(PAT, I think the Digest is burping again.. got several of 230 and
several more of 231, and some of the 231 content was the same as
230...)
Catching up on back reading, and here is some more info on Verizon
network/telco fiber, something I know a bit about, since my
development is being *100%* converted to FiOS this summer!
I've had several back and forth conversations with our Telecom
committee folks, who are talking with Verizon about several points I
and others have raised including these:
1. We don't have a choice. The copper is being disconnected, and
fiber installed. If you have DSL, you will be replaced with the
lowest FiOS tier. It's not been said if this will cost more than the
current special pricing for DSL in the future or not. We have been
told that people that signed up for the special '1 year commitment of
DSL' will *not* be penalized for that term, anyway.
But, we will be all fiber by the end of the summer.
2. The internal copper telco wiring in your home will be connected to
the new OND (Optical Network Device? I forget) demarc, and your
telephone lines will be converted at that time. Network connectivity
is via a Cat5e or better cable to be connected to the OND and then to
a new router that you 'have' to use since it has some special
troubleshooting 'stuff' in it. I intend to put my Vonage box behind
that, and then my other router and switches behind that, as is the
case now. (Good thing I know networking... :-) )
The network connection can be an issue in many cases, since most
people don't have their current router near the demarc (but in some
convenient room where telco copper lines went), and it's unclear how
much inside network cabling Verizon will do as part of this
installation. :-)
3. With 15 down/2 up, there's no reason VoIP shouldn't work very
well. I currently use Vonage over a cable modem (4 down/768k up,
theoretically, and it's fine). I've read the terms of service for
FiOS (see http://www.verizon.com/fios ) and as far as I can see,
all/most of the DSL terms of service still apply).
4. And, as was stated, all the future features/issues of video-on-
demand, satellite-equivalent channels (what they *really* want the
fiber in place for) is up in the air. Note that the current Verizon
DirecTV arrangement is for new customers only, and is merely a billing
discount; there's no delivery of DirecTV signals over Verizon lines at
this time, either copper or fiber, that I'm aware of!
Hope that's useful!
Lee Sweet
lee@datatel.com
Lee Sweet (lee@datatel.com)