Verizon FIOS - No Ashburn Construction in January

The latest construction outlook on the Verizon Virginia web site does not list any Loudoun County construction for January.

http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/va/files/VAConstruction122705.pdf

It would be nice to have some update on when they are thinking of getting back to Ashburn. Does anyone have an inside line to Verizon?

-Jim

 

There is a newer version of the PDF that lists streets in South Riding, Kirkpatrick Farms, and Leesburg.

http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/va/files/VAConstruction010606.pdf

I'm sure Ashburn will be next then some time before then end of time they'll hit Broadlands.

__________________________________________________________
Some software money can't buy. For everything else there's Micros~1

 

Based on all the fun that was to be had installing the underground wiring for the traffic lights at Broadlands Blvd with rock ledge, I would assume that Verizon is rethinking its digging strategy in this area.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

I don't understand why they just don't make conduits for all utils to share when they build out infrastructure.... higher initial cost but you could get those costs back from the utils. It would make it so much easier than the lengthy process of identifying buried cables and then running another one along side.

 

You said it ... higher initial costs ... developers don't want to do more than they have to.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Verizon won't be around through February, either:

http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/va/files/012406_Construction.pdf

 

I know it doesn't apply to the rest of Ashburn, but the majority of Brambleton has been converted to FiOS.

For what it's worth, I do have it on good authority (good friends with some high ups at Verizon) that Ashburn is a high priority for them.

 

Sorry if I don't jump for joy. Even if I do wish that were true. But lets say it IS true I don't think that will translate to Broadlands being high on their list. After all they could have installed a remote DLSAM years ago and they haven't. So we still don't have DSL.

__________________________________________________________
Some software money can't buy. For everything else there's Micros~1

 

FWIW .. I believe Brambleton was already 'wired' for fibre before the Vorlons,er, Verizon came along. []

It does make it much easier to install when someone else goes and puts all the utilities in for you. Here, they have alot more rock to blast through.

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Neil,
You're right we were already wired for fiber. We were one of the first fiber to the premise communities in the country. Verizon did have to do work on the fiber, including swapping out those big ugly boxes in our yards for concrete ones that are flush with the ground. Right now they are converting Phase I homes to FIOS, which means swapping out the obsolete Marconi OEC for an ONT. That said, it's just the internet swap right now. We'll still have a poor cable lineup (Brambleton essentially runs its own cable system) until the county approves Verizon's cable franchise. Phase II residents are wired for FIOS internet from the day they move in.

 

My point exactly ... the developer put fibre in, Broadlands South was fibre from the gitgo, and lordy were they blasting to put that in along with the rest of the utilities.

Broadlands North (I believe) has no such capability (although I need to investigate what that other lead in is for).

Thus they need to do some digging, and based on what they found in the Farm, it is going to take them alot more time & money to get it installed.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Here is the Feb 9th updated doc. Still no Broadlands.

http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/va/files/020906_ConstrUpdate_2.pdf

__________________________________________________________
Some software money can't buy. For everything else there's Micros~1

 

I sent emails a few weeks ago to:

The president of Verizon Virginia, Robert Woltz, robert.w.woltz.jr@verizon.com
Verizon's Community Relations Manager, Steve Clementi, steve.clementi@verizon.com
Verizon's PR rep, Harry Mitchell, harry.j.mitchell@verizon.com

I requested information on status of the FIOS construction in Ashburn and suggested that since the big press release last April perhaps a further update to the community would be nice.

I have received no response. Who here is surprised? The few minutes for the emails was worth the try.

I spoke with Broadland's own Scott Bashore, the county's Broadband Czar, a month ago, he was very nice and helpful, but could not offer any further insight on the Ashburn FIOS construction.

A year ago I was willing to wait a year (until about now) to convert from dial-up to broadband. Especially considering that FIOS is probably faster and is priced cheaper and I wouldn't want to switch everything twice. But, now I am thinking it is time to bite the bullet and go with Adelphia and then be in a position where Verizon has to beg me instead of the reverse.

Has anybody done the Adelphia self install to an upstairs bedroom having to run a piece of coax to get it there? I'm afraid that an Adephia tech would just run it up the siding and poke it through the outside wall. I would like to run it inside. Or, is there a more elegant solution with a wireless router in the basement? Never have done the wireless thing...

-Jim

 

Go wireless. My kids set ours up and it works perfect and I don't see any difference in speed from the one computer hooked directly up and the others wirless. Now I am waiting for wireless TV which I understand is not too far off. Smile

Lee J Buividas

 

Excellent. Thanks for the detailed info.

-Jim

 

I'm not sure what you're using for Dial up but if you're on AOL you can get free (er... for the regular dialup price) broadband (for now) by going to Keyword ASHBURNTRIAL. The wireless broadband trial is only available in the Broadlands area (and maybe parts of Ashburn).

 

Another option is Orb (http://www.orb.com)

I have been using it for the past 2 years to watch live TV on my laptop. Its very functional!

 

Having alot of customers who installed their wireless on the first floor or in the basement, I have to tell you that the higher you put the wireless router the better, unless you buy the Linksys SRX router. Its pricey, but it does cover well.

The alternative ... put the router at the highest point in the house where you have a cable drop. You can use a cable splitter and put it in the upstairs bedroom if you have a drop there, or just run the wire internally where you want, just make sure its upstairs.

I've found that the signal propagates better from the top down, then from the bottom up. Also, you'll want to secure your network. I would go with the Linksys WRT56G series (if you get the 56GS, you'll have to get Wireless NICs with Speedbooster ). Linksys has really made their setup very easy, and foolproof. Again, as long as you have all Linksys NICs, you can do what they call a 'one button secure' option.

Warning ... blatent commercial plug follows:

Or, you can hire me :naanaa: www.personal-techie.com, and I can setup the entire thing for you. Get the hardware, do the install and testing, etc.