OT: TV question - Time Warner v. Fios

[njcuse]

For the first time since I have lived in my building I have a choice of providers. Have had TW for ten years. Now have the fios option. Fios is offering a deal which would cost me about fifty less a month. This is the record six channels at once deck with all the channels I now use and including a couple I don't have, like Showtime. Also covers computer and phone. Anyone who can give me advice on whether or not to make this change. Experience with Fios, of which I have none?

 

[bevosu]

I was a Time Warner customer for over 20 years. Last April I called Verizon and the deal they gave me was similar to what you mentioned. I switched...saving about $30+ a month.

I think their TV and internet service is superior. The phone is about the same. Picture quality is better, Internet speed upload and download is faster. I have no complaints...outside of the installation charge which I think you can get around by signing up on their website?

One thing you want to do...actually two. Make sure you change your email addresses at important sites if you switch. I use gmail so even though lots of people and sites had my TW address I was able to update my email address after the switch...remembering your passwords and usernames is important when it comes to changing your email address ...after the switch.

Also...if you call TW and tell them you're switching to Verizon they'll match the price and try to do just about anything to keep you from dropping them. They'll offer some tempting perks. I said no way.

 

[njcuse]

I was a Time Warner customer for over 20 years. Last April I called Verizon and the deal they gave me was similar to what you mentioned. I switched...saving about $30+ a month.

I think their TV and internet service is superior. The phone is about the same. Picture quality is better, Internet speed upload and download is faster. I have no complaints...outside of the installation charge which I think you can get around by signing up on their website?

One thing you want to do...actually two. Make sure you change your email addresses at important sites if you switch. I use gmail so even though lots of people and sites had my TW address I was able to update my email address after the switch...remembering your passwords and usernames is important when it comes to changing your email address ...after the switch.

Also...if you call TW and tell them you're switching to Verizon they'll match the price and try to do just about anything to keep you from dropping them. They'll offer some tempting perks. I said no way.

Thank you for the info. It is helpful. I think the installations charge is waved for this building deal. I'm not sure I understand the connection to my email addresses.

 

[NKR1978]

I haven't had TW in a long time, but recently switched from RCN to Fios. Saving $45 a month with faster internet, better picture quality, fewer premium channels but more sports channels.

I've been really happy with the switch and in fact just moved my Fios to the brand new building I moved into. Building is wired for Fios and TW. Verizon has two vans parked outside all weekend. Have yet to see a TW van come through.

 

[690West]

I get where people are coming from when they always answer every TW complaint with "DirectTV" or "FIOS" Here's the problem and the reason I have stuck with TW even though they suck mooseballs from a price and service standpoint.

If you live in Central New York, there are 5 pieces of programming that you just don't get if you switch. They are:

1. NY HS basketball playoffs
2. NY HS football playoffs
3. NY HS lacrosse playoffs
4. SU lax games not on national TV
5. Crunch playoffs.


Now, I know the Crunch one is a stretch but I did enjoy the Calder cup last year. And, maybe I enjoy the HS sports because I'm a Red Ram® and we dominate every sport in Section 3.

I'm really starting to enjoy soccer and I can watch the SU soccer team on their way to the Final Four this year (its happening, you read it here first).

Oh, and I really enjoyed the SU basketball Canadian tour last summer. Bottom line, for me, those programming items above keep me from ever switching over.

 

[Cheriehoop]

For the first time since I have lived in my building I have a choice of providers. Have had TW for ten years. Now have the fios option. Fios is offering a deal which would cost me about fifty less a month. This is the record six channels at once deck with all the channels I now use and including a couple I don't have, like Showtime. Also covers computer and phone. Anyone who can give me advice on whether or not to make this change. Experience with Fios, of which I have none?

I switched last April and saved over $90 a month. When I went to return the TW equipment they offered to equal Verizon's deal. I said no - rather late offering a deal. I haven't regretted it but I'm waiting to see what happens when these deals end (one deduction ends in one year, the other in 2 years). I figure I could always go back to TW if I want.

 

[njcuse]

I switched last April and saved over $90 a month. When I went to return the TW equipment they offered to equal Verizon's deal. I said no - rather late offering a deal. I haven't regretted it but I'm waiting to see what happens when these deals end (one deduction ends in one year, the other in 2 years). I figure I could always go back to TW if I want.

Yes, it is nice to finally have a choice. If one provider does not provide solid service and a good price, I can actually go another direction. Fios did not go to all the expense of laying their lines down our streets to just let them sit there.

 

[njcuse]

A thank you to all who offered their insights and experience on the TW v. Fios decision. You have been very helpful to me, though not so much to TW.

 

[bevosu]

Thank you for the info. It is helpful. I think the installations charge is waved for this building deal. I'm not sure I understand the connection to my email addresses.[/QUOTE

Maybe the problem I had with my email addresses happened because I don't like Verizon's email program and wanted to use Thunderbird as my on computer email program...not just a web based program like gmail. Also I had TW for so long that I had to change my listed (TW) email address on a lot of sites (Amazon-syrfan.com-bank etc) where I had my TW email address as my contact email. Once I switched it took me a while to straighten those out. I didn't plan ahead as well as I should have.

I've built a lot of computers, but I found switching email providers a pain. Like I said I didn't plan ahead. Most people don't run into that kind of problem.

The problem was self caused. Thunderbird is pretty much impossible to get working on Verizon. Not really Verizon's fault.

 

[GoSU96]

I get where people are coming from when they always answer every TW complaint with "DirectTV" or "FIOS" Here's the problem and the reason I have stuck with TW even though they suck mooseballs from a price and service standpoint.

If you live in Central New York, there are 5 pieces of programming that you just don't get if you switch. They are:

1. NY HS basketball playoffs
2. NY HS football playoffs
3. NY HS lacrosse playoffs
4. SU lax games not on national TV
5. Crunch playoffs.


Now, I know the Crunch one is a stretch but I did enjoy the Calder cup last year. And, maybe I enjoy the HS sports because I'm a Red Ram® and we dominate every sport in Section 3.

I'm really starting to enjoy soccer and I can watch the SU soccer team on their way to the Final Four this year (its happening, you read it here first).

Oh, and I really enjoyed the SU basketball Canadian tour last summer. Bottom line, for me, those programming items above keep me from ever switching over.

That's what the local pub is for.

Time Warner sucks.

 

[oldpinepoint]

Wait until TW becomes Comcast... If you thinks it's bad now just wait

 

[690West]

That's what the local pub is for.

Time Warner sucks.

lol. worst retort ever.

::walks into tully's::

"Hey bartender, how bout some J-D lacrosse state semi-final action?"

::gets tossed in the middle of Erie Blvd::

 

[qdawgg]

I've never had a problem with TW and I've had them for 15+ years.

 

[Toga]

I switched last April and saved over $90 a month. When I went to return the TW equipment they offered to equal Verizon's deal. I said no - rather late offering a deal. I haven't regretted it but I'm waiting to see what happens when these deals end (one deduction ends in one year, the other in 2 years). I figure I could always go back to TW if I want.

Have been on FIOS for a couple of years. Quality is fine. Lately my bill seems to creep up $5 every other month. When I am getting to the end of my contract (FIOS swears they don't have contracts but that is BS) I will play FIOS and TW off against each other for the best deal. Nice to have competition.

 

[texascpa]

I wish I had FiOS option. Have Directv, who I'm getting more and more disgruntled with, and local DSL that I can only get 20/3 speed at the top end.

 

[njcuse]

I remember DSL from the distant past. I can't imagine using it at this point in time.