Q for those who have had Verizon FiOS installed

[Anonymous]

FiOS is now available in our neighborhood in Mont. Co. and we're thinking about switching over from Comcast.

We understand that Verizon will have to run a new FiOS line from the street to our house, but do they use the existing cable within the house to distribute to the signal to the various tvs and the modem or do they have to push their own cable through the house? We trying to figure out how much of a pain the switch would be and to what extent the installers would have to punch holes in the drywall, etc.

Also, does anyone know if there's a problem with the cable inside our house, does Verizon make us pay for that the way they do with the phone lines?

TIA for any insight re FiOS installation and service.

[Anonymous]

They don't have to do anything inside the house. Don't know about the wiring. We just have a wireless modem and everything runs off that. We are really technologically inept and we've had it for 2 years with (almost) no issues.

[Anonymous]

When we had FIOS installed, they did need to run cable to different locations in the house. However, they used the access points that Comcast had used to run their wires, so the impact was minimal. We love FIOS for internet and TV. Internet has been down maybe once or twice in the 3 years we have had it. We always had problems with our Comcast internet connections. They have a help line staffed with people that helped me configure my laptop so I could access the internet through the wireless router.

[Anonymous]

In my house, TV is distributed through the coaxial cable already built into the house. Phone was run using the existing house wires. Internet was done via wireless, but their wireless router allows you to plug in ethernet cables in back. So if you have ethernet cable running to your rooms, you should be able to plug that into their router yourself.

I think in both cases they will hook up one or two devices for free. But in the case of an existing house, all of your phone jacks are probably already connected so they should need no installation work. (In mine, each jack needed to be cross-connected to the telco supply because the house was new construction).

[Anonymous]

If you switch be sure to check your bill each and every month. Verizon is notorious for over billing and adding services you don't request or deny when offered.

My neighbor does have an issue with his fios. If he watches TV for more than a couple of hours there is a screaching sound and he has to reboot the system.

[Anonymous]

They used our existing plugs.

I agree with looking at your bill. The services provided are fantastic but I am very angry re: billing. They kept trying to tell me that they'd submit it for approval for a credit... and I'd see that credit in 3 months time. I don't think so. Charging me for things I did not pay for and at a higher rate than I'd been told I would get.

[Anonymous]

My recollection is that they ran new cables but it was not a problem. They did need to install a battery back up box (which is kind of big) but they let us choose where. The installers were very knowledgeable and professional.