Photos: Verizon FiOS installation step by step
by Larry Dignan | August 10, 2007 7:53am PDT | Image 1 of 20
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Verizon FiOS: The beginning
Verizon's FiOS Internet and TV service has the potential to be a threat to cable broadband service providers. The main appeal of FiOS is a fiber optic line directly to the home. Mid-tier service produces 15 Mbps download speeds. The rub: Installation for Verizon can be pricey for the telecom giant as contractors have to lay a fiber optic conduit directly to the home. Here's the step-by-step installation for ZDNet's Larry Dignan. More on the FiOS experience can be found on Between the Lines. First step (beyond the initial phone call of course) was to install a conduit for the fiber optic line to the home. In my neighborhood, all power and phone lines are buried so laying the line required some digging.
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"contractors have to lay a fiber optic conduit directly to the home."
I'm curious as to the cost for running the conduit from the house to the street? Did you get separate bids for that?
I'm curious as to the cost for running the conduit from the house to the street? Did you get separate bids for that?
Currently you pay a $19.95 one time charge. All installations are free at the moment other than that - obviously unless you live REALLY far from the line.
I've had FiOS for about 3 months now and really like it. I was out of town the day they guys came to do the "outside" installation. My neighbor said they were probably at the house for 4-5 hours and did a very clean job, as you reported.
The next day I was here for the "inside" installation and was very impressed with the installer as well. He was here over 6 hours, worked alone and spent almost 30 minutes working me through the cable tv service as well as the internet connection. It's now almost 10:30am Eastern Time and according to Speednet I am doing 13732 down and 4336 up. However when I am online late at night or early in the morning I can easily get 20000 (or more) down and around 5 up.
My question...I also purchased a kick ass wireless router months before I connected with FiOS. How do I incorporate it into my internet connection and why would I?
Thanks,
Bill
bsobel@gmail.com
The next day I was here for the "inside" installation and was very impressed with the installer as well. He was here over 6 hours, worked alone and spent almost 30 minutes working me through the cable tv service as well as the internet connection. It's now almost 10:30am Eastern Time and according to Speednet I am doing 13732 down and 4336 up. However when I am online late at night or early in the morning I can easily get 20000 (or more) down and around 5 up.
My question...I also purchased a kick ass wireless router months before I connected with FiOS. How do I incorporate it into my internet connection and why would I?
Thanks,
Bill
bsobel@gmail.com
Bill,
For most routers, it's fairly easy. Set the KA router to NOT do DHCP (let the FiOS router handle DHCP), give it a hard IP address within the range of the FiOS router's local network (so you can talk to your KA Router for setup purposes), and plug one of its wired ports (NOT the Internet port) into a wired port on the FiOS router. The KA router needs to be set (in some cases) as an "Access Point" or a "Bridge" instead of a router. The internet port on your KA router remains empty.
Then, you can connect the FiOS wireless SSID or the KA wireless SSID at your discretion. You should set them to select different channel numbers (1-11). Otherwise, they'll interfere with one another.
To avoid conflicts, give your KA router a different SSID, and of course, lock it down with WPA or WEP security.
Jim
For most routers, it's fairly easy. Set the KA router to NOT do DHCP (let the FiOS router handle DHCP), give it a hard IP address within the range of the FiOS router's local network (so you can talk to your KA Router for setup purposes), and plug one of its wired ports (NOT the Internet port) into a wired port on the FiOS router. The KA router needs to be set (in some cases) as an "Access Point" or a "Bridge" instead of a router. The internet port on your KA router remains empty.
Then, you can connect the FiOS wireless SSID or the KA wireless SSID at your discretion. You should set them to select different channel numbers (1-11). Otherwise, they'll interfere with one another.
To avoid conflicts, give your KA router a different SSID, and of course, lock it down with WPA or WEP security.
Jim
WPA is the minimum but if your adapter and router supports WPA2, this is the strongest you can get with a very strong (letters+numbers+symbols) password.
Well, they don't need to be on different channels as they are spread
spectrum.
There is a minor problem, but it isn't major.
Also, nn the 2 GHz band, there are really only three (mostly) non
overlapping channels, 1, 5, and 11 in the US. Some countries have 13
channels, but there are still only three that don't overlap, but one could
run four that overlap slightly.
Oddly, I installed a new WiFi base station right beside an existing one
set manually to 11. Strange, but the new one picked channel 10. I
manually set it to 1.
IF you are going to run two wireless base stations that cover
completely, consider allowing one to operate at any "speed," and lock
out (b) devices on the other. Of course, if you have an (n) base station,
really consider locking out (b) devices.
I run one for any devices, including (b), one for (g), and (a) (five GHz),
and one dual band (n) only base station. Blazing performance.
It makes no difference for the Internet, because the chances are it is 10
Gb or below, but for backing up or moving files between machines, it
helps.
spectrum.
There is a minor problem, but it isn't major.
Also, nn the 2 GHz band, there are really only three (mostly) non
overlapping channels, 1, 5, and 11 in the US. Some countries have 13
channels, but there are still only three that don't overlap, but one could
run four that overlap slightly.
Oddly, I installed a new WiFi base station right beside an existing one
set manually to 11. Strange, but the new one picked channel 10. I
manually set it to 1.
IF you are going to run two wireless base stations that cover
completely, consider allowing one to operate at any "speed," and lock
out (b) devices on the other. Of course, if you have an (n) base station,
really consider locking out (b) devices.
I run one for any devices, including (b), one for (g), and (a) (five GHz),
and one dual band (n) only base station. Blazing performance.
It makes no difference for the Internet, because the chances are it is 10
Gb or below, but for backing up or moving files between machines, it
helps.
I get 9+ mbytes down and about 1 mb up with Insight cable. I pay $42 (actually $32 due to $10 credit for having CableTV also) so I'm curious as to cost of this FiOS system? Except for some bandwidth testing sites, I have never found a download server that used 10% of the bandwidth I have, so except for bragging rights with my techie friends, what do you do with 15 mbytes?
For $69 you get 5 down 2 up, plus nationwide free phone service, caller ID, voice mail, call waiting. For $79 you get 15 down 2 up. The extra down speed really isn't that important unless you have multiple users in your home (like many). The 2mb up speed makes a difference. Also, with Comcast I never ever got more than 3mb down, and usually less that 512 up (actually less than 384 up).
So I guess it depends on the competition. Insight used to claim 3mb up and 384k down. I was getting less than 2mb up. Recently they made a big splash with 10mb up, 1mb down (and same price.) I often get 9-10 up, almost always get 1mb down. Worst I see is in 5 mb range. Wonder where that battery goes if you don't have a basement?
You have your "ups" and "downs" confused. Download speeds are ALWAYS much higher than upload speeds.
The ONT and other equipment can go in a closet, etc. Lots of places don't have basements.
The ONT and other equipment can go in a closet, etc. Lots of places don't have basements.
I'm in nothern VA, and only paying $35.99/mo for the same 5/2 deal, have had it for over a year now and paying the same initial promo pricing (part of a bundled FIOS TV/phone/cellular deal)
Both 5/2 internet plus unlimited telephone, voice mail, caller ID, long distance, call waiting for $35.99? For both? Fios data alone is about $35.
I live right in a city, though. With Comcast, I get 5 down 2 up anyway, why switch to verizon for no good reason? Doesn't sound like it's a ton faster unless you spend the few extra bucks a month to make it so, so I guess I just don't see the point, other than the cool geeky bragging rights.
~A!
~A!
I like the bandwidth, but the TV service blows away Comcast. ALL pay channels have an HD version, not just the main products. For instance, I would get all HBO products on Comcast in my area, but only the main HBO channel was in HD. With FIOS, I get all of them in HD, HBO2, Signature, Family...etc, and this is the case with all pay movie channels. The rest of the HD lineup is much more robust than Comcast too, and I seem to be paying a bit less overall.
FIOS is theoretically faster but you won't notice it if you already have fast cable.
Cost: In NY the basic TV, Internet and phone is $95/mo. A whole house DVR is $20/mo and HD is $5 (I think). Then, the whole thing is subject to taxes - which cable doesn't have.
Cost: In NY the basic TV, Internet and phone is $95/mo. A whole house DVR is $20/mo and HD is $5 (I think). Then, the whole thing is subject to taxes - which cable doesn't have.
Cable is most certainly subject to taxes. And subject to franchise fees as well. I have no idea where you got the impression that cable is not subject to taxes. You need to learn about the telecommunications act of 1996.
They are subject to both taxes and franchise fees, but where I'm at the cable company used to cover the franchise fee as a part of the bill, it was only when the city/county went above 5% that they started to pass on the cost as a separate charge. Not saying that is the case in NY, but it could be.
Regardless of how the bill displays them, the cableco only passes along the franchise fees to you. Also, keep in mind that for the past couple years, franchise fees do not apply to broadband - and only to television. That's the result of a rather contraversial FCC ruling. This is a National - and not a local - situation.
"The tech says the battery gives you TV and Internet access for about 20 minutes in a power outage."
Um...if one has a power outage, how will this benefit if the modem, computer, and TV don't have power?
Um...if one has a power outage, how will this benefit if the modem, computer, and TV don't have power?
If your router (no modem) is on a small UPS and you use a laptop, then it's pretty obvious. I run a UPS behind the FIOS ONT, etc plus the router. That means I have plenty of time. The UPS was less than $70.
The 20 minutes battery back up is good if you are like me and have a UPS attached to all your modem, A/V and computer component and the power goes out like it does here in Florida all the time on the summer storms. This will allow you to properly end your session and shut things down properly. I have had Fios TV for a year and Fios Internet for two years now. I was one of the first in Tampa to get these services. I have been very happy over all, but I still miss my HD DTV Tivo.
It's main purpose is to cover the phone service, because it's a lifeline service. We do the same thing here, the whole plant has a 4 hour battery backup, primarily for phone. Although if you had a generator you could still surf and watch tv.
The tech gave bad info on the battery back up. Only the phone will continue to be powered in loss of power. However, in a power outage most people will only need phone anyway (computers & tv's will likely be down so no point for Verizon providing a battery backup powerful enough to keep internet & FIOS TV up and running).
I have a 1400VA UPS on my entertainment system. I lost power and for the first 20 or so minutes, I was still watching my TV. It was funny because it confused me for a sec when it happened.
Because my TVs, all networking stuff, my computers, and pretty much
anything electronic is on UPSs. That covers the brief outages, then I
have a generator.
The other issue is that the cable and FIOS nodes don't have generators.
So, when the batteries run out, the TV and Internet is out anyway.
MOST franchise agreements require two hours of backup power.
FIOS deals with TV and Internet differently from phone. The controller
turns off the TV and Internet stuff after 20 minutes. The phone
continues to work until about four hours pass.
This is nothing like POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service), which generally
stays up forever, because it is LIFELINE service, and the COs (Central
Offices) have HUGE battery plants, and generators to keep the batteries
charged. Typically, the CO equipment operates on the 48 Volt DC
battery plant, not on commercial AC power.
FIOS phone is not nearly as reliable as POTS.
anything electronic is on UPSs. That covers the brief outages, then I
have a generator.
The other issue is that the cable and FIOS nodes don't have generators.
So, when the batteries run out, the TV and Internet is out anyway.
MOST franchise agreements require two hours of backup power.
FIOS deals with TV and Internet differently from phone. The controller
turns off the TV and Internet stuff after 20 minutes. The phone
continues to work until about four hours pass.
This is nothing like POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service), which generally
stays up forever, because it is LIFELINE service, and the COs (Central
Offices) have HUGE battery plants, and generators to keep the batteries
charged. Typically, the CO equipment operates on the 48 Volt DC
battery plant, not on commercial AC power.
FIOS phone is not nearly as reliable as POTS.
Looks to be an SC type connector. only showing one, means that they are useing some sort of 2-way multiplexing? normally you have 2 fibers, 1 transmitting and 1 receiving. less he wasn't finished terminating the second strand of fiber...
I would object, as well, but Verizon is maniacal about not letting what happened to POTS providers happen again. They want to control the content as well as the pipe. If they just provide the pipe, competition will force prices down to commodity levels. If they can restrict content coming over the fiber to content they sell (as in ring tones you can only buy from Verizon...), then they can enjoy higher margins on the content and drive higher sales of the "pipe" due to exclusive content.
One question, does the FiOS router have hardwired ports?
One question, does the FiOS router have hardwired ports?
Yes, the ActionTEC router has regular RJ-45 ethernet LAN ports.
I don't understand the claims that Verizon is trying to control the content. Must be talking about the TV channels.
I don't understand the claims that Verizon is trying to control the content. Must be talking about the TV channels.
... that they removed all your old copper wire at the same time, so that you can't go back if you are dis-satisfied? Or that other providers have access to Verizon's copper lines, but not their Fiber? Hence, you are now stuck with Verison, like it or not, forever.
He said, "contrary to other reports Verizon did NOT remove the copper wire in the house"
Amazing that some people just want to be fear mongers and refuse to take a great look into one install experience for what it is worth.
Amazing that some people just want to be fear mongers and refuse to take a great look into one install experience for what it is worth.
I quote from your post: He said, "contrary to other reports Verizon did NOT remove the copper wire in the house" It is amazing that some people (like you) can not read!!!!!!! Note very carefully the underlined word in your post. The poster before you (and the one you responded to) referred to the copper GOING TO THE HOUSE!!!! There have been reports in the past few months about Verizon removing copper to the house once a customer gets FiOS. Once that occurs, that customer is stuck! Now, do you understand???
gets disconnected, not stripped...
If you don't like Verizon you just call the competing teleco and have them reconnect to the old box...
Even if the previous poster was actually only referring to the copper TO THE HOUSE, as you claim (he actually didn't specify), he is wrong.
Furthermore, the copper outside the house is not Verizon's property to tamper with. If they destroy it they are destroying property that is not theirs. That is called vandalism, and is illegal.
Stop spreading FUD
If you don't like Verizon you just call the competing teleco and have them reconnect to the old box...
Even if the previous poster was actually only referring to the copper TO THE HOUSE, as you claim (he actually didn't specify), he is wrong.
Furthermore, the copper outside the house is not Verizon's property to tamper with. If they destroy it they are destroying property that is not theirs. That is called vandalism, and is illegal.
Stop spreading FUD
When Verizon installed our FiOS, they removed both copper lines to our house (we have two separate numbers.) I am happy they did this because it removes to more points where lightning could enter the house!
Also, since the fiber run is much lighter than the copper, there is much less sag in the winter, due to icing.
Now what we need is fiber inputs on our devices! Goodbye to coax forever!!
Dave
Also, since the fiber run is much lighter than the copper, there is much less sag in the winter, due to icing.
Now what we need is fiber inputs on our devices! Goodbye to coax forever!!
Dave
Everything past the NID, that generally grey box on the outside of your
house, belongs to you. Everything past the NID in the other direction
belongs to the utility. That is the purpose of the NID, which never
existed before deregulation in the 80s.
The NID has a little loop on the customer side. If your phones stop
working, you disconnect the loop in the NID, and plug in a phone. If
the phone works, the phone company is off the hook, as it were. The
problem is with your inside wiring, and it is your responsibility unless
you have an inside wiring maintenance plan (insurance). Most phone
companies will repair inside wiring for about $90 an hour.
If the phone doesn't work plugged into the NID, you call the phone
company and they fix it.
EVEN THOUGH THEY COULD REMOVE THE OUTSIDE WIRING, they are no
longer doing it. It got them a lot of bad press.
When I get FIOS, I am going to leave my POTS line in, for my alarm
system and for Lifeline service.
house, belongs to you. Everything past the NID in the other direction
belongs to the utility. That is the purpose of the NID, which never
existed before deregulation in the 80s.
The NID has a little loop on the customer side. If your phones stop
working, you disconnect the loop in the NID, and plug in a phone. If
the phone works, the phone company is off the hook, as it were. The
problem is with your inside wiring, and it is your responsibility unless
you have an inside wiring maintenance plan (insurance). Most phone
companies will repair inside wiring for about $90 an hour.
If the phone doesn't work plugged into the NID, you call the phone
company and they fix it.
EVEN THOUGH THEY COULD REMOVE THE OUTSIDE WIRING, they are no
longer doing it. It got them a lot of bad press.
When I get FIOS, I am going to leave my POTS line in, for my alarm
system and for Lifeline service.
They DO NOT remove your existing phone wires!
My house is wired with FIOS, over 1 year, now. No problems. They never worked inside the house except to place the hard-wire from outside box to room with modem/router. I have one PC hard-wired, and three laptops and one desktop wireless. All work great. I have a D_Link DI-624 from verizon. The only hitch is the software for the D-Link - Formware updates, must come from verizon and not from the D-Link website.
Great coverage. Router/Modem is in one room - my home office, and through to family room, through kitchen (with wall with Refrig, microwave, and stove) through to living room - and we get full coverage anywhere on this main floor, and also in my sons bedroom in the basement. FIOS Rated at 5,000/1800 - often get 5140 & 1840 - even at far reaches of house from router/modem at one end to wireless laptops at the other end, with the kitchen's "wall of metal" in-between.
My house is wired with FIOS, over 1 year, now. No problems. They never worked inside the house except to place the hard-wire from outside box to room with modem/router. I have one PC hard-wired, and three laptops and one desktop wireless. All work great. I have a D_Link DI-624 from verizon. The only hitch is the software for the D-Link - Formware updates, must come from verizon and not from the D-Link website.
Great coverage. Router/Modem is in one room - my home office, and through to family room, through kitchen (with wall with Refrig, microwave, and stove) through to living room - and we get full coverage anywhere on this main floor, and also in my sons bedroom in the basement. FIOS Rated at 5,000/1800 - often get 5140 & 1840 - even at far reaches of house from router/modem at one end to wireless laptops at the other end, with the kitchen's "wall of metal" in-between.
Over 45yrs. in the telecommunications industry has shown me that nothing last forever and although fiber seems like the panacea for the masses I heard the same thing about wireless.
They did not remove any copper during my installation. Another wives tail. The copper is still there from the home to the pole as well - however so long as Fios is intalled, it will remain disconnected. If I have Fios removed, it will be reconnected.
Do you mean wife's tail, or wives tale?
Actually, they WERE at least chopping up the wire, and pulling up what
they could, but it is very hard to do after it has been there for a few
years.
The reason they stopped was the bad press they were getting over it.
Actually, they WERE at least chopping up the wire, and pulling up what
they could, but it is very hard to do after it has been there for a few
years.
The reason they stopped was the bad press they were getting over it.
They did not remove the copper wiring!! Did you even bother to read the article? It looks like you just saw the title and hit "reply" and started typing.
He watched them install it. They did not remove the copper. You're just repeating unfounded rumors.
Read the article before replying.
He watched them install it. They did not remove the copper. You're just repeating unfounded rumors.
Read the article before replying.
It would make no sense to remove the copper in the house, they use the existing phone lines and coax. Why run new lines when they are already in place. DTV/Dish does the same thing if they are able. They are essentially installing a mini-node in the house. As far the the lines to the house, I can't talk for everyone but as far as I know telco and cable will replace a drop as necessary to add a customer.
I've got Internet, TV and phone from FIOS - I previously used CableVision.
Yeah, the Internet is modestly faster than CableVision (CV) but not really noticable.
The rub is that Verizon FIOS has viewer HDTV channels and doesn't have MSNBC in the NY area; CableVision's phone service provided call forwarding and other services for free, while FIOS charges for them. Moreover, CV phone can be managed through the website from anywhere. FIOS requires going through phone response. Thus, when I was on vacation and wanted my home # transferred to cell, I couldn't do it remotely. That used to be easy with CV.
The FIOS TV DVR lacks an eSATA connection for adding storage. CV has that.
COST:
FIOS is more expensive plus everything is subject to tax. CV is not taxable.
Yeah, the Internet is modestly faster than CableVision (CV) but not really noticable.
The rub is that Verizon FIOS has viewer HDTV channels and doesn't have MSNBC in the NY area; CableVision's phone service provided call forwarding and other services for free, while FIOS charges for them. Moreover, CV phone can be managed through the website from anywhere. FIOS requires going through phone response. Thus, when I was on vacation and wanted my home # transferred to cell, I couldn't do it remotely. That used to be easy with CV.
The FIOS TV DVR lacks an eSATA connection for adding storage. CV has that.
COST:
FIOS is more expensive plus everything is subject to tax. CV is not taxable.
Would people PLEASE stop saying that cable is "not taxable", etc. Do yourselves a favor and actually read what you're paying - or better yet, talk to your own cable board. CABLE IS TAXABLE, AND IS TAXED, INCLUDING FRANCHISE FEES WHICH ARE PASSED ALONG TO THE CONSUMER. Broadband is also taxed. However, Broadband (cable or Fios) is not subject to Franchise fees, because the FCC a couple years ago came out with an amended finding that Broadband is a "telecommunications service", and is not subject to Franchise fees or franchise authority oversight.
For me the internet (over 20000 on Speakeasy) is FAR faster than my old Comcast. However, the TV isn't as good: the remote is TERRIBLE (how can you have NO pageup / pagedown??) the Guide is terrible compared to Comcast's (large clunky font, illegiblely shortened program items), and the OnDemand is a pale shadow of what I used to have - and the kids hate me for it! Bottom line is the TV service is SO bad if I don't switch back to Comcast my family will revolt.
Comcat is SO TERRIBLY BAD here (in particular with HD) that it's worthless. I have constant audio drops, pixelation, tremendous audio sync issues, missed DVR recordings. My family absolutely hates Comcast. Fios TV is about to be released here and make no mistake - we'll immediately sign up. Nothing could be worse than Comcast in our area.
You can actually make your own router the primary router and make the Verizon router piggyback off your router. Everything will work just fine.
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