Sometimes we get questions we just can’t answer, and this is one of them.
I am considering switching from Comcast digital to the Verizon FiOS. I currently have verizon phone and internet service and comcast cable. I would like to take advantage of verizon’s free LCD TV offer with their current promotion.
What should I be aware of?
We have no personal experience with Verizon FiOS, but we hear the install process can be fairly arduous.
Comcast, on the other hand, has its own set of problems.
We ask you, the citizens of the internet, to solve this puzzle for once and for all and help our reader decide what to do.
Please explain your choice in the comments.
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Lets see if I can make it simple:
Verizon = Loki
Comcast = Lucifer
Simple enough?
Where’s the who the heck knows because they’ve got a monopoly in my area option?
Had Comcast for YEARS.
Switched to FIOS at first chance…never looking back!
Amazing how many of my neighbors switched as well.
Superfast internet, AWESOME picture quality in HD and overall cheaper…what’s not to love?
It seems like EVERYONE hates comcast…
No problem with FIOS. Great install, fast speeds, easy billing, no issues.
Another vote for FIOS here…internet has been rock solid and super fast for the past year. Had Comcast for several years prior, no major problems aside from some DNS hiccups. Just signed up for FIOSTV and so far PQ lives up to the hype, especially in HD. Phone sound quality also improved after FIOS. I was pleasantly surprised to get a call from Verizon the day before and day of installation.
I live in ATL where I have Comcast. I also have used my parents FIOS in VA. If you can get the installation done w/o any problems (as my parents thankfully received) then it’s totally worth it to go FIOS. for those who remember Oink’s Christmas specials, during that time I got the following rates (sustained not burst):
FIOS: D/L: 700-1000K depending on # of connections
U/L: 300-500K
vs.
Comcast: D/L: 50-200K
U/L: 40K
I have Comcast, FIOS and DirecTV (yes, all of them).
Comcast — best internet. worst TV.
FIOS — worst internet. (seriously, it’s horrible. It’s always slower than Comcast, despite having a high-speed package, and it routinely has issues with basic things like properly functioning DNS servers.)
DirecTV — No Internet, best TV.
This is the 2nd location that I have had Comcast. Sometimes it is just the bad luck of getting a dodgy node that they refuse to fix.
When I first got HSI it was through Roadrunner which was bought out by AT&T, and so on and so on. My local node would go through a 40 minute reboot process at 2am which happened to be right after I got home from work!
Since moving to my current location, I have had no problems whatsoever.
Now if FIOS were available in my area, I do not think I would get it for the same reason I do not let Comcast handle my phone service. If the power goes out, my Verizon phone service still works simply because it supplies it’s OWN POWER on it’s OWN WIRES. Being forced to deal with UPS’s and no phone service during extended power outages is a dealbreaker for me. If I want an alternate phone service, I’ll use Skype, but I am NOT giving up my self-powered backup phone system.
I’m sure everyone has heard comcast sob stories, mine isn’t even that bad from others I’ve read on this site. Basically when I was logged in via VPN to work, or trying to reach a website, 95% of the time my internet connection was fine. But for no apparent reason, I’d lose my internet connection entirely for 5-10 minutes!
Couldn’t take it anymore.. Wish I had tried the eecb tactic back then, too bad I didn’t find this site til 2 weeks ago!
I’d be in the middle of playing WOW or tfc2 and all of a sudden no more internet! I called several times, had 3 line techs come out, and they ALL claimed that there was no problem. I even tried reasoning with them, I wrote a perl script to ping multiple websites and log it in a text file every 5 minutes. As well as do a traceroute, send it to their techs, and they still didn’t help me. After 3 months of this nonesense, I had to switch over to DSL
PLEASE Let me dump comcast, please give me any other option in Flint, Michigan, PLEASE!
Sort of weird because I’ve had both FIOS and Comcast. I’ve never had any real big problems with either service. My FIOS install was pretty much by the book, ironically I screwed them up by requesting CAT5 hookup instead of that MoCA junk and that caused a delay since they already did the MoCA setup before I remembered.
Comcast’s support was always pretty sketchy. I usually only called in to report issues just so they’d be aware of outages. I did give them hell over raising my internet rates unless I ordered some cable service too. Their letter was poorly written with two different 1800 numbers, of which only one actually did anything.
Beware the contract. That’s the only reason they’re offering a TV after all.
I have Comcast now, but I want FiOS. We’re using VoIP through Packet 8 and it SUCKS! The problem is, we think it’s Comcrap that’s the problem.
The phone works fine as long as I’m not downloading. If I have even 60K of traffic, though, the phone freaks out. I’m supposed to have 6Mbit!
I don’t know if it’s because it’s shared access or what, but I have NEVER gotten a good Internet speed out of them.
I have Verizon FiOS and their TV service. There’s a few things you do need to check:
1. If they have TV service in your area, GO FOR IT — GET THE TRIPLE PLAY (Phone/TV/Internet). Just having it all on one bill is worth it, and you only have to deal with Verizon’s FIOS service.
2. If you want to keep your copper line intact, let them know every time. There are certain advantages (clearer phone service over separate channel, not VoIP, retain faxing) and disadvantages (8 hour backup in power outages) to letting them cut the line.
3. Check your options. Verizon is offering both the regular “more speed down than up” service in the Megabit range *AS WELL AS* symmetric service (ether 15 Mbit or 25 Mbit depending on where you are).
4. Check DSLReports.com (Broadband Reports) on Verizon FiOS service, as well as their forums. They have a DNS redirect-on-fail scheme that you can opt out of.
XERLOQ – Where do you live that $40 gets you Verizon Internet 150MB? Where I am, 30MB is the fastest and its $179 with a contract. Last I heard, 150MB won’t show up until DOCSIS 3.0 is made available and Comcast has already demo’d that. My computer isn’t fast enough to need that kind of speed anyway. I’ll stick with my OnDemand, it’s more important to me than HD (since I don’t own an HDTV). I have had few problems with my Comcast Triple Play in the 5 years I’ve had it so I plan on keeping it.
I picked FIOS, although there was a long install involved, the service ROCKS! The tech that installed me replaced ALL of the internal COAX in my house. He stated that the COAX installed by Cablevision would not provide me with a great HD picture.
What difference in the quality of HD, I get no pixelation and the service has been great since having it installed in March.
I really enjoyed telling the cable company FU…. I even cut off all of their BS on the side of house, it looks much better now.
Comcast rocks! I never watch programs when they’re scheduled. With my VOD and DVR, I can watch whatever I want whenever I want. I’d give up food before I’d give up my Comcast services.
And I’m learning all kinds of new words, like Quizzjacker, snurfing, telebinge and Comcastic!
Verizon FiOS is a new deal. It is not available in all areas and has a few bugs that need to be worked out. Comcast has been around FOREVER! People need to realize that with any business, not EVERY customer can be pleased. Not everything works all the time- there are outside factors that contribute to malfunctions, equipment problems, etc. I believe that Comcast does the very best job it can to provide excellent products and good customer service to its customers. I have had Comcast for years and have had my share of problems, but overall am very happy with its service.
It’s like choosing between a douche and a crap sandwich. Comcast has screwed me over so many times, though, that I would drop them in a heartbeat for a better or even comparable option. I hate them passionately.
FIOS internet= awesome
FIOS TV= pretty good, though I like the new Directv better
FIOS TV DVR= If I were a Verizon competitor, I would design this oversized paperweight in order to screw them. The DVR is the biggest piece of crap on the planet, especially if you’ve ever had a Tivo (yes even Direct Tivo was better!) It’s buggy. It lags a second or so after EVERY command. It constantly misses recordings or has “bad” recordings. (How the heck is that possible?)
FIOS TV Widgets= Potential, but I can get traffic and weather on the intertubes.
FIOS TV OnDemand= Not as great as it sounds, especially since it’s not in HD.
Believe it or not, I don’t have a problem with Verizon. I have their wireless and always had good experiences. Admittedly, even the customer service and tech support reps have been pleasant, if not able to help. HOWEVER, after four months with FIOS TV I decided I will be attempting to cancel the remaineder of my one year contract for non-performance. (This was after it failed to record the “Heroes” finale even though it’s the #1 priority show….wtf?)
Potential is there….but they haven’t gotten it right and I can’t figure out why.
AIKOTO – your modem can’t tell the difference between the data from your computer and the data from your phone. I don’t know anyone with an internet phone service that didn’t experience some dificulty talking on the phone and downloading at the same time. That doesn’t happen if you use the Comcast phone product – the phone traffic gets priority vs. data over the network. Plus your call never goes over the Internet unlike your Packet 8 call.
Comcast rocks. I check my speed twice a day on both CNet and Speakeasy. Download averages for the last year are 19551Kbps at Speakeasy and 2543Kbps at CNet.
I believe the difference is whether the overhead or payload bits are counted.
Whatever it is, the service has been great. I have Triple Play that has free long distance calls and a ton of HD on demand – like all of HBO in HD on demand!
What’s not to like?
I have had both and several reasons why FIOS is better than Comcast
1) Verizon has a flat fee they openly advertise on their website (Comcast hides their fees and force you to enter your zipcode. If you are in an area with competition the rates are lower than an area that they have a monopoly)
2) Verizon customer service returns calls and they really do investigate issues you report (they even called me back on a Saturday to talk to me about an email problem I was having)
3) Verizon never lied to me and told me the cabling in my house was bad and I needed to rewire. They said their was enough power coming down the line that even though I had a few spliters in some areas it would work just fine. Comcast had to lower the power to each home because of their phone service and decided to lie to everyone on my street and tell them their cabling was bad and that they needed to pay for the entire house to be rewired. Needless to say I reminded Comcast they rewired my home 2 years ago and it was all new cabling so there was NO WAY in hell I was going to do that again.
Verzion Wirless, Phone and DSL stinks but their FIOS (including Customer Service) is A++
Verizon often cuts your last mile copper when installing FiOS. That locks you into FiOS service. I don’t know how anyone could like that … oh, probably because they haven’t yet realized that their copper is gone. They won’t realize that until Verizon suddenly comes up with that enormous rate increase … which I’m sure will be completely necessary. Don’t fret, the rate increase will be less expensive than getting your last mile copper re-installed.
*sigh*
I am for Comcast. The people that have Verizon FiOS are the same idiots that don’t realize their signal is still distributed throughout your home with COAX. So, unless you have an HDTV and know what picture clarity really means, you would not be able to tell the difference. On the other hand, yes, Comcast may have their problems but at least they do not have to cut a HUGE piece of your fiber optic line to splice the part that is broken underground, which mind you will take at least 2 weeks.
Verizon FiOs is only offered in very select areas, therefore if you do not live in an area that offers television, you have to subscribe to Directv to get even more shoddy service than you would with Comcast.
Furthermore, let’s take a look at how long Comcast and Verizon FiOS has been around. ‘Nuf said.
I had Adelphia cable for years in my county until Comcast came in. I am now about to finally get HD channels and digital voice. One company will never be perfect but Comcast is a much better choice for me. Not to mention, if you do have a problem with your service the technicians know what needs to be done.
PS – Let me know how high the FiOS rates go, as I continue to get bundles offered to me.
Neither. Netflix & over-the-air broadcasts, save over $1,400/yr.
Disclaimer: I have never been a Comcast customer and I am a former Verizon customer but do not have access to FIOS.
As much as I hate Verizon, I had to conditionally vote for them. The conditions are that they actually show up to install the service and that they don’t set your house on fire while doing so.
BRAD2723 – Dig a little deeper here at the Consumerist. Verizon might set your house on fire…
FIOS is much better than Comcast.
1) Comcast cost me $49/month for below average Internet experience: FIOS costs me $39/month for 100% up time and reliable speeds.
2) Comcast speed varied and never was as good as FIOS. FIOS is always at least 5mbps/2mbps.
3) Comcast’s connection went down at least once a week: I had to turn my modem on and off all the time to reset it. FIOS has never been down (3 years and counting).
4) Comcast shows up when they feel like, if at all. Verizon installed FIOS when they told me they would and they actually called ahead to let me know in advance.
5) Verizon techs have never fallen asleep on my couch.
6) FIOS does not mess with my TCP/IP packets. I’ve not noticed any fake packets being sent by them.
7) FIOS does not seem to block my ports. Comcast blocked many ports.
8) So far, Verizon has not burned my house down installing FIOS.
FIOS is much better than Comcast.
1 Comcast cost me $49/month for below average Internet experience: FIOS costs me $39/month for 100% up time and reliable speeds.
2 Comcast speed varied and never was as good as FIOS. FIOS is always at least 5mbps/2mbps.
3 Comcast’s connection went down at least once a week: I had to turn my modem on and off all the time to reset it. FIOS has never been down (3 years and counting).
4 Comcast shows up when they feel like, if at all. Verizon installed FIOS when they told me they would and they actually called ahead to let me know in advance.
5 Verizon techs have never fallen asleep on my couch.
6 FIOS does not mess with my TCP/IP packets. I’ve not noticed any fake packets being sent by them.
7 FIOS does not seem to block my ports. Comcast blocked many ports.
8 So far, Verizon has not burned my house down installing FIOS.
So I guess the Comcast CEO was incorrect. Comcast hate IS “universal” or at least “galactic.”
Why don’t you give Comcast some light competition at least? Comcast vs. prenatal AIDS maybe.
I used to be a Comcast Contractor with Cablenet in Lindenwold, NJ just to earn some $$ on the side and find out a bit more about the cable industry (I couldn’t take it anymore… I quit within 5 months).
It is by far the worst company you can ever apply to work with. Pure incompetence, internal politics, greedy bastards, faulty equipment and overall a zest pool of miscommunication.
The only good thing I did was making sure MY customers were satisfied even if I took more than 6 hours to do an install because of faulty equipment and/or being on hold for more than an hour with Comcast Dispatch.
As a contractor the more installs you make the more money you earn, so you can imagine the LEGO/MECANNO jobs I had to fix from some lazy contractor tech who just didn’t give a rat’s ass about the customer or the customer’s property.
DON’T ever work for this company; unless you are desperate for a job. Verizon is ok… and their FIOS kicks Comcrap ass anyday.
I’ll agree with the first poster and say that cancer really might be the only way out.
It is only a matter of time and ViOS will be no better than Comcast. One of the only reason why Verizon is still better is because of the limited number of customers they are serving compare to Comcast with 45 million customers.