This "F" dances when you click on it
. But, "F" can stand for many words. "F" can mean FiOS. This Fiber optic broadband internet service will help enable buyers and sellers to communicate Faster, while improving the overall online search experience.
However, I've just spent the last two days (not posting to this blog) making sure my real life experience came as close as possible to my expectations, which were initially set on 7/18 &19/05 by the Verizon FiOS sales department.
First, I was told by Verizon sales reps that all the details of the lower (than posted on their web site) FiOS pricing for current Verizon DSL customers would be mailed to me once I ordered the FiOS service, as I did right then. I still haven't received it almost 3 months later. But, FiOS tech support reps now tell me that it doesn't get mailed out until after you have FiOS installed! My installation was two days ago, as scheduled.
Second, I was concerned about my Buffalo Wireless network system being compatible with the D-Link router that comes with FiOS. I had already invested in eight Buffalo components (besides the router) that made my wireless DSL work Fantastically. The Buffalo access points all had a "wireless bridging" system that was proprietary to Buffalo. I did not want to have to buy all new D-Link components that Verizon was selling. The Verizon sales rep initially told me that an engineering tech rep would call me even before the fiber optic cable was brought to my house from the street or alley way. I never got a call from anyone. Finally, the contractor hired by Verizon came to do just that. But, by that time, I had already called Buffalo tech support who assured me it would not be a problem using my router as a "pass through" device.
Third, when the Verizon FiOS installer came to bring the fiber optic cable from the outside of my house to where my main computer was, I mentioned my compatibility concerns. She was Friendly, and said she would try her best, but honestly admitted that the installers of the inhouse cable were not trained in dealing with all the different computer configurations and situations that can occur. Sure enough, we encountered a problem in "piggy backing" the two routers. The FiOS tech support rep on the phone gave up, and told me to just connect the new cable to my Buffalo router. He assured me that this would work just Fine.
Fourth, I checked the speed of the FiOS to each of my computers, and Found that it jumped from 2 megabytes to 5 on one PC, and 1 megabyte to 3 on another laptop? I called FiOS tech support who said the speed should not vary by that much. They got me to try "piggy backing" again as Verizon won't guarantee their service unless you are hooked up to the D-Link router that is specially made to handle fiber optic speed signals. But, I was told by a previous FiOS tech support person that they Frequently tell customers that the Verizon service people can temporarily hook up the D-Link router when they come to service a problem under the guarantee.
Fifth, as it turned out, my laptop had a defective ethernet port problem that I had to Fix first (1/2 day with Dell Tech Support of the two 8 hour days total), so that the D-Link router could be "hard wired" to make sure it wasn't defective, and then piggy back it to my Buffalo router. This "piggy backing" set up corrected the instability of the fiber optic speed (it still varies, but only within 1/2 a megabyte vs. 2 megabytes), but it did not improve the overall best signal speeds as I hoped it would. My newest and best equipped PC with a USB access point gets the maximum 5 megabytes, but my other totally wireless laptops go down to 2 megabytes in speed from there. However, all speeds are definitely better than the DSL connection according to the Verizon Online Speed Test.
I eventually get an automated phone call from Verizon congratulating me on my purchase of FiOS (great personal touch), and I'm reminded that I can cancel withing 30 days with no penalties, if I don't like the service For any reason. So, as much as it was Finally a successful conversion from DSL to FiOS, my overall customer experience had too much Frustration, Fear, uncertainty, and doubt in it. This was due to Faulty Verizon communication at first, and then a less than Frugal use of my time with tech support people in getting the D-Link router piggy backed to my router, and then getting a solid-stable internet connection. But, in all Fairness to Verizon, a good portion (1/2 day) of that time spent was due to my own laptop's defect. This, and good taste, makes me refrain from using the "F" word in this post.
I believe Verizon's main goal is to quickly get this Fiber optic cable into as many homes and businesses as possible, so that they can eventually compete with the cable and satellite companies for the TV-video market. I also Feel that you should read Dan Bricklin's account of his home FiOS installation experience. If you then still have doubts, concerns, questions after talking to Verizon people, this Forum entitled MYFIOS.NET will give you answers From many FiOS customer's own experiences and perspectives. Fare well with your installation, and Feel Free to give me your Feedback on your own FiOS installation experience.
Animated "F" courtesy of www.artie.com.
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