FiOS
From FiOSWiki
FiOS is a broadband Internet, TV and phone service offered by Verizon. It employs FTTP technology to bring all-digital fiber optic connections all the way to customers' homes.
With FiOS, information is transmitted through laser-generated pulses of light along hair-thin strands of pure glass. Because the information is transmitted optically, rather than electrically, there is no risk of interference or "cross-talk" from other adjacent wires, as is possible with coaxial cable-based systems (HFC.) An all-digital fiber optic system also makes FiOS much less susceptible to weather problems, and requires less system maintenance in the long run than traditional cable.
Verizon began its rollout of FiOS Internet service in 2004, adding FiOS TV in 2005, beginning in the town of Keller, Texas. Building the FiOS network is a long and labor-intensive process that will take years to complete. By 2010, the FiOS network will have passed 18 million homes, or about half the households Verizon serves.
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FiOS Internet Service
FiOS offers customers several bandwidth options, which may vary in different markets. Internet service plans, expressed in terms of maximum download speed and maximum upload speed, in megabits-per-second (Mbps), typically include:
- 5 Mbps/2 Mbps
- 15 Mbps/2 Mbps
- 30 Mbps/5 Mbps
On June 18, 2008, Verizon announced that up to 50 Mbps download speeds, and up to 20 Mbps upload speeds would be available to its entire service area.
Verizon also has experimented with download speeds of up to 100 Mbps, in the homes of a select few FiOS technology experts, using the same passive optical network architecture that is already in place. As most servers typically used in the United States are not currently equipped to upload data this fast, 100 Mbps connections probably will not be common for at least several years. However, the FiOS network currently being deployed offers vast bandwidth potential for future Internet growth.
FiOS TV
With traditional digital cable TV, all available channels must be delivered to a subscriber's home simultaneously, so the information is typically greatly compressed. This can result in "compression artifacts," usually visible as squares that "freeze up" during broadcast.
Because of the speed of FiOS, customers receive one channel at a time, so there is much less compression, but there is still practically no delay when changing channels. Because the information is less compressed, FiOS is capable of much better picture quality, more vivid color and flawless sound.
Besides traditional broadcast and cable channels, FiOS TV also offers thousands of On Demand programs, a growing list of HD channels with Dolby 5.1 surround sound and Home Media DVR.
FiOS phone service
FiOS offers the same quality phone service available via Verizon's traditional land lines, or POTS, but delivered over fiber optic lines which are easier to maintain.
Contrary to rumors, Verizon does not remove all copper telephone wiring when installing FiOS phone service, only aerial lines to the subscriber's house, as they are costly to maintain and no longer necessary. If a home's external telephone wires are buried underground, however, it is not Verizon's policy to dig and remove them.
