New Internet Install questions

Question

We will be having FIOS (internet only, 200/200 speed) installed in our home in the next few weeks. We plan to use our own router. Will Verizon connect our router to the ONT, or will we need to do that ourselves? Best guess is ONT will be placed in the basement, and we would ideally place the router one floor above in the living room. My understanding is that Verizon does not do "interior wiring", but the run would be pretty straight forward from where I assume the ONT will be placed and where we would like to place the router. If we need to run our own cable, what class ethernet cable is best?

gs0b · Accepted Answer

I'm not sure why another poster mentioned coax; maybe they mis-read your query.  Coax will not be used for your install.  As you asked, this is all about Ethernet.

Verizon will install Ethernet.  What they don't do is fish walls.  They will tack it to the outside of walls.  They may run part of it outside depending on the particulars of the home.

The fiber typically enters the home near where other utilities come in.  If you have an existing phone line (even unused), that is likely where the fiber will enter.  If you have an area near that entry point with easy access to power, that is a good spot for the ONT.  They also have indoor fiber that they can use to reach other locations.  Similar to Ethernet, it is run on the outside of walls.

Depending on the amount of work needed to run Ethernet or fiber, they may charge additional fees.  Be sure to clearly communicate with the Verizon tech if you think this is an issue.

If you want Ethernet fished through walls, install it yourself or hire someone.  Running a cable from a basement to the 1st floor isn't too hard, especially if the basement is unfinished or has drop ceilings.  If you have an Ethernet run ready for the Verizon tech, they will happily use it.  Anything you do to make their job easier and faster is appreciated.

CAT-5e is fine for Gigabit.  Anything else is likely overkill, unless you're going to install a faster than gigabit LAN in your home.  In my opinion, it's going to be many, many years before home users can subscribe to ISP packages over 1Gbps, let alone will need such speeds.  If you think that future is sooner, you could consider CAT-6.

Officially, Verizon does not support any routers except their own.  Their techs will likely plug Ethernet into your router, but won't do any testing or verification.  If it doesn't work, they won't help.  To verify the install, they will want to put a Verizon router in place.  Worst case, you let them do that and leave you with a rental, which you return within a month after you get your router working.