[JohnWill]

Gotta love getting big files this way!

[gurutech]

Is this PC connected directly to their "FIOS modem", or are you going through a router?

[JohnWill]

It goes through the Verizon supplied Actiontec MI424WR router.

[SouthBayAce]

I got my complete installation a few months ago. This after the takeover of Adelphia by Time Warner.

Installation: Being that I had cable TV previously, the fiber was run to a box on the side of the house, battery backup inside home in bedroom (I got to pick place), and the rest of the system was configured. Time: 3.5 hours.
Also, I work from the house, so was concerned about being down for this period (Have VOIP for work phone, and needed to be on email). The installer left my cable modem up until he was all done with the Internet portion, and switched me over in 20 seconds.

Internet: I have just the basic version of their broadband. EXCELLENT speeds. Download 5MB/Upload 2MB. Reliability: VERY high.

Internet Router: I was against the idea of having their router initially. I have a great D-Link 108mbps router and preferred it. But I discovered the router is a 4 port wired router, but also a wireless router, but could be configured to be shut off.
Wireless Router: I configured the router with WPA encryption, and played with it. The strength of the signal was HUGE! So I have actually turned off my D-Link at this point.
Settings: The admin panel has a TON of capabilities for adjustment of settings, etc.

TV: I am amazed at the difference in the picture quality over Digital Cable service I had with Adelphia. A HUGE jump in quality.
DVR: The DVR is a newer version than what I had with Adelphia. If there is a fan, you cannot hear it. Seems to have a pretty big hard drive. There is a USB and potential of a DVD writer in the unit, but not activated.

Phone: I have not noticed a difference really, but the landline was always good before. So nothing lost there.


The big benefit I think is that this comes all on one bill.

Just my two cents.

[JohnWill]

I'm waiting patiently for FiOS TV to come to town. I just signed up (for free) with Comcast for 1 year digital cable and 6 months of HBO and Starz. They're really trying to "wow" the customer base in FiOS areas. Since there was no obligation, I couldn't really turn it down.

Competition really is good!

[TechSavy]

Let me offer you guys some unsolicited wisdom.

1) If you are going to replace the Verizon Router make sure you clone the MAC ID. If you do not then the service will not work. The router has four ports on the back that allow for hardwiring, but again it can handle an infinite number of wireless connections. The newer routers even allow for you to go in and change the encryption from WEP to WPA. Play around with it.

2) The upstream is limited for practical reasons only.

3) Software. The software is placed on your computer for two very important reasons. The first is that by activating your account on line you can set up your new Verizon email accounts. The second is that there is an optimizer that tweaks your internal settings so that your connection runs at top speed. Now if you already have email accounts and do NOT plan on opening any new ones AND can tweak your own speed settings then go ahead and skip the download. There is no spyware, malware, etc. in the software they ask you to download so you have nothing to worry about there.

Finally for those of you who do not have the service yet, but plan on ordering it in the future please allow me to offer you the following:

First and foremost let me say that I do NOT, directly or indirectly, speak for Verizon. The suggestions that I offer should be taken as helpful hints between friends to maximize your FiOS installation experience.

1) Most technicians call ahead before their arrival. It is helpful if you answer the phone! Sounds simple right? For some maybe, but for others this seems to be a real challenge.

2) Contain your excitement when they arrive by NOT going out to meet them at their truck. Often there is some paperwork that needs to be filled out, and components to be gathered. Nothing gets you off on the wrong foot faster than interrupting someone trying to get things together with "are you here to install my FiOS?". Trust me that nobody is trying to make you wait any longer than you absolutely have to.

3) Trying to give a Gratuity before work begins is not sincere appreciation but rather an attempt at a bribe. Trust me that the technician knows how important this is to you and MOST will do everything in their power to make it the best it can be for you. The installers are generally high end and the most experienced technicians from a given garage.

4) Plan ahead! There is going to be a new router put in by your computer and CAT 5e wire run from the ONT to a data jack next to your computer. Please clean up around your computer. NOTHING is worse than working in an area so covered in dust bunnies that you know that nobody has vaccuumed for a while. Also FiOS requires electricity. Look around close to where your existing phone box (NID) is located and see if there is an outlet somewhere close to it. This is where the tech is most likely to mount your new ONT. Once you find the outlet, make sure the technician has easy access to it without having to clean anything off. If the outlet is already occupied with your washer and dryer, then invest the five bucks for a power strip. It is also a good idea to prep your computer for the new service by dumping temp internet files and defragging before the tech arrives so that it is running at its peak performance.

5) During the installation. Most techs I know do NOT care if you stand over their shoulder or choose to go do something else while they work. Try to pick one and stick with it. If you choose to go elesewhere make sure you are readily available in case there is a question for you. If you choose to stay with the technician, silence is golden. Questions are fine, but should be asked BEFORE the work commences. Of course you may think of one as you are going along and that is fine. What drives techs to drink is when they are peppered with a never-ending stream of inane questions while they are trying to work. The work is in some places requires meticulous attention to details that just cannot be properly given if you interrupt the work by asking if this service is really faster than the local cable company. Also if you stay with the technician, be helpful. Often times the tech can use a paper towel or something cold to drink (esp. if he has been at it a while or its an especially difficult wire run). Use your best judgment on this one, but dont be afraid to offer a drink or a rag or whatever if you think it will help. Even if he does not take you up on it, the tech will be grateful that you had the prescence of mind to offer.

6) Dont panic if everything doesnt click on the first shot. Test everything before the technician leaves and know that if something isnt just the way you want it, then it can be made that way. One call to the Fiber Solutions Center fixes 99 % of the problems on the first shot.

Hopefully you find this helpful..

[JohnWill]

Originally Posted by TechSavy

Let me offer you guys some unsolicited wisdom.

1) If you are going to replace the Verizon Router make sure you clone the MAC ID. If you do not then the service will not work. The router has four ports on the back that allow for hardwiring, but again it can handle an infinite number of wireless connections. The newer routers even allow for you to go in and change the encryption from WEP to WPA. Play around with it.

2) The upstream is limited for practical reasons only.

3) Software. The software is placed on your computer for two very important reasons. The first is that by activating your account on line you can set up your new Verizon email accounts. The second is that there is an optimizer that tweaks your internal settings so that your connection runs at top speed. Now if you already have email accounts and do NOT plan on opening any new ones AND can tweak your own speed settings then go ahead and skip the download. There is no spyware, malware, etc. in the software they ask you to download so you have nothing to worry about there.

1. I connected a ZyXEL router to my ONT, cycled power on the ONT, and it connected and functioned with the new router just fine. I switched back to the Actiontec MI424WR because I think it's actually a better router.

2. The upstream is limited because they can, I'm not so sure about "practical" reasons.

3. I installed none of their software. I don't need to be led by the hand to setup a simple email account, it's a trivial undertaking. I also don't need a bunch of other stuff running at startup and providing no useful function.

Finally for those of you who do not have the service yet, but plan on ordering it in the future please allow me to offer you the following:

When the tech came to install mine, his helper didn't actually show up. I ended up helping him pull the 400 foot of fiber through the conduit. The folks at PennDOT were kind enough to be working on our section of road and have it closed, so we just laid the fiber up the road in preparation to feeding it into the conduit. There was also a splice involved in my installation, so I got to see their neat little automated tool for splicing fiber. Let me just say, it's not like splicing copper!

[TechSavy]

There really are practical reasons for the limitation, but I am not going to get into on this board, nor do I want to argue with you about it.

You seem like a person who understands computers well and probably does not need help setting up anything. However, the majority of people that I have come across have been grateful for the help though because they couldnt do it on there own. I am curious now if the software does put anything in the start up menu. I have never bothered to check and I too hate anything in there that just doesnt absolutely need to be there.

Gee the backup not showing up?? That has NEVER happened to me

The neat automated tool is called a Fusion Splicer. Not many guys in the garage have one. Splicing is extremely tedicious and requires a meticulous attention to detail. If the gap is as much as 2mm's off, then its NG. Plus alcohol and cloth become your best friends.

I am glad your service is up and running well.