East Falls internet options

**friendlynerd** · 08-17-2011, 04:23 PM

I'm moving out to East Falls from South Phila soon and I'm wondering about internet options. I currently have Verizon DSL and I'm happy with it. The Verizon site indicates I can still have that at my new house, but the maximum speed they're showing me is 1.1-3 mb. I currently have 7mb service.

Anyone have Verizon DSL out there that can comment on the available speeds? I figured calling Verizon might give me a different answer than the website, or that East Falls is further from a CO and therefore slower.

Thoughts?

**waterman** · 08-17-2011, 06:12 PM

Sorry, when I wanted DSL several years ago, it was not available in East Falls. I thus went with cable. When FIOS came out, it was not available in East Falls (still isn't), so people go with cable or dish. However, Verizon has since sent me about $100,000 in advertising junk mail.

**Mondu** · 08-13-2012, 03:58 PM

Bumping this thread because Verizon has been upgrading the wiring in the "new homes" section of East Falls (off School House Lane above train tracks). I also recently got a notice from Comcast that they are now providing more bandwidth for the same cost. Anyone know if FIOS is coming here soon? I tried putting my address into the Verizon website and it still says only DSL is available.

**mm230** · 08-13-2012, 04:14 PM

Fios is now available by Frank's Pizza.

**alex** · 08-15-2012, 09:14 AM

I had Verizon DSL in East Falls a while ago — probably '04 or '05. I had a lot of problems with it, and Verizon repeatedly told me it must be an issue with the wiring in my house. They came out to look at it and nothing was wrong. Eventually, it turned out to be the wiring outside on a utility pole that caused the trouble. I understand that this can happen, but was annoyed at how much time I wasted because they wouldn't look at that possibility.

I've had Comcast since then. It's pretty good — I've almost never lost service. I have what is supposedly the slowest speed, but I can watch streaming video without problems.

**MrsWeisass** · 08-15-2012, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by alex

I had Verizon DSL in East Falls a while ago — probably '04 or '05. I had a lot of problems with it, and Verizon repeatedly told me it must be an issue with the wiring in my house. They came out to look at it and nothing was wrong. Eventually, it turned out to be the wiring outside on a utility pole that caused the trouble. I understand that this can happen, but was annoyed at how much time I wasted because they wouldn't look at that possibility.

I've had Comcast since then. It's pretty good — I've almost never lost service. I have what is supposedly the slowest speed, but I can watch streaming video without problems.

my husband and I are very close to dropping verizon for precisely this problem. they basically told us that the wiring on the utility pole stinks, and they won't fix it because it isn't worth it to them. our neighbor's comcast is awesome.

**Garret** · 08-15-2012, 09:58 AM

We had Cavalier DSL when we lived in EF. It is delivered over Verizon's lines, but we rarely had outages. It was fairly slow, though. Unless Fios is available at your new house, if I was you I would go with Comcast.

**runner13** · 08-15-2012, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by MrsWeisass

my husband and I are very close to dropping verizon for precisely this problem. they basically told us that the wiring on the utility pole stinks, and they won't fix it because it isn't worth it to them. our neighbor's comcast is awesome.

I have the same problem with Comcast cable lines. I've had had them out repeatedly over the years because of losing service to my living room box, but usually had service on my other boxes. Often it is numerous services call for the same problem because the tech can't fix it. I've been told everything from a string of bad boxes, not a strong enough signal in my house, squirrels chewing through the lines outside, a bad main junction box at the corner and need to bring a cherry picker truck out to fix it. However, based on many conversations with a friend that works for Comcast, managers and actual comcast service techs (not the subcontractors), I've been told that the lines in our area are very old back from when our area was serviced by Urban/Wade Cable. They will not fix the lines because its too expensive. My understanding, is that technically, our area is still owned by Urban/Wade, but they have an agreement to swap areas of service with Comcast where each is predominant, so that each company is not just servicing a small pocket of customers in an area serviced largely by a competitor. I'm now considering FIOS now that is available and a lot cheaper.

**MrsWeisass** · 08-15-2012, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by runner13

I have the same problem with Comcast cable lines. I've had had them out repeatedly over the years because of losing service to my living room box, but usually had service on my other boxes. Often it is numerous services call for the same problem because the tech can't fix it. I've been told everything from a string of bad boxes, not a strong enough signal in my house, squirrels chewing through the lines outside, a bad main junction box at the corner and need to bring a cherry picker truck out to fix it. However, based on many conversations with a friend that works for Comcast, managers and actual comcast service techs (not the subcontractors), I've been told that the lines in our area are very old back from when our area was serviced by Urban/Wade Cable. They will not fix the lines because its too expensive. My understanding, is that technically, our area is still owned by Urban/Wade, but they have an agreement to swap areas of service with Comcast where each is predominant, so that each company is not just servicing a small pocket of customers in an area serviced largely by a competitor. I'm now considering FIOS now that is available and a lot cheaper.

Well that bites. so either way my service stinks.

**alex** · 08-15-2012, 11:55 AM

So I think the answer is that anyone looking for reliable internet service should ask immediate neighbors what they're using and whether they're happy. What works best in one area isn't necessarily going to work best elsewhere, even within the same general neighborhood.

**waterman** · 08-15-2012, 08:19 PM

Verizon has been running and splicing fiber for the past few weeks at the Fox and Coulter area. You can see the black connector boxes on some of the poles as well as extra fiber stored as a loop. I spoke to the tech, but he didn't know when service would be offered.

**mixiboi** · 08-15-2012, 11:11 PM

The only good thing about FiOS these days is that they are keeping Comcast competitive with speeds and prices...That's about it(Until they make it available EVERYWHERE)

**runner13** · 08-16-2012, 09:35 AM

Its definitely available in my area now. They have have left several notes on my door letting me know and offering $99/month for triple play, if I remember correctly. At the same time, Comcast is mailing me several offers for home security systems deals and locking in for three years and telling me I am eligible for a new modem for a faster speed. Guessing Comcast is realizing the competition is close. My neighbors are getting Fios next week.