Comcast or Verizon? (Pitt newbie) (Philadelphia: houses, movies, live) - Pittsburgh - Pennsylvania (PA) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

lifepgh2op · 07-27-2010, 01:16 PM

FiOS is currently installing in my neighborhood as we speak. I hope I can switch because sneaky Comcast locked me into a contract that I didn't know about while they also lied to me about the channels I'd be getting, and many other things.

trotter_rej · 07-27-2010, 01:18 PM

We've had Verizon FiOS (internet and phone) at our house since moving in two years ago and have never had any technical support issues. Prior to that we rented a house in Point Breeze where the owners had Comcast services (internet and TV). At that time I was working from home and my company had a voice-over-IP phone system. The Comcast internet service lost signal at random times, causing dropped calls on my IP phone and loss of network connectivity to my computer. Several calls to Comcast failed to result in a solution (or even an acknowledgment of the problem in one case). I only worked from home for a couple of months after moving to the house with FiOS, but I never experienced any similar service interruption. For TV we have Directv. Verizon does not advertise it much (or not at all in areas that can get FiOS TV), but you can bundle FiOS with your Directv service, receive one bill from Verizon for both, and save a few dollars a month with the bundle.

IGGYlove · 07-27-2010, 01:55 PM

I have Verizon FiOS, LOVE IT! I work from home 5 days a week and hated using Comcast, I would have frequent issues and it was interferring with my work to a point where I had to get an aircard so my work would be uninterrupted. Comcast's cable TV would always be screwy, I hated it so much. Now that I have FiOS, everything has been smooth sailing. I've had it for 2 months now, no complaints. I love especially how I can play sudoku on the TV

BrianTH · 07-27-2010, 01:56 PM

I can't say I've had great customer service from either company, but we've definitely had less reasons to need customer service with FiOS.

jay5835 · 07-27-2010, 02:33 PM

You'll need to check whether you can get FIOS in Shadyside. It wasn't available as of May 1, 2010. I'm glad it wasn't available, as I would rather walk on my elbows through ground glass than deal with Verizon's customer "service," whereas I've never had a problem with Comcast.

Whichever you choose, find out how long a contract you're signing up for. I think they both have penalties if you quit before your contract is up. Verizon does, I know.

purplesque · 07-27-2010, 03:23 PM

Thanks a lot for all the replies! It doesn't seem like there is a good answer..I'm going to try and get Verizon Fios if its available in Shadyside, otherwise go with Comcast. In either case, I will be praying that I never need to use customer service.

purplesque · 07-27-2010, 03:41 PM

Okay, this is odd. I keep trying to call Verizon and keep getting redirected to something called 'Frontier Communications', where no one picks up the phone. And this when trying to order a new service!

Mugatu · 07-27-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplesque

Okay, this is odd. I keep trying to call Verizon and keep getting redirected to something called 'Frontier Communications', where no one picks up the phone. And this when trying to order a new service!

Verizon sold a few FiOS markets to Frontier, but not in the state of PA. You must currently be in one of those states and it's directing you there based on your area code or something. Do you have an address in Pittsburgh yet? YOu can go to Verizon.com and check to see if service is available at your new home.

purplesque · 07-27-2010, 05:13 PM

Wow. Sorry for the quick updates, but I will NOT be ordering from Verizon.

I called them trying to get information on when FIOS might be available in my area and to see if they have some international channels that I wanted. The 1800 number kept redirecting me, so I ended up live-chatting with a rep. He told me I would have to finalize my order before he would even tell me how much the additional International channels would cost

You will have to call, but I can't give you the phone number until you order. Go ahead and place your order NOW.

It was ridiculous! This, even before I am a paying customer. Its a good thing in a way because they have ensured that I will never be a paying customer at Verizon.

greg42 · 07-27-2010, 06:30 PM

Did you call from a WV phone? Verizon just sold off their properties in WV to Frontier. Was finalized as of the beginning of July.

It's funny, I had been hoping for FiOS to come out here ever since I heard about it, and I'd still be open to trying it, but I find it odd that a couple of my colleagues have decided to switch back. Also my boss has FiOS internet but Comcast TV. At first this was just a timing thing; when his house was built the FiOS was wired, and they offered the internet service, but Verizon couldn't yet sell TV service. Later they could, but he hasn't switched. There is a quirk of the in-house division of the network and cable wiring that keeps him from switching as well. I've heard varying opinions on whose HD picture is better, actually (and the boss would be a stickler for picture quality). Generally I've heard it's Comcast that's better, but that's not what people here on the forum are saying.