**This is a guest post, not written by myself.**
Despite some speculations, television still is the leading source of entertainment and most people still spend most of their time in front of it. However, the rumors that internet is threatening the television industry is not entirely without basis. Many of our daily activities, both necessary and recreational, are done through the web. But television providers have already seen through this. Their solution to the internet's aggressive growth is to incorporate it into their TV service.
From analogue signals, TV's had recently switched into using digital signals. This means that TV signals are now being transported in a computer language. This allows for more data to be sent over the air or through cables. In a way, internet language and TV language are now the same. This enables TV service carriers to provide TV and internet services using a single fiber optic line. Examples of this service are AT&T U-Verse, Verizon FiOS, Comcast Xfinity, and so on.
Because of the services' great potential and affordable bundled services, many people are attracted to it. This has led to strict competition between the carriers; particularly Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-Verse. Thus, if you are looking to subscribe into this new brand of cable connection, you should carefully select your carrier of choice as a lot of choices are to be had and significant differences in services offered can be seen if careful comparisons are made.
On one hand, we have AT&T U-Verse. On the other is Verizon FiOS. Both offers the same line of services but have significantly different offers and service quality. In this article, we will be comparing the two in terms of the following criteria: Internet, TV, Telephone, Availability, Signal Reception, Customer Service, Bundled services price.
INTERNET
AT&T U-Verse – U-Verse offers internet packages that can range from the basic package of 3Mbps for $38 up to the premium of 24Mbps for $63. According to FCC surveys, AT&T U-Verse's internet connection has competitive speed and stability. However, it is not as remarkable as Verizon FiOS, Cox Internet, or Comcast Xfinity.
Verizon FiOS - FiOS internet offers ranges from 15Mbps for $54 a month up to 150Mbps for $199 a month. According to surveys, Verizon FiOS has the best internet connection (by far) in terms of speed and stability.
Comparison - In terms of dollar per Mbps and the maximum speed offered, Verizon FiOS tops over AT&T U-verse. In fact, based on the chart, AT&T has a lot of catching up to do with FiOS staying uncontested at the top while U-Verse is struggling to compete with other internet carriers. So if you are after high-end internet services, Verizon FiOS is the way to go.
TELEVISION
AT&T U-Verse - AT&T U-Verse offers 130 channels on its basic package. In premium, it can offer up to 430 channels with 145 HD channels that you can choose from a 170-HD channel line-up.
Verizon FiOS - FiOS offers 200+ channels for $64 in its basic package. The carrier can boast up to 380+ channels in it premium package and it is available for $89 per month.
Comparison - If you are going for a basic package, FiOS has an advantage as it offers more channels for a cheaper rate. However, if variety is your thing and you would like to have over 400 channels, then AT&T can live up to your expectations more than FiOS. In terms of the channel selections and content, AT&T U-Verse and Verizon FiOS are almost the same.
AVALABILITY AND RECEPTION
Since both AT&T and Verizon are based on fiber optic connections, both have the same set of pros and cons. Both enjoy clear connections with interruptions being very rare. However, both also have limited availability as a direct cable line is required to enjoy the service. Being too far away from the main line or the source can mean that you will be unable to subscribe into the service. Another disadvantage to this particular type of connection is that repairs can be troublesome.
However, although they share the same characteristics, there are still significant differences such as the size of the network and the broadcasting quality. In terms of both, there are some customer reports that suggest that FiOS is better and that U-Verse is suffering from "spotty" reception. However, these reports are still inconclusive and may merely be isolated cases.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Unlike satellite based services, cable based issues are more complicated and cannot be solved by simple re-alignments. More often, cable issues (although they rarely happen) require cable replacement which requires professional skills and technical knowledge. And when it comes to this, customer feedback suggests that Verizon FiOS has better response time when it comes to repairs and maintenance requests.
AFFORDABILITY
AT&T U-Verse - On its basic triple bundle for $89 a month, AT&T U-Verse offers 130 channels, 3Mbps internet connection, and 250 minutes worth of calls. Its premium package costs $161 a month and has 430 channels, 12Mbps internet connection, and unlimited calls to anywhere in the USA and Canada.
Verizon FiOS - The basic Verizon FiOS package costs $84 per month. It includes 15 Mbps internet, prime HD channel package, and unlimited calls. Its premium package costs $100 per month and it includes 380 channels, 25 Mbps internet, and unlimited calls.
Comparison - If you are going for a basic package, then Verizon FiOS offers much, much more than AT&T U-Verse. For the same price of $89, you will be getting more TV channels, unlimited calls (as opposed to 250 minutes), and 5x the internet speed. On the premium package, FiOS offers cheaper rates that are almost half the competition's rate. With this you will be getting 380 channels (less than U-Verse), 25 Mbps internet (which is twice as U-Verse's), and an unlimited telephone connection.
Aside from the TV channels, there is no reason why you should not go with FiOS over U-Verse. FiOS is cheap and can be made cheaper using Verizon fios promotion codes. Aside from being cheaper, it also offers better features and the same (if not better) level of customer service.
**This is a guest post, not written by myself. I was compensated for this post**
No comments:
Post a Comment