A couple of months ago, I spotted two men in my backyard stringing a yellow "wire" across the utility poles just beyond my property line. I watched until they moved on to the next yard. I didn't think much about it at the time, but about a month later I received a flyer in the mail announcing a new service from Verizon called FiOS. Is this for real, I wondered? Was it fiber that those guys were stringing? I guess so.
The flyer claimed: "It's fiber-optic technology that's going to revolutionize the way you use the Internet." I've been reading for years—and I suppose you have too—about fiber to the home or curb. I had just about given up on it, but here it is. The flyer goes on to say: "Choose the package that's right for you." Package 1 promises 5.0 Mbps maximum downstream speed for $34.95 per month. And Package 2 offers a whopping 15.0 Mbps for $44.95. Both have the same maximum upstream speed of 2.0 Mbps. To put that in perspective, I am currently paying $45 per month for a cable Internet service of about 1 Mbps maximum and around 300 kbps average.
Verizon did place an asterisk after its prices that states: "monthly fee available with a qualifying Verizon calling package." Looks like I'll be switching my land line back to Verizon. Otherwise, it's another $5 per month. According to the person who took my order, it will take about three weeks to make the change. I don't know why it will take so long, but I'm willing to wait.
As you probably can tell, I'm excited about this new service. I don't know where else it's available, but you can check your area at www.verizonfios.com.
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