Verizon crew working on utility box yesterday on President Street
Newly installed pole at Union Street and Smith Street
Fios utility box at Sackett at Court Street
It's been quite a bit frustrating as a Verizon customer, and especially as a blogger, that Fios service has been very limited in Carroll Gardens. Since the company rolled out its broadband service in 2004, only a few blocks in the neighborhood have been able to enjoy faster internet.Considering the fact that for almost 10 years, Verizon has gotten tax breaks in return for bringing broad band to every customer and business, as well as schools and hospital in its service territories, it is actually a bit infuriating.
Just recently, Verizon crews have been installing more utility boxes and Fios service is expanding throughout the neighborhood, especially on the blocks west of Court Street.
I stopped by to speak to a Verizon crew that was installing new equipment on President Street at the corner of Court Street. They confirmed that more Fios is coming. To those of us who are still waiting, they suggested connecting to neighbors together to call Verizon. Apparently, if several neighbors start calling the company, Verizon may make their block a priority.
I also asked the crew about a story that I had heard a few times before from local residents and also from other Verizon workers: that one block here in Carroll Gardens* got Fios years ago, because a Verizon executive lived on the block and this was part of his/her employment contract.
The workers yesterday all seemed to know about it and confirmed it was one of the blocks on Carroll Street, either between Smith and Hoyt or the block from Hoyt to Bond.
* The block in question is the one framed between Smith and Hoyt Street and Carroll and 2nd Street.
I would love to get a better idea of which blocks in the neighborhood have Fios and those who don't. I would very much appreciate it you could let me know about yours by adding a comment below. Thanks.
I really want fios. I had it in nj and it was awesome. I mentioned it to my landlady and told her it would be cheaper but she was concerned about installing the box to the side of the building. Anyone know the answer to this? I assume it's minimal if nothing.
ReplyDeleteVerizon installed a couple of those large fiberglass poles (which are really ugly) on my block (Warren St.) a couple of years ago and nothing has happened since. The company was granted the right to put up the poles on a public sidewalk but haven't provided any service in return. I'd like to see these removed if they aren't going to follow through.
ReplyDeleteTHANK GOD!!! AMEN!!! ARRIVE DERCI, TIME WARNER!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for Fios to arrive. I'm sick and tired of the horrible customer service at TWC (and the HUGE cable bill!)
ReplyDeleteMy building on Union between Smith & Hoyt finally got FiOS service early last year. My neighbors quickly followed suit after they experienced a series of outages with Time Warner and I allowed them to piggy back off my wifi for a few weeks while Time Warner fumbled around trying to schedule a visit and fix the problem. Simply underlined that Time Warner seem completely indifferent competing on price and even less so on quality of service.
ReplyDeleteFiOS's introductory 2 year sweetheart deal including 50/25 Mbps internet speed, never experiencing peak time slow down, no interruptions of service - was simply icing on the cake knowing that I'll never have to deal with Time Warner Cable ever again.
Verizon didn't install a box in/on the building but brought service into each apartment/floor individually from a utility pole at the end of the garden. If this is the route others will be following, word to the wise, figure out where you'll position the FiOS box (11" x 17" x 3") and accompanying cables/wifi router, ahead of time.
A true test of the speed and quality of FiOS is that I now take industrially fast and highly reliable internet download and upload along with absolutely trouble free TV service and content streaming - simultaneously on multiple TVs and computers completely for granted.
Time Warner Cable couldn't pay me to be a customer again.
I live in Red Hook and we got it, which is wierd because Red Hook is usually the last neighborhood to get these kind of services. TWC only came to our old apartment building in late 2009.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing. I get 57Download/27Upload service and all the channels for under 150$ with taxes and fees. It has gone to the point where every other connection feels slower to me then my home connection.
BUT BEWARE: No NY1 which was a deal breaker for me for a while. I miss it so.
A team of 4 workers moved through the back yards on my block (Court-Clinton and Carroll-President) earlier today.
ReplyDeletecarroll between clinton and henry does not have fios. i would switch to fios if i have the option as my 150 per month time warner bill is just too much...and this is without hbo and phone.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Checked Verizon site and found out we're able to switch.
ReplyDeleteDeGraw Street between Smith and Hoyt has FIOS and I am a happy customer (installed December 23, 2012).
ReplyDeleteIf a number of residents on a block sign up online to request service, Verizon is more likely to move quickly to invest the not insubstantial resources to wire the block.
I hear from a friend in Queens who got Fios last year that installation was a major production and took two technicians most of the day to complete...and she lives in a semi-detached house, not the attached brownstones that we live in here. The outside box must also be grounded, so I'm not sure how complicated the work would be for us in CG.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the great mysteries... And I don't hold any water for Verizon-- especially since they ditched their truck depot on Nevins Street-- but ANY and ALL alternatives to Time Warner should be encouraged.
ReplyDeleteI just had DirectTV installed today. My TWC bill was ridiculous since my bundle had expired. I got Vonage for phone service and my TWC bill actually went up. Quite a few people I know are switching. TWC doesn't seem interested in keeping their customers and the only package they offer to current customers is there 199 Signature which makes no sense for those that have one TV, don't care about "white glove" tech servicing, or have no need for all the premium channels,
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, the DirectTV picture quality is superior to TWC. Everyone I know who has made the switch is happy plus, unlike TWC, it stayed up during Sandy.
There is a pent up demand for FIOS from what I can tell so Verizon will have a built in customer base.
I live on 1st Place btwn Court and Smith. Verizon contacted all the landlords on our block to sign the necessary consent to install paper work. Soon Come?
ReplyDeleteFIOS is available on the 3rd St/ 4th St block between Smith and Hoyt.
ReplyDeleteHow did the Union street person get Vios? How are Verizon getting into backyards? There is a building on Union where noone can ever get into the yards. My landlord can't even fix our roof let alone agree to Verizon or even answer the phone. Is it worth it? Hmm. Must do research. I always had the TWC wires so I just called them. Internet only. No phone or TV. And they always answer if you contact them thru Twitter FYI. Always.
ReplyDeleteTo the person on Union b/w Smith and Hoyt who has FIOS...are you on the south side of the block (even number) or the north side (odd numbers)?
ReplyDeleteI am on your block. Can't wait to ditch TWC...but the fios website says it is not available for my address.
Thanks.
Please add Verizon FIOS to Columbia St and Union St area!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's not available on Bond st down by Carroll and President. I did see a Fios truck at the corner of Hoyt and President back in November for a couple of days. Not sure if they were running wires down there or making repairs from Sandy. I can't wait to ditch TWC.
ReplyDeleteHoyt between Douglass and DeGraw does not have Fios. My DirecTV contract is up in a month and I wanted to switch to Fios but alas, I cannot.
ReplyDeleteI've had FIOS for a few years (Carroll between Smith and Hoyt) and I LOVE it!!
ReplyDeleteI would kill for FiOS up here in north part of Cobble Hill. Just yesterday I was supposed to have Time Warner come fix my cable -- guess what -- they didn't even show up to the appointment! And I've only been a customer for a few weeks....
ReplyDeleteIf you want to check if fios is available for your business I can check (authorized agent). It takes about a minute.
ReplyDelete561-900-3642
i signed up for fios updates on their site and verizon just emailed that fios tv (i hope that included internet as well) is now available in my area (clinton st. bw 1st and carroll) and they just need to begin negotiations to wire the building.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the news, Andrew. Hopefully I will get it on my block one of these days.
ReplyDeleteFiOS also missing from Pacific between Bond/Nevins. I am so tired of TWC. I have called VZW begging for them to come here. lol. Alas, no ETA on roll out on my block. I just keep asking TWC for bill credits when service is slow/bad so that's beginning to add up. Small victories though I'd much rather pay and have the service actually work.
ReplyDeleteCome on, FiOS!!!!!
Is there an update on FiOS development in Carroll Gardens? It's been quiet and nobody seems to be talking about it anymore. I believe the need for reliable TV, internet and phone is bigger than ever.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. Got sick waiting for it and cancelled my Verizon internet service.
ReplyDeleteI received a letter from Verizon saying they are planning to install in my building soon. Clinton between Degraw and Kane. Can't wait !!!
ReplyDelete