Report: Verizon Fios steals cable subscribers

Verizon's Fios TV service is stealing business from cable operators, according to a report published by OneTrak this week.

The report focused on 34 cities and towns in Massachusetts where Fios TV is offered. The report said that some incumbent cable operators could experience subscriber losses of 10 percent or more because of Fios competition. Traditional cable overbuilders, like RCN, will likely feel the brunt of the defections, the report said. (Overbuilders are companies that use or build on existing operators' networks to offer service.)

According to the report, Comcast lost about 2.6 percent of its subscribers, or 5,216 subscribers out of 204,160, in communities where Fios TV is offered. And RCN has lost about 7 percent of its subscribers, or about 1,813 subscribers out of 25,895. Meanwhile, Verizon gained 11,982 subscribers in these markets. OneTrak said it expects Verizon to continue to grow its TV business in the double digits in markets where it launches the service.

For its report, OneTrak used the three companies' year-end subscriber numbers, which the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable made public recently. Statistics for the three companies are as of December 31, 2006.

[cchenoweth6]

I would buy today if....

if... They didn't charge $170 for 30 mbps. Why switch off of Cox Communications when I pay far less than that for 15mbps.

It's just crazy. There is no reason to do it as far as I'm concerned.

Another few big issues I have is that FIOS requires using one of their routers. FiosTV does not work with Media Center if you want OnDemand entertainment. No HDTV OnDemand.

Is there something wrong with giving more than 15 mbps over your "Fiber" network for a reasonable price without all the crap?

[cidman2001]

I'm curious....

I live in rural VT, where the only offering is Charter at 5mbps or Verizon dsk at 3 mbps. Both end up at about $50 per month. It's highly unlikely that we'll see either fios or 15mbps service here ever. Verizon is actually selling their landlines here!
How much is the 15mbps service from Cox? I have dreams about FIOS, but I always wake up forever stuck with 5mbps....

[TexasGuy64]

HD VOD is coming

Verizon will be adding the HD VOD in the future, though I am not sure about the projected date. They will steal many customers from cable and sattelite. The 30 mbps is expensive in most most markets, but the 15 mbps is better than anything the cable companies offer in most places. From what I understand.....much more reliable.

[jkaplb]

Former cable customer

Count me in the FIOS camp. I was a Charter cable internet (not TV) customer for years but gave up due to their lousy customer service. Oddly, when I asked for a month's credit after many service outages, they declined, offering a day of credit instead. I said "in that case, cancel me" on a date six weeks in the future. I was surprised to never get a retention call. Now I get mailings from them all the time...but will never go back. FIOS Internet has been rock solid. Other than a less than ideal installation location, I'm very happy. Once their TV offering gets competitive, I'll probably move away from Dish (who have also provided solid service and an exceptional price) simply for the cost savings and consolidated service.

[limefan913]

Due to get FiOS within the next 6mths to a year

And I can't wait. Only thing I worry about is that I live in a townhouse (groan) and so I'm sure Verizon won't be overeager to install fiber lines underground, but it appears like they will. Comcast has already increased speeds to 16/1 here, but I don't like them on a personal level, so the moment that fiber connection is here, I'll be calling... well, once my contract with Comcast is up... meh.

[DrtyDogg]

Almost here

I just finally started paying for comcast tv, but I refused to sign a contract with them because Verizon was already working on laying the fiber lines in my neighborhood. They said it'd be about three months once I saw that, which means I've got about one more month to wait.

[common_sense]

Verizon brings fiber to you door step and then uses the same cable inside the house you have always used. It's not re-wired inside the house. Also, they give these low rates now to get customers and then when they have a big enough base...Rates will go up to what cable offers. The reson cable doesn't keep you is because they know when you contract is up with Fios, their regular prices will be higher due to maintenance cost, programmer contracts, ect. The only reason people say they hate their cable is because it was the only game in town. News flash...Fios is cable. They will be just like all the other cable companies only they will charge more...... but you'll learn. why do you suppose the gas stations always stay near the same price per gallon and 1 certain gas station is 40 cents cheaper....Answer...It may be able to do it for 1 or two days to get customers...but it will feel the sting and have to go back or raise the rate to. Victory to Fios.... they are getting all the customers who don't know better.

[common_sense]

Verizon brings fiber to you door step and then uses the same cable inside the house you have always used. It's not re-wired inside the house. Also, they give these low rates now to get customers and then when they have a big enough base...Rates will go up to what cable offers. The reson cable doesn't keep you is because they know when you contract is up with Fios, their regular prices will be higher due to maintenance cost, programmer contracts, ect. The only reason people say they hate their cable is because it was the only game in town. News flash...Fios is cable. They will be just like all the other cable companies only they will charge more...... but you'll learn. why do you suppose the gas stations always stay near the same price per gallon and 1 certain gas station is 40 cents cheaper....Answer...It may be able to do it for 1 or two days to get customers...but it will feel the sting and have to go back or raise the rate to. Victory to Fios.... they are getting all the customers who don't know better.