FIOS vs Xfinity (1 Viewer)

[Doctor Detroit]

I've had FIOS for three years and although I like it, it has become way too expensive. I can't get Direct TV because I have too many obstructions, not wanting to go to internet only TV options, and Xfinity is offering some fine deals.

I can get the HD Premire triple play for $109 for the first year, $25 more a month for the second year, two years total. Go from 25MBS to 105 MBS, keep all the channels I already have, plus I get free Red Zone Channel and some other sports channels I don't have now like ESPN Goalline.

Has anyone had both FIOS and XFinity? Comcast has a terrible reputation so that worries me, and my FIOS has pretty much been technical problem free in three years. I'd obviously call Verizon to see if they could match this or get close first, but I wanted to see what people who have XFinity or have had both think.

TIA.

 

[John Bender]

I'm in the same boat on the opposite side of things. I have Comcast but the house I'm buying already has Fios.

Here's the thing on Comcast. I think most big cable companies get terrible reputations. And to an extent, it's true, but I had just a crappy time dealing with a small cable company back in the day.

Comcast is expensive, but they all are. I think the technology for Comcast is top notch and state of the art so will probably stick with them

 

[Doctor Detroit]

They might be expensive but I'd be paying about 60% of what I'm paying now with Verizon. If the services are similar, why would I not do it? What am I missing here?

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Check the equipment fees.

My FIOS came with a free DVR box for the first year. Now it's $19.99 per month, and to get rid of it, I would have to pay to ship it to them and get a new, non-dvr box that is $11.99/month.

But overall, I think that it probably makes sense to leverage the "new-customer" discount. Ultimately, I feel like they all get you one way or the other, but you can stem the tide a bit.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I'm in the same boat.

Here's the thing on Comcast. I think most big cable companies get terrible reputations. And to an extent, it's true, but I had just a crappy time dealing with a small cable company back in the day.

Comcast is expensive, but they all are. I think the technology for Comcast is top notch and state of the art so will probably stick with them

Pretty much this. They're expensive, but I rarely have issues and I like the X1 setup. Their tech support is pretty inept for the most part though (but I assume most are)

 

[Fennis]

Comcast support sucks and you constantly have to call them up to get better pricing. But the service itself is pretty good IMO.

 

[John Bender]

They might be expensive but I'd be paying about 60% of what I'm paying now with Verizon. If the services are similar, why would I not do it? What am I missing here?

I would absolutely make the switch in that case. The Comcast experience with the X1 platform beats Fios from what I can tell. Just note it's probably an introductory thing and after a year, you'll need to renegotiate.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

They might be expensive but I'd be paying about 60% of what I'm paying now with Verizon. If the services are similar, why would I not do it? What am I missing here?

I would absolutely make the switch in that case. The Comcast experience with the X1 platform beats Fios from what I can tell. Just note it's probably an introductory thing and after a year, you'll need to renegotiate.

Yeah, it's $25 more after the first year and $50 more after the second. It would still be 20% cheaper in two years than what I'm paying now with Verizon, and I get free Red Zone and a $150 credit and no installation costs. Then in 23 months I got back to Verizon as a new customer on the cheap.

I am going to call Verizon though, just to see what they say about all of this. They normally don't negotiate, but they are losing a lot of customers not just to Xfinity, but to those going to netflix and internet based solutions only. At some point their pricing needs to come down.

 

[ffjunk]

I'm in same situation. Let us know how you do.

 

[jonboltz]

I never had this option, as FIOS was always "just a few months away" (for 3+ years). But I'd completely do the 'switch for two years then switch back/renegotiate'. While your FIOS right now is higher, if I were to switch from Comcast to FIOS, my bill would also be going down 25-30%.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I called and tried to negotiate with Verizon and they basically said they could know $12 a month off my bill, no free red zone, nothing. Had they offered the $12 and given me free Red Zone and NHL Center Ice for two years I would have stayed. I told the guy about the Xfinity package and he said, "well that's hard to beat." I told him he should look into it for himself and he sounded like he actually might.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I never had this option, as FIOS was always "just a few months away" (for 3+ years). But I'd completely do the 'switch for two years then switch back/renegotiate'. While just your FIOS right now is higher, if I were to switch from Comcast to FIOS, my bill would also be going down 25-30%.

The problem with Verizon is after that first year, all the premium channel credits and DVR credits go away. So you start at a similar number as Xfinity, but then it increases more exponentially over the next two years. That's what I see running the numbers anyway. Xfinity is making a big push right now, I'm guessing Verizon will have to respond at some point but they seem pretty comfortable at the moment. Like I said, I'll probably just keep switching back and forth until something better comes along or until I go cable free.

 

[jonboltz]

I never had this option, as FIOS was always "just a few months away" (for 3+ years). But I'd completely do the 'switch for two years then switch back/renegotiate'. While just your FIOS right now is higher, if I were to switch from Comcast to FIOS, my bill would also be going down 25-30%.

The problem with Verizon is after that first year, all the premium channel credits and DVR credits go away.

Find and replace "Verizon" with "Comcast".

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I never had this option, as FIOS was always "just a few months away" (for 3+ years). But I'd completely do the 'switch for two years then switch back/renegotiate'. While just your FIOS right now is higher, if I were to switch from Comcast to FIOS, my bill would also be going down 25-30%.

The problem with Verizon is after that first year, all the premium channel credits and DVR credits go away.

Find and replace "Verizon" with "Comcast".

Looks like the Comcast increases are DVR related, the channels stay the same price. So it would still be 20% cheaper in two years plus Red Zone and extra channels. These places are very new customer oriented, but the Xfinity offers seem a little better over time. But that may have to do with Comcast's horrible reputation and less to do with gaining market share.

 

[jonboltz]

I never had this option, as FIOS was always "just a few months away" (for 3+ years). But I'd completely do the 'switch for two years then switch back/renegotiate'. While just your FIOS right now is higher, if I were to switch from Comcast to FIOS, my bill would also be going down 25-30%.

The problem with Verizon is after that first year, all the premium channel credits and DVR credits go away.

Find and replace "Verizon" with "Comcast".

Looks like the Comcast increases are DVR related, the channels stay the same price. So it would still be 20% cheaper in two years plus Red Zone and extra channels. These places are very new customer oriented, but the Xfinity offers seem a little better over time. But that may have to do with Comcast's horrible reputation and less to do with gaining market share.

Comcast doesn't typically spell it out like that. Every once in a while you'll just get a "your rate will be going up $5 because of x, y, or z". My rate when up all the time for non-promotion-ending reasons in the 15 years I've been with them.

 

[mquinnjr]

DD, I'm getting Comcast within the next month, only option where I'm moving so I'm actively shopping. Liking this deal in the picture from the website on the right, $89/month for everything except the movie channels and the sports pack (which adds in RedZone) for video (actually includes HBO for 24 months) and 100 Mbps internet. Add $10 for a X1 HD non-DVR box (I have a DVR and rarely use it, so I'm passing on that). I have my own modem and router, so no rental fee for that. You can go on the website once you have service and add the Sports Pack with RZ for $5/month (usually $8/mo), and just can it after NFL is over.

So $100+ tax first year for all that, and $105+ tax during football season. And they give you a $75 gift card. Unless I'm missing something, this seems like a fantastic deal with ridiculous internet speed and all the basic channels.

I think it goes up $20 second year, and regular price after 2 years. Just call back each year and complain, with no contract they'll help out.

http://s16.postimg.org/njj3vh55x/Comcast.jpg

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Ok, so here is the deal.

I pay $230 a month now for FIOS TV, internet, and voice to include international calling. I always get NHL Center Ice and Red Zone, so that's another $200 a year. So about $3k a year.

With XFinity I pay $144 including taxes in year one, $169 including taxes in year two. Add Center Ice at $150 and you get $1875 the first year, $2175 the second year. I save $2k over the first two years. If I buy my own modem (which I will), no raise for year three either.

With Xfinity I get free Red Zone, all the Cinemax channels, more sports channels, Steampix, and go from 25mbps to 105mbps on internet. I also get 100 minutes to call European landlines for $5 a month, with Verizon I was paying $12 or $13 a month.

So that's a terrific deal. If you can go from FIOS to Xfinity or the other way around, it's really a great deal. I think people just don't switch because of the hassle, but it's worth it for what seems to be similar services.

2014 is the year I get my finances in order, this goes a long way in accomplishing that.

 

[Patriotsfatboy1]

I just made the switch from Verizon to Comcast. Saved a bunch. The Internet is faster. I will switch back in a couple of years.

 

[John Bender]

Ok, so here is the deal.

I pay $230 a month now for FIOS TV, internet, and voice to include international calling. I always get NHL Center Ice and Red Zone, so that's another $200 a year. So about $3k a year.

With XFinity I pay $144 including taxes in year one, $169 including taxes in year two. Add Center Ice at $150 and you get $1875 the first year, $2175 the second year. I save $2k over the first two years. If I buy my own modem (which I will), no raise for year three either.

With Xfinity I get free Red Zone, all the Cinemax channels, more sports channels, Steampix, and go from 25mbps to 105mbps on internet. I also get 100 minutes to call European landlines for $5 a month, with Verizon I was paying $12 or $13 a month.

So that's a terrific deal. If you can go from FIOS to Xfinity or the other way around, it's really a great deal. I think people just don't switch because of the hassle, but it's worth it for what seems to be similar services.

2014 is the year I get my finances in order, this goes a long way in accomplishing that.

Definitely seems like a no brainer brother.

The contrast in Internet speed is amazing.

I have the opportunity to switch to Fios but I might just sit tight given all of the info you provided.

I will say, Streampix Sucks, cancel it as soon as they start charging you for it. I don't watch movies but the television shows are nothing by food network and cartoons. They used to have great series titles, I don't know what happened.

 

[TenTimes]

Thought Fios was supposed to be a lot faster than 25 mbps

From what I've read, Comcast and Fios both rate pretty similarly and are tops among major providers, so it only makes sense to just go with the cheapest.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Ok, so here is the deal.

I pay $230 a month now for FIOS TV, internet, and voice to include international calling. I always get NHL Center Ice and Red Zone, so that's another $200 a year. So about $3k a year.

With XFinity I pay $144 including taxes in year one, $169 including taxes in year two. Add Center Ice at $150 and you get $1875 the first year, $2175 the second year. I save $2k over the first two years. If I buy my own modem (which I will), no raise for year three either.

With Xfinity I get free Red Zone, all the Cinemax channels, more sports channels, Steampix, and go from 25mbps to 105mbps on internet. I also get 100 minutes to call European landlines for $5 a month, with Verizon I was paying $12 or $13 a month.

So that's a terrific deal. If you can go from FIOS to Xfinity or the other way around, it's really a great deal. I think people just don't switch because of the hassle, but it's worth it for what seems to be similar services.

2014 is the year I get my finances in order, this goes a long way in accomplishing that.

so you did all of this over the phone or thru the internet?

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Ok, so here is the deal.

I pay $230 a month now for FIOS TV, internet, and voice to include international calling. I always get NHL Center Ice and Red Zone, so that's another $200 a year. So about $3k a year.

With XFinity I pay $144 including taxes in year one, $169 including taxes in year two. Add Center Ice at $150 and you get $1875 the first year, $2175 the second year. I save $2k over the first two years. If I buy my own modem (which I will), no raise for year three either.

With Xfinity I get free Red Zone, all the Cinemax channels, more sports channels, Steampix, and go from 25mbps to 105mbps on internet. I also get 100 minutes to call European landlines for $5 a month, with Verizon I was paying $12 or $13 a month.

So that's a terrific deal. If you can go from FIOS to Xfinity or the other way around, it's really a great deal. I think people just don't switch because of the hassle, but it's worth it for what seems to be similar services.

2014 is the year I get my finances in order, this goes a long way in accomplishing that.

so you did all of this over the phone or thru the internet?

No I went through a representative. The package I got for $109 is $159 on-line.

The guy came around a few weeks ago and left his card, so I gave him a call today to see if they still had the deal. I guess Comcast is doing this now because they have such a horrible customer service rep, not sure.

Call Comcast and ask them if they have a representative in your area that can come out and talk about Xfinity.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Can you just switch back and forth every two years? Obviously a slight pain in the ###, but 5 switches to save $10k would prob be worthwhile. It feels like after the two year mark customers get the shaft again.

I've got DTV, so triple play isn't offered which sucks. I was using Comcast for years and kept noticing the price go up. Finally when it cracked $70 just for internet I had it. I switched to VZ & there first bill was supposed to be $54, it was $175 (installation, equipment, bs). I quit right on the spot. I got a mifi card from work which isn't the best, but we just surf the interwebs so we don't need blazing fast internet.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Can you just switch back and forth every two years? Obviously a slight pain in the ###, but 5 switches to save $10k would prob be worthwhile. It feels like after the two year mark customers get the shaft again.

I've got DTV, so triple play isn't offered which sucks. I was using Comcast for years and kept noticing the price go up. Finally when it cracked $70 just for internet I had it. I switched to VZ & there first bill was supposed to be $54, it was $175 (installation, equipment, bs). I quit right on the spot. I got a mifi card from work which isn't the best, but we just surf the interwebs so we don't need blazing fast internet.

Seems like the right move, at least shop other options in year three. The hassle is changing emails again (although I use the verizon one mostly for shopping stuff), and clearing your DVR before the switch. Otherwise it's a two hour installation and they can use the FIOS backbone already in the house.

Technology is advancing in this arena so quickly, a lot will change in the next two years IMO so switching back might not be necessary.

 

[John Bender]

Just took me and hour and 29 minutes to get Comcast to cancel my account (I'm moving and going to try out Fios)

Holy god I like XFinity but that was the worst thing ever.

 

[Brady Marino]

I'm moving to a condo next month and it is wired for FIOs (Frontier bought out Verizon here, though, so it'd be through them).

Still keeping Xfinity, though. They haven't done me wrong here.

 

[[icon]]

Comcast support sucks and you constantly have to call them up to get better pricing. But the service itself is pretty good IMO.

Can you negotiate deals with Comcast? If so... what is the best approach. I've been with them for a while now and they're gradually creeping up there in price. I'm generally very happy with the XFinity service, but I'd like to negotiate down a bit.

 

[John Bender]

Comcast support sucks and you constantly have to call them up to get better pricing. But the service itself is pretty good IMO.

Can you negotiate deals with Comcast? If so... what is the best approach. I've been with them for a while now and they're gradually creeping up there in price. I'm generally very happy with the XFinity service, but I'd like to negotiate down a bit.

They are ALWAYS willing to negotiate something.

I'm a huge fan of Comcast (one of the few in the world I gather). I cancelled due to relocation reasons.

 

[ffldrew]

A word of caution on owning your own modem. I was having problems and they could tell I had my own modem and the support teams were less than enthusiastic to give me support. It was always my modem. Turns out I got their modem and it was a line issue in back to house. I used it for work a lot so I went ahead and kept renting modem - pissed me off every month looking at that bill.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Comcast support sucks and you constantly have to call them up to get better pricing. But the service itself is pretty good IMO.

Can you negotiate deals with Comcast? If so... what is the best approach. I've been with them for a while now and they're gradually creeping up there in price. I'm generally very happy with the XFinity service, but I'd like to negotiate down a bit.

Usually but depends what package you have. They'll try to upsell you to the triple play as well

I'd try to find a competitor deal online and tell them you're switching

 

[sbonomo]

I have xfinity. I swear the throttle the band width. Every so often I get pissed and call it in and miraculously it speeds up again. I don't know that any of the other choices are any better.

 

[James Daulton]

Comcast will negotiate for sure. Wifey does well with them. We've been with them for a long time. Now I love to watch tv, and our current deal is phone, the fastest internet, all premium channels, x1 dvr with with 2 slave hd dvr's for $190.

I used to have their modem but recently replaced it with a $80 from amazon. So far I've saved $30 in 3 months modem rentals.

I love Comcast.

 

[belljr]

I used to negotiate all the time with Comcast but they've slowly have been less and less

 

[James Daulton]

I used to negotiate all the time with Comcast but they've slowly have been less and less

Wifey says you have to speak to their retention specialist to get anywhere.

 

[belljr]

I used to negotiate all the time with Comcast but they've slowly have been less and less

Wifey says you have to speak to their retention specialist to get anywhere.

Yep. But last time I tried they said sir you just came off a d3al we can only do x.

I went like 5 years with my bill basically 100 of a month. Now it's no where near that. They basically have been calling my bluff and basically knocking 20 or 30 off

 

[(HULK)]

Thought Fios was supposed to be a lot faster than 25 mbps

From what I've read, Comcast and Fios both rate pretty similarly and are tops among major providers, so it only makes sense to just go with the cheapest.

My FiOS is 75MBPs.

It works better than Comcast at my house anyways.

I've had both a couple of times. It usually saves money to switch every couple of years.

The last time I switched though, I was SO fed up with Comcast customer service that I just rage dropped them 47 minutes into a phone call.

Bottom line, both suck donkey balls. Don't overthink it, you'll be dissatisfied with either.

 

[Peyton Marino]

cable companies are just the worst.

 

[John Bender]

Long time Comcast user, I've had Fios for a month.

The service is fun however...

Comcast absolutely blows away the Fios platform technology wise.

ON DEMAND:

With Comcast you don't have to open up a dedicated separate section. Comcast's on demand is fully integrated with your other channels and current tv watching. In other words...

With Fios, you have to "launch" the On Demand app. It shuts off the regular signal stuff your watching and hits you with ads. Then you navigate through to what you're looking for.

On Comcast, and something I grew to love is that you could use the LAST button simply swap from a live show back to an on demand show and swap back at any time. I might be watching something on Demand or on DVR and want to last over to live tv. When live tv hits a commercial, I really want to just LAST back to what I was watching on Demand. I hate that you can't do this, you have to open up the clunk On Demand "Program" again every time.

OTHER STUFF:

Comcast, when you hit the "LAST" button, brings up the last 10 channels you were watching at the bottom of the screen. This was so nice as I don't watch more than 10. Mixed in with those last 10 would be anything you were watching On Demand or on DVR. You could last over to anything and pick it right back up where you left off with no delay.

Fios simply brings you back to the last channel only.

I really miss this.

Then there's random crap with the On demand. The entire season of Mr Robot are available except Episode 1 and Episode 5 are just mysteriously missing.

Comcast also gives more "info" - when a show was first filmed, what season and show number it is, etc.

I'm very happy with the internet. The price is good.

But on a platform technology side of things for the TV, Comcast blows Fios out of the water IMO. I would pay extra for those Comcast features.

If you like Comcast for the TV feature and switch to Fios and expect the same technology, don't.

Customer service and all that other stuff aside, this is just a comment on the TV platform technology only for anyone who was interested. These things may not be important to you.

 

[Ratbert]

I pay 192 (out the door) a month for phone, tv (HD multi room DVR + 2 HD set top boxes and an old school analog box for a dinosaur TV), and 15MBPS internet. We don't crush the interblags so 15 is plenty (the speed tests all say we usually get between 20 & 25 anyways).

When I had DirecTV, verizon phones (copper wire) and Cox cable internet I paid a crap ton more.

 

[(HULK)]

I had none of those features with Comcast last year. I take it you have the X1? I didn't, even though they decided to charge me for one for several months and we're incapable of correcting the billing.

I hate both companies, they are the worst.

 

[John Bender]

I had none of those features with Comcast last year. I take it you have the X1? I didn't, even though they decided to charge me for one for several months and we're incapable of correcting the billing.

I hate both companies, they are the worst.

I had the X1, yes.

 

[The Big Guy]

I had none of those features with Comcast last year. I take it you have the X1? I didn't, even though they decided to charge me for one for several months and we're incapable of correcting the billing.

I hate both companies, they are the worst.

I had the X1, yes.

The x1 is better except for the main HD dvr box needing to be rebooted maybe once a week or it can get very sluggish and unresponsive to the remote. Comcrap is the devil, but it is the devil you know vs the devil you don't with fios

 

[(HULK)]

I currently have the advanced FiOS box, but the x1 does sound better.

I rarely watch enough live TV to care about the last button though. I'm just happy I can record 8 channels at once on Sundays

 

[Courtjester]

I have been a longtime Comcast subscriber. I have had zero problems with my service other than a little internet throttling now and then. I was leery to go over to the X-1 platform, but now I love it. You just have to do a little planning ahead for your satellite boxes. I just got done beta-testing their EASports game app---it is okay, but needs a lot of work.

My bill is up there--$305.00 a month, but I have the triple play package--every movie channel. 1 main box and 3 satellite boxes, their top tier 105mb internet speed and I have the home security package with cameras My bill is also jacked up by my families use of PPV--we probably get 3-4 movies a month.

I am on a contract rate because I know if I wasn't on a promo, I would be over $400 a month. However, when my promos have run out in the past, I find trying to start out at the retention department is not the way to go. The last two times I have gone directly into their office and I give them the "I love Comcast and all my services, but the wife says it is out of hand and I need to make some cuts. What can I cut to save some money?" This approach is so $$$ especially if you get a male CS rep, because, in general, no rep wants to be the person who takes services away from a customer. But if you get that "guy helping out a fellow guy against an evil wife' vibe going--you can usually do pretty well. They always find a way to lower my bill and usually stick something extra on to make it look like they did me a favor.

Comcast just rolled out their Gigabit service here which I want soooo badddd, but at $300.00 a month and close to $1,500 to install, that is steep and they won't bundle with it with anything at this point.

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

My bill is up there--$305.00 a month

Good lord!

 

[James Daulton]

I have the X1 and I really like it for all the reasons Bender notes. I have:

triple play

fastest internet

master hd box + 2 slave hd boxes

hbo, showtime, cinemax

I pay $205/mo and for all the entertainment me and the family gets, I think this bill is very reasonable. You do need to call them like twice a year and threaten to quit to get the best deal though.

 

[James Daulton]

Oh, and I don't know if Fios has this but on X1, to find a show you can use the remote to type in part of the name and everything that matches that will pop up. It's been super accurate for me.

 

[John Bender]

Oh, and I don't know if Fios has this but on X1, to find a show you can use the remote to type in part of the name and everything that matches that will pop up. It's been super accurate for me.

Forgot about this.

What's also great about it.

Since On Demand and regular TV are integrated...if you are searching for a movie to watch, if it's available on one of the premium movie channels you already pay for, it'll bring up the free version on that network.

On Fios, searching for a movie to rent, it'll bring you to the rental screen where you have to pay for it. If you want to see if Cinemax or HBO or Showtime are showing it currently for free on demand, you have to search first through all of your premium channels to see if it's there.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Oh, and I don't know if Fios has this but on X1, to find a show you can use the remote to type in part of the name and everything that matches that will pop up. It's been super accurate for me.

In addition they are in the process of rolling out a voice activated X1 remote which is badass.

 

[Psychopav]

I have been a happy camper since I unbundled tv and internet about 5 or 6 years ago.

Currently, I have Fios internet and phone and Dish TV and couldn't be happier.

I had a small time voip until now for phone but the Fios deal was to good to pass up.

Man I'm loving the fiber optic speed, and this coming from a happy blast customer with Comcast back in my old house.