Help!

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I am trying to figure out what to do about my cable/internet service when I move. I've had Comcast for both in my current apartment, and never had any problems, but my dad was like, "Get Verizon FIOS if you can!"

The problem, of course, is that they like to do these "bundles" and for some unknown reason, I can't get any TV from Verizon unless I get a bundle with both internet and phone. I don't actually need phone service, though, so my options are: 1. get phone service I don't need so I can get the Verizon bundle, 2. get a Comcast bundle with just cable and internet (what I have now), or 3. split it up and get Comcast cable and FIOS internet.

Right now, I'm reasonably sure I have the plan that has Digital Preferred cable and high-speed internet with "up to 15 Mbps with PowerBoost," whatever that means. I don't really need the preferred, so I could get the digital starter package, which is $70/mo. The Verizon bundle with the phone is well over $100, so that rules that out. Looking at the FIOS page, it looks like I should get the Turbo Plan (up to 7.1 Mbps/768 Kbps) for "heavy" internet usage. That comes out to about $50/mo. If I just got cable from Comcast, that'd be about $30/mo, so I'm paying about $10 extra by splitting them up. But I've heard that FIOS is so much better/faster than Comcast. Is it worth the extra money?

Of course, then I have to keep in mind that Comcast gives you a special, and then jacks up the prices after six months. But it looks like the difference is about the same, so it'd still be around $10 more for FIOS. But both would put me over $100 at that point, so maybe it is worth considering the phone? GAH!

Comments

[angearia.livejournal.com]

You're making my head hurt. :(

I feel like I'm taking the SAT's again and it makes me want to draw up a chart. Hmm and yes, now I'm making a chart.

1. Verizon FIOS/cable/phone bundle = + $100/mo
2. Comcast internet & cable bundle = $70/mo
3. Verizon FIOS/Comcast cable split = $80/mo


Okay, ruling out #1 because you don't need the phone. Now if Comcast really does jack up the prices eventually so that the $70/mo is something that lulls you in, then it seems like #3 is your best bet because it will be equal in price to #2, but with better internet (if FIOS is really all that awesome).

Then again, sometimes it's nice to have the house phone. I think it all hinges on how much you want FIOS and if you'll ever use a house phone.

Heh, I'm not sure I helped at all here.

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LOL, as long as someone else's head is hurting, it gives mine a break!

Since Comcast jacks up the prices, the "after six months" comparison would look like this:

1. Verizon FIOS/cable/phone bundle = $117/mo
2. Comcast internet & cable bundle = $99/mo
3. Verizon FIOS/Comcast cable split = $106/mo

So it's still slightly more for #3, but possibly with better internet. (Hopefully, there's someone on my flist who has FIOS and can let me know.)

I think I've pretty much ruled out the house phone, because I've lived without one for two years and haven't missed it. My cell phone is a family plan with my parents (who never use their phones except to talk to me), with an ungodly amount of minutes, so I'm not worried about needing the landline.

[angearia.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, $7 more for better internet? Or if we can't confirm that, the chance to try for better internet?

That doesn't seem like a risky endeavor. Maybe your dad could tell you more about FIOS? Or his judgment suspect because he's...dad? ;)

Let's see what Wiki says:

FIOS uses laserbeems to cary video and data up to the client's home. Cable systems use electrical signals in the so-called "last mile," which means that potential capacity of FIOS is multiple times higher. Since at the present time cable capacity is more than sufficient for today's data and video applications, there is no visable advantage to FIOS. From the provider's point of view, however, FIOS is supposed to be immune to rain and interference.

Dude, FIOS uses laser beams. You had me at Internet brought to you by lasers. With FIOS, you're halfway towards your Super Villain quota of powers. Do it. Do it now.

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Hmmm, $7 more for better internet? Or if we can't confirm that, the chance to try for better internet?

Heh, when you put it that way... if I hate it, I can always cancel and add internet to my Comcast services.

Maybe your dad could tell you more about FIOS? Or his judgment suspect because he's...dad?

LOL, no, his judgment's suspect because he's never had Comcast internet OR Verizon FIOS, so how would he know? At their house, they currently have Verizon DSL for internet and Comcast cable. FIOS isn't available in their area yet, but he wants to get it when it is.

[angearia.livejournal.com]

Here's another review from random internet person:

From reading reviews of both Comcast and Verizon, the concensus seems that both are fairly similar, but Verizon Fios is quite a bit faster for internet access when it comes to "actual" speed, especially for uploading photos and videos, both of which I'm doing more and more of.

I'm still not sure, but I'm leaning more towards Verizon Fios. A lot of people are saying it's a better service from the reviews I read.

So it does sound like FIOS internet is better.

Do I get a cookie for helping? My god, this is what happens when I'm procrastinating on writing my remix fic. Again. *judges self*

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I do like the sound of laser beams... *hands you a cookie*

[angearia.livejournal.com]

Who doesn't like laser beams? Now you just need sharks to attach the lasers to and you're golden. *munches on cookie*

[mikeda.livejournal.com]

I suspect that there isn't going to be any noticeable difference in speed, at least with the packages you seem to be considering.

Can't really speak to other aspects.

(I use Comcast for connecting to the internet, largely because I already had Comcast cable and so could just use the self-install kit to set it up. Basically satisfied with it so far, can't compare to FIOS since I've never had that.)

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Well, as I am examining the numbers I put up there, I realize I may have been snookered by Verizon's confusing website. If Comcast is at 15 Mbps and Verizon's only at 7, how on earth is FIOS faster?

I think FIOS may not be available at all in my area, and so the website was giving me DSL prices and speeds, without actually mentioning, "Oh, by the way, you're now out of the FIOS section and looking at DSL."

In which case, I might as well go with the Comcast package deal.