Is FIOS available in our neighborhood?

[GraduateFamily]

We don't have cable tv and when two computers are online at the same time, we have some significant delays using our DSL connection.

[OffenseTaken]

It is! Although I was told by a Verizon agent that you had to have a Windows computer (God knows why).

We don't have cable tv and when two computers are online at the same time, we have some significant delays using our DSL connection.

[Mustard]

We don't have cable tv and when two computers are online at the same time, we have some significant delays using our DSL connection.

no, and we probably won't be getting for a long time if at all.

Hoping for FiOS, some cities now feel abandoned by Verizon

[GraduateFamily]

Thank you both for the reply...Mustard, I read the article and it appears that Philadelphia "made the cut" in terms of getting FIOS but not a lot of small to medium sized cities.

[OffenseTaken]

Sure. Service is extremely patchy, though: parts of town that have it and don't have it criss-cross each other kind of erratically, since Verizon seems to be kind of half-assed about installing it in urban areas. It might be best to give Verizon your address and make absolutely sure.

[Jayfar]

Last I heard, Naval Square had it, but that's about it so far.

[the mule]

Blame City Council. They insisted that FiOS be run to poorer neighborhoods first. Gee, let's force them to run it to neighborhoods with no demand, eat the cost for all that work with no revenue in return, and see how enthusiastic they are about continuing to roll out the network. Meanwhile middle income neighborhoods with high demand for FiOS and desperate for an alternative to Comcast are once again left in the lurch.

[Jayfar]

Blame City Council. They insisted that FiOS be run to poorer neighborhoods first. Gee, let's force them to run it to neighborhoods with no demand, eat the cost for all that work with no revenue in return, and see how enthusiastic they are about continuing to roll out the network. Meanwhile middle income neighborhoods with high demand for FiOS and desperate for an alternative to Comcast are once again left in the lurch.

Name a lower income neighborhood that was first with FIOS. Last I checked Naval Square isn't a ghetto in the ordinary senses of the word. The ordinance requires a full build-out of the entire city; I don't believe it includes a timeline requiring deployment in low income areas first.

EDIT:

The franchise agreement:

http://legislation.phila.gov/attachments/5888.pdf

See appendix B for map with service area names; see appendix C for phase I & II deployments.

Also from appendix C: Equitable Deployment - Year 5 Benchmark: In order to demonstrate the Franchisee's compliance with Section 3.3 of this agreement (Non-Discrimination), Franchisee agrees that as of the Year 5 Benchmark, the estimated median household income of all households capable of receiving Cable Service from Franchisee shall not be greater than the average household income of all households in the City (based on calculations set forth in the 2000 census data).

[spa25]

I just got Fios installed earlier in the week, along with two other houses on the block. I'm near 3rd/Jackson. They have been advertising all over the neighborhood for several months now. Not sure about Pennsport, which is only a few blocks north. I held off for a few months, but they offered a good deal and I'll be paying considerably less than comcast.

I'm crossing my fingers, but so far the service has been excellent. Installation was lengthy, but went smoothly and done professionally. They installed two boxes (one inside and one outside). I had Verizon DSL years ago and I'm familiar with their past lackluster customer service. Hopefully they redeem themselves, but we'll see....

[Dolemite]

Blame City Council.

And their marriage to Comcast.

[Jayfar]

Blame City Council. They insisted that FiOS be run to poorer neighborhoods first.

And their marriage to Comcast.

The post you're nodding in agreement with was debunked in post #8, although your statement of Comcast's relationship with council is true and is the reason we don't have RCN as an alternate cable choice.

[Dolemite]

The post you're nodding in agreement with was debunked in post #8, although your statement of Comcast's relationship with council is true and is the reason we don't have RCN as an alternate cable choice.

No it wasn't debunked. They have to keep the median household income of those able to get FIOS lower than the median household of the city. Now they could have hit Center City first and then made sure they went to poorer neighborhoods by year 5 to make sure they were under the threshold but that's a dangerous way to go if some delays keep them from making it in time. what is the penalty if they fail to meet the requirement? The safe way is to go the poorer neighborhoods first.

What's the Comcast usage rate in those poorer networks?

[OffenseTaken]

If this is true, I'm sure Comcast had nothing to do with such a demand being made of Verizon. That would be tremendously out of character not just for that enlightened organization, but for the outstandingly noble citizens that compose the City Council.



[EDIT: Didn't see Dolemite's post upthread before I posted this]

Blame City Council. They insisted that FiOS be run to poorer neighborhoods first. Gee, let's force them to run it to neighborhoods with no demand, eat the cost for all that work with no revenue in return, and see how enthusiastic they are about continuing to roll out the network. Meanwhile middle income neighborhoods with high demand for FiOS and desperate for an alternative to Comcast are once again left in the lurch.

[Jayfar]

Now they could have hit Center City first and then made sure they went to poorer neighborhoods by year 5 to make sure they were under the threshold but that's a dangerous way to go if some delays keep them from making it in time.

Center City is a lot more capital, time and labor-intensive that most other areas, due to the requirement that all cable be buried. They did do some Center City apartment and/or condo buildings early on though (and, as previously mentioned, Naval Square in SWCC).

[Dolemite]

Center City is a lot more capital, time and labor-intensive that most other areas, due to the requirement that all cable be buried. They did do some Center City apartment and/or condo buildings early on though (and, as previously mentioned, Naval Square in SWCC).

Are you arguing that Center City is late to the party due to "capital, time and labor-intensiveness"?

[seand]

My West Philly Fios was relatvely easily strung through our backyards on poles above ground, so yes I think that might have something to do with it. Not just that we are so much poorer than you CC Richie Richs.

[spa25]

My West Philly Fios was relatvely easily strung through our backyards on poles above ground, so yes I think that might have something to do with it. Not just that we are so much poorer than you CC Richie Richs.

Same in South Philly. The wires for our block are in the back alley and the Comcast connection is on the main street or front of our house.

Hehe...never considered my block poor, but definitely working class... Maybe you're just unlucky and don't have fios on your block... my folks in the lehigh valley still don't have it, but also have the luxury of choosing between two cable companies (RCN and Service electric)...

[Jayfar]

Are you arguing that Center City is late to the party due to "capital, time and labor-intensiveness"?

Yep basically, just as CC was last to get cable widely deployed for the same reasons.

[Dolemite]

Yep basically, just as CC was last to get cable widely deployed for the same reasons.

Then why the need to put that condition?

[ArcticSplash]

Is Manyunk still waiting for FiOS? Funny since crack dens off Indiana Ave are hooked up now.

19125, some of 19134 and 19122 now have a way to get off the Comcrack.