Jim Plumb

Huh? What’s the connection you say? It seems some of the ONT frequencies match some garage door opener’s remote frequencies and people have had their doors mysteriously stop working after the Verizon FIOS guy left. Here’s one story:

WE had FiOs installed a couple weeks ago and I just *LOVE* it but on the same day that we had the install, our garage door remotes didn’t work as well opening our door. Today when I got home it wouldn’t open it at all! My husband insisted I call Verizon and I felt like such a fool calling because I just knew FiOS had nothing to do with our problem and right when I was telling the tech guy “Well you’re gonna think I’m crazy but………” and he said Ahhhhhhhhh they didn’t think it was their problem either until more and more people will current installs starting reporting the same problem. Soooooooooo, now I have to eat crow and tell my husband he was right! LOL

They are coming out tomorrow to put shield and/or padding around the ONT to stop the interference. Just thought I would post it here in case someone else thinks they’re crazy too!

Well it turns out that the tech that said the ONT needed shielding and or padding was incorrect. The problem was that in some cases the brand and model of the garage door unit is on the same frequency as the ONT and BB so once he replaced the panel everything was back to normal working conditions. The installer however did not believe us at first that the problem was be causing by Verizon and thought it was just something else and the tech that told us that was nutz! It’s not until we kept insisting and did a little test by trying to open the garage door from the remote with the ONT plugged in (which the remote did not work) and then unplugging the ONT and VOILA! The garage door opener worked fine! He was stumped and it’s not until he called the *GURU* of all Southern Calif. and found out that there indeed has been a rash of complaints on this very matter did he believe us and install a new board as reccommended by the Guru. If it were not for the test we did before his eyes and our continued insistence, I don’t think this installer would have done anything or called the guru. Sometimes it does pay to be stubborn. lol

From dslreports.com

New Video Service Harnesses the Speed and Capacity of Broadband
With the Power of Broadcast to Offer Consumer Choice in TV

KELLER, Texas, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ — The future of television arrived today in a blaze of fiber-optic light, as Verizon unveiled Verizon FiOS TV to residents of this city 30 miles west of Dallas. Verizon will begin taking customer orders for FiOS TV today in Keller, and make it available in communities across Verizon’s footprint in the future.

“This is not cable TV. This is not satellite. This is FiOS TV,” said Bob
Ingalls, president of Verizon’s Retail Markets Group. “Customers who liked
what FiOS did for their Internet connection will love what it does for their
TV. We’ve harnessed the speed and capacity of broadband with the power of
broadcast to create a revolutionary, new entertainment experience.”
FiOS TV is designed to compete with cable and satellite and win. It is
delivered over Verizon’s fiber-to-the-premises network, which has industry-
leading quality and reliability. Fiber delivers amazingly sharp pictures and
sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition
programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV
screen.

Verizon’s network design includes backup facilities not common to traditional
cable systems, such as duplicate “head ends” where the TV service receives
national programming.

Service highlights include:

* A broad collection of all-digital programming and compelling consumer
choice - with more than 330 total channels at launch and more on the way.

* A lead offer with more than 180 digital video and music channels, for $39.95 a month.

* More than 20 high-definition channels, with extraordinary clarity and theater-quality sound.

* Nearly 600 video-on-demand titles available to customers now, with 1,800 by year-end.

* A wide range of local and special-interest channels not found on most cable and satellite systems.

* Channels grouped by genres such as entertainment, sports, news, shopping, movies and family, making it easy for audiences to find their favorite programming.

* An easy-to-use interactive programming guide that integrates HD programming, video-on-demand and the digital video recorder along with broadcast television into a seamless user experience.

Verizon has secured the necessary programming rights to launch its FiOS TV service in Keller today.

Verizon provides FiOS TV over the largest fiber-to-the-premises network in
the country, delivering the power and capacity of fiber optics directly into
people’s homes. A year ago, the company launched FiOS Internet Service in
Keller, where today about 30 percent of eligible households have purchased the
high-speed service. (More information about FiOS TV and fiber optics is
available in Verizon’s online News Center at »www.verizon.com/news.)
With today’s announcement, Verizon concludes its successful trial of FiOS
TV with employees and Keller residents. Following the service rollout in
Keller, Verizon will offer FiOS TV to additional households in Wylie, Sachse
and Westlake, Texas, later this year. Those cities negotiated video
franchises prior to the enactment of the state’s new franchise law. Verizon
will then expand FiOS TV to cities in Florida, Virginia and California, where
it has already obtained video franchises. In addition to Wylie, Sachse and
Westlake, Verizon is planning FiOS TV deployment in other Texas communities,
and it will offer the service in additional markets as it gets government
approval to do so.

“FiOS TV will connect with customers because it offers them choice, value
and simplicity,” Ingalls said. “We have a great offer today, but it will get
even better as we add programming and interactive services. Our employees and
customers helped us improve the service during trials this summer, and we’ll
continue to upgrade based on what we learn from our customers.”
FiOS TV subscribers will enjoy 100 percent digital programming, as well as
access to a large selection of video-on-demand content. Today’s cable
operators typically have to upsell customers from analog to digital-tier
packages to make more sophisticated services like video-on-demand and high-
definition programming available, if they offer those services. To simplify
customer choice, FiOS TV packages and prices will be the same everywhere, with
only the local and community channels varying by market.

FiOS TV subscribers can choose from three simple-to-understand service
offerings, each with built-in choice and value. They can then choose from
packages and premium channels with programming that meets their special
interests. Verizon offers three set-top boxes: standard definition for $3.95
per month; high definition, which includes HD channels, for $9.95 per month;
and a digital video recorder set-top box with HD channels for $12.95 per
month.

The services include:
* Basic, with access to 15-35 local broadcast, weather and community
channels, as well as video-on-demand, for $12.95 per month. The service
is digital with a set-top box. Basic is also available as an analog
service that does not require a set-top box for viewing.

* Expanded Basic, Verizon’s lead offer, delivers more than 180 video and
music channels for $39.95 a month. This tier includes access to 600 on-
demand titles now, with 1,800 by year end. This service requires a
standard-definition set-top box or a high-definition set-top box for HD
channels.

* La Conexion, a tier designed for bilingual consumers who enjoy TV
programs in English and Spanish, for $32.95 per month. The package
includes nearly 140 channels with English- and Spanish-language
programming and access to nearly 600 on-demand titles.
This service requires a standard-definition set-top box or a high-
definition set-top box for HD channels.

Consumers with a passion for sports or movies can add a 15-channel sports
package for $5.95 a month, and a movie package, with 45 channels of Starz,
Encore, Showtime and The Movie Channel, for $11.95 a month. Or, they can buy
both for $14.95 a month. Verizon also will offer 14 HBO channels and 12
Cinemax channels as premium services, with each set of channels available for
$14.95. Subscribers who want both HBO and Cinemax will pay $24.95 per month.
Programming choices for African-American, Asian, Russian and other
multicultural and ethnic audiences will be available in every market. Because
FiOS TV has so much capacity, it will also be an outlet for emerging and
independent networks to showcase their diverse programming.
FiOS TV will also offer thousands of hours of on-demand programming,
including hundreds of titles of free video-on-demand programs across topics
such as sports, news, information and education, home and leisure, family,
children’s shows and movies. Customers can order new movie releases for $3.95
each and selections from a movie library for $2.95 each.

The value of FiOS TV extends to the installation and customer support.
Specially trained Verizon technicians will install the service and acquaint
subscribers with FiOS TV features and services. Verizon is waiving the
installation fee for up to three existing TV outlets, and there is no charge
to install a needed optical network terminal at the subscriber’s home.
Charges for other installation services, such as additional outlets, may
apply. Verizon provides 24×7 technical assistance by phone from its Fiber
Solutions Centers in Dallas and other cities.

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc.
(NYSE: VZ) is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services.
Verizon has a diverse work force of more than 214,000 in four business units:
Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other
telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and
operates the nation’s most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million
voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services
operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce
services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and
investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information,
visit »www.verizon.com.

VERIZON’S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches
and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other
information are available at Verizon’s News Center on the World Wide Web at
»www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News
Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

SOURCE Verizon
Web Site: »www.verizon.com
Company News On Call: Company News On-Call:
»www.prnewswire.com/comp/094251.html

From Newsday:
Massapequa Park Village trustees last night unanimously approved a proposal that would make it the first municipality in New York to allow Verizon Communications to debut its cable television service.

The action now needs approval from the state Public Service Commission. Village Attorney Kevin Walsh said he expected the PSC to review the agreement’s language relating to its own jurisdiction, but not to get involved in the “pros and cons” of the service.

The mayor and trustees voted 5-0 after a public hearing that drew more than 200 people, most of whom appeared to favor the agreement. The mood and size of the audience was similar to that at a public hearing two weeks ago, with many residents welcoming the possibility of having the choice of another cable service provider.

Cablevision, the only cable TV provider on Long Island, vigorously contested the proposal, arguing the contract would give Verizon unfair advantages.

…

Last week, Verizon rolled out its service, FiOS TV, in Texas, offering rates that would generally undercut competitors there. Basic FiOS TV service was set at $12.95 a month, with expanded basic available at $39.95.

Full Article

This is a great deal. Cable TV needs a run for its money. Comcast are you listening?

I took our Honda Civic Hybrid over to the dealer to get the ECM recall done last week. My wife drives the car the most and she reports noticing slightly more “pep”. I could see why that might be if, as Honda reports, the fuel mixture was too lean. Our mileage seems to be running the same: high 40s to low 50s, so no difference there.

I’m gonna give a plug to the dealer, Ragsdale Honda in Westborough, MA. The building is shiny new and their service department is open to 9 p.m. and friendly as well.

On a related note, a day or two before we brought the car in for the recall, the engine light came on. They diagnosed the light and found problems with the catalytic converter and sensor. Luckily these items are under warranty.

Got something interesting in the mail the other day, a recall notice for my Civic Hybrid. It seems the car may be running a little lean. Is that how I’m able to get such good gas mileage?

Text of the notice:

July 2005
Product Update: 2003-05 Civic Hybrid

Dear Civic Owner:

This letter is to notify you of a potential problem with your Civic Hybrid and what you should do to resolve it.

What is the problem?
The engine control module (ECM) software in certain 2003-05 Civic Hybrids is improperly programmed, making the engine run slightly lean. Eventually, this can cause the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the instrument panel to come on and lead to failure of an important part of the vehicle’s emission system, the catalytic converter. Also the ECM could misinterpret normal oil pressure rise during the first engine start after an oil change.

Additionally, we will update your IMA battery management system to meet the current specifications.

What should you do?
Call your Honda dealer and make an appointment to have your vehicle updated. The dealer will update the software in the ECM to protect the catalytic converter and the IMA battery from damage. This work will be done free of charge. Please plan to leave your vehicle at the dealer for half a day to allow them flexibility in scheduling.

California Residents
After doing the repair, your dealer will give you a Proof of Correction certificate. Keep this certificate for your records as proof that the product update was complete. Submit this certificate to the DMV only if they request it.

NOTE: This free product update offer expires July 31, 2006

What to do if you feel this notice is in error.
Our records show that you are the current owner or lessee of a 2003-05 Civic Hybrid involved in this product update. If this is not the case, or the name/address information is incorrect, please fill out and return the enclosed, postage-paid Information Change Card. We will then update our records.

If you have questions.
If you have any questions about this notice, or need assistance with contacting a Honda Dealer, please call Honda Automotive Customer Service at (800) 999-1009.

We apologize for any inconvenience this update may cause you.

Sincerely,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Division

Seeing that gas is now running around $2.20 or so, the civic hybrid sure looks like a great buy. We’re still getting 50 or so mles per gallon in the summer. It’s been less in the winter, 47-48, probably because of the heater/defroster might be on a lot and also, one of the great gas-saving features, auto-stop, doesn’t kick in.

Here’s something interesting that happened recently, and another good reason to get a hybrid. Besides the great mileage, we found a feature in our civic hybrid we weren’t aware of until recently. We were getting very good mileage on the current tankful, something like 53 or 54 and we had 640 miles on the tank. I knew we were getting close to empty, but I wanted to get home and take a picture of the dash to show the mileage. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it home because I ran out of gas…but I didn’t need to call AAA or whatever to come and give me gas, because I was able to drive on the electric part of the engine! I drove the 1/2 mile to the nearest gas station on that electric engine at a snail’s pace of 10 mph. I ended up with 642 miles on that tankful of gas.

Before I called Verizon tech support I checked around to see if there were any tweaks to help my connection get up to speed. I found on dslreports.com some settings for the 15/2 fios package. You need to get a free tool from Cablenut.com in order to apply the tweak settings to your windows registry. I applied the tweak and my speeds are much better. See below for the new speed test. Hooey! that’s fast.

Next on the agenda is connecting the comcast and fios networks with a dual wan router!

Installation of Verizon FIOS went pretty much without a hitch as most of the infrastructure had already been set up. Today (Friday), the guy ran a line from the Optical Network Terminal, otherwise know as an ONT box, which is outside, to my network area inside the house and plugged it into a D-Link DI-604 4-port broadband router.

He connected his laptop and got things configured and did a speed test at infospeed.verizon.net. He got around 10mbs once and other times got around 6 mbs. The line is rated at 15 mbps upload and 2 mbps download. He called his supervisor about the speed but the guy was in a meeting or something. The tech said this was his first 15 mb install so didn’t have anything to compare it to. I’ve done a few tests myself since then and haven’t been able to get above 7 mbps.

The picture above is a speed test with the best speed. I would think I should be able to get at least 12 from the verizon server. In any case I’ll have to call them tomorrow and see what they can do about the speed. If they can’t increase it, I’ll downgrade my service to the 5 mbps level.

A Verizon installation guy came yesterday to install the basic infrastructure of the FIOS system. Here are the details.

He ran a fiber optic cable from the telephone pole to my house. The cable has “Corning Optic” printed on it. It goes to the box pictured above. He says that by the Fall, we should have video access (cable tv) as well. Hope the prices are better than what I’m paying Comcast: their prices seem to go up a couple of times a year and who needs that!

In the garage, he installed the power supply and a battery backup. It looks like the clients are responsible for powering the fiber. Full installation will be complete tomorrow. Can’t wait to see the download speeds.

I’d read a bit about Verizon FIOS a couple of months ago and tried to sign up for it, but it wasn’t available in my town, although my town (Hopkinton) was one of those listed in Massachusetts to get it. A Verizon rep told me they’d send out a mailing when it was ready.

I received a Western Union Mailgram yesterday, informing me that Verizon FIOS is available in my town! I signed up for installation today and should be getting it next Friday, April 15.

They offer three levels of service: 5 mbps/2 mbps dl/ul for $34.95 per month, 15 mbps/2mbps for $49.95/month and 30 mbps/5mbps for 179.95/month. Along with that you get free install, a 4 port router, MSN with 9 email accounts. I signed up for the 15 mb range and will be using it in my home office. I’ve been leaching off my home service, which is comcast. This is residential service, therefore uses dynamic IP. Once Business FIOS comes out, I’ll probably upgrade to that as you get 5 static IP addresses included and I want to setup a web server in my office.