Switch to Digital Voice
JustaGuy
Contributor - Level 2

Currently I have FIOS Triple Service and the phone portion is Freedom Essentials.  I would like to switch the phone portion to Digital Voice.  My contract is long ago up and I am on a month to month basis.  Digital Voice is available in my neighborhood (Private Homes).  Neighbor on both sides of me have it.   I was talking to Customer Service about a different issue last week and in passing asked about switching.  The agent told me that Verizon is not currently switching customers due to technical/billing problems.  I didn't have time then to pursue it further, however I was wondering if I received valid information. 

Does anyone know about this or even better, has anyone tried either successfully or unsuccessfully to make the switch from Freedom to Digital Voice?

0 Likes
Reply
16 Replies
indecisive311
Enthusiast - Level 2

I've been wondering this too. I'm a techy guy, and always getting the latest apps, and devices. Smartphones have an app that allows you to check your voicemail, and is only available for Digital Voice customers. Plus Digital Voice customers don't have to pay one of the FCC fees I'm told, saving a few bucks a month.

I just got off the phone with customer service about trying to upgrade to Digital Voice, and I got some run-around reason that customers were being upgraded that didn't want to be, and it was a huge billing issue. So they limited who is elligible to only new customers with new installations. Same thing you heard pretty much....

I think if you want the service, you should be able to get it, especially if you are a long time Verizon customer. Sounds like they just want to avoid the cost of sending a technician out to your house....

0 Likes
Reply
JustaGuy
Contributor - Level 2

@indecisive311 wrote:

I've been wondering this too. I'm a techy guy, and always getting the latest apps, and devices. Smartphones have an app that allows you to check your voicemail, and is only available for Digital Voice customers. Plus Digital Voice customers don't have to pay one of the FCC fees I'm told, saving a few bucks a month.

I just got off the phone with customer service about trying to upgrade to Digital Voice, and I got some run-around reason that customers were being upgraded that didn't want to be, and it was a huge billing issue. So they limited who is elligible to only new customers with new installations. Same thing you heard pretty much....

I think if you want the service, you should be able to get it, especially if you are a long time Verizon customer. Sounds like they just want to avoid the cost of sending a technician out to your house....


Not exactly what he told me.  He stated that switching caused major problems in the billing department and they were working on fixing it and they intended to offer the service to ALL customers in the near future.  While that is somewhat different than the  "only new customers" can get it, the result at least for now is the same.

I will wait until this billing cycle ends, because I have some changes in the works and I want to keep the billing as simple as possible. In fact I will probably give it a few months as I don't really want to switch.  I will then do as the other poster sugested, which I was already considering. I will give Verizon a choice -  provide Digital Voice Phone service or NO phone service.

0 Likes
Reply
jumpin68ny
Master - Level 2

Prisaz, what's the deal with the $5 charge for no phone line?  I haven't had a voice line with VZ in years and don't pay an extra $5. 

0 Likes
Reply
indecisive311
Enthusiast - Level 2

I would love to hear from a VZ rep...

0 Likes
Reply
prisaz
Legend

@jumpin68ny wrote:

Prisaz, what's the deal with the $5 charge for no phone line?  I haven't had a voice line with VZ in years and don't pay an extra $5. 


When I looked at bundle pricing a while back, I was something about a $4.99 surcharge for FiOS without voice because of account management issues. I was also told this by a CSR last year when I considered dropping voice. But sis see it on the web site at one time. I will look around.

0 Likes
Reply
indecisive311
Enthusiast - Level 2

I just did an online chat with someone and they said it didn't matter if I was a new customer or not, they could upgrade me to Digital Voice if I wanted it. They would just have to change the bundle? They said I was given wrong information. Looks like another call....

JustaGuy
Contributor - Level 2

@indecisive311 wrote:

I just did an online chat with someone and they said it didn't matter if I was a new customer or not, they could upgrade me to Digital Voice if I wanted it. They would just have to change the bundle? They said I was given wrong information. Looks like another call....


It would be appreciated if you post back after you do and let us know what happened

0 Likes
Reply
prisaz
Legend

Well my cost will increase next month so I will not make changes in March. So yes, please post back how it goes. A year ago I was told the same thing, to switch from FiOS POTS to DV it would require a bundle change. My main reason for not switching, my bundle discounts are up next month so I will stick with it for another month. I will probably change bundles and commit to another two years. I have been with FiOS from the start and have no current plans on leaving. So change bundles if you must and get whatever deal you can. They are fairly reasonable in these types of situations when you are willing to stay commited to the FiOS service. Good luck and enjoy.

0 Likes
Reply
jumpin68ny
Master - Level 2

Do they have 2 year commitements?  My double play pricing commitement expires 4/1 and would go from 79 to 89 but CS offered me a one year price committement and $10 monthly discount for being a loyal customer.

0 Likes
Reply
prisaz
Legend

@jumpin68ny wrote:

Do they have 2 year commitements?  My double play pricing commitement expires 4/1 and would go from 79 to 89 but CS offered me a one year price committement and $10 monthly discount for being a loyal customer.


I believe if it is a $10 discount in your situation, it seems to put you right where you are now for another year. Seems reasonable to me. As far as a two year deal, you may get a better discount, but only for the first year. Only Verizon knows what they will do or not do. IMHO I would take it and just go with the flow. You were not clear if it was a 2 year service commitment and one year price committement and $10 monthly discount.

This thread has seemed to go off topic in regards to digital voice. Perhaps I started leading the thread astray. Next month I will look to see about switching to DV. Waiting to hear others experiences in their switch. If and when they take the plunge.

0 Likes
Reply
lcrowe
Newbie

I have called to switch several times over the past year or so and always get the same response.  "You will be able to switch to Digital Voice very soon."  This time very soon is supposed to be July but I think I was told July last year too so I'm not going to hold my breath.  Very frustrating to not be able to get a direct, consistant and honest answer from Verizon on this issue and not the usual run around...

0 Likes
Reply
JustaGuy
Contributor - Level 2

@indecisive311 wrote:

I just did an online chat with someone and they said it didn't matter if I was a new customer or not, they could upgrade me to Digital Voice if I wanted it. They would just have to change the bundle? They said I was given wrong information. Looks like another call....


It has been more than a week and I was wondering if you made that call and what happened if you did. 

Thanks

0 Likes
Reply
indecisive311
Enthusiast - Level 2

No I never called but I have been sending direct messages back and forth via twitter. Here is the convo... (I like how they tell me it is available, and then at then end isn't.) Same **bleep** different day...

ME:

had Fios for years, and I want to upgrade to Digital Voice. I've been told that I can and can't do it by different VZ reps.    
VZ: 
Thanks for the DM. Please fill out our form athttp://www22.verizon.com/onecms/verizonsupport?ID=indecisive311Thanks^SRW
VZ: 
Checked your address and I do see digital voice is available. Will check w/ billing on why they advised it was not available. ^jra
VZ:
Will follow up when billing opens on Monday. Thanks ^jra
ME:
Jra, thanks for the follow up
VZ:
Good Afternoon, Unfortunately FDV is not available to current customers. Thanks^SRW
ME:
Can I ask why? It doesn't really make sense... so ill never be able to have this service?
ME:
I was also hoping for more of an explanation, rather than a one-liner like I've been getting from every rep I've talked to.
VZ:
Due to network enhancements FDV is currently not available in your area, we hope to have it available soon for existing customers. ^SRW
0 Likes
Reply
JustaGuy
Contributor - Level 2

Wow!

Just don't have a better response to it.

0 Likes
Reply
indecisive311
Enthusiast - Level 2

Just to let you know, I finally talked to someone today, who switched me to digital voice. I called with the intent of cancelling my triple play bundle, and going with a double play and paying on an economy phone plan since I don't use it that often. Turns out I wouldn't be saving that much, so I inquired about digital voice, and she offered to switch me.

Long road, but I got there. The number I called was 1-888-583-8111.

0 Likes
Reply
rmplatt
Newbie

I had the same experience today.  When I signed up for the triple play last  month, the rep said that I'd save the $6 FCC charge, but when I looked at my bill, it was still there.  After calling today, the rep told me that existing customers are not being allowed to switch to digital voice for programming reasons... he didn't know when they would be resolved, but did say that I would get something in the mail when they were.  

I hope they fix it...  But when I put my tin foil hat on, I get the feeling that someone has told them to stop switching current taxpayers to the tax free service, or the screws will be tightened and they'll force the taxes onto voip plans as well... we'll see what happens.

0 Likes
Reply