Verizon's Copper Cutoff Traps Customers

Sun Jul 8, 2007 12:10 AM EDT

business, unknown, verizon, copper, cutting, verizon-communications-inc, when-henry-powderly-ii

Deborah Yao, AP Business Writer

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4.8

{"commentId":847045,"authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

Division by Zero

Sounds like the price of progress to me. After all, who still owns a buggy whip?

{"commentId":847045,"threadId":"122818","contentId":"824184","authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

2 votes

#1 - Sun Jul 8, 2007 1:25 AM EDT

{"commentId":847063,"authorDomain":"clrapp"}

Rapp3720

I currently have FIOS in my house and the speed is far superior to DSL.

I am happy with the service and moved over to it via my own decision. I had no pressure put on me to move, I did it because of faster internet access.

The phone service appears to be the same...

{"commentId":847063,"threadId":"122818","contentId":"824184","authorDomain":"clrapp"}

1 vote

#2 - Sun Jul 8, 2007 1:36 AM EDT

{"commentId":848902,"authorDomain":"markmartindale"}

Mark-161498

You are both missing the point. Verizon is trying to maximize profits by restricting choice. Verizon offers special pricing to NEW customers of FiOS then increasing prices after the initial term is completed. If a customer sells his house the new owner will not have a choice to use copper via a competitive local carrier at a lower price. Verizon has been fighting competition since the Telecom Act of 1996 was passed. Verizon pays its lawyers and lobbyists with the money it makes by charging higher rates than its competitors at the same time trying to keep competitors out of the market. This is done at the expense of Verizon's existing customers. I, for one, refuse to pay a premium to enable a near-monopoly company to finance its stranglehold on competition and innovation. If the cost of "progress" is limiting choices and charging artificially high prices, then I'm glad Verizon doesn't offer FiOS in my neighborhood.

{"commentId":848902,"threadId":"122818","contentId":"824184","authorDomain":"markmartindale"}

3 votes

#3 - Sun Jul 8, 2007 7:41 PM EDT

{"commentId":848971,"authorDomain":"clrapp"}

Rapp3720

I hear what you are saying Mark, I guess I just didn't think about having a copper option in the future. And I sure as hell didn't worry about the choices of the next owner of my house If I ever sold it.

I purchased FIOS for one reason alone. The greater speed. And I have been very happy with it.

{"commentId":848971,"threadId":"122818","contentId":"824184","authorDomain":"clrapp"}

2 votes

#3.1 - Sun Jul 8, 2007 8:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":849057,"authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

Division by Zero

I dunno...some potential homeowners might be willing to pay more for a house that's already FIOS'd.

{"commentId":849057,"threadId":"122818","contentId":"824184","authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

1 vote

#3.2 - Sun Jul 8, 2007 8:54 PM EDT

{"commentId":849563,"authorDomain":"txnelle"}

Kirby-161556

Well Mark I am sure Verizon is happy that you are not a customer either. Verizon is no different than AT&T, Quest and other competitive communications company that trying to keep customers and to make a buck. All the bigger companies were forced to let the CLECS come in and use their facilities to make there own money. Would be like you having the only washing machine in the neighborhood and the government says because your neighbors can't afford the put there own facilities in they for a price will use yours and you have no say. We are not in the stone ages anymore

{"commentId":849563,"threadId":"122818","contentId":"824184","authorDomain":"txnelle"}

1 vote

#3.3 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 12:21 AM EDT

{"commentId":849174,"authorDomain":"markmartindale"}

Mark-161498

Paying more for a house that is only wired to get higher priced Internet service? I don't have that kind of loot.

{"commentId":849174,"threadId":"122818","contentId":"824184","authorDomain":"markmartindale"}

1 vote

#4 - Sun Jul 8, 2007 9:42 PM EDT

{"commentId":849190,"authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

Division by Zero

Homebuyers often pay more for homes with security systems, central HVAC, landscaping, sprinklers, pre-wired networking, and various other things, not to mention location, location, location. It's not inconceivable that someone would pay more for a home that already has a FIOS hookup.

{"commentId":849190,"threadId":"122818","contentId":"824184","authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

1 vote

#4.1 - Sun Jul 8, 2007 9:55 PM EDT

{"commentId":849538,"authorDomain":"txnelle"}

Kirby-161556

I have FIOS and I am very happy to get it. I was paying 68.00 a month for Internet from cable AT&T and it was such a piece of crap. I get 3 times the speed with fiber plus HDTV that is just unbelievable.
All you people go ahead and complain. The battery back up is only 4 hours. I like the new technology and the faster speed. Verizon is only putting it's money in the future. Most people are going to wireless phones anyway so what's the big deal. The fiber is only going to be in the larger areas anyway. No one is forcing anyone to change to Verizon. My whole neighborhood has changed over to FIOS and not one person has complained about it.

{"commentId":849538,"threadId":"122818","contentId":"824184","authorDomain":"txnelle"}

1 vote

#5 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 12:08 AM EDT

{"commentId":849968,"authorDomain":"clrapp"}

Rapp3720

I agree Kirby.

It is a great service. I only use it for my phone and internet. The TV portion was not an option because they don't offer the NFL Sunday Ticket, so I stuck with DirecTV for this.

The internet is simply smokin' fast. I love it.

I had one small problem when I returned from a short trip a few weeks ago. There was bad weather when I was gone and it knocked out the power to my house. Somehow, the battery backup when completely out also, so when I returned I had no phone or Internet. I had to wait 24 hours for them to get out to fix it, but once they did, it works great (knock on wood).

{"commentId":849968,"threadId":"122818","contentId":"824184","authorDomain":"clrapp"}

1 vote

#5.1 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 8:35 AM EDT

{"commentId":850784,"authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

Division by Zero

Most people are going to wireless phones anyway so what's the big deal.

Indeed. I know several people who do not have a home phone at all. Of course right after Katrina this was a problem, since only 2 providers had working towers in my area. "Cutting the wire" has become more popular since a lot of people find it hard to financially justify having both a wireless phone and a landline phone.

{"commentId":850784,"threadId":"122818","contentId":"824184","authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

1 vote

#5.2 - Mon Jul 9, 2007 1:44 PM EDT

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