Understanding Verizon FiOS

By Ron Miller

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Fiber-optics - once the stuff of sci-fi movies - have come down to earth with practical applications that could one day supplant cable and satellite services for providing high-speed Internet access. Light pulses over a fiber optic cable deliver content literally at the speed of light, resulting in speeds much higher than cable or DSL. The method is also called fiber to the premises (FTTP), because the provider runs fiber optic cable directly to the consumer. The service in the United States is available exclusively through Verizon, in a package called FiOS. One of the main drawbacks currently is limited availability, but Verizon is working (at the speed of light) to install fiber optic cable in additional communities in the states it serves.

FiOS Availability
Verizon began replacing old copper wire with fiber optics in May of 2004 starting the project in Keller, Texas. Since then, Verizon has installed fiber-optic cable in more than 1,700 communities in 16 states. The company predicts it will add upward of 3 million homes annually through 2010. Within three years, Verizon expects to have fiber optic cable connected to 18 million homes, — approximately half of the homes it serves. The company is betting that people will be attracted by the increased performance and aggressive pricing packages.

The Verizon FiOS Web site helps you determine whether or not there is service in your area. If there isn’t, you can enter your contact information to receive an email when Verizon will begin offering service in your area.

FiOS Internet
The basic proposition here is that FiOS promises much faster reported download and upload speeds at a competitive cost. While cable and DSL can reach maximum download speeds of approximately 8 megabits per second (at the high end) and 3 Mbps respectively, FiOS offers 5, 15 and 30 Mbps download speed packages. As with cable and satellite, users may not achieve such high speeds consistently. Speeds depend on many factors, including Internet traffic and location.

It is also difficult to nail down a fair pricing comparison because it depends on where you live and the company’s special introductory offers and bundling packages (when you purchase multiple services from the same vendor, see "TRIPLE PLAY ARTICLE". Another factor to look at is the cost of installation and equipment, which varies among companies.

The chart below compares FiOS with Comcast, Cable, Verizon DSL and MSN Dial-up offerings using base prices without discounts and also looks at installation and equipment charges.

CHART 1