[BC] Digital STL

[Craig Healy]

> Well, in Northern Virginia, when Verizon sets up an area for FIOS, one
> can no longer call the copper side.  ALL CALLS, for DSL or FIOS MUST
> go to the FIOS support people.  This is yet another reason I dropped
> Verizon DSL, and didn't go to FIOS.

FWIW, I recently updated my Verizon DSL to the 50/20 FiOS at my office.
There is one phone there, and I had them keep the existing copper connection
because the major use is to an old style modem.  They had no problem with
that.  All they had to do was put the new FiOS box in the basement and run
an ethernet cable to my existing Sonicwall router.  I just changed the IP
and associated info to the new static address and all was well.

I do realize that a number of people have had tough experiences with
Verizon.  My efforts with them over the years have been fine.  In most cases
they have done an exceptional job for installations and repairs.  This is
for audio circuits, dry pairs, phone lines, DSLs and the FiOS.  It may
simply be the people who work in this area are good workers.

My experiences with cable internet has been far less positive.  I had
Comcast at my home and the connection was down more than up.  At one of my
clients they have Cox.  It dropped off frequently at 5:30pm on Fridays.  No
clue why that particular time as nothing in that location changed, nor were
any computers started or shut down.  Still does it occasionally and that
client is looking at other options.

Craig Healy
Providence, RI