Discuss

Jul 17, 2009 13:03

Comcast vs FIOS

Opinions?

Positive?

Negative?

Specific plans or features you like?

Discuss....

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Comments 6

inahandbasket July 17 2009, 17:13:27 UTC
My thoughts from an internet service centric viewpoint...

Pros:
Faster
Better service (less port blocking/restrictions from what I hear)
Consistent speed
Cons:
Verizon - can be a pain to deal with, but I hear the FIOS team is good.
A bit pricey

Comcast:
Pros:
Cheaper
Better for TV from what I hear
Cons:
Comcast - shady-ass company
Shared bandwidth
Restrictive policies on intartubes

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limbodog July 17 2009, 17:55:31 UTC
Costs them about $4000 - $6000 per setup. I'd say get in now before they decide they have sufficient infrastructure and can safely let you pay for installation.

The service is much faster. Verizon is unethical, but so is comcast. Prices will be shooting through the ceiling for both as soon as they can pull it off.

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crosslet July 17 2009, 18:50:40 UTC
We've been on Fios for a year and really like it. We have a bundled Internet, TV, and house phone package. Really good customer service. Fast Internet service.

I believe Comcast is using Tivo for their DVR interface which I believe is still the best UI.

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coorr July 17 2009, 19:27:30 UTC

I believe you will find that Fios is lacking some channels in its line up. Ive heard people complain that they don't have Scifi (though given how shitty their line up is now, maybe thats not a big deal).

Also, from what I understand, if you get Fios they will cut the copper to your new house, you will no longer have regular telephone service or the option to get it. You will not be able to hook up a phone to a jack and at least get 911 service.

Maybe that's not a big deal for you since your all cell phone centric, but it seems like its worth mentioning since apparently Verizon doesn't bother to tell you they are going to do that.

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volta July 17 2009, 22:17:26 UTC
I have FIOS. They definitely do carry SciFi, including SciFi HD. For less money, I have about twice as many real channels (not counting music, HSN, etc.) as I did on Comcast. There are a couple HD channels that got pushed into add-on packages that I think should not have been (the non-HD version is included in Basic), but that is just because I am cheap. Their website is pretty good for channel lineup info, just punch in your zip code and check for yourself if any channels you want are missing.

If you maintain active service on the copper pair(s), or manage to convince the installer that you do, they will not disconnect it.

The IP service is much better than what I was getting from Comcast. I do have occasional issues with their outgoing SMTP server deciding I am sending spam, but that is easily worked around. So far the only port block I have run into is inbound 80/tcp, but inbound 443/tcp works fine so I switched my webserver to SSL mode.

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debsquared July 18 2009, 21:27:38 UTC
I have to say, I really get a kick out of the fios/comcast commercials. Those guys kill me!

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