[BC] FIOS comes to the Wilds of VA

[Paul Smith W4KNX]

I've had FIOS for about 3 years now.  The internet speed is breathtaking.  Latency is questionable.  Services like VOIP have some intermittent issues but not too bad.  They yanked the copper, but I think you can argue with them.  They yank the copper because they have to share the copper with other companies, but dont share the fiber.  Dont let them install their software on your computer, you dont need it.  It doesnt affect speed if your router is set up correctly.  The box they installed outside generates a lot of RF hash from what I swear is audio to light.  It really makes it difficult to listen to AM radio, or do some hamming.  I've had difficulty finding a field tech that knows how to deal with RF interference.  If you can get them to run shielded Cat5 cable, it probably would be quieter.  It is also far more expensive than DSL.  If you dont need the upload speeds or the TV, I wouldnt get it.

Paul Smith
W4KNX
Sarasota, FL

-----Original Message-----

From: Alan Peterson

For anyone who already has the service in their home, I've got two questions:

1) How good is the RF immunity of the interface boxes and the indoor copper lines, specifically in the typical ham band frequencies between 1.8 and 147 MHz? Around my house now with its basic crapola wiring, my internet speed dips measurably when the rig is keyed.

2) Isn't there an option you can ask for when ordering where the existing copper line to the street remains in place and connected for telephone service, should there be an extended power failure in one's locale that surpasses the life of the battery backup?