1. What is Verizon?
Verizon Communications, formed in 2000, is a provider of communications and media services to 27 states, formed after the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE.
2. What service can Verizon offer me?
Verizon offers a number of services to its subscribers: Digital television and internet access through its FiOS service, as well as a digital telephone service for existing lines. In addition, Verizon offers access to its full line of wireless digital cell phone services.
3. Where can I get Verizon?
Verizon, and subsidiaries thereof, offer most (if not all) of its service to the following US states:
Arizona
Californa
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Nevada
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
Washington
Washington, D.C.
Wisconsin
4. What television packages are available?
Verizon offers two distinct options when it comes to television service: First, Verizon’s own FiOS (Fiber Optic System) TV, and an option to sign up with DirectTV, with a discount on packaged price.
Verizon’s FiOS TV packages include:
- Basic, with local channels, and an additional 15 to 49 channels.
- Premier, with local channels, and an additional 175 to 270 channels.
- La Conexión, a Spanish-Language service with local channels and an additional 130 to 150 channels.
- A Movie package, featuring 47 premium movie channels (8 Starz!, 16 Showtime, 13 Encore, 4 TMCs, 2 Flix and Sundance)
- A Sports package, featuring over a dozen sports channels
- A bundle with both Movie and Sports packages together
- A Premium package, featuring HBO and/or Cinemax
- Individually priced international channels including ART, TV Japan, RAI, and TV5
- A Spanish-based package with over 20 telenovelas exclusively in Spanish.
- An OnDemand library featuring over 1000 free programs to watch, and more available for purchase.
5. What features come with Verizon FiOS TV?
Verizon’s FiOS service is a fiber-optic based cable service that provides digital quality picture and sound to its cable box receivers. All channels provided by FiOS are digital. Included in FiOS are the following features:
- Optional HD quality transmission for High Definition television
- Included cable box with interactive program guide, parental controls, and interactive features such as OnDemand and Pay Per View
- An optional Home Media DVR for additional cost; find, record, and save your favorite programs to watch like a VCR.
6. What is the Digital Video Transition?
Starting February 2009, all broadcast television in the United States is required by law to become digital. Verizon’s FiOS television is all digital, so subscribers needn’t worry.
7. What Internet packages are available?
Verizon offers two possible ways to connect to the internet: Through its high-speed internet service, you can connect via cable modem at lower bitrates for discounted services. Alternately, you can connect via FiOS, with DSL connectivity at increased bitrates.
8. What features come with Verizon’s internet packages?
Verizon’s high-speed cable internet offers the following:
- Starter Level - 1 Month free with subscription; Up to 768 Kbps down/128 Kbps up
- Power Level - 1 Month free with subscription; Up to 3 Mbps down/768 Kbps up
- Access to Premium services
Verizon’s FiOS service offers the following annual plans:
- Fast - 5 Mbps down/2 Mbps up
- Faster - 15 Mbps down/2 Mbps up
- Faster Plus - 15 Mbps down/15 Mbps up
- Fastest - 30 Mbps down/15 Mbps up
Premium services include:
- Verizon Internet Security Suite, with anti-virus, firewall, and pop-up blocker controls
- Verizon Online Backup & Sharing; share and store your files online
- Verizon Games On Demand; Downloadable games on three plans to play and keep
- Verizon Premium Technical Support; 24/7 live technical support for your PC and internet connections not covered by normal Verizon technical support. This is only available to Verizon High Speed subscribers, not FiOS.
9. What is DSL?
DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, is a high-speed fiber-optic based cable connection between your computer system directly to an internet provider. It allows a higher speed of bitrate compared to cable modem connections.
10. What modems are compatible with Verizon’s internet packages?
Verizon FiOS doesn’t use a modem, but is rather an installation on existing fiber optic cable connections in your house that can connect to an ethernet drive. Verizon High-Speed requires that you use the included modem with installation; no other modems are supported.
11. What wireless cell phone services does Verizon offer?
Verizon Wireless is the second largest wireless cell phone provider in the United States. It offers a wide variety of billing plans, phones, and features too numerous for a single FAQ to list briefly. The best place to start is VerizonWireless’s main web site, where you can browse and purchase any of its wireless cell phone plans.
12. What digital telephone service packages are available?
Verizon offers a single digital telephone service to subscribers, with Installation on current FiOS-enable cable line, to work with in-home phone lines; keep your old phone and number. Its price varies according to available options.
13. What features come with Verizon’s digital phone service?
Verizon phone features the following options for additional cost:
- OnePoint Voicemail; up to five telephone numbers each reach the same voicemail box.
- *69 Call Return
- Three-Way Calling
- Per-Call Blocking; prevent your name and number from displaying on caller ID on a per call basis
- Home Voicemail; forwards missed calls to voicemail
- Caller ID
- Call Waiting
- Call Forwarding
- All Call Blocking; prevent your name and number from displaying on caller ID
- Busy Redial; continually redial busy numbers
- Multiple Voicemail boxes
- Call Intercept; Requires unknown callers to identify themselves before ringing.
- Anonymous Call Rejection
- Speed Dialing (up to 8 or 30 numbers)
- Distinctive Ring; One chosen telephone number can have a distinct ring
- Call Waiting ID
- Phone-In Card; Allows any number, anywhere to reach your phone
- Non-Published Service; keep your name and number unlisted
- Additional Listings; Allow family members listings in the white pages
- Call Trace
- Tracking Call Waiting
14. Are any of these services bundled together?
Like most other cable providers, Verizon offers all-in-one bundles, with availability and price varying based on your location. Typically this includes FiOS television, FiOS internet, digital phone service, and a wireless phone plan, all at a discounted price with one bill.
15. What do these packages cost?
Package prices vary according to availability and chosen package size. Television, high-speed internet, and phone services are usually on a monthly plan.
16. Where can I learn more?
Verizon Communications’ web site is the best place to begin browsing for prices and availability on packages.
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