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Fast Internet service zips into New Tampa

Verizon unveils Fios, its new fiber-optic system, which it will offer in three levels.

By RODNEY THRASH
Published April 3, 2005

NEW TAMPA - Rejoice, dialup Internet users.

Verizon has debuted its new fiber-optic network in New Tampa, making the northeast Hillsborough suburb one of only five Florida communities with fast Internet service.

How fast, you ask?

"Dialup service would be like watching a turtle walk," company spokesman Bob Elek said. "DSL and cable service is like watching a rabbit go and our Fios service is like watching a cheetah run. It's incredibly faster than anything out there."

Last year, Verizon started replacing copper wires that used to connect homes and businesses to its network with higher-capacity fiber-optic cables. Ultimately, the cables will provide residents with advanced phone, Internet and video services.

There were kinks along the way. Crews punctured gas and sewer lines from Northdale to South Tampa, discharging gaseous fumes, stalling traffic and shutting down businesses.

So often were the snags that, at one point, Hillsborough County issued Verizon a stop-work order. The order was lifted in December. None of the breaks occurred in New Tampa, which will soon have advanced video services in addition to high-speed Internet.

"(Fiber-optic cable's) got unlimited capability in its capacity to handle data," Elek said.

"Video chats and conferencing, purchased digital movie downloads and interactive multiplayer games have become a part of their daily lives," said Alan Ciamporcero, president of Verizon's Southeast region.

Verizon will offer the Fios system in three levels:

5 megabits per second: $34.95 per month with phone service, $39.95 without.

15 megabits per second: $44.95 per month with phone service, $49.95 without.

30 megabits per second: $179.95 per month with phone service. $199.95 without.

In addition to New Tampa, Verizon has debuted Fios in Wesley Chapel, areas west of the University of South Florida, Keystone and South Tampa.

- Rodney Thrash can be reached at 813 269-5313 or rthrash@sptimes.com

Fios service is now available to customers in the 813 area code whose phone numbers begin with the following prefixes: 805, 827, 828, 830, 831, 832, 835, 837, 839, 902, 558, 615, 631, 632, 886, 903, 905, 910, 971, 972, 974, 975, 977, 978, 979, 907, 973, 991, 994, 792, 920 and 926. For more information, go to www.verizon.net/fios

[Last modified April 2, 2005, 10:10:05]