Verizon FiOS Versus DLS Versus Cable

Verizon FiOS is the nation's largest consumer grade fiber optic provider, but most people have no idea what that means. As a result, many people have no idea why they should choose Verizon FiOS over a rival cable service or DSL service. After all, the services all seem similar on the surface:

• Digitally delivered television programming.
• On Demand.
• DVR.
• VoIP phones.
• Broadband.

All three services can put checkmarks in each of those categories, but looking a little deeper shows why Verizon FiOS is so desirable. It doesn't hurt that some of the Verizon FiOS deals are incomparable, but we'll get to that in a minute. Here's how FiOS fares:

• In the TV department, Verizon's fiber optic service consistently leads in terms of overall number of channels, number of HD channels, percentage of HD channels at higher resolutions (Come on guys, 480 is barely HD!), and 3D channels.


• On Demand is another area where Verizon FiOS dominates. As of August 2010, Verizon FiOS has over 20,000 shows available via On Demand. Some cable companies and DSL providers have schedules for their On Demand offerings but FiOS is truly "on demand." The same holds true for DVR, though AT&T's U-verse system uses a DSL system to deliver a unique DVR trick that FiOS cannot match: AT&T U-verse customers can actually pause a show on one device (TV, Xbox, computer, handheld, etc...) and then move it to another box whenever they want so long as that device supports U-verse.


• VoIP technology is essentially VoIP technology and thus there are not real victories to be had here, but broadband is a different story. The fastest cable modems and DSL systems in the country are pushing 30 or so Mbps to consumer properties, but FiOS is already managing 50 Mbps and has been recently tested at nearly 1000 Mbps!

When it comes to price, FiOS competes with budget and midrange deals from DSL providers and cable companies around the nation. On top of that, Verizon FiOS deals for consumers that buy more than one service are nearly unmatched, especially at the high end.

Charles is an avid technology enthusiast who cannot decide whether he likes broadband or digital cable more. Either way, feel free to follow Charles at http://www.fiberforall.org.