Verizon Fios hits 1 million subscriber mark

CHICAGO--Verizon has signed up its one-millionth Fios subscriber, CEO Ivan Seidenberg said Wednesday during his keynote speech here at the NXTcomm tradeshow.

Verizon's been building its Fios all-fiber network throughout its territory for the past three years. The network takes fiber directly to people's door step, and provides near limitless bandwidth that can be used to deliver a triple play of services including high-speed Internet connectivity, telephone service, and TV. The company already offers Internet service that runs at 50 megabits per second. And it's testing service at 100Mpbs.

While AT'T has opted to only take fiber into the neighborhood and use existing copper lines to deliver service to homes, Verizon believes the all-fiber network will give it the headroom it needs to ensure growth for the future.

But it's been a costly endeavor. Verizon plans to spend $18 billion through 2010 on the new network. But the first fruits of its labor appear to be blooming. At the end of the first quarter of 2007, Verizon reported that it had signed up 864,000 Fios customers with a penetration rate of 16 percent. And now it's hit the 1 million subscriber mark. Seidenberg also said the company now has close to half a million Fios TV subscribers. The company reported it had 348,000 Fios TV subscribers at the end of the first quarter of 2007.

By 2010, Verizon expects to have between 6 and 7 million Fios Internet subscribers.

I'll be taking a deeper look at Verizon's Fios service in a feature that will be published tomorrow. So stay tuned.

[MikeDson]

uh, "near limitless"

I know you're just a bit swept up in poetic license, but 50 Mbps Fios is hardly "near limitless" bandwidth.

[cchenoweth6]

at $179 for 30 mbits??

Who would get this over cable? 30 mbps is $179!! my 15 mbps cable modem is < $49/month

[corylee1]

That's a deal

for 5mbps up. I doubt your cable modem gets anywhere near that up.

[dsawin]

In Agreement

The problem with the so called Fios band wagon is number 1 its a very new technology that is being offered to the customers. Brand new technology means several things. Number one the cost to subscribers is staggering. Way to expensive for only 15mbits more. Quite honestly too other then maybe avid video gamers who require the high speed now a days, who needs 30mbits in there home? Secondly new technology means new problems unforseen by the companies offering it, any new problems arrise they may not have an instant fix for it, so I would highly advise waiting a while, let them iron the problems out. Third the fios cables have been proven to interfere with the copper wiring in the homes, look it up the proof is there. So you may need to have an electrician or specialist come out to fix it if you cancel the subscription. Recap Too expensive for little speed improvement plus that stats are 30 x 5 for $180 not worth it in my book. New problems will arrive I can promise that. Third fios interferes with copper wiring in the home and land lines. NOOOOO GOOD!!! To early, to soon.

[compfool]

BEWARE of FIOS dependability!!

I've had the "bundel" installed(8am-12pm window--arrived@2:30pm) for about two weeks. Land line is now undependable. Literally have waited days(combined time)for repairmen. Wait for it to be around a while--don't get it now. Fast but I regret gettig it.

[printerdw]

Fios TV

Well heres the thing the town I live in was one of the first to have fios and we have gone though there growning pains with them but heres the thing I have been through 3 routers 2 tv boxes, loss of service more then a few times and to them oh well things happen well I understand that but give us a break you offer new custmuers new TV's and other stuff to join, all they gave us folks was a raise in price. I say give the folks that have been through all your growing pains somthing back for sticking with you.