That would be a dumb game for Comcast to play since Verizon can damage Comcast lines just as easily as Comcast can damage Verizon’s lines.

In fact, in some places, like on Rt 28, Comcast lines are overlashed with Verizon lines (or so it appears from the ground).

We just got our FIOS (about two weeks ago) and have already had two issues with it, apparently related to the lines. Our lines are on the telephone poles, not underground, and both times coincided with a great deal of Comcast activity on our street…their connections are also on the poles. Frankly, I’m such a great fan of Comcast (it’s a dirty word in our house) that I wouldn’t put it past them.

Not sure which side of the tracks you live on. I’m on the far west end and I’ve had FiOS for about three months now. I signed up via the website. Originally set for 2/13, but was bumped to 2/14 (I had to check my status on the website, as I received no phone call). On installation day though, the tech came out, and did a great professional install. Very friendly and courteous. Haven’t missed Comcast since.

Seriously though keep me informed as to whether it works or not. You can email me at astroguy77@comcast.net with any specifics about who you talked to and where you live that would be great. I live in the new TH development off Cabbel and they built fiber to our house I know so I should be the first to get it I would think, but knowing politics, someone else owns that fiber….

Before doing that, it might be worthwhile to figure out what your splitter configuration is and try to make it work better.

A common thing I see being done is, for example, using a 4-way splitter where a 2-way would work.

That 4-way causes more signal loss than a 2-way even if you are only using two of the outputs. So replacing it with a 2-way will increase the signal levels.

Another common thing is when using a 3-way splitter, not connecting the cablemodem to the 3.5dB output, but instead connecting it to a 7dB output. (In this case the dB labels are referring to the amount of signal loss…therefore the 7dB output loses more signal than the 3.5dB output).

If you need splitters the Comcast bill payment office on Manassas Drive has them. I’ve only asked for a couple but they’ve given them to me without any hassle.

Incidentally, some of the splitters I’ve seen for sale are just plain crap. If you have any gold-plated splitters chances are they’re crap. Replace them.

As far as making a complaint to the FCC, a licensed radio user who gets interference from Comcast’s system could make a complaint.

Verizon’s FIOS is having major DNS problems and even when told, they’re too stupid to figure it out, or they just don’t care. Either way…more bad news.

Look on your Comcast and Verizon bill and you will see a fee charged to subscribers –$1. and change that pays for the county I-Net. The county paid Comcast to install two fiber optic networks for local government, schools and libraries.

Thanks for the information. I will order one because I am tired of the drops all the time. This is fairly new behavior on the part of comcast…last 6 months anyway. I am all routered up and have 4 computers hooked up but that doesn’t seem to make it work better or worse.

As for cingular, I was not on a contract with them. I deliberately paid like $150 for the stupid phone rather than $29 that included a contract. They were just scum bags. One of the big issues that I ran in to ….the complaints mail was not the same as the billing address. I think the 9 letters I sent just got thrown in the trash. Also, there was very little individuality. Their service people didn’t operate will with a variant of any sort.

Thanks again for the information.

they have some serious fine print, if you upgrade a phone or do just about anything to modify their contract they extend you for 2 years, and the dont tell you about it. you probably have issues with your signal for your cable internet. check out a two-way signal booster from motorola

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-484095-001-00-Signal-Booster/dp/B000066E6Y

this will boost your signal like a champ and you should notice less or no drop outs. dont get any of the cheap boosters, this one is tried and true. I use this personally at my home, it also helps out with cable too, especially if you have HDTV channels. you may be able to get comcast to come out and check your line level and give you a booster, but if you want to check it for yourself you can buy one locally and return it if it does not work.

Josh

My comcast is getting sorrier and sorrier. The tv part is ok but the internet comes and goes. I am not so sure FIOS is a bit better. I will wait until the first wave of new subscribers has a chance to try it out. All will depend on their dvr support for me.

My problem with cingular was signal at my house. Every place else was fine. I did many things to improve it including buying a new phone at out of pocket cost rather than the gimmick with the new contract.

That didn’t work and so after giving it a few months, I switched out completely. I hadn’t been under contract with them for years. That unleashed the hounds of hell. They SAID I was under contract. They turned me over to collections and I got a barrage of calls from the abusive meat handlers. I finally got it resolved months later after I packaged up all my unanswered correspondence and mailed it to the president of Cingular. No one should have to go through all that though. It would have been much simpler to pay the $75 bucks but it was a matter of principle at that point.

They were ok until I quit them. Hell hath no fury like a cell phone company scorned.

That website will take you to the page that checks your location for service. Let me know what you find. I know that we started with an online order and then went to a bunch of phone calls. Getting it set up is hardly a seemless process (which is hugely disappointing), but is likely worth it. I am personally tired of having my service go out all the time, especially on my phone.

Hey, MP Resident, how do you make a complaint to the FCC? I would love to go down swinging.

Thus my service problems. And thanks for the hot tip, Johnson, on being wary when I turn Comcast’s crap in. Park’d… I will check with my spouse (who has been setting up Verizon) on getting you a good number to call later this morning. I can tell you that they don’t make contact easy. But I will get something back to you today.

I love those Iphones, I dont go anywhere without mine. I’m a relatively new owner, I scoffed when they initially came out but I’m sold after I’ve had one for a couple weeks.

i’m still waiting for FIOS in my neighboorhood, they are coming. They did about half of my development already, but I have not seen them digging lately. usually you can tell because they’ll start trenching from the street in. I do see the lines still marked though so hopefully they’ll start back up soon.

luckily I live within close distance of a verizon central office so DSL signal is great, however earthlink is horrible and I dont recommend them. I should have gone with verizon, at least their customer service reps speak understandable english for the most part!

j

I’ve noticed that Comcast does not secure their “hubs” (actually taps) very well, I guess they’re not concerned about cable theft. From a technical standpoint, this is bad because those who steal cable often don’t do a very good job of it which can cause problems with the system (signal leakage into and out of the cable system. Too much leakage…egress…will get Comcast in hot water with the FCC. Excessive ingress–external signals leaking into the cable–can cause problems with cable modems and cable telephony).