Verizon Fios (Fiber-to-the-Premises) Internet (Cheap??)

Tue Jul 20 18:13:13 EDT 2004

Timothy J. Finucane wrote:

>Good points, but I think the average user's needs are growing at a very
>fast pace. There is obviously a hug market for delivery of music, and I
>don't just mean kazza theft. I mean things like iTunes, which has
>exploded right out of the gate. Unless there are some tremendous
>developments in compression technology, these downloads are likely to
>remain fairly large. And music is something that is of interest to the
>average user. And the streaming video from the parts of the internet we
>need not mention already pushes the limits of the current bandwidth.
>
>Also, I still can't quite classify Verizon's new offering as "Overkill"
>because the $35 package (the one most people will buy) is only 2-5 mbps.
>I currently get 3mbps on my Adelphia cable modem. That sounds pretty
>close to the same service. And the average user of broadband services is
>on cable, not DSL. Though I'm sure that is only because of the 3 mile
>technical limit with DSL.
>
>In addition, they are starting the roll out in Texas, and expecting more
>expansion after that. they are predicting 1 million homes tied to fiber
>by the end of the year. That's a small number compared to the number of
>homes in the US. By the time they get here, things could have clearly
>changed that will require larger bandwidth.
>
>Tim
>
>On Tue, 2004-07-20 at 12:48, Ronald Maggio wrote:
>  
>
>>In response to the following, you are correct about
>>progress/innovation, but my comment was about the average end user,
>>student and home/small business. Do we really need it? It is fine for
>>those that truly have a need of such resources. Now think a minute,
>>regardless of your computing skills or needs do you really think that
>>the average end user which is the gross marketed target really needs
>>all this and more.
>> 
>>Your speaking from where you see it, as your needs as a computer
>>professional might surpass the current available resources available
>>to you. The industry will produce progress/innovation to be marketed,
>>yet does anyone really think it is for the consumers, or is it
>>for corporate industry. People will always want the latest and the
>>greatest as long as they have money to burn, and corporations are
>>ready willing and able to exploit their egos. We all know that the
>>vast computers sold are targeted for end users to email, web browse,
>>gaming, and let us not forget the parts on the web that make the most
>>money! I need not mention.
>> 
>>So in conclusion, my comment "fast enough & Overkill" are valid points
>>as long as the technology used as of now by end users can keep up
>>with the Internet, but as trends make todays technology out of date
>>the market will always have a guaranty of more revenue through the
>>pocketbooks of the consumers. 
>> 
>>Ron Maggio
>> 
>>        "Fast Enough" will always be relative to current needs. As
>>        more, and
>>        higher quality, content feeds come online more bandwidth will
>>        be needed.
>>        I can still remember people telling me that 56k was all you
>>        would ever
>>        need. Then came streaming video, and to get a good quality
>>        feed you
>>        really needed to get broadband. "Fast Enough" assumes that
>>        there will
>>        not be any progress/innovation in multimedia formats or
>>        content
>>        distribution. 
>>        
>>        So, for the long term outlook it is hardly overkill. Is it
>>        overkill to
>>        have a 200GB hard drive? Maybe it is today, but in 2-3 more
>>        years it
>>        won't. We, as a society, are putting more data online
>>        everyday, and with
>>        that comes more need for bandwidth and storage.
>>        
>>        Also, Verizon is talking about using the same feed to create
>>        its own
>>        cable network. This just might break the cable monopolies that
>>        currently
>>        exist in! each city. After all, your only choices right now
>>        are satellite
>>        or cable if you want more content than is on public airwaves.
>>        This would
>>        also drive the need for bandwidth.
>>        
>>        The downside to this is that they are talking about making
>>        access to the
>>        fiber lines closed, unlike the current phone lines. They argue
>>        that this
>>        is required because the current cable companies have closed
>>        access.
>>        Personally, I would prefer it if BOTH the phone company and
>>        cable
>>        company were required to have open access. This would be
>>        better for the
>>        consumer in terms of competition and innovation. If the
>>        cable/phone
>>        companies have closed access they can then regulate what can
>>        and what
>>        cannot be put on the network, thus killing the end-toend
>>        concept that
>>        the internet was created on. Innovation would then be
>>        regulated by those
>>        companies as well. Anyone remember the time when AT&T
>>        regulated what
>>        could and what could not be attached to their phone lines?
>>        
>>        Some o! ther alternatives to access may become available as
>>        well, like
>>        this one:
>>        http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2004/07/16/anik040716.html.
>>        Granted, it's a bit more expensive, but that may change as
>>        more
>>        companies put up similar satellites.
>>        
>>        The more competition and innovation, the better.
>>        
>>        Tim
>>        
>>        On Tue, 2004-07-20 at 01:54, Ronald Maggio wrote:
>>        > Over kill, unless your running a business big time and
>>        really need the
>>        > bandwidth and the speed it gives you, or are into
>>        interactive gaming
>>        > over the Internet in a big way!
>>        > 
>>        > I have ADSL through Verizon at $34.95 a month, and its fast
>>        enough for
>>        > the average user. ie: Student, Home to mid size Business,
>>        and so on. 
>>        > 
>>        > Ron
>>        > 
>>
>>
>>______________________________________________________________________
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>>    
>>
Tim,
Just to let you know, I have been waiting for broadband access in my 
area for years (I'm 5 miles from my central office) but a few months ago 
they installed new equipment where I was able to have dsl installed in 
my home.   I'm in lancaster and am not sure if It' a town-to-town thing 
but  it may be worth calling verizon up to see if it's now available in 
your area.

Bob Randal
adventsystems at verizon.net