Does Verizon/FiOS really have to remove existing copper lines? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sfloriII · #1 07-09-2008, 09:44 PM

Hi Guys/Gals,
My wife and I are saying a joyful goodbye to Comcast (which is not so "Comcastic" at all) and having Verizon/FiOS installed in our new house.

Verizon insists that in order to install the new fiber lines, they have to remove the existing copper lines.

I don't want this because it removes our option to return to regular telephone/other service later without incurring a lot of cost and I think it affects the resale value of the home.

Anyone have FiOS installed in your home and were you able to keep your existing copper lines?

Thanks!

BTW, the Verizon website stinks. I spent over an hour on it to order our service (with a live "chat" person to help) and the site kept reconfiguring the order, doubling the service ordered, getting our phone number wrong, and getting our new address wrong. The Verizon guy finally advised me to simply place the order at a later time. What a waste of MY time!!

PaulC · #2 07-09-2008, 10:05 PM

And who keeps the removed copper? Scam.

iwrock · #3 07-09-2008, 10:07 PM

They shouldnt have to....

I got fiber installed in my house, and all they did was bring fiber to the house, and then install a fiber gateway. They didnt touch the copper in my house.... I got both my comcrap internet as well as my fiber internet.

Larry Delor · #4 07-09-2008, 10:18 PM

They will not remove any copper lines. They will disconnect the drop cable coming from a pedestal or pole, at your NID (network interface device - the gray box). Your existing copper network in your home will be used.
Note that they will want to have a 110V outlet nearby, so they can plug in the new ONT (optical equivalent of your NID), and its battery back-up.
They should also be checking your coax cable in your house, to make sure it is good enough.
Make sure he does the "customer education" thing...rumor has it that some contract installers "forget" to do this.

Medmech · #5 07-09-2008, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

And who keeps the removed copper? Scam.

Yip.

I would ask to see it in writing, removing the old line makes 0 sense, like

sense.

Larry Delor · #6 07-09-2008, 11:12 PM

Removing the old drop line for the copper, is waaay too much trouble, as there is generally this goo around the cable pairs, that makes the task unpleasant.
Burning the cable would eventually get rid of the plastic, but then the copper is no where near worth as much.

I don't see how not having a copper line to the house could harm resale value, when the value of your house is higher with FiOS than it is without (in my opinion)

I suppose I should mention that I splice fiber optic cables for Verizon, and that I have FiOS at home. As far as FiOS at home goes....I have finally stepped into the 21st Century

The TV is unbelievable great, the Internet is very fast (and has never been down, at least not while I've been home), and the telephone is sooo clear, I had to turn down the volume on the phone 2 levels.

Having FiOS is like owning an E63, but at the price of an average car, and without having to worry about maintainance (or substandard wiring harnesses).

Do get the HD DVR - don't know what I would do without it.

G-Benz · #7 07-09-2008, 11:42 PM

I'm not sure why they would tell you that?

Verizon was (is) our default land-line provider when we built our home a decade ago, so they owned our copper anyway.

Verizon pioneered their FIOS network in our community before they deployed elsewhere in the US. They ran the fiber from the easement to the house and replaced the old box outside with a new one but left the copper intact. After all, the fiber run was for broadband internet and media traffic, not phone.

pawoSD · #8 07-09-2008, 11:47 PM

When will Verizon get into gear and offer that service around here?

We're stuck with Comsuck....its terrible, TV has pixelation issues all the time, channels freeze up.....audio cuts out (and this is on standard cable, not digital!) Our internet connection is fast and reliable though. However, at $60 a month for a meager 28 not so great cable channels + internet.....is not exactly a deal.

They are essentially the only service available around here.

Oh, and needing to "remove the copper lines" is 100% a scam. No need to do that at all.

450slcguy · #9 07-09-2008, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfloriII

Anyone have FiOS installed in your home and were you able to keep your existing copper lines?

Thanks!

(

I am also dumping the "Cable company" for Verizon FIOS. According to the rep. the fiber junction box will be run to the house, but the existing copper coax lines will distribute signal. No need to rewire the house. Doesn't sound right but that's what I was told.

G-Benz · #10 07-09-2008, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 450slcguy

I am also dumping the "Cable company" for Verizon FIOS. According to the rep. the fiber junction box will be run to the house, but the existing copper coax lines will distribute signal. No need to rewire the house. Doesn't sound right but that's what I was told.

They provide and ethernet-to-coax-box when they install the media signal and a router for your broadband...

compress ignite · #11 07-10-2008, 01:35 AM

Someone has not been educated well enough to explain the process to
customers.(They don't understand how it "WORKS")

All the copper wiring in your house belongs to you...The legal liabilities
involved for them...if an employee or a subcontractor were to remove
any "Copper" on your side of the N.I. (Network Interface,the Grey box outside the house)
could help substantially with your early retirement fund.

LD is correct.

865sp300e · #12 07-10-2008, 08:45 AM

I had FIOS installed recently, Verizon is targeting new construction and established areas based on demand. Some US states have an agreement with Verizon to install FIOS statewide.

In my case, the FIOS installation took about 4 hours to complete. Good riddens to DSL and Comcast cable tv. In consideration of cost and convenience we opted for the "triple play" with FIOS phone, internet, and television service. I have above ground service connection, Verizon removed the copper connection from the pole to the house and ran a new fiber connection to the house. All existing interior phone copper wire and coax cables were used with the exception of having a couple phone jacks and coax connectors replaced.

My recommendation is to research and plan how you desire the installation to be performed e.g. where you want the new box installed inside your home, availability of power, location of the wireless router, etc.

For the most part I am very pleased with FIOS, since i work from home most of the time the excellent internet speed/connection has been a huge plus.

The only issues post-installation was a tempermental connection to the tv in a basement den caused by a bad connector and a power surge during a recent storm which blew out a board (brain) in the FIOS box.