Verizon's FIOS TV

[Chris Gohlke]

http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/laszlo/archives/010023.html

"I'm starting to write a report on IPTV in the US, and so have naturally been increasingly interested in what Verizon's going to deliver with its FIOS service. Based on a focus group, this guy reports on the order of 300 channels, 3X more HD channels than Cablevision, and, wildest of all, a DVR capable of recording 6 channels at once and doing multi-room streaming to other set tops. And all this at a price to be cheaper than cable. And a 1 September launch date in certain towns on Long Island."

I get around that many channels already, but all the HD content sounds really great and the 6 simultaneous channel DVR (not that I would probably ever have use to records that many channels at the same time) and the ability to stream all around the house sounds extremely sweet. Of course, I imagine that most of us won't be seeing this any time in the near future.

[Chris Gohlke]

http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/laszlo/archives/010023.html

"I'm starting to write a report on IPTV in the US, and so have naturally been increasingly interested in what Verizon's going to deliver with its FIOS service. Based on a focus group, this guy reports on the order of 300 channels, 3X more HD channels than Cablevision, and, wildest of all, a DVR capable of recording 6 channels at once and doing multi-room streaming to other set tops. And all this at a price to be cheaper than cable. And a 1 September launch date in certain towns on Long Island."

I get around that many channels already, but all the HD content sounds really great and the 6 simultaneous channel DVR (not that I would probably ever have use to records that many channels at the same time) and the ability to stream all around the house sounds extremely sweet. Of course, I imagine that most of us won't be seeing this any time in the near future.

[James Beatty]

The single biggest hold up is that in every state Verizon serves they have to get a TV license from each town and/or county they want to sell service in. This process takes years and to make matters worse the Cable Companies are fighting it tooth and nail with every lawsuit and request for more red tape they can muster. They claim the phone company selling TV service will reduce consumer choice, eliminate competition, and drive up prices. Typical Cable Company crap.....

I could say more about how extremely quickly Verizon could start selling this to, um, a very large number of people, but since I work for Verizon (sometimes on FiOS) I can't give away any specifics. :wink: