Some of the confusion may have been because Verizon listed its deals with MTV and Scripps in the same press release.

I just found out OLN will be covering most of the NHL Playoff games so I'll have to wait to move to FIOS TV until the Hockey Playoffs are finished and I was so ready to dump Comcast. :(

MTV is owned by Viacom, HGTV by Scripps.

Thanks and I thought that sounded funny but you never know with all these mergers nowadays.

I just found out OLN will be covering most of the NHL Playoff games so I'll have to wait to move to FIOS TV until the Hockey Playoffs are finished and I was so ready to dump Comcast. :(
I hope it's available by July - they usually carry the Tour de France.

I live in Fairfax county and have noticed in many areas orange spray paint and little flags that the lawn care people would use that say "Level 3 - fiber optic line".

So I interpret that as level 3 is going around laying fiber across my neighborhood and other areas I commute in...

Is this in anyway tied to Verizon and their FIOS rollout?

I know it is available in some areas close to me (Reston and the Town of Herndon).

Thanks!

I live in Fairfax county and have noticed in many areas orange spray paint and little flags that the lawn care people would use that say "Level 3 - fiber optic line".

So I interpret that as level 3 is going around laying fiber across my neighborhood and other areas I commute in...That's usually Level 3 marking their fiber because someone else is going to be digging in the area ... so it doesn't get hit.

I've been told that today only customers of FIOS TV service have the ability to provide specific programming requests and this can be done by calling into the FIOS support phone number and asking the CSR to put down a feature or channel request.

If you currently have FIOS internet service but not TV service yet you can call your internet support number and ask to make a channel request for TV service and you can also say your interested in FIOS TV service whenever it becomes available in your area but you will only switch if they carry these channels.

If you don't have access to FIOS services yet you can call their sales line and request a specific feature or channel but please note that your request may not be read if they get an overflow while a customer who has FIOS today will be sure to be read. They do this to avoid having to read thousands and thousands of requests from people that might be FIOS ready years from now. I hope this helps you all out and you can also send your request via a support email link as well. Again only support phone numbers and emails will take a request that is assured to be read at some point in time that is within reason.
I could be wrong, but I have a hard time believing that the bolded statement correct/accurate/true...at least throughout the entire Verizon footprint. I'd be hesitant to send calls into the sales centers that may not be fruitful. Before folks start calling, I'll try my best to remember to check tomorrow and see if this is true. Just out of curiosity, where does your contact work? If you aren't comfortable saying which group/dept....a state would be fine.

(yes, I work at a FiOS sales office)

I could be wrong, but I have a hard time believing that the bolded statement correct/accurate/true...at least throughout the entire Verizon footprint. I'd be hesitant to send calls into the sales centers that may not be fruitful. Before folks start calling, I'll try my best to remember to check tomorrow and see if this is true. Just out of curiosity, where does your contact work? If you aren't comfortable saying which group/dept....a state would be fine.

(yes, I work at a FiOS sales office)

Hey Jacob, how's it going.

Hey Dave!

I checked and at least at our center, no process exists to receive and pass on suggested or requested channels. I'm not in sales anymore and haven't received the video training yet...or I'd have given you folks an answer yesterday.

It's a great idea, but not in place everywhere.

I could be wrong, but I have a hard time believing that the bolded statement correct/accurate/true...at least throughout the entire Verizon footprint. I'd be hesitant to send calls into the sales centers that may not be fruitful. Before folks start calling, I'll try my best to remember to check tomorrow and see if this is true. Just out of curiosity, where does your contact work? If you aren't comfortable saying which group/dept....a state would be fine.

(yes, I work at a FiOS sales office)

Sorry I mean to say email customer service to request a specific channel. I meant to say if your not a current FIOS customer that you shouldn't call in to request a channel. But if your not a FIOS ready customer you can email customer service to request a channel but they will give a higher priority to current FIOS ready customers as far as reading them goes. Sorry again as Sales doesn't take requests just customer service and its mainly the fiber solutions customer service number at that. Also my contact is that Verizon HQ and you of all people should know where this is located. I was very tired when I wrote this and somehow I was typing what I was thinking and sadly to say I was thinking faster than my body could process and type everything. I'm sure you have had those days before.

Just to make sure nobody should call the sales line. You should only call the fiber solutions customer service number if you in a fiber ready area to request a channel. If your not in a fiber ready area please email customer service only and request that they forward the email to the fiber solutions customer service department. I've been told that email CSRs are able to forward your email to this department. I've also been told that they have filters that might be able to pickup speciifc channels in the body of the email and forward it in an automated manner but he/she couldn't say that was so as he doesn't know. Once it reaches the fiber solutions customer service department it may or may not be read if your not living in a fiber ready house.

Out of curiosity, has anyone heard anything further on Verizon supplying HDNet nationally? The reason I ask is that the explanation that had been running around for it only being available in Texas was that V* needed to install hardware in order to be able to blackout sports content that was contractually limited to one station in certain areas.

Well, I recorded the Washington National's opening game on April 3rd on ESPN expecting to enjoy one of the only HD Nat's games this year. Lo and behold, I went to start the recording and it started at the last five seconds of the game; i.e. it was blacked out. This would certainly indicate they are more than capable of blacking a channel out when needed, and thus their reasoning for not providing HDNet is either outdated or a lie to keep people off their backs. I can't believe they'd be able to blackout just the DC area for an ESPN game and not have the same capabilities for when HDNet is showing Hockey or MLS. I really doubt ESPN is the one doing the blackout, since as far as I'm aware they just send out one feed to the entire nation.

Fiber (RG-11) to the house? Would it be in a conduit to protect it? Or is is easy to repair? My current RG-6 coax gets cut by garden work about every other year. It is full of splices.

Fiber (RG-11) to the house? Would it be in a conduit to protect it? Or is is easy to repair? My current RG-6 coax gets cut by garden work about every other year. It is full of splices.
Depends, the part from the curb to the house is usually done by a contractor for Verizon - they should install it deep enough that gardening shouldn't touch it. You will not be splicing fiber - very tricky thing that needs special tools.

Good article in S & V mag about Verizon FIOS compared to Cablevision. Verizon comes in with about 750 Mhz dedicated to video. Cablevision splits its signal for tv, phone and internet leaving about 350 for the video.. Picture is better and channels switch faster with FIOS

Depends, the part from the curb to the house is usually done by a contractor for Verizon - they should install it deep enough that gardening shouldn't touch it. You will not be splicing fiber - very tricky thing that needs special tools.

Special tools, yes! Very tricky thing, not so much! Doesn't take a lot of skill to splice one single fiber. After all, the fusion splicer does most of the work for you. The toughest part is the prep work. I don't know about you, but i'd rather see a splice than have to wait 2 weeks for a new line to be buried.

Consumers for Cable Choice ( http://www.consumers4choice.org ), the telco-backed organization, has a running counter that displays how much money is being lost to a lack of competition in the pay-TV business since FiOS Tv started in 2006.

Currently

That figure is $ 2,392,799,052.19

After 7 hours last Tuesday and another 5 hours last Friday my FIOS installation for both Internet and TV was successful in McLean. The installation was for 2 TVs and one computer. I was the first person in my townhouse development to request the service and the Verizon central office had many issues to deal with in order to get my service working properly. I previously had Cox for internet service and FiOS at the same 5/2 speed is noticeably faster. I had D* for my TV service and FiOS offers a much improved picture. The HD picture is sharper and the non-HD is significantly better. I cancelled both Cox and D* and will now also save $$$ each month.

Good article in S & V mag about Verizon FIOS compared to Cablevision. Verizon comes in with about 750 Mhz dedicated to video. Cablevision splits its signal for tv, phone and internet leaving about 350 for the video.. Picture is better and channels switch faster with FIOS
please provide link to article.

Thanks

I assume it is now up everywhere. :)

I assume it is now up everywhere. :)

Excellent. By the time it gets here I should have the channel - whenever that will be. There hasn't been much progress in Maryland.

I assume it is now up everywhere. :)

Excellent! I love this channel!

FIOS TV now available in Plano, TX.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6325666.html?display=Breaking+News

I assume it is now up everywhere. :)

Sure enough there it is.

Wow. The HDMI DD 5.1 bug fixed.

Now HD Net.

If I could just convince Verizon to add NASA TV, I'd have nothing else to gripe about :)

If anyone that can talk to the Verizon programming department is listening, please add NASA TV. You don't even have to negotiate to carry the channel. Just install the necessary equipment.

Are the set-top boxes (with DVR) offering FireWire connectivity; as without it D-VHS recording is dead for me?
NOT AN OPTION! I live on L.I. and currently have CablevisionHD. FIOSTV is currently unavailable in my area...but fingers are crossed.

Any word to when NJ (Bergen County specifically) will have FIOS TV available to them? I know they are trying to do the state wide franchise thing but are they going town to town in case that doesnt work out? Anyone have any inside info?

FIOS TV franchise awarded in Bowie, MD.

http://www.multichannel.com/article...y=Breaking+News

Good article in S & V mag about Verizon FIOS compared to Cablevision. Verizon comes in with about 750 Mhz dedicated to video. Cablevision splits its signal for tv, phone and internet leaving about 350 for the video.. Picture is better and channels switch faster with FIOS
There's a discrepancy, then, between devoting only ~350 MHZ of a 750-MHz Cablevision system to video (that article), and Figure 1 (http://www.cedmagazine.com/article/CA6319823.html) of Craig Kuhl's recent CED article, showing nearly all cable system spectrum (listed as 6-MHz downstream channels) devoted to video, mostly analog, as with most systems. -- John

Does anyone know if their HD boxes employ FireWire?

Does anyone know if their HD boxes employ FireWire?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=617635

Finally, the State of PA is waking up to the whole Franchise issue:

http://www.pennlive.com/business/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/business/114543869559070.xml&coll=1

This and many others things in PA make me think that the State Animal should be the Sloth.

Based on the link that dmbatch provided, the FireWire port will stream to my D-VHS without a problem. Now if FIOS was available in my area it would be a perfect world...

"Update on the recording to D-VHS.

I tried the recommended protocol of getting them to talk to each other last night and lo and behold, I'm able to record directly from the STB to the D-VHS. I was able to record both DiscoveryHD and CinemaxHD. I didn't try anything else and didn't try to record from the DVR to D-VHS but I'm guessing that would work as well.

So, it looks pretty good for recording to D-VHS from the Verizon Motorola STB.

John "

Any word to when NJ (Bergen County specifically) will have FIOS TV available to them? I know they are trying to do the state wide franchise thing but are they going town to town in case that doesnt work out? Anyone have any inside info?
Looks like Montclair, NJ may be getting it soon:

http://www.baristanet.com/barista/2006/04/can_you_see_me_.html#more

I don't believe the HD set top box has DVR functionality (if it does, please advise) so does anyone know if it works with a stand alone Tivo box?

Also, curious to know if anyone has determined if the TV function of HTPC software from Msft Media Center Edition, Sage or Snapstream etc. works with any of the FiOS set top boxes.

Thanks

I just got off the phone with Verizon after inquiring about FiosTV in Los Angeles. The rep asked me who provided my phone service. Since it is SBC/AT&T she said they can not offer Verizon service because AT&T has "rights" to my area, though not all of Los Angeles.
She also said there are not any plans to change this in the future. Why is this? It seems to be against anti-trust regulation to only have one provider of service in a specific area. And what does phone service have to do with how I get my television service?

I don't know if this means I might be able to get this service in not too long, but just got a note on my door in Bothell, WA (little north of Seattle) that a company will be laying fiber in my neighborhood for Verizon.

--Darin

I just got off the phone with Verizon after inquiring about FiosTV in Los Angeles. The rep asked me who provided my phone service. Since it is SBC/AT&T she said they can not offer Verizon service because AT&T has "rights" to my area, though not all of Los Angeles.
She also said there are not any plans to change this in the future. Why is this? It seems to be against anti-trust regulation to only have one provider of service in a specific area. And what does phone service have to do with how I get my television service?

If Verizon doesn't serve your area for local phone service they at this time aren't going to wire you up as this requires them building new CO locations of their own along with laying miles and miles more of fiber. Also Verizon nor any company will ever be required to wire up new areas they don't currently serve. Now if Verizon doesn't wire up an area with fiber that they currently serve with local phone service that is a whole other issue.

Does Verizon offer any discounts or price breaks for Senior Citizens ?

* I paged through but did not spot anything. The reason I asked is that my folks just ask me and I can't find anything about this. They currently get one month of Comcast for Free each year. Telling them that FiOS TV is generally cheaper did not satisfy them.

Looks like the big push into Delaware has finally begun:

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060423/BUSINESS/604230304/-1/NEWS01

I just got off the phone with Verizon after inquiring about FiosTV in Los Angeles. The rep asked me who provided my phone service. Since it is SBC/AT&T she said they can not offer Verizon service because AT&T has "rights" to my area, though not all of Los Angeles.
She also said there are not any plans to change this in the future. Why is this? It seems to be against anti-trust regulation to only have one provider of service in a specific area. And what does phone service have to do with how I get my television service?

Is this true for any area of L.A. serviced by SBC/AT&T?

Is this true for any area of L.A. serviced by SBC/AT&T?

Of course it is true. Verizon is basically replacing "THEIR" network with an all fiber network. They are not expanding into other telcos areas. Maybe some day, but this is not what is happening now. So if you do not have Verizon local service available to you, then you should not be looking for FIOS any time soon. All is not lost though. Many of the RBOCS are doing some form of FTTx................Verizon is simply the most aggressive. Call you local provider and see what they are doing.

To the long Islander who posted before...where on Long Island are you? i am also on LI and can't wait for FIOS to be available.

Also: Someone asked about the DVR. My understanding is that they only have an HDDVR right now. So even if you only need the SD DVR, you get the HD one. May be outdated though. Every day they seem to be either updating something or rolling out a new service......to be expected from such a new service i guess.

If your TV has an HD Tuner do you still need a box from the FIOS to get HD channels? If you don't purchase an HD FIOS Box can you still get local channels in HD if you have an HDTV? Thanks!

Looks like the big push into Delaware has finally begun:

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060423/BUSINESS/604230304/-1/NEWS01


WOOT townsend!!!!!!! Give it to me ......give me 15 megs...give me true HD gimme gimme gimme!

They have finished installing all the wire in even townsend station i think its less than a month away now! Just testing now!

If your TV has an HD Tuner do you still need a box from the FIOS to get HD channels? If you don't purchase an HD FIOS Box can you still get local channels in HD if you have an HDTV? Thanks!
Yes, unless you get CableCard and have the right TV.
No. None of the clear QAM channels (including the locals) that FiOS broadcasts are in HD.

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved a national cable franchise bill. It still has to be voted on by the full House and then reconciled w/a Senate bill. It's passage this session is not assured. If it does get passed, ATT and Verizon can bypass county approvals nationwide (if it is signed by the President).
http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/News/04272006_1858.htm

What they need to do is to pass the bill that would require cable companies to share their wires with others like Verizon, just like they did with long distance companies to create competition. But I guess it won't happen, all these bills are designed to stengthen the cable companies monopolies, not to incourage competition.

Verizon told me I will not get FIOS until 2009 at the earliest!

What they need to do is to pass the bill that would require cable companies to share their wires with others like Verizon, just like they did with long distance companies to create competition. But I guess it won't happen, all these bills are designed to stengthen the cable companies monopolies, not to incourage competition.

Telephone companies were required to do that as they were utilities built by guaranteed rate of return (government funded/supported) revenues. No private or risk capital was used to build the telephone network. Cable was all private risk capital put up by lots of independant individuals and companies around the US hoping that there would be a business in selling people what was a free, over the air service.

You won't see the scenario you recommend for that reason.

It would be like the government telling you to move your stuff out of two of the bedrooms in your house so they could move someone else in because they didn't think you should have the right to all that square footage, even though you paid for it.

GoIrish

For those with FIOS that don't live in Texas... Take a look at channel 817. Didn't see this posted yet, so it looks like it was just added. I haven't browsed the channels in a while, so I have no idea if it really was just added tonight. Looked a little after Midnight, and if you look at the guide data for Monday, there isn't any. I have no idea, but my best guess would be the channel might have been added at midnight.

Finally, HDNet. I've sorely missed this channel since I ditched D* in January. Almost three months without beautiful, bikini-clad women and excellent cancelled shows in HD. How I missed the, HDNet.

I think that channel has been there for a few days but yes, it was added recently.

For those with FIOS that don't live in Texas... Take a look at channel 817. Didn't see this posted yet, so it looks like it was just added. I haven't browsed the channels in a while, so I have no idea if it really was just added tonight. Looked a little after Midnight, and if you look at the guide data for Monday, there isn't any. I have no idea, but my best guess would be the channel might have been added at midnight.

Finally, HDNet. I've sorely missed this channel since I ditched D* in January. Almost three months without beautiful, bikini-clad women and excellent cancelled shows in HD. How I missed the, HDNet.
Yep, came up on 4/18/06.

I regularly send the requests from their site, but know little of the subject, anyone have an estimate on if/when this will roll out in Chicago?

I regularly send the requests from their site, but know little of the subject, anyone have an estimate on if/when this will roll out in Chicago?

Isn't Chicago served by SBC/AT&T? If that is the case then it is not likely Verizon will ever deploy in Chicago. SBC/AT&T is rolling out their version of fiber optic service. I don't know what stage it is in but if you do a google search on SBC/AT&T Lightspeed Project, it might give you an idea of service to Chicago.

Isn't Chicago served by SBC/AT&T? If that is the case then it is not likely Verizon will ever deploy in Chicago. SBC/AT&T is rolling out their version of fiber optic service. I don't know what stage it is in but if you do a google search on SBC/AT&T Lightspeed Project, it might give you an idea of service to Chicago.

Ah damn, thanks for the info though. Don't know much about Lightspeed but will research it and found a topic on here. Just was looking at Verizon lineups and packages and it would fit me well, including the international and HD offerings, would've been perfect

FIOS TV coming to Baltimore County, MD:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_county/bal-te.md.verizon03may03,0,5224890.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

The Digital Revolution
Verizon versus Comcast has benefit

Jay Hancock Baltimore Sun May 7, 2006

The next phase of the telecommunications revolution got to my street a couple of weeks ago, but it showed few signs of dissolving "all of the monopolies and hierarchies and pyramids and power grids of industrial society," as techno-seer George Gilder predicted a decade ago in Forbes magazine.

Instead, it was a dozen guys with shovels, working incredibly hard, digging 3-foot holes so one quasi-monopoly, Verizon, can swipe business from another quasi-monopoly, Comcast.

Whatever. I'm willing to wait for postindustrial anarcho-nirvana if I can save $20 on my cable bill. Rather than ending, the telecom revolution has descended from the stars, rolled up its sleeves and built fiber-optic lines that people will actually use, even if it's only to watch Nationals baseball games.

Verizon and the diligent people laying its fiber-optic cable have launched a significant upgrade to American infrastructure. People were amazed in the 1990s when Iridium spent $5 billion to launch 66 satellites for a planetwide phone system. NASA's annual budget is an impressive $16 billion.

Well, between now and 2010 Verizon will spend what Sanford Bernstein's Jeff Halpern estimates is $22 billion to lay fast cable to the doorstep of millions of homes; wrap phone, TV and Internet into one product; and attack Comcast, Cox, Time Warner and other cable monopolies.

Verizon is a former Baby Bell phone company (once Bell Atlantic and Nynex) that became a national giant through various mergers, most recently with for former MCI Inc. Its stock has suffered from the enormous sums it is investing. But to hear the company tell it, dissatisfied cable customers are responding to its FiOS TV broadband product like Parisians greeting the Allies in World War II.

In the six weeks since Verizon launched FiOS in Howard County, "the response has been great," says company spokesman Harry Mitchell, without offering figures. "We're extremely pleased with it."

Comcast, for its part, says its new phone service is enrolling customers by the thousands, and "our phone customers are coming from somebody," says spokesman Jim Gordon. Somebody such as Verizon, he's saying.

In the seven months since the phone company introduced its first cable TV offering - in Keller, Texas, outside Dallas - it has grabbed 24 percent of the available homes, Mitchell said.

Verizon's FiOS broadband Internet service, which it claims is faster than regular cable because the glass fiber goes all the way to the house, has gained an average share of 9 percent in markets where it has been available six months, he adds.

Seeking 30% share

The company wants a 30 percent share in its markets within five years, which seems doable. It is introducing FiOS TV and Internet in 16 states, including Virginia. By the end of last year, it had laid new cable to 3 million homes; it expects FiOS to be available to 6 million homes by the end of this year.

In Maryland, Verizon sells its Internet/TV combo in only Howard County but hopes to begin soon in Bowie, where it just got a TV franchise. Last week the company struck an agreement to lay cable on public land in Baltimore County, The Sun reported, and it hopes to score a TV franchise there soon.

In places where it has rolled out FiOS, Verizon has undercut prices of entrenched cable companies and prompted them to offer unadvertised deals to customers who threaten to switch, according to a report by Bank of America stock analysts issued in January.

Verizon's most attractive product may be its "triple play" - digital cable TV, broadband Internet and unlimited local and long-distance phone service for $105 per month before taxes. Many Maryland homes pay more than that to Comcast just for Internet and TV.

In other markets, "we discovered that incumbent cable customer sales reps were willing to offer more competitive pricing after mentioning FiOS" - even lower than the FiOS price, said the Bank of America report.

Comcast triple play

In Maryland, Comcast has responded with its own triple play: voice, Internet and TV for 12 months for $99 a month for new customers. Existing customers can add one or two of the products for $33 each. Unlike FiOS, Comcast's triple play is available almost everywhere in Maryland besides Baltimore and will soon be offered there, too, said Gordon. He said there are "no significant differences" between Comcast's lines and Verizon's.

Comcast, for its part, isn't standing still in the capital investment or product-upgrade categories, either. It says it has spent $39 billion on network improvements in recent years. It's rolling out new programs and features, including faster speeds, free antivirus software and video mail, and it says it "competes every day for every customer."

Phone, TV and Internet all on one, cheaper bill? Nirvana may not be here yet, but it gets closer when there is more than one company promising to deliver it.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-bz.hancock07may07,0,5522554.column?coll=bal-artslife-tv

Sad to say, I had to cancel my FIOS TV service in Massapequa Park NY. FIOS had promised the YES network by opening day when selling the service, but now can give no information regarding if and when they'll have it.
FWIW, the Cablevision HD DVR is much more flexible and user friendly [has PIP for instance, and more extensive user menus], but PQ is noticably worse on most HD channels, and HD channel lineup is not as extensive [except for YES, of course]. I'll be back when YES shows up.

FIOS TV franchise awarded in Tampa:

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6334262.html?display=Breaking+News

Anybody know if verizon will buy out any direcTV contracts that a potential sub may have? If I have 6 months left on my direcTV contract, will verizon pay for me to cancel early if I sign a contract with them?

Anybody know if verizon will buy out any direcTV contracts that a potential sub may have? If I have 6 months left on my direcTV contract, will verizon pay for me to cancel early if I sign a contract with them?
Very doubtful

Any news about FIOS TV service in Indio,CA ?

It looks like Verizon has added the HD regional sports networks to their line-up today. As far as I know, these RSNs have been added. There may be HD channels in other regions that I have not heard about yet.

Fox Sports Net West and Prime Ticket to Southern California
Fox Sports Net Southwest to Texas
Fox Sports Net Florida and Sun Sports to Florida

Hard Path to New Terrain for Telecom

By Jim Puzzanghera Los Angeles Times Staff Writer May 22, 2006

WASHINGTON — A push by the nation's leading phone companies for major telecommunications legislation could end up being the biggest dropped call of the year.

Once on a fast track, congressional measures that would make it easier for Verizon Communications, AT&T and other companies to offer TV services — and possibly lower consumers' bills — have become bogged down by controversial side issues and Capitol Hill turf wars.

Because of a shortened election-year session and a legislative calendar overstuffed with immigration reform, domestic spying and other controversial issues, the telecom legislation's prospects have dimmed.

"There was once a movie entitled "8 Million Ways to Die," said Blair Levin, an analyst at investment bank Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., referring to the 1986 Hal Ashby movie about Los Angeles. "What you're seeing is a movie '8 Million Ways to Die' in D.C., but it's not about a person, it's about a bill."

Actually, the telecom drama playing in Congress may yet end up being about a person: Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), a crafty veteran lawmaker who has vowed to pass a bill this year.

Although getting the legislation through the often fractious Senate may be Stevens' toughest hurdle, phone company lobbyists say they are optimistic.

"If anybody can do it, Stevens can," predicted Gregg Morton, BellSouth Corp.'s vice president of legislative affairs.

Phone companies have plenty at stake. As cable operators encroach on their turf, the phone giants are eager to add television programming so they can offer consumers the same bundle of voice, video and high-speed Internet services their rivals now sell.

Lawmakers hope that encouraging phone companies to build out their networks for television would have the additional benefit of allowing them to make high-speed Internet access available to more of their customers.

That could prevent the U.S. from falling even further behind other countries in broadband penetration.

To speed phone companies' entry into TV, lawmakers propose allowing them to obtain national franchises rather than having to get permission from every community they want to serve, as cable providers now are required to do.

There appears to be bipartisan support for these measures, despite opposition from cable TV companies and local governments concerned that they won't have enough say over the wiring of their communities. But the consensus ends there.

A series of events last week highlighted the pitfalls ahead.

At a long-awaited hearing Thursday, Stevens announced that his recently introduced telecom bill would have to be revised over the Memorial Day recess, delaying votes on it next month.

Stevens had hoped to lure support for the bill by loading it up with related issues backed by a variety of senators, including the expansion of a government fund to provide telecommunications services to low-income and rural areas. But those provisions appear to have raised hurdles rather then eased the path, because several senators announced they had problems with various aspects of the legislation.

Complicating matters, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is trying to add so-called a la carte cable TV pricing to the bill, which would enable consumers to select and pay for individual channels.

In the House of Representatives, hopes have faded for a quick vote on a telecom bill that passed out of committee last month, with two powerful committee chairmen sparring over its fate. At the heart of that dispute is a growing battle over "Net neutrality" — a push for federal rules to prevent phone and cable companies from giving priority to some high-bandwidth services over others.

Bipartisan bills were introduced in the House and Senate last week mandating strong neutrality rules. Both the phone and cable industries oppose the rules, keen on charging extra to guarantee fast, reliable delivery of such bandwidth hogs as movies and video.

Supporters of Net neutrality, however, including leading Internet content companies Google, Microsoft and Yahoo, argue that such practices would ruin the egalitarian spirit of the Web and stifle innovation.

Grammy-nominated musician Moby was on Capitol Hill on Thursday announcing a group of artists and musicians who back the cause.

Sen. Gordon H. Smith (R-Ore.) told his Commerce Committee colleagues that "there's a very real likelihood" telecom legislation will die because of Net neutrality. "The Senate may be the strainer that this just can't pass through," he said.

But Stevens was defiant last week.

"This senator is going to see that this bill gets to the floor and it passes the Senate," Stevens said.

He pushed back the date the committee will vote on his telecom bill, which includes a watered-down Net neutrality provision, from June 8 to June 20. Supporters of the bill are pleased he is trying to resolve problems and has set a date for a vote.

The Senate, however, isn't the only battleground.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee last month passed a telecom bill focused mainly on streamlined TV franchising rules. Supporters hoped for a quick vote by the full House in the first week of May.

But House Judiciary Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.) tried to get hold of the bill. No fan of the phone companies, Sensenbrenner fired off a 24-page letter to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) asking that his panel be allowed to take up the bill and strengthen its neutrality provisions.

The move delayed a House vote on the telecom bill. Last week, House leaders denied Sensenbrenner's request, opening the door for a vote in June.

But Sensenbrenner was unbowed. He teamed up with a handful of Democrats to introduce his own Net neutrality bill, prohibiting high-speed Internet providers from giving priority to data from certain companies over others. Sensenbrenner will try to move it out of his committee this week.

"Right now, we are facing the greatest threat to the Internet in its history," Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a leading Net neutrality supporter, said at a rally with Moby last week. They urged people to sign an online petition that already has 700,000 signatures, the result largely of a Net neutrality campaign by grass-roots Internet advocacy groups.

All the delays could cost consumers, said Walter McCormick, chief executive of the USTelecom trade group.

He cited a study by the Phoenix Center, a Washington think tank, showing that a one-year delay in passing the legislation would cost consumers $8 billion.

"Time is money," McCormick said.

And with time running out this year, a series of showdowns next month could determine the fate of telecom legislation.

"This is a bill that needs to clear a lot of hurdles in a relatively short period of time," said Levin, the analyst. "And the hurdles look a lot higher."

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-telecom22may22,1,7201108,full.story?coll=la-headlines-business

(Note: The New Jersey Assembly, as expected, passed the legislation Monday afternoon.)

The Digital Revolution
Verizon and cable TV: Can you see me now?

By Tom Johnson Newark Star-Ledger Staff Monday, May 22, 2006

The television programs coming into your living room soon may be delivered by your local phone company.

In a vote scheduled for today, the Assembly is expected to approve legislation to let Verizon Communications and other phone companies offer cable-television service, ending a bruising and costly battle between the telecommunications giant and cable television rivals.

Company officials and legislative operatives said Gov. Jon Corzine is expected to the sign the bill, which cleared the Senate last week.

Verizon is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to build a fiber-optic network to homes, so the bill is crucial to its efforts to wrest customers away from cable companies, such as Comcast and Cablevision, that have had a stranglehold on providing video services for more than three decades. Without the bill, Verizon would have to negotiate agreements with each of New Jersey's 500-plus towns -- a costly process that takes 12 to 18 months.

Now Verizon appears poised to gain permission to start selling television service in about 100 towns where it has begun building its fiber-optic network. Proponents said this means more choice and potentially lower prices for consumers.

Lisa Donohue of Massapequa Park on Long Island said she figures she is saving about $30 a month with a bundled package from Verizon. Her package includes her and her husband's cell phone service, regular phone service, high-speed Internet access, and television programming at a price of about $215 month.

"It's all in one bill, which is really nice," said the mother of two. "We've been very happy. It's nice to have a choice."

There is a chance the vote on the bill could be delayed, pending maneuvering to deal with procedural issues. But assuming the bill passes as expected and is signed by Corzine, Verizon would have to wait 90 days before securing its statewide franchise from the state Board of Public Utilities, which would have 45 days to make a decision.

Thus, it would be sometime this fall before the company could begin offering television programming to customers.

Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey, said he is confident the company will be able to lure customers from cable and satellite competitors.

"First and foremost, it's the price," he said, referring to a planned $39.95 package, featuring 140 digital channels with access to a video library on demand of more than 2,200 titles. "It's about $20 cheaper to comparable packages out there in the market."

Sill, some analysts question how successful Verizon will be in convincing customers to stray.

Joe Chiasson, an analyst with the Susquehanna Financial Group, said he has heard from company insiders that Verizon has been less successful than anticipated in selling video services. Verizon is already offering video services in parts of Texas, Florida and Long Island.

"They thought subscribers would come on board faster than they have," Chiasson said. "Verizon is going to have a hard time until they're doing their triple-play package in a more ubiquitous manner."

Bone said Verizon has done well with its television offering, reaching a 30 percent penetration rate in Keller, Texas, where it first rolled out the service. "It's really quite strong growth," Bone said.

Customer unhappiness with their monopoly cable provider could be enough motivation for a switch.

Bill Keogh, a sales manager who lives in Massapequa Park, said he wasted no time once Verizon became available.

"I'm a big fan of competition," he said. "Cablevision continues to go up each year, but we went a whole year without hockey programming and we didn't get any discount. It was time to change."

In Trenton, the issue spawned a bitter battle between the phone and cable companies. In the past few months, the controversy erupted into a blizzard of nasty television ads, with cable television advocates accusing Verizon of pushing higher cable taxes on to their customers by doubling the fee on customer's bills. The fee is expected to jump to 4 percent from 2 percent of your cable bill.

The bill's provisions about when and where companies must offer service also have been criticized because it doesn't require Verizon and other companies to install a network in less densely populated areas of the state, particularly South Jersey.

"The statewide buildout requirements are simply inadequate," said Dale Florio, a lobbyist hired by Cablevision, which remains opposed to the bill. "There's no guarantee that Verizon will ever come to parts of South Jersey."

In the end, though, the New Jersey Cable Telecommunications Association, which had led opposition to the bill, shifted its stance to neutral.

"What has changed is a clear shift in the view of legislators who felt they need to do something," said Karen Alexander, president of the association. "Our continuing to push back wasn't necessarily going to be the best approach."

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, a Democrat from Union who steered the bill through the Senate Economic Growth Committee, said the cable companies have only themselves to blame for the measure that lets Verizon into their market more cheaply.

"They don't compete against each other," said Lesniak, who argued the lower rates that will arise out of competition will more than offset any increase in the fees.

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-6/114827550464330.xml&coll=1

I didn't realize they didn't offer the YES network in NY. I know SNY is on their list but what about MSG??? I have been waiting for a better HD option than D* but they are going to have to offer everything cable and D* customers can get if they want to get significant subscribers in the area.

I didn't realize they didn't offer the YES network in NY. I know SNY is on their list but what about MSG??? I have been waiting for a better HD option than D* but they are going to have to offer everything cable and D* customers can get if they want to get significant subscribers in the area.
Some areas of NJ have access to TWC (http://www.timewarnercable.com/nyandnj/products/cable/hdtv.html), which does offer most or all of of this. Have NYC TWC, on and off RCN Cable, and hope there's enough coop hallway overcrowded ceiling space for Verizon's cables and still more building wiring ASAP. -- John

S.C. Passes Statewide-Franchise Bill

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6337547.html?display=Breaking+News

Just wanted to say I got FiOS TV with HD yesterday and am enjoying it very much so far. Installation was easy as I already had FiOS broadband. Much more On-Demand than I expected, and picture quality in SD seems improved over what I was seeing with DirecTV. Menus are more readable, although the On-Demand content could be more organized.

We have four rooms hooked up (1 HD, 3 SD). The remote could not be programmed for one of my TVs (Westinghouse LCD, less than a year old). May have to get a universal for that one, dunno.

Will post more as I explore the system.

And I hope and pray that this gets killed. If you knew anything about the provisions of the bill, you'd realize that passing it actually REDUCES the chances that the a huge segment of the population will get FIOS. It absolutely does NOT increase the changes. Specifically, it allows Verizon to do whatever they want about deployment and cherry pick all over the place.

Hint: If you can't get DSL, you will NOT get FIOS if this bill passes.

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved a national cable franchise bill. It still has to be voted on by the full House and then reconciled w/a Senate bill. It's passage this session is not assured. If it does get passed, ATT and Verizon can bypass county approvals nationwide (if it is signed by the President).
http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/News/04272006_1858.htm

Hint: If you can't get DSL, you will NOT get FIOS if this bill passes.

I don't understand this statement. What does DSL have to do with FIoS? I could never get DSL because I am too far from the CO, but I have FIoS because they ran fiber to my neighborhood. The new fiber and old copper have nothing to do with each other.

Basically, FiOS can only go where the phone lines of the company currently go. That is their territory and they (and any other Telecos) will not go beyond this. So, in a backward logical way the comment, above, is somewhat correct - just substitute the words 'a phone line' for 'DSL' and skip the part about 'if this bill passes'.

There's no change to the situation irregardless of any new regulations or laws !

No, this statement is completely incorrect and not what I meant.

FIOS is not limited to "where the phones lines of the company go". That's not the issue, and there ARE changes with respect to new regulations and laws.

The facts are that the elimination of local franchise authorities and the adoption of either a statewide or nationwide franchise agreement is a set of legislation that also carries with it a clause that removes certain requirements from providers. Specifically, that currently MSOs (the cablecos) are required to commit to delivering cable infrastructure and content to all households in the franchise area, IAW the telecommunications law of 1996. This was put into place to prevent cablecos from "cherry picking" and only installing infrastructure for example to high income areas or only dense areas, and completely ignoring other areas within that franchise that they didn't feel were as lucrative. However, the new potential changes that everyone here seems so friggin (and unwittingly) happy about removes that restriction. What that means is that Verizon, for example, will not invest in a whole lot of areas. In general it means that if you live in an area not supported by DLS due to the distance from your nearest CO, there will be no investment in FIOS in your area either. There are also other areas that will be similarly "discriminated" against.

Them are the facts, jack. No ifs, ands or buts. I'm part of a group lobbying heavily for the prevention of such action, as it would also retroactively apply to cablecos, meaning that even cable customers in those areas will likely see lower qualities of service. Additionally, the legislation includes ABSOLUTELY NO PROVISIONS OR FUNDING FOR OVERSEEING THE AGREEMENT. So, if it goes through, some people will be real happy that they'll get FIOS faster, and the rest of us will need to get out the vaseline.

Basically, FiOS can only go where the phone lines of the company currently go. That is their territory and they (and any other Telecos) will not go beyond this. So, in a backward logical way the comment, above, is somewhat correct - just substitute the words 'a phone line' for 'DSL' and skip the part about 'if this bill passes'.

There's no change to the situation irregardless of any new regulations or laws !

In general it means that if you live in an area not supported by DLS due to the distance from your nearest CO, there will be no investment in FIOS in your area either. There are also other areas that will be similarly "discriminated" against.
I still don't understand this statement. DSL and distance from the CO is not a legal issue, it's a limitation of the technology. That limitation does not exist with FIOS. So why would Verizon exclude areas that they can easily serve and make money from?

As an example, in NVA they ran their FIOS internet service to areas that could not get DSL first. In doing so they brought in a customer base that was not buying internet service from them and providing them with additional revenues. Then they started doing the areas where they were already getting income from DSL.

I still don't understand this statement. DSL and distance from the CO is not a legal issue, it's a limitation of the technology. That limitation does not exist with FIOS. So why would Verizon exclude areas that they can easily serve and make money from?

As an example, in NVA they ran their FIOS internet service to areas that could not get DSL first. In doing so they brought in a customer base that was not buying internet service from them and providing them with additional revenues. Then they started doing the areas where they were already getting income from DSL.

That example is probably is not the best correlation to make his point. His point is valid though that the current regulatory environment is poised to allow telephone companies to selectivly offer their service in market areas unlike cable, which has had to serve all franchise areas down to certain densities of home per mile.

Many look at this as fine because they assume they can trust the rhetoric of the telco's that this requirement isn't needed as telco's say they intend to serve all. The problem with this is that telco's have a track record of doing whatever they please and also sueing to delay or avoid mandatory obligations that came from previous rewrites of the telcom act. Much less do things they aren't required to do as could happen with build outs.

If telcos are allowed to cherry pick it could hamstring cable from making further infrastructure improvements to remain competitive since they could lose half their high end customers from the attractive areas telco does build leaving the typically lower paying customers to finance future investment. This could create the scenario where you replace one perceived monopoly (cable) with a far more dangerous perceived monopoly, telco.

The best solution for us all is that congress ensures a level playing field by ensuring such requirements as build outs for all communities are required on telcos. In doing so we all benefit as we'll have more than one choice of provider at the curb and that true competition is where we all benefit.

One final point. Just one of the RBOC's, Verizon, makes more revenue every year than the entire US cable industry combined. We should be concerned when an entity with this much existing market power and financial strenth is able to achieve sweet heart deals to compete with smaller companies that have more financially burdensome obligations. If an unequal playing field is ultimately passed by congress, they're simply picking winners and losers in this competition and ultimately one will fail and we're back to the monopoly status again.

GoIrish

That example is probably is not the best correlation to make his point. His point is valid though that the current regulatory environment is poised to allow telephone companies to selectivly offer their service in market areas unlike cable, which has had to serve all franchise areas down to certain densities of home per mile.

Many look at this as fine because they assume they can trust the rhetoric of the telco's that this requirement isn't needed as telco's say they intend to serve all. The problem with this is that telco's have a track record of doing whatever they please and also sueing to delay or avoid mandatory obligations that came from previous rewrites of the telcom act. Much less do things they aren't required to do as could happen with build outs.

If telcos are allowed to cherry pick it could hamstring cable from making further infrastructure improvements to remain competitive since they could lose half their high end customers from the attractive areas telco does build leaving the typically lower paying customers to finance future investment. This could create the scenario where you replace one perceived monopoly (cable) with a far more dangerous perceived monopoly, telco.

The best solution for us all is that congress ensures a level playing field by ensuring such requirements as build outs for all communities are required on telcos. In doing so we all benefit as we'll have more than one choice of provider at the curb and that true competition is where we all benefit.

One final point. Just one of the RBOC's, Verizon, makes more revenue every year than the entire US cable industry combined. We should be concerned when an entity with this much existing market power and financial strenth is able to achieve sweet heart deals to compete with smaller companies that have more financially burdensome obligations. If an unequal playing field is ultimately passed by congress, they're simply picking winners and losers in this competition and ultimately one will fail and we're back to the monopoly status again.

GoIrish

I agree and the point you make is valid. It's just that the statement he made about the DSL/FIOS correlation is just not a good one. I believe if you stick to the facts you get your point across just as well. If you get caught telling falsehoods about one thing it invalidates everything you say and ends up hurting your cause in the long run.

One thing that is lost in all of this is the fact that the telcos and cablecos have to worry about satelite also, besides each other. Build out requirements sounds a bit like a long lost socialist kind of requirement. What is wrong with cherry picking where any single company wants to provide its service - Internet and TV service is not a necessity.

BTW, I rescanned the available channels directly from the coax and came up with 19 analog and 316 digitals out of which 69 were in the clear (~45 of those are audio only channels). A few channels have changed since about a month ago. There are still no locals available in HD in the clear.

One thing that is lost in all of this is the fact that the telcos and cablecos have to worry about satelite also, besides each other. Build out requirements sounds a bit like a long lost socialist kind of requirement. What is wrong with cherry picking where any single company wants to provide its service - Internet and TV service is not a necessity.

BTW, I rescanned the available channels directly from the coax and came up with 19 analog and 316 digitals out of which 69 were in the clear (~45 of those are audio only channels). A few channels have changed since about a month ago. There are still no locals available in HD in the clear.

What's wrong with it is the scenario I described in my previous post.

GoIrish

In general it means that if you live in an area not supported by DLS due to the distance from your nearest CO, there will be no investment in FIOS in your area either. There are also other areas that will be similarly "discriminated" against.

Funny, I guess everyone in my area must be an exception. None of us could get DSL for years (and still can't) since the nearest house toward town is about 1,100 feet beyond the max distance to the CO but we all can get FiOS now !

You might as well include the ability to get PBX service in your reasoning, it makes about as much sense as DSL !

What's wrong with it is the scenario I described in my previous post.

GoIrish
Nothing - I just don't believe in build out requirements.

Actually, wrong again.

The point is - and frankly it has been publicly and specifically validated by Verizon - that in MOST cases (with one major exception) they will not invest in those high cost - low return areas which are currently not served by DSL. They are planning to make this decision based on pure margin reasons.

The one major exception is for those "new growth" areas where heavy concentrations of typically new homes is built which happen to be too far from the nearest CO, as the density (and income - therefore likely entertainment expense) is higher.

Don't be an ass about comparing it to PBX. If you don't care, just say so. If you want to read about it, there's plenty of data and reports out there from just about every state. The information is clear. As a matter of fact, it's clear enough that almost 50% of the people working on the initiative I'm helping with WOULD be receiving FIOS faster if the bs legislation passes. However, they're acting responsible and trying to make sure that the deployment is equitible.

To do otherwise is simply to feed a monopoly.

Back to your PBX.

Funny, I guess everyone in my area must be an exception. None of us could get DSL for years (and still can't) since the nearest house toward town is about 1,100 feet beyond the max distance to the CO but we all can get FiOS now !

You might as well include the ability to get PBX service in your reasoning, it makes about as much sense as DSL !

No, build-out requirements (your term) actually ends up promoting the technology. Did you realize that cable was not available in many areas prior to the provisions of the the initial requirement in the Telecom bill? That the passing of that legislation is exactly what allowed many people (who otherwise would have not been able to receive it) to actually get service? People who's only other choice was the BUD - if they had sufficient line of sight? The result of that requirement generated heavy improvements and a massive inclusion of customers that otherwise would not have been served.

To NOT require it is in fact to promote a monopoly further.

One thing that is lost in all of this is the fact that the telcos and cablecos have to worry about satelite also, besides each other. Build out requirements sounds a bit like a long lost socialist kind of requirement. What is wrong with cherry picking where any single company wants to provide its service - Internet and TV service is not a necessity.

BTW, I rescanned the available channels directly from the coax and came up with 19 analog and 316 digitals out of which 69 were in the clear (~45 of those are audio only channels). A few channels have changed since about a month ago. There are still no locals available in HD in the clear.

It's not a friggin falsehood. It's patently and abundantly true. Yes - there are exceptions as I've noted. However, if you take a look - for example - at our Tri-State area, the areas of proposed FIOS deployment map out to exactly NOT include most areas where DSL is not available - for economic reasons. That would be PA, WV, and OH.

Since they are actively lobbying here they met with us and showed the deployment schedule and plans - hoping that most of us would "fall in the window" and not push back. About half of us did, and we pushed.

I agree and the point you make is valid. It's just that the statement he made about the DSL/FIOS correlation is just not a good one. I believe if you stick to the facts you get your point across just as well. If you get caught telling falsehoods about one thing it invalidates everything you say and ends up hurting your cause in the long run.

Actually, you're wrong. Additional COs could be built out, creating support for DSL in currently unsupported areas. However, that's a financial quagmire. When mapping out where those COs exist and where gaps exist, you'll find (generally) that those gaps in being within supported distance from an equipped CO correlate to less "dense" areas, making such areas financially less appealing as they lower margins.

The legal issue arises because there is currently no requirement associated with DSL in terms of having to support any particular quantity of customers. The telcos simply want to leverage existing technology to gain further revenue by having the same infrastructure distribute maximum service. However, currently TV entertainment is governed by certain telecommunication provisions (largely the telecommunications act of 1996) which mandate that such "cherry picking" is not lawful. However, if Verizon is able to avoid this requirement it gets back to the same argument.

When it comes right down to it, it's ALL about the financials.

I still don't understand this statement. DSL and distance from the CO is not a legal issue, it's a limitation of the technology. That limitation does not exist with FIOS. So why would Verizon exclude areas that they can easily serve and make money from?

As an example, in NVA they ran their FIOS internet service to areas that could not get DSL first. In doing so they brought in a customer base that was not buying internet service from them and providing them with additional revenues. Then they started doing the areas where they were already getting income from DSL.

Then I suppose you don't believe in....

Building codes
Inspections
Planning Commissions
Urban sprawl

The list can go on.

Not to be rude, but honestly - anybody who's OK with just giving Verizon a pass on this MUST be part of the "ME" generation, and not give a darn about others who will be left behind.

Nothing - I just don't believe in build out requirements.

The one major exception is for those "new growth" areas where heavy concentrations of typically new homes is built which happen to be too far from the nearest CO, as the density (and income - therefore likely entertainment expense) is higher.



So, once again my area must be an exception to the exception. I live in a neighborhood of 50+ year old homes at the lower price range for my county and yet we were one of the first to get FIOS. I'm sorry, but your trying to alarm people by saying if you can't get DSL you won't get FIOS is just wrong. Pick another tactic.

I'm, now, not entirely sure he knows what DSL is ?

I think my nonsense about PBX is just as valid as his is for using DSL as some sort of indicator of where FiOS can or will be.

It's funny that he thinks what he says is true yet over the last year I've read many comments over at BroadbandReports of people who never could get DSL, but now can get FiOS. In fact, the only real complaints were that some of them still wanted DSL since it costs less.

I'll ask the question of everyone that comes here: Has anyone ever heard of someone that can't get FiOS from Verizon simply because DSL was not available from them either ?

The proof so far, here and at BR is that this has never happened. At least two of us have confirmed the point that we could never get DSL, yet we can now get FiOS.

* I'll, also, post the question/comments over at BroadbandReports and see what they say. http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/vzfiber And, from now on I'll only make my comments about this exclusively over there.

Then I suppose you don't believe in....

Building codes
Inspections
Planning Commissions
Urban sprawl

The list can go on.

Not to be rude, but honestly - anybody who's OK with just giving Verizon a pass on this MUST be part of the "ME" generation, and not give a darn about others who will be left behind.
It has nothing to do about a "me" generation - unlike the examples you cited, TV service is NOT a necessity. Apples-oranges. And like I already mentioned, with few exceptions, one can always get satelite.

You can raise a fuss all you want but TV service is a something that any business should be able to offer anyway and anywhere they please. A better analogy would be a gas station. :cool:

No, build-out requirements (your term) actually ends up promoting the technology. Did you realize that cable was not available in many areas prior to the provisions of the the initial requirement in the Telecom bill? That the passing of that legislation is exactly what allowed many people (who otherwise would have not been able to receive it) to actually get service? People who's only other choice was the BUD - if they had sufficient line of sight? The result of that requirement generated heavy improvements and a massive inclusion of customers that otherwise would not have been served.

To NOT require it is in fact to promote a monopoly further.
And if I was around at the time to argue against it I would have. Again, provisions like that is a very socialistic way to look at a serivce that should have no requirements. If one chooses to live in an area to which it is difficult to provide NON-ESSENTIAL services, then don't expect others to subsidize to get that service.

Biker, who used to live in a communist country and call tell you first hand that it doesn't work. :cool:

So...

If you're an advocate of build out requirements, you're either a socialist or communist...?

Isn't that a bit of a stretch? :rolleyes:

So Biker, in my mind you are of the "Me" generation. Comparing build-out requirements to socialism is one of the most senseless arguments I've ever seen.

Oh, and I've spent my fair share of time in communist and socialist countries, and I really didn't see anything like "build-out" requirements. In fact, what I saw was exactly the opposite. Kind of like what Verizon is doing.

And finally, this as nothing to do with where people choose to live. If you did you're homework rather than simply labeling something as socialistic, perhaps you'd really understand the true effect and meaning of this. Again, no insult, but that's the way it is.

A couple channels I miss are FUSE (plays more and better music than any of the MTVs) and OLN (AMA Motocross).

Another question. Why is G4 in the sports package? It use to be a video game (not a sport) channel but now is another Spike TV. I guess it goes to show how little Verizon knows about TV.

Dmon4u, I know exactly what DSL is. The differences between ADSL, SDSL, etc. The effects of distance from equipped COs. I also know that the footprint of DSL could be expanded if (and only if) Telcos would invest in new CO buildouts. However, that's a pretty ineffective idea for them, and I don't blame them for not doing so. The reasons similar for many areas that will not get FIOS - for the exact same reasons specifically.

I have absolute proof that it is in fact happening elsewhere as well. Though the build-outs are not complete, it is currently happening in zip code 15367, 15332, 15317, 15301. Why in the world would you expect to see "mass reportings" of this at Broadband reports? And why in the world would you construe that as "proof" that it's never happened?

And again, as for PBX comparisons - put down the crack pipe.

I've had FIOS for over a year now. The internet speed lives up to the hype, and the service has been rock solid - I've not experienced any downtime.

As for the IPTV, I'm still waiting. I did receive an offer for the 'cable over FIOS' but crunched the numbers and decided to stick with Dish for the time being.

When Verizon offers true IPTV over FIOS, I'll bite.

This whole argument is a red herring being thrown out there by the cable cos.

Let me ask you this.


Where is the requirement for the cablecos to provide telephone service everywhere? The answer is there is none. Only the telcos have that mandate. The truth is the the cablecos provide telephone service where they can make a profit. Why wouldn't the same logic apply to a telco trying to get into the cable business?

As far as DSL/FIOS relationships there is none. Verizon will be building FIOS in their footprint. They will probably do the easier builds first since that makes sense, and then as revenues grow they will build out other more difficult areas....this just make good business sense.

I sense a great fear in the cable industry and most of these arguments are being posed by people trying to stifle the competition Verizon seems to be offering.

You need to do some serious homework.

The argument has NOTHING to do with telco service. The Cablecos are required by the provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to provide such service - NOT the telcos. Where in the hell did you bring telephone service in from?

I absolutely detest my cable provider. I'm on the cable board for that specific reason - to make every effort to take them to task and stay on top of them. I'm horrified by the FCCs decision (about 2 years ago) to eliminate cable delivered broadband from being subject to the Franchise agreement.

This is not a red herring. It isn't being thrown out there by cable providers. The people fighting hardest against this are the customers.

Verizon is NOT planning to widen the footprint of FIOS.

I sense you are not aware of the facts, as clearly you have misrepresented the requirements to deploy.

Specifically, the "Communications Opportunity Promotion and Enhancement (COPE) Act of 2006" repeals sections of the Cable Act that permits municipalities to require operators to build out the entire municipality (COPE, 101(k))



Again, do your homework. This whole argument is a red herring being thrown out there by the cable cos.

Let me ask you this.


Where is the requirement for the cablecos to provide telephone service everywhere? The answer is there is none. Only the telcos have that mandate. The truth is the the cablecos provide telephone service where they can make a profit. Why wouldn't the same logic apply to a telco trying to get into the cable business?

As far as DSL/FIOS relationships there is none. Verizon will be building FIOS in their footprint. They will probably do the easier builds first since that makes sense, and then as revenues grow they will build out other more difficult areas....this just make good business sense.

I sense a great fear in the cable industry and most of these arguments are being posed by people trying to stifle the competition Verizon seems to be offering.

So...

If you're an advocate of build out requirements, you're either a socialist or communist...?

Isn't that a bit of a stretch? :rolleyes:
Not at all - it is a non-essential service requirement imposed by the gov't for the benefit of the masses - what does that sound like?

We'll have to agree to disagree. :cool:

You need to do some serious homework.

The argument has NOTHING to do with telco service. The Cablecos are required by the provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to provide such service - NOT the telcos. Where in the hell did you bring telephone service in from?

I absolutely detest my cable provider. I'm on the cable board for that specific reason - to make every effort to take them to task and stay on top of them. I'm horrified by the FCCs decision (about 2 years ago) to eliminate cable delivered broadband from being subject to the Franchise agreement.

This is not a red herring. It isn't being thrown out there by cable providers. The people fighting hardest against this are the customers.

Verizon is NOT planning to widen the footprint of FIOS.

I sense you are not aware of the facts, as clearly you have misrepresented the requirements to deploy.

Specifically, the "Communications Opportunity Promotion and Enhancement (COPE) Act of 2006" repeals sections of the Cable Act that permits municipalities to require operators to build out the entire municipality (COPE, 101(k))



Again, do your homework.


Let me speak clearer.

You have 2 industries....Cable and Telco. Each are trying to get into the others business.

Cable was first to make inroads by providing telephone service. They had no requirement to provide telephone service everywhere...they were simply allowed to come in and compete on their own terms.

Now the telcos want to do the same. Come in and provide Cable service. All of a sudden you have the cable cos screaming about the requirements to build.

Telcos must build telephone everywhere because they are the incumbent.
Cablecos must build cable everywhere because they are the incumbent.

There should be no requirement for either to build out everywhere for the new business they are trying to get into if you want to foster competition.

Would the cable cos agree to provide dial tone everywhere? I highly doubt it.

remove barriers to entry and let businesses compete in a free market....thats the way to true improved prices and service.

Someone has the concept right.

You're still missing the point.

It's not the cable companies screaming. It's the customers. I'll hammer the cable companies every single day, and begrudge them every penny I pay.

However, in this case letting Verizon off the hook is bad for the technology, and bad for the consumer.



Let me speak clearer.

You have 2 industries....Cable and Telco. Each are trying to get into the others business.

Cable was first to make inroads by providing telephone service. They had no requirement to provide telephone service everywhere...they were simply allowed to come in and compete on their own terms.

Now the telcos want to do the same. Come in and provide Cable service. All of a sudden you have the cable cos screaming about the requirements to build.

Telcos must build telephone everywhere because they are the incumbent.
Cablecos must build cable everywhere because they are the incumbent.

There should be no requirement for either to build out everywhere for the new business they are trying to get into if you want to foster competition.

Would the cable cos agree to provide dial tone everywhere? I highly doubt it.

remove barriers to entry and let businesses compete in a free market....thats the way to true improved prices and service.

What the hell, then. Just deregulate everthing.

After all, that's worked everywhere else, right?

Whoops - guess not.

Just because the government mandates something for the good of the overall population does NOT make it socialism. Or do you simply believe we should just eliminate all government?



Someone has the concept right.

You're still missing the point.

It's not the cable companies screaming. It's the customers. I'll hammer the cable companies every single day, and begrudge them every penny I pay.

However, in this case letting Verizon off the hook is bad for the technology, and bad for the consumer.

Actually it is SOME customers who are being stirred up by a PR campaign driven by the Cablecos who are doing whatever they can to hold on to their monopoly.

The consumer wins out when there is true competition. Slowing down Verizons deployment by mandating where they build is counterproductive.

If it was your compay what would you do?

No, you are completely and patently incorrect. Sorry to be so blunt, but nothing else seems to get noticed.

Customers - specifically residents in my municipality - are stirred up because they were made aware that there are no plans to roll out FIOS in almost 50% of our community if either the state or the federal bill to change how franchises are awarded go through.

To be more crystal clear - Verizon communicated their plan at a council meeting. That plan would mean that a huge proportion of our community (which frankly is an upscale, relatively high income percentile and lots of new development but on relatively large lots) will not receive it - and that there are no plans within the next 5 years to deploy it there.

The cable co had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with this.

Hopefully this is sufficiently clear to be understood - whether you happen to agree with it or not.

AND - the cablecos have no monopoly. First of all, this has nothing to do with a monopoly. Every single franchise authority would gladly award a franchise agreement to FIOS so long as they would simply remove that one exception. AND, franchise agreements are specifically non-exclusive by law.

Don't throw the monopoloy term around as it has no applicability in this case.

Actually it is SOME customers who are being stirred up by a PR campaign driven by the Cablecos who are doing whatever they can to hold on to their monopoly.

The consumer wins out when there is true competition. Slowing down Verizons deployment by mandating where they build is counterproductive.

If it was your compay what would you do?

What the hell, then. Just deregulate everthing.

After all, that's worked everywhere else, right?


Yes, for a non-essential service.

Again, you are missing the point - this is for a NON-ESSENTIAL service.

Would you mandate a build out for a mobile phone carrier? :rolleyes:

If Verizon thinks it can make money in your affluent community it will build the infrastructure to do so - but it shouldn't be required to. Even if there is a build out requirement it is no guarantee that your particular neighborhood would get it. The build out requirement is some % of an area in a certain time - you could still be in the % that is not going to get it. Then what?

Let me speak clearer.

You have 2 industries....Cable and Telco. Each are trying to get into the others business.

Cable was first to make inroads by providing telephone service. They had no requirement to provide telephone service everywhere...they were simply allowed to come in and compete on their own terms.

Now the telcos want to do the same. Come in and provide Cable service. All of a sudden you have the cable cos screaming about the requirements to build.

Telcos must build telephone everywhere because they are the incumbent.
Cablecos must build cable everywhere because they are the incumbent.

There should be no requirement for either to build out everywhere for the new business they are trying to get into if you want to foster competition.

Would the cable cos agree to provide dial tone everywhere? I highly doubt it.

remove barriers to entry and let businesses compete in a free market....thats the way to true improved prices and service.


I guess you are unaware of the Government protected 100 year monopoly of the Bell System?

Ever heard of the Universal Service Fund?

Man, quit talking about something you have not researched, OK? And in this case you clearly do not understand either the cable act, the telecommunications act, or the proposed COPE legislation. I'm really not intending to be rude here, but if you're going to deliberate you need to understand what has happened, what is law, what is being suggested and what the potential effects are. It's not enough to make highly generalized and non-factual statements if you don't have the fundamentals.

Actually, television is now being considered an "essential service". Please note the language used in deliberations for the cutoff of analog programming. Though you may not appreciate it, take a look at any of the related FCC documents or the CEO lobbying to overturn (about TV as an essential service).

You can roll your eyes all you want. But sarcasm will not change either history, or likely events.

The "build out" requirements as mandated by agreed upon non-exclusive franchise agreements resulted in high profitability in my specific area, as well as 100% cable coverage in my municipality. The stipulations are NOT a given percentage of the area, but rather coverage for average density of residents/sq mile. The same exact stipulation would result in the same 100% coverage for FIOS.

More to the point, the facts are that you're just proposing giving Verizon a free ride to maximize their profits without regard. The facts (and they are facts) are that if Verizon was forced to live by the same rules as everyone else, they would STILL roll out FIOS. Pricing would be NO DIFFERENT because they'd still be competing on equal footing with cable (though perhaps with a superior product). As a matter of pure, unadulterated fact, the ONLY difference is that more people would get it. Verizon would still profit. People would be better served. Competition would still thrive.

Now exactly what part of that statement do you disagree with? Please back it up with data.



Yes, for a non-essential service.

Again, you are missing the point - this is for a NON-ESSENTIAL service.

Would you mandate a build out for a mobile phone carrier? :rolleyes:

If Verizon thinks it can make money in your affluent community it will build the infrastructure to do so - but it shouldn't be required to. Even if there is a build out requirement it is no guarantee that your particular neighborhood would get it. The build out requirement is some % of an area in a certain time - you could still be in the % that is not going to get it. Then what?

The problem here is that you (and some others) think that TV service is essential - I, along with many others do not believe that. It has nothing to do with research, what anyone else thinks, what legislation is proposed, who did what, when. The bottom line is that I think TV is a NON-ESSENTIAL service whose delivery via non OTA means should be very liberaly regulated. As you mention, it is only a few fringe customers that may not get FIOS if the build out requirement is not put in place. Seeing as how you might be one of the fringe customers I can see your desire for it.

More to the point, the facts are that you're just proposing giving Verizon a free ride to maximize their profits without regard.

YES. Especially if it means that some customers can get the service without having to wait for proctracted battles in every community.

YES. Especially if it means that some customers can get the service without having to wait for proctracted battles in every community.

The protracted battles are caused by Verizon. The law is very clear, if you have the financial ability and agree to abide by the existing franchise agreement, they must issue the franchise.