Verizon’s FiOS TV had 943k subscribers at the end of 2007, making it the third largest IPTV provider after France Telecom and PCCW. IPTV has been a part of Verizon FiOS TV service since its launch in 2005. FiOS TV utilizes a hybrid QAM / IP platform that uses QAM RF to deliver broadcast channel programming and IPTV to deliver video on-demand content. The middleware is largely proprietary with certain elements inherited from Microsoft. The set top box is sourced from Motorola. An innovate aspect of Verizon’s FiOS TV service is the two-part realization of the whole-home media concept, something that no other (major) IPTV provider or MSO currently offers. Part one is “Home Media DVR” service, a multi-room DVR solution that is delivered by the IP-based FiOS in-home LAN and its IP-enabled STBs. It allows a customer to view different DVR-stored programs on up to three STB-connected TVs (DVR STB + 2 remote terminal STBs) simultaneously in their home with trick-play control and the ability to pause a program in one room and resume watching it in another room. Currently this service delivers SD streams to the two remote terminal STBs but Verizon has disclosed its near-term plans to add HD streaming to Home Media DVR in 1H08.
Part Two is “Media Manager” a software application bundled (at no additional charge) with Home Media DVR. This application allows users to enjoy photo and music files stored on LAN-connected computers on their STB-connected TV, audio system or home theater.
Verizon's FiOS Internet and TV service has the potential to be a threat to cable broadband service providers. The main appeal of FiOS is a fiber optic line directly to the home. Mid-tier service produces 15 Mbps download speeds. The rub: Installation for Verizon can be pricey for the telecom giant as contractors have to lay a fiber optic conduit directly to the home. Here's the step-by-step installation for ZDNet's Larry Dignan. More on the FiOS experience can be found on Between the Lines. First step (beyond the initial phone call of course) was to install a conduit for the fiber optic line to the home. In my neighborhood, all power and phone lines are buried so laying the line required some digging.
Each fiber-optic hub serves 12 homes. Each house has a connection once the fiber-optic lines are run through the conduits (orange tubes). These run under the street to my house. I'll be the second house in the 12 homes served by this hub to get FiOS. Each house has its own line.
This is the box that is attached to the house to connect the fiber-optic line with Verizon's central office. This box is made by Tellabs, a telecom equipment maker.
Download speeds thus far hover around 15 mbps with the spike here and there. Speed test conducted at Speakeasy.net.