OK, so Verizon's contractor came through my neighborhood (Fairfax Club Estates) last week and put down what I understand to the key ingredient (fat orange cable) for getting FiOS. What's next? I check the Verizon website and my phone number and address don't show as having service yet, but addresses in Middleridge (the adjacent community) does. Does Verizon go door-to-door or send out a mailing? What is the typical lead time in order to get the install scheduled and completed?

6 months is about the average.

Also, does anyone have a good experience playing Cox against Verizon in order to get a better deal on Cox cable and internet? It looks like I could save $40-50/month with Verizon, but would be willing to stick with Cox for a while longer if they gave me a price match.

The orange pipe you refer to is called innerduct which the fiber optic cable will be placed through. They will also place handholes which hold the terminals for sevice to the houses. Once all structure is placed along with the fiber it must be spliced together. Then addresses will be added into the database to allow for orders to flow. There will be mailings and door to door sales people once your neighborhood is ready. As far a comparing to cox there is no comparison. Verizon hands down, THe grass in the yard will regrow and you'll never know they were there. Should you order a new drop will need to be placed from your serving handhole to the house. The TV and internet make it all worth while. GOOD LUCK

hope it helps Wrote:
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> The orange pipe you refer to is called innerduct
> which the fiber optic cable will be placed
> through. They will also place handholes which hold
> the terminals for sevice to the houses.

This is a helpful response, thank you!

Are the handholes installed separately? We live on a cul-de-sac and it looks like they stopped the innerduct at my house and only hit one side of the street. There were no marking on the lawns of five houses and people are scratching their heads about how the service will get to them. Is there another step where Verizon runs the fiber from the street to my house?

hope it helps Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> hands down, THe grass in the yard will regrow and
> you'll never know they were there. Should you
> order a new drop will need to be placed from your
> serving handhole to the house. The TV and internet
> make it all worth while. GOOD LUCK

Good to see the KoolAid from Verizon. Here are some different perspectives on the "lawn" growing back.

http://www.broadbandreports.com/comment/2568/54158

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/18/AR2005091801471.html

http://text.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15128689

what legal right do they have to tear up someones yard. I wonder what would happen if some crazy redneck shot the guys who were doing it?

The legal right is most likely an easement granted by the builder of the developement. A properly done title search would show this but in most cases are not. The power company and telephone along with gas water and sewer usally have an easement across some part of your yard.

In response to as why not all yards were crossed. In a cul-de-sac and elsewhere multiple houses will be served from a handhole. They may have stopped short but when service is ordered a drop fiber will be placed from the closest handhole to there address.
As far as the grass coming back where the ground was disturbed, last years drought was tough on all lawns. But if you put new seed down or the lawn was dug up and replaced you had to keep it watered.