Verizon FiOS Versus Cablevision

John Cocchiola May 24, 2012 at 03:51 pm

The more choices the consumer has, the better the service, the lower the prices.

Debra Caruso Marrone May 24, 2012 at 04:23 pm

What is the explanation for why we in Glen Cove don't have Fios? Locust Valley and other towns in Nassau have it. What's the hold-up?

Mr. Smith May 24, 2012 at 04:24 pm

How would a Glen Cove resident even know what FIOS TV was like since we have no access to it?! This Poll can not be answered fairly.

John Cocchiola May 24, 2012 at 04:56 pm

I didn't vote in the poll for that reason. I know friends that have Direct and they love it, but Cablevision is very aggressive about keeping their market share here on Long Island. I'm not a huge fan of Cablevision, I swore them off over and over, and they always get me back by offering great deals. The great deal lasts a year, then the bill shoots up by something like 50%. I had Verizon Fios internet and phone, bundled it with Direct TV satellite, I thought the service was very good, I thought Direct was much better than Cable, the picture quality, the DVR, just about everything, but Cable came back and offered be a deal that saved me close to $100 a month, so I went back. I suppose the threat of Fios, or the bundled triple play with Direct is enough to keep Cablevision competitive, which is good.

Eric Swenson May 24, 2012 at 05:57 pm

I have had Cablevision, DirecTV and FiOS, each for several years and FiOS is by far the most reliable, best picture and best customer service. Cablevision's customer service is about the worst of any company I have ever dealt with.

Mark Polowichak May 24, 2012 at 06:41 pm

I have the Fios Internet & phone with Direct-TV. I like it alot, BUT!!!!!!! I would really like to see Fios here in G.C. I've actually got everything I need for Fios already down in the basement. Just need them to run the fiber optic line. I've heard the excuses for it not being here. But, I'm sure it really comes down to money. Either the city wants too much for the franchise. Or, Verizon doesn't think they can make enough. G.C. is 1 of oly 2 places on the Island that doesn't get it.

John Cocchiola May 24, 2012 at 07:06 pm

If Verizon has a huge investment to make, it might not be worth it for them. Cable has made their investments in wiring the area a long time ago, they can low ball to keep their business. Also, we're seeing less of a need for movie channels because of Netflix and streaming video, so I imagine all of the television providers are taking a bit of a hit. We can get a Netflix streaming video option on video game consoles or DVD players, for something like ten bucks a month we can get an unlimited amount of movies and television shows at the press of a button. That's not something that's on the horizon, it's already here. It's smart to dump Cinimax, Showtime, HBO, all of those premium channels, because for 10 bucks a month, we get just about anything we want, any time we want. Maybe Verizon is looking at their risk vs. their reward, and between Cable having the Island locked up, and streaming, digital video replacing the movie channels, the reward potential isn't really there for them anymore, at least it's not worth the risk.

Phil Kirk May 24, 2012 at 07:16 pm

From what I know, FIOS is happy with their footprint as is and are not anxious to expand. I have FIOS and I like it EXCEPT I cannot watch TV on my laptop or IPad

John May 25, 2012 at 12:46 pm

Until Cablevision started to require converter boxes even for broadcast channels I was happy with them. I have a fairly large house with multiple TV but we hardly watch TV. My wife is fixated with Ch. 7 and I with Fox news (they say opposite attract!). I hate those converter boxes! They are so big for no reason, in the kitchen with a small TV set just to hear noises while cooking I had to mount the box vertically and it's ugly! Need to invest time to install a roof antenna for broadcast channels, one in the attic works when it feels like it. Have Netflix streaming receivers on 3 sets which work great but seldom used by staying over grandchildren.

Lisa Cohn May 25, 2012 at 08:05 pm

If the tv is fairly new it will work without the converter box for local channels. Just scan for digital channels.
Dan

Merrick7 May 28, 2012 at 08:07 am

that is actually a question for your local municipality. In unincorporated communities the competition is there. The reason many villages and this case city on Long Island do not have options is becuase your municipality made a deal with the service provider. Usually it is so an additional fee could be charged thriugh the cable provider and the additional fee charged is given as additional revenue to your municipality it is a hidden tax. Does your city have a free government channel? These are often referred to as a cable franchise fee. Many local municipality residents have to pay more for the cable and do not have options. It is a very corrupt and legal method.

Will Kutzler May 30, 2012 at 06:16 pm

Consumers are not aware of the major technological differences and impacts the FIOS network has vs. Cablevision's.
In regards to TV, the fiber line that they pull in to your building has a capacity several times greater than Cable which allows it to be future proof. The cable network has been around for several decades and is struggling to keep par with the growing FIOS footprint. Eventually something will give and you will see cable slide sharper. Look at what happened with DSL when Cable came around back in the early 90's. On the business end, many of todays modern systems can take advantage of FIOS with its higher speeds, lower delays in transmission and ability to increase capacity with existing equipment on the fly. FIOS crushes cable when using hosted VoIP like Dynalink to support call traffic. (not provided by cable or VZ) As it stands, FIOS does have a premium in the marketplace, but you get what you pay for. -Will Kutzler F1 Networx Inc. New York's Premier Technology Management Company www.f1networx.com

Will Kutzler May 30, 2012 at 06:23 pm

For those of us who dont know what the box is called. Its called a Clear-QAM tuner.
It allows for viewing unencrypted digital channels provided through a Coax line by your cable, satellite or FiOS provider. It isnt a standard component and you have to seek out a TV that has it built in when making your purchase.

Susan Britt February 19, 2013 at 05:34 pm

It is outrageous that we in Glen Cove cannot get FIOS because of some revenue arrangement between Cable and the CITY. Cablevision is losing its abilty to handle the number of people it has and they cannot even give a decent time to arrive at the house for a repair. I want to leave them but I cannot since FIOS is not available in Glen Cove.