The Verizon boys were hanging around the neighborhood in spring, digging trenchs and running cable all over my neighborhood.  Then they went and set up a kiosk at Columbia Mall to start selling their new services to anyone willing to stop in and take a listen.  Unfortunately, every time I stopped by, my address still wasn't on the list of the priviledged.  All that changed this past week when a door-to-door sales guy came by to tell me I could at least get to play with some of the new toys.

In case you are unaware, FIOS is Verizon's answer to cable companies high-speed voice, data, and video services.  At this point in time, I am only able to get the voice and data services, but the high definition video is supposed to be available within the next couple of months.  In the mean time, I will have to figure out exactly how their services stack up against what I am currently using.  Although I have a 30 day trial period, I don't think I'll be going back to the copper lines for my phone service.  For the same monthly fee, I am going to be receiving all the same features I currently have plus unlimited long distance.  The only downside to the new phone service will occur if there is a power outage, but they are including a 6 hour battery in case that happens.  Besides, we all have cell phones that we can use if necessary.

The real change is going to be in my Internet service.  Verizon is offering mulitple speeds to match whatever your needs are.  I opted for the 15 Mbps download, 2 Mbps upload service.  Besides the speed, the other change is that I will no longer need a cable modem since the wall outlet will now be a standard RJ-45 plug.  That means that I can plug my wireless router directly into the wall.  They also include a new wireless router with the installation, so I will be able to use either the one they give me or the one I have as another access point and increase my coverage area.  Since I am getting a trial period, I will be able to compare the actual speed of the service vs. the speed of the service I get from Comcast.  As far as the price is concerned, the base Internet package is significantly less than I pay Comcast, even with the "discount" for being a cable television subscriber.  The mid-level service I opted for is about the same price during the 1 year introductory period.

But the positive in my mind and in some of my neighbors is that I will no longer be giving money to Comcast, which continually raises rates for absolutely no reason but to improve profits.  And less money we give to Comcast, the happier we are.