Verizon Trials GPON for FiOS
Posted by Jesse Ward on Thursday, August 19, 2010 · 
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Verizon Communication delivered broadband speeds of almost 1 Gbps to a customer in Taunton, Mass., in June as part of tests of its FiOS fiber-to-the-home network. In order to keep pace with technological demands, Verizon is migrating its existing BPON platform to GPON, which enables total throughput of 2.4 Gbps downstream and 1.2 Gbps upstream.
This test successfully demonstrated the ability to serve customers on the FiOS network with Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) service. Verizon said this opens the door to a wide array of consumer and business services including 3DTV, multi-player gaming, desktop virtualization, remote storage and wireless backhaul. Read more
Motorola and Verizon Partner on Tablet for FiOS TV
Posted by Jesse Ward on Thursday, August 5, 2010 · ·
Motorola is collaborating with Verizon on an Android-based digital tablet device that will allow users to watch FiOS television on it, according to a report in the Financial Times that has been widely quoted in other tech media outlets.
The device is said to have a 10-inch screen and is expected to closely tie to Verizon’s FiOS digital pay-TV service. It could launch as early as this fall in the United States. Read more
Verizon Extends ‘FiOS without Contract’ Nationwide
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, June 21, 2010 · ·
Verizon has extended FiOS without a contract nationwide, offering new subscribers FiOS TV, Internet and digital voice bundles on a month-to-month basis at the same prices previously available only to customers with two-year contracts, with guaranteed pricing for one year and no early-termination fee. For customers who want two-year price protection, Verizon has expanded its 30-day FiOS Worry-Free Guarantee.
The month-to-month option and Worry-Free Guarantee expand upon offers introduced earlier this year in Florida and Pennsylvania and that have met with very favorable customer response.
The no-contract offering starts at $99.99 per month before taxes, fees and customer-selected service additions. Verizon has previously offered month-to-month bundles, although for $20 to $30 higher per month than bundles with the two-year contract. Read more
Verizon Launches FiOS Digital Voice
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, June 7, 2010 · ·
Late last week, Verizon announced the availability a new VoIP-based service for its residential FiOS customers. FiOS Digital Voice is now available in 11 states, including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Florida, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, California and Washington, D.C.
FiOS Digital Voice provides 21 calling features. Highlights include: Read more
Verizon Offers FiOS Without the Contract
Posted by Jesse Ward on Friday, May 21, 2010 · ·
Verizon is now offering Tampa, Fla., subscribers FiOS TV, Internet and digital voice bundles on a month-to-month basis at the same prices previously available only to customers with two-year contracts, with guaranteed pricing for one year and no early-termination fee.
Although Verizon might expand the program in the future, the Tampa market is the only area where Verizon is offering the same price for month-by-month billing. It’s an area where Verizon has struggled to gain footing against Bright House Networks, the incumbent cable provider.
“Tampa is a very competitive market, and we’ve been told by customers either directly or in focus groups that they know our service is better but a contract has been a barrier for purchasing FiOS,” Verizon spokeswoman Heather Wilner told Multichannel News. Read more
Widgets May Lure Subscribers to Switch Video Providers
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, May 3, 2010 · ·
Widgets or interactive applications available via your TV screen are becoming increasingly more important in the battle for subscribers. A new survey reports that almost 45% of pay-TV subs said they would be “likely to consider” switching their cable, satellite or telco service if a competitor offered interactive applications or widgets with their favorite programs. That’s up from 25% who reported the same inclination in a survey in late 2007.
In addition, the study found that 17% of television subscribers would definitely or probably switch service providers to get interactive features.
The 2010 survey polled more than 2,000 U.S. adults in March 2010. Both survey were conducted by Harris Interactive, and commissioned by interactive TV developer Ensequence.
Verizon is on top of this growing trend. The telco provider will be the first to offer YouTube and Internet radio to its Fios TV subscribers, enabling live streaming on the TV screen. Read more
HBO GO
Posted by Kevin McGuire on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 · (1) ·
Here we go again. HBO has entered into the online video market with it’s “HBO GO” product. They describe the service on their website:
It’s HBO. Anywhere.
Unlimited Access- Gain instant access to hundreds of titles including HBO Original Series, blockbuster movies, sports and more in high-quality HD. Plus, get bonus features and exclusive behind-the-scenes extras.
Watch anytime, anywhere- Watch HBO GO wherever you go- from your laptop or desktop. Pause, fast-forward, rewind and view at your convenience.
Make it your own- Create personal Watchlists and set a Series Pass to access your favorite HBO shows automatically.
HBO GO. Free with your HBO subscription.