internet dmackey on 08 Sep 2007 07:30 pm
Verizon Smacks Its FiOS Customers.
I received a polite letter in the mail within the last week from Verizon. Today was the first day I had a chance to read why “The only thing better than FiOS today is FiOS tomorrow.” Well, apparently it has something to do with the reason they are increasing my monthly 5.0 Mbps FiOS connection from $36/mo. to $53/mo. A minor price jump of $17/mo. or nearly half of my current FiOS bill.
Now, I like FiOS, don’t get me wrong. In fact I love it. When they initially installed FiOS it was a bit of the pain. The telecommunications guys they sent out to configure FiOS didn’t know much about routers or IP addresses - but thats okay, I don’t know much about traditional copper lines (though I’ve learned more than I wanted to). Then there was the fact that several weeks later my FiOS was abruptly canceled - apparently a paperwork detail on their end. But it was restored and since then, other than occasionally having to reboot my Actiontec router and remount the FiOS box inside my house, everything has been just dandy.
Still, a 50% price increase seems steep - especially with no additional features or benefits as a result. What caused this price increase? It seems to me to be a ploy to push consumers into purchasing a bundle. You thought you could have TV through another provider? Well, now it’ll cost too much - switch over to Verizon. You thought you could use a third-party VoIP provider for phone? Forget it, you need the bundled Verizon deal.
I’m still happy with my Verizon FiOS as a service, but I’m less than happy with the price increase, so Verizon, please consider this my open letter expressing my displeasure over an unexplained, significant price increase. I don’t need your digital TV, I use Joost, iTunes, Movielink, Blockbuster, etc. I don’t need your phone, I’ve got Skype In/Out. All I need is the reliable internet connection you have provided without being robbed blind in the process.
Am I crazy or is this a real smack from Verizon? In my opinion, a business which wants to succeed long-term needs to place the cares of its customers high on its priority list - this (especially without explanation) is no such action and one of the reasons I moved away from Verizon in the first place.