I've had Fios internet since the week it became available here, almost three years now, and it's been perfect, not a hiccup ever. I just signed up for the triple package about the day before they transitioned to "Essentials", so I have at least a year on the "Premier" plan. The big difference is that they've carved most of the HD stations (except locals) out of the standard Premier package and charge $10 more for them... not too good here in SoCal where there are only 40 or so, but I understand there are lots more in New York. (I don't really understand the idea behind charging more for more channels. Whether there is one channel to watch or 1000, there are still only so many minutes in a day. Even with DVR you can't watch it all.) We also got the free DVR for a year, normally $19.99, after which we'll probably just use TiVo which we already have. Are you getting the 30-days-free of HBO/Cinemax? Don't forget to shut it off if you don't want it.
The HD TV signal is stunning on a new LCD TV. Standard def is not really any better than anything else. I recommend
www.avsforum.com and
www.broadbandreports.com for learning about all things related to TVs and programming and service providers. Avsforum will particularly help you tweak all those picture settings on popular TVs for best picture, and actually explains what some of them do.
When you have any Fios service, your Verizon phone service is also delivered over the fiber. I didn't and don't care about the phone service; in fact I was thinking of dropping it entirely or making it the fourth line on our family cell plan. We only get about two non-spam calls a week on it. But it's actually cheaper to have it than not, even if you don't use it, and it does come with unlimited calling in the US and Canada. It includes call waiting (which I ignore), caller ID (which I like but would never pay $8 for) and basic voice mail (which I had them shut off).
You have 30 days to cancel, and your cable operator will certainly offer you a good deal to come back.
The first bill came. It's hard to figure out because it has a full month in advance, and the partial month from installation to bill date. They bill a month as:
Freedom essentials (phone service) 27.01
FIOS TV Premier 41.99
Fios Internet 10/2 35.99
Total 104.99
One HD set top box rental 9.99
Taxes fees & Other charges totaled 14.23 for 1 month and 10 days, so about $10.67 for a month. Of the 14.23, about 5.50 was for TV and 8.75 for phone (most of that the 6.50 Interstate Subscriber Line Charge), nothing for Internet. This is in California, your mileage will surely vary.
