Comparison of Cablevision and Verizon

by Kay Bosworth, Demand Media

Television, Internet and phone services are often bundled in a single price package.

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In the battle for television, Internet and telephone customers, Cablevision and Verizon often offer competing price packages. Cablevision uses coaxial cable technology while Verizon's technology employs fiber optics. Both companies are not always available in the same communities. Due to price wars and changing TV channel lineups, consumers will benefit from investigating all services available in their area for timely information.

Cablevision

Cablevision Systems Corporation is currently the eighth largest cable provider in the U.S. The company presently provides cable services primarily in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and parts of Pennsylvania. Cablevision provides digital cable TV through its iO service and owns several television networks, including Fuse and News 12. Cablevision provides high-speed Internet through Optimum Online, digital voice service with its Optimum Voice, and Optimum Wi-Fi wireless Internet network. Optimum Online has a download speed of 15Mbps, allowing download of a movie in seven minutes, and upload speed of 2Mbps, allowing a large file to be emailed in one minute. The company also offers Optimum Lightpath and Optimum Business.

Verizon FiOS

Verizon FiOS currently provides fiber optic broadband service in 16 states. The company offers TV, Internet and telephone service. The FiOS network provides high definition picture quality on hundreds of TV channels. FiOS TV includes a media guide and access to Facebook and Twitter as well as local weather and traffic reports. FiOS TV offers over 24,000 movies On Demand. FiOS Internet service provides high-speed connections for downloading as well as uploading. FiOS offers three different speed plans, ranging from 15/5 Mbps for basic usage to 50/20Mbps for households with multiple users. FiOS also offers Wi-Fi hotspot access.

Pros and Cons

Verizon claims that its fiber optic technology is more weather resistant and durable than copper phone lines or coaxial cable. This results in fewer interruptions, weather interference and "pixelation," or breaking up of the picture. Cablevision's iO TV service offers over 485 digital channels and its 120 HD channels are free, while FiOS charges an additional fee for 125 HD channels. In addition, Cablevision's iO TV offers Movies on Demand in HD at no extra charge, while FiOS charges a fee.

Bundles

Individual television, Internet, and telephone services are available at comparable prices and Cablevision and Verizon both offer discounts for taking all three services in a single package. Cablevision currently offers its Ultimate Triple Play package, while FiOS offers a similar all-inclusive package with no term contract. In communities where Cablevision services are offered, they are generally available to anyone interested in subscribing, while Verizon's FiOS may not be available to all homes in communities it serves.

References

  • ConsumerBroadband.org: Verizon FiOS vs Cablevision
  • Cablevision: Products and Services
  • FiOS Internet: Why FiOS?

About the Author

Kay Bosworth was a reporter, staff writer and copy editor for newspapers in northern New Jersey, covering municipal government. She also worked as a proofreader for Pearson Education, wrote lingerie catalog copy for JCPenney and copy edited for "Cue" magazine and the McGraw-Hill book company. Bosworth received a B.A. in English from Transylvania College.

Photo Credits

  • Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images