While Frontier’s $8.5 billion acquisition of six million users consists largely of DSL and landline customers, there are roughly 100 million FiOS customers that also have been transitioned to Frontier. Back in June Frontier’s now-changed FAQ insisted nothing was supposed to change for these FiOS customers except for a “more focused local management approach for all your services.” Apparently not. Freshly-transitioned customers are now being informed that despite the fact the users will be paying the same price — they’re losing access to the following services:
•Verizon TV Central (allowed users to manage DVR recordings via wireless)
•Online TV Listings
•Remote DVR Access Online (allowed users to schedule recordings online)
•FiOS Mobile Remote (allowed users to use phone as set top remote)
•FiOS TV Online (Verizon’s “TV Anywhere” initiative that offered Internet video)
•HBO Go access (HBO’s new broadband video portal)
•Epix Online access (additional Internet video offering)
Depending on how much you use these, this may or may not be a big deal to you. Note that Frontier is promising to finish up any of the remaining build out requirements that were demanded of Verizon under already-signed franchise agreements. However those build outs will be minimal — and Frontier’s in no financial position (especially now that they’ve taken on $3 billion in Verizon debt) to seriously deploy fiber to the home technology any time soon.