Verizon FIOS versus Time Warner Cable

Verizon is getting ready to install FIOS on our block in Greenwood Heights. They’re currently contacting homeowners about running cable hookups to every bldg. I’m wondering what people’s experiences of FIOS quality for internet and TV are, especially in comparison to TWC, my current provider. I’m not ready to cut the cord.

rd684

in Utilities 9 years and 4 months ago

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friend_or_foe | 9 years and 4 months ago

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Hey rd684 what block are you on? I’m in Greenwood Heights too and have made the request for FIOS. The TWC infrastructure is so old and just waiting for a really, really bad storm to take out all those coaxial cables.

dirtyrotten | 9 years and 4 months ago

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I currently have TWC as no other TV provider is available in my area of South Williamsburg. I used to have FIOS when I lived in Greenpoint. TWC is terrible. I mean the TV channels and internet work fine for me, BUT they have terrible customer service. It takes forever to get anyone on the line with you. I rarely call but occasionally there will be some billing issue. I usually have to wait 40 minutes before I get to speak to someone. But my biggest issue is that they keep slowly raising the bill. I signed up for $89 TV and internet. After taxes and “regulatory” and other made up fees, this was initially around $102/month. But every bill I get is slightly higher than the last. The so called fees just keep rising. My experience with FIOS was great. Their technician came at the beginning of their installation window. (unlike TWC technicians who have always, no exaggeration, come past their window) The internet speeds were great. Never had an issue with customer service. The only thing I do not like is the giant box they have to install on your wall.

marion218 | 9 years and 4 months ago

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Time Warner uses coaxial cable from a previous company installation over 50 years ago versus new fiber optic. Time Warner service is terrible. Their monopoly is over as Verizon FIOS has a City wide franchise and is coming to more and more neighborhoods. In my 21 family building 19 have switched to FIOS a 90% ratio. This is a no brainer as far as I’m concerned. When FIOS comes negotiate hard for a good deal. I was first in my building and got a digital recorder free for life and now with a second two year contract pay zero for both HBO and Showtime. I do have a land line and have the triple play deal because I prefer talking on a land line (I’m 69) so many may not prefer to do that but the service is great and I never have outages. Good luck! Marion

boredatwork | 9 years and 4 months ago

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I switched about 2.5 years ago from TWC to FiOS and could not be happier. Time Warner’s service was unreliable (cable and Internet would routinely fail) and slow, especially during the early evening when many people were using the Internet and/or cable. And their customer service was abysmal. Since installation, we have had almost 100% reliability. There is no issue with speed for me; we can stream HD video with usually no lag. I do think FiOS will move more quickly to install a block if they have demonstrated interest from that block.

presidentstps | 9 years and 4 months ago

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Oh, but FIOS does offer 500/500 speeds if you really need something that fast and are willing to pay for it: http://www.verizon.com/home/fios-fastest-internet/ I’m guessing it’s also more reliable than TWC?

presidentstps | 9 years and 4 months ago

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I was excited about switching to FIOS a few years ago while waiting for them to hook up my block, but now I don’t really care. I just ran a speedtest for TWC and I get 321 Mbps download and 22 MBps up. That’s plenty fast for all my needs, including streaming security camera footage to my phone when I’m traveling. TWC customer service has also gotten better, where when I had an issue with speed (ended up being on my side as Sonos was causing a loopback) they sent someone quickly who spent a bunch of time figuring it out.

Arkady | 9 years and 4 months ago

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nyc_sport – I get phone calls & even people coming to the door to try to get me to sign on. Maybe it’s not on your block yet? Phone Verizon – they’re really, really eager to get subscribers: their r.o.i. on Fios is very poor so far.

nyc_sport | 9 years and 4 months ago

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Also, don’t count your chickens yet on the FIOS availability just because they are doing some installs and inquired as to your interest. FIOS contacted our 10 unit building in the village at least 2 years ago, maybe more. We gave a resounding yes. Haven’t heard from them since.

housepoor | 9 years and 4 months ago

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I have TWC and just did a speed test, getting 88.48Mbps down, 21.7Mbps up (with at least 5 devices connected). My speeds skyrocketed when I moved to the 5Ghz band. I just switched to the standard band and got 3.3Mbps down/1.42Mbps up — not enough to watch a video. I have found that the speeds are no better than your wi-fi router signal penetration. Hard wired Ethernet is, of course, even faster. Moral of the story: don’t necessarily blame you speed on TWC, FIOS, Optimum, etc. without first looking at your router. BTW, I have an Apple Time Capsule.