So...the blog asked last week what would you like to talk about? Let's talk about FiOS. I'm not a computer genius so for all of you that don't know FiOS is basically fiber optic service for internet, telephone and tv service. From what I understand, it is supposed to be super fast and THE THING to have.
This issue has been talked about for a very long time at Arlington Village Board Meetings. I think the Communications Committee should take it on since it is technically a device used for Communications.
I know people out there have fought for FiOS. Any news from your dealings with AV on what's going to happen? Anybody know how we can move forward? Perhaps people have feelings either way on FiOS?
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Have fios at my old apartment, and its awesome. I'm holding off on signing up with DTV or Comcast for the prospect of FIOS down the road (though it might be a while). Lot of infrastructure work to do to get AV fios-ready, though.
I think the intrastructure work is the problem. Verizon hasn't wanted to take on the task. Its not very cost effective for them to do so because of the AV configuration. We should keep asking though.
Agree, I would love to have FIOS... too bad it didn't happen when the redid the gas lines...
Verizon made an attempt to get FIOS installed in village a couple years ago, but there were not enough smart people in the village to understand what a good idea it was at the time.
The reason you don't have FIOS:
Arlington County first takes $200,000.00 because they can. Then they make Verizon give it to all schools, police and fire stations, and county workers. Then they set percentage targets of the county over the course of years and demand that Verizon give them 5 or 6 dedicated channels. Then they demand $1.80 from Verizon (in addition to all the other taxes they have Verizon collect for them)for each subscriber. Then they extort 5% of GROSS revenue from them (for all you gubmint workers, that's 5% of all the money coming in without subtracting costs to get it there - and you pay it).
Obviously, since there are a limited number of people from whom to extort money at that level, the county must allow Verizon some flexibility in the cream-skimming operation.
Just wait for the carbon tax / cap and trade. You'll forget all about Fios. It's so...
Progressivvvvvvvve.
Cupcake heard that there were originally a few issues AV had with Verizon. Having just had the grounds violated by the Washington Gas Light Co. they were a little skittish about letting another utility dig around. The other issue revolved around how Ma Bell was going to string her wires (are they still called wires) into the units. Cupcake believes there was some talk about running the cables (maybe they’re called cables now) up the back of the buildings then in through a hole in the second floor then presumably stapled along your baseboards. Maybe some attractive wiremold would be employed. (Of course if you call them cables then it would be cablemold.) That being said Cupcake rolled down to sixteenth road this fine and sunny weekend and saw the work the Courtyards did on their units. Cupcake assumes (and you know what assuming can do) that the Courtyards decommissioned its steam boiler (they still call them steam boilers) and their central heating system. In place it appears each unit is now individually metered for electric power and small heat pumps were installed. What a nightmare. Not only are there conduits running on the outside of the units, the HVAC piping is strung along the back or “covered” with down spout material. And the poor buggers that live near the banks of electrical meters have quite the industrial view. It makes Cupcake happy that our buildings were converted with a little more care. Which brings Cupcake full circle. A little digging may be unsightly in the short term, but wires (maybe they’re called delicate fiber strands) strung up and around the exterior of our units is ugly forever. Perhaps Ma Bell found that AV was a bit too particular about its appearance and they moved on to a moved on to easier prey. As Ernestine the operator always said, “We’re the phone company. We don’t care. We don’t have to.” For those who can’t wait for installation give the Cupcake a click.
Anonymous firmly believes that Cupcake should limit the subjects of her posts to her potential sex exploits.
Cupcake might have to charge for that service.
I want my FIOS.
FIOS will never come to us. Verizon will not spend the money necessary to upgrade/install the cable. They would rather lay cable in Woodbridge where there is basically nothing in the ground. Verizon, Comcast, they all blow. Only decent TV I get is with a dish, and AV could easily get multi-unit dishes...but too many granola types in AV that would rather divert funds into creating a Ravine Utopia, but only if access is restricted to the chosen few.
Fios rules. I have to have internet access (for work) but refuse to get Comcast cable.
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