FIOS a Big Disappointment

[plucorp]

I was the first to get FIOS internet installed in my neighborhood. I have 3 pcs in my office with my HP workstation as my main PC with another desktop and laptop. I currently have optimum. After FIOS was installed, I did not see any faster access to websites. The contrary was true. I would go to a website. the pc would hang. I would try to download an attachment, the PC would hang. I got so tired of doing ctrl-alt-del, I could scream. I called verizon tech support. He told me this was an internet explorer problem. He told me to call Microsoft. I told the tech, I will uninstall verizon software, disconnect from the FIOS modem and determine if I was having the same problem with optimum. I did not have any problems with optimum. I have complained so much that verizon sent 2 field managers down to see me and asked me to work with their tech. FIOS is suppose to be better but for me it is not. I trade futures with real time charts on four screens. I was hoping FIOS would be "lightning fast". Not for me. My FIOS trial lasted 2 days and I went back to optimum. I have verizon treo with broadband and have dsl at my other business location and I love it but this FIOS leaves alot to be desired. Also, the FIOS customer support is terrible. They all need to be brought up to speed on their product and help to the customer. They say all the right phrases about wanting to help the customer but the customer service did not execute. If the problems I have experienced are the norm rather than the exception, verizon will be in big trouble.

[wirels3]

You just had a bad experience. Fiber is the best in the biz.. It's not the service that was messed up.

[Shadowrayth]

I just got Verizon FiOS as well. I was promised this and that and they failed to deliver BIG TIME! First of all I was told that I would have an "infinite" amount of webspace. As great as that sounds, I knew they were over exaggerating, but figured I would get more that what they offer. 10mb total???!!! That's rediculous! I got 10mb per email account with Comcast and never payed anything extra! I'm not paying for more... not when it was offered free by another company.

Secondly... where oh where is this BLAZING speed they promised?? It is the same or less than Comcast's cable. Oh sure... there is a link where I can click on a city to test the connection speed... of course it is set up to show you 15mps, but I can tell that I am not connecting near that speed at any sites out there.

Also, the "Sales Rep" told me I had 30 days to cancel without penalty. Now theylre telling me I had 3 days from the time I signed the application. It wasn't even installed for over a week after that. How was I going to tell whether I liked it or not. I had trouble with Verizon in the past when I had their DSL. Their customer service was about CRAP! So I went to cable for the past 6 years with no hitch. Why did I agree to that stupid sales pitch!?!?

[Justin]

Why did I agree to that stupid sales pitch!?!?

Good question.

Come on, you absolutely knew you wouldn't have "unlimited" web space. Did you bother to read the offering material, or go to the Verizon web site? Didn't think so, 'cause the web space is very clearly described there (from the Verizon website: "10 MB personal Web space."

Speed? Well, I don't have the 15 mbs service, I have the 5/2 plan. Get what I pay for, pretty much every time, from any of the speed test sites out there. Sure, Verizon wants you to use theirs, they control everything between you and that site, what would you expect? Do you get the rated speed from other test sites? How would you expect Verizon to control traffic outside its own network? Nobody, and I mean nobody, guarantees speed to each and every site in the world. Have you run the speed tweak that Verizon recommends? Many folks report that doing that makes a BIG difference in what they get.

30 days? Yep, unless you signed a 1 or 2 year contract, my understanding is that you do have 30 days, not 3. At least it used to be that way, since I have had FiOS internet and TV for 2 years they may have changed things since then. Who is telling you it is only 3? I just did a quick check on the Verizon website and it very clearly says "30-day money-back guarantee" for all plans. So go give Verizon hell about it.

Look, FiOS is not perfect, but from my experience it is far, far better than the cable service I previously had. I encourage you to give it a fair chance, if you do, I think will wind up very satisfied. I know I am (and no, I don't work for Verizon, and never have).

[nolebrink]

You'll likely not notice the speed difference when simply browsing web sites.  Try downloading a large file - movie, song, iso image, etc.  And as for the speed tests, there are lots out there to choose from.  Try testing the speed on a non-fios connection, like from your office or a friend's house - you'll find that the speed tests are not set up to show 15mpbs regardless of the actual speed, at least not the one's I've tried.

[Justin]

Here is a speed test with a different twist: ftp:/ftp1.optonline.net/test512. All it does is start a large file download and you just let it run until it settles down to a steady number, typically 30 seconds or so, then cancel it. Nothing will be stored on your system. Since this is a browser download and typically the speed is displayed in Bytes, you need to multiply by 8 to get kilo-bits.

For example: I have Verizon FiOS 5/2 service. When I run this test I typically get 635 KB (thats Bytes) as the "steady-state" speed; multiply that by 8 and I get 5080 kbps (bits) or right around 5 mbps, which is what I am paying for.

Note: this is not a Verizon controlled site or one entirely within their network.