When shopping for home services such as high-speed Internet or digital television, compare offers from multiple companies. Two companies that provide entertainment services are Verizon and Time Warner Cable. Both companies offer high-speed Internet service: Verizon FiOS and Time Warner Road Runner. Compare the two services and determine which one is the best choice for you.
Services
Verizon offers FiOS, a service that includes high-speed Internet, digital television and a digital phone line. FiOS permits customers to access Verizon's television services from a television, computer or cellular phone. Road Runner is a broadband Internet service provided by Time Warner Cable. Road Runner customers do not receive television service and can only access Time Warner's server via a computer.
Internet Speed
PC Magazine's website ranked Verizon FiOS as the fastest Internet service on the market in 2010. The base speed of Verizon FiOS is 15 Mbps. The fastest FiOS Internet package downloads at a speed of up to 50 Mbps. Road Runner's standard download speed is 7 Mbps. Road Runner packages with Powerboost technology have a download speed of up to 10 Mbps.
Features
Verizon FiOS includes more than 535 channels, 130 of which are high definition. On Demand services are provided for major cable stations including Nickelodeon, ESPN, CNN and HBO. On Demand programs are viewable on televisions and computers hooked up to the FiOS service. High-speed Internet features include online data storage, family email accounts and online security software. A FiOS phone line includes unlimited local and long distance calls, as well as caller ID service, call waiting and other calling features. The purchase of Road Runner service from Time Warner Cable includes free wireless, email accounts and online storage. Road Runner customers also receive the CA Internet Security Suite with parental controls, a personal firewall, anti-spyware and anti-phishing technologies.
Price
As of the time of publication, FiOS Internet service starts at $49.99 per month with a download speed of 15 Mbps. A download speed of 25 Mbps starts at $64.99 per month and 50 Mbps starts at $139.95 per month. Bundled packages, which include a combination of two or more of the FiOS services, start at $89.99 per month. A minimum 12-month contract is required. Road Runner starts at $29.99 per month with a 12-month contract. Pricing does not include extra features or additional service fees. Installation is free for both companies. Neither service is available in every area of the country. Check each company's website to see if services are available in your area.
References
- Verizon: FiOS Digital TV and High-Speed Internet Features
- Verizon: Internet
- Time Warner Cable: Road Runner
- Time Warner Cable: Speed Levels
- Time Warner Cable: Internet Security