Verizon and Bright House are two network companies that offer home phone, Internet and TV services. Bright House is the seventh largest cable system operator in the United States at the time of publication. Verizon started as a phone company and has since moved on to provide Internet and cable TV services.
Verizon
Verizon has fiber optic cables that deliver high-definition pictures to your television and high-speed Internet. Fiber optics, or FiOS, is a type of cable made with flexible transparent glass that transmits light signals between two communication points, such as your cable box and the main Verizon network. Because the information is transmitted as light waves, it can travel longer distances at a higher bandwidth, or higher data rate, without much loss of signal to produce crisp clear HD pictures and digital sound.
Verizon Prices
At the time of publication, FiOS Internet prices start at $49.99 per month for speeds up to 15 megabits per second download and 5 megabits per second uplod. The second tier is $64.99 per month for 25/25 megabits per second. The fastest tier is 50/20 megabits per second for 139.95 per month. These fees require a one-year or two-year contract with Verizon and provide Wi-Fi. Verizon TV and Internet Double Play packages start at $74.99 per month and go up to $104.99 per month for the premium channel package. Verizon Triple play packages include cable TV, Internet and home phone lines starting at $84.99 per month, up to $114.99 per month for their premium services.
Bright House
Bright House network offers digital HD television, high-speed Internet access and home phone lines. Bright House uses coaxial cables to transmit data to your cable box and computer modem. Bright House's Road Runner High Speed Internet Services starts at 40 megabits per second download and 4 megabits per second upload for the Road Runner Lightning, 40 megabits per second download and 2 megabits per second upload for Road Runner Turbo, and 7 megabits per second download and 512 kilobits per second upload for Road Runner standard.
Bright House Prices
At the time of publication, Bright House combo prices for TV, home phone and Internet start at $94.99, and the combo Plus is $115.00 per month. Bright House offers home phone and Internet packages for $59.95 per month with 512 kilobits per second upload and 7 megabits per second download speeds.
J.D. Power and Associates
According to J.D. Power and Associates' 2010 U.S. Residential Television Service Satisfaction Study, Verizon FiOS is one of the top-rated TV services in the U.S., and Time Warner Cable, which owns Bright House Networks, is just below the nation's average. Verizon works well for households that want or need high-speed Internet and cable television with the best HD picture quality available. Bright House may not be the fastest, but for households with limited income or a low demand for high-speed Internet access, the average rated company may be the way to go.
Bottom Line
Most of the Verizon Package deals require you to sign a one-year or two-year contract. If you aren't satisfied with the services, you are stuck with Verizon for the duration of the contract. Bright House does not require you to sign a contract to have its services. Bright House also only uses digital cable, which is slower than FiOS.
References
- Bradenton: Broadband Rumble: Verizon vs. Bright House
- Verizon: FiOS Internet
- Bright House: Compare Offers
- J.D. Power: J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Satisfaction with Cost of Service Declines Considerably among Television Service Customers