Still No Verizon FIOS Service for You If You Live in Roosevelt Island's Westview Building - Why Is That RY Management? And What About the Elevator Renovations Paid For By Rent Increases 2 Years Ago?

Image of FIOS from Verizon

The other day I struck up a conversation at the Riverwalk Bar & Grill with a new Roosevelt Island resident who recently moved into Westview.

Image of Westview Entrance

The new Roosevelt Islander was not happy that Verizon FIOS service was unavailable at Westview and that Time Warner Cable and Internet service was the only choice for building residents. Being a former Time Warner Internet subscriber who switched to  FIOS internet several years ago, I understood the dissatisfaction.

I asked Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President and Westview resident Matt Katz about FIOS service for Westview. Mr. Katz responded:

I have been informed by Jennifer Jones, on-site manager for R-Y Management, that Westview and Island House owners have been in negotiation with Verizon for FiOS service. Unfortunately, I’ve been hearing that for at least the past year. I asked for a follow-up on this ambiguous information as recently as April 18, but have yet to get a response. I’ve also asked for information regarding the renovation of Westview’s four elevators, work that was paid for by the tenants two rent increases ago. Again, I was told there was a contract in negotiation, but no start time for the work has been shared with me. The Westview Task Force, a corporation created in 2003 to represent the 361 leaseholders in Westview at rent hearings and in privatization discussions, has declined to ask these questions, with the elevator questions pending since a June 2010 inspection report by DHCR requiring R-Y Management to present a plan to replace these 35-year-old antiques. The lack of shared information is appalling.

Here is the website for RY Management and the Westview Task Force.

Google Ultra High Speed Broadband Service For Roosevelt Island In Exchange For Tram Naming Rights & Access To NYC Media Market? What A Deal!!!!!!

Google Roosevelt Island Tram Cabin In Exchange For Ultra High Broadband?

As reported in this earlier post via Google:

Google is planning to launch an experiment that we hope will make Internet access better and faster for everyone. We plan to test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country. Our networks will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today, over 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We'll offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

From now until March 26th, we're asking interested municipalities to provide us with information about their communities through a Request for information (RFI), which we'll use to determine where to build our network.

Communities all over America are extolling their virtues vying to be a recipient of Google's ultra high speed Internet service.

According to the NY Times:

...The mayor of Duluth, Minn., threw himself into the ice-ringed waters of Lake Superior. The mayor of Sarasota, Fla., immersed himself in a tank filled with bonnethead sharks, simply to one-up him. The mayor of Wilmington, N.C., said that he would even jump out of an airplane — with a parachute, of course....

and Mashable reports:

...First there was Topeka, KS, which renamed itself by proclamation to Google, KS. Then Duluth, MN upped the ante by promising (comedically, we hope) to name all the town’s first-born children after Google. Then Greenville, SC entered the fray with their all-out “We Are Feeling Lucky” social media campaign that included a landing page, YouTube channel, Facebook events, and Twitter hashtag....

This earlier post suggested Roosevelt Island would be a great place for Google to select. What does Roosevelt Island bring to the table in exchange for being a Google ultra high speed broadband test community? Despite being a small urban community of approximately 13,000, we are in the world's largest media market and could generate unlimited global publicity and exposure to Google while at the same time being an Island in the East River having a limited geographic region to wire.

Another factor, Roosevelt Island is under the political jurisdiction of a single governmental entity, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), which has the ability, if it wishes, to move quickly with little bureaucratic impediments. Also, two hospitals on the Island, Coler Goldwater Hospital, with Cornell-Weill and New York Presbyterian Hospital right across the East River could participate by experimenting with medical usage of ultra high speed broadband access.

Let's not forget that the Roosevelt Island Tram is a major New York City tourist attraction with people from all over the world viewing the fantastic skyline and waterfront views as they ride it over the East River. After the Tram's six month modernization program is completed in September, it will be one of the most advanced municipal aerial transportation systems in the world.

So here's the deal for Google. Select Roosevelt Island as a community for your ultra high speed broadband Internet service and you will receive all of the benefits of being in the New York City media market plus have a GOOGLE TRAM. What could be better than that!

Roosevelt Island Tram Image Minus Google Logo from Dan Dickinson

If necessary, RIOC President Steve Shane may be persuaded, like the Mayors of Deluth and Sarasota respectively, to throw himself into bone chilling ice water, swim with sharks or whatever the Roosevelt Island equivalent would be - perhaps dodging Verdant Power's East River water turbines.

Could Roosevelt Island Be A Site For Google's New Ultra High Speed Internet Broadband Network - Hey Google, Give Us A Try

You Tube Video of Google's Experimental Fiber Network

Since Google decided not to send it's Street View Trike to Roosevelt Island last year, here's a second chance for Google to use Roosevelt Island as a site for one of it's new products. A tech savvy reader sends in this message:

First, the link: http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi

Looks like Google is planning to become a Internet Service Provider. At current, they are going to test out their fiber service in small communities and I think our "microcosmic Manhattan" could be a great candidate for this project. Since Google is planning service up to 1 gb/s (roughly 100x what most Americans experience currently) at a "competitive price", this could be just the right kind of competition to push all other service providers out of their stagnant pricing and bandwidth caps.

Because I don't have enough information on the status of broadband connectivity on the island, I am reluctant to fill out the info form on the website. I am also unsure about the willingness of our community to get more connected. Also, I'm not sure what the availability of fiber optic connection is for the buildings on the island. I believe the Octagon is fiber-ready and that's already a ~500 resident market.

I hope that by posting this on the blog we can get the word out to the residents. Not to forget the community leaders who may have a bit more knowledge and influence to bring such a revolutionary project to our little island. It seems like Roosevelt Island has been welcoming these kinds of projects lately (namely, the electric water turbine project from Verdant Power) and we could add to our image of a progressive and positive leader in these eco/techno-logical times.

While RI is technically part of Manhattan and NYC, I think that we may have a better chance of obtaining a top spot in this experiment because of our "small community in a big city" nature. It would be more difficult to implement a project like this in any other borough since they are so dense.

Of course this is not a totally altruistic cause, I know that I and many other people would love a higher bandwidth at lower prices; what with all the internet TV and gaming and media-heavy applications now in use.

Thanks for reading my long email. I just saw this on a blog today and thought this would be a great opportunity for our community.

I asked RIOC Director Jonathan Kalkin what he thought of the idea for Roosevelt Island. Mr. Kalkin likes the idea and replied:

Yes. I saw this the other day on gizmodo and was going to address it at the operations meeting. It looks interesting. From their page it states that anyone can file and government cooperation would be helpful.

I also like some of the initiatives that Google has incorporated on their campus like solar powered parking areas and options for plug-in electric cars. Perhaps this could be a relationship that would branch into other opportunities.

The response deadline is March 26. Governments and communities can respond to Google's Fiber service here.

More on Google's experimental fiber network plan from the NY Times:

Google said Wednesday that it would offer ultrahigh-speed Internet access in some communities in a test that could showcase the kinds of things that would be possible if the United States had faster broadband networks...

The Washington Post adds:

... In experimenting with broadband access, the company said, Google would create networks in a select number of communities across the country to deliver Internet service directly to homes at 1 gigabit per second. Google plans to request proposals from municipalities to determine what areas would be part of the experiment. It said it would pay for the construction and operation of the networks and charge consumers rates that would be competitive with other service providers.

The trials would involve relatively compact areas, the company said, with the networks reaching at least 50,000 and up to 500,000 people. The District has a population of about 591,000...

UPDATE 2/19 - Good News. RIOC and RIRA both agreed to provide information and apply to be a test community for Google's new high speed broadband ISP service. RIOC Director Jonathan Kalkin and RIRA President Frank Farance are both highly interested in this service and will take lead in effort.

Roosevelt Island Broadband Internet Access - Who Do You Prefer, Verizon FIOS Versus Time Warner Roadrunner?

You Tube Video Time Warner Cable Brainstorm

I received the following message seeking advice about high speed internet access on Roosevelt Island from a resident at 540 Main Street, also known as Roosevelt Landings, and formerly named Eastwood prior to it's purchase by Urban America. The reader is having problems with Time Warner high speed internet access during the evening and is wondering if anyone else is having similar issues.

Hi,

I'd like to know if my internet issues concern other people too.

Since last fall I use a high speed internet connection (Time Warner) and have been satisfied so far. Last Friday (May 15th) internet was not available around 5 to 7 pm. Since then, every wek-day the same: Full access during the day, no access in the after school/after work hours. This is pretty inconvenient for my children whose school expects them to use the internet for homework.

Does anybody know what's going on here? Before adressing Time Warner (maybe I'm biased, but I don't expect them to have a valuable customer service) I'd like to know more about the general situation on Roosevelt Island.

Thank you and kind regards

I don't know about this particular situation but I changed internet providers over a year ago from Time Warner Roadrunner to Verizon FIOS and could not be happier. To date, absolutely no problems, reliable service and extremely fast loading times for web pages and wireless to my laptop works well also. If FIOS is available in your building, I would run, not walk, and switch internet service providers.

Verizon FIOS is also providing television service in competition with Time Warner Cable Roadrunner system. I am told by Roosevelt Island residents who made the switch to FIOS TV that the picture is much better than Roadrunner's. I currently use Time Warner Cable but would love to make the change to FIOS. The only thing holding me back from doing that is I am a news junkie and think that NY1 does a terrific job with local news. Since NY 1 is not available yet on FIOS, (it is owned by Time Warner) I hesitate to change TV service providers. But I am considering it.

Verizon FIOS Versus Time Warner Road Runner Broadband Internet Service - Which Do You Prefer?

You Tube video of Upgrading to FIOS

An earlier post responded to a reader's inquiry concerning cable and internet providers on Roosevelt Island in which I stated that I was satisfied with my Time Warner digital broadband internet service. In the last few months I have become increasingly dissatisfied with Time Warner's Road Runner internet service noticing significantly slower page loading speeds and am seriously considering switching to Verizon's FIOS service.

Readers of the prior post had different views on whether Road Runner or FIOS were the better service for Roosevelt Islanders. From a Road Runner supporter:

... I got rid of Verizon broadband because it went out every time there was a heavy rain. After insisting on a home visit, the Verizon man mumbled something about water in a tunnel.

I have no problems with my Time Warner Cable connection and Roadrunner.

And a FIOS fan:

I've been using it for a year, and it is hands-down the best internet service I've ever used. ... I highly recommend it.

The Wall Street Journal reports on the battle between phone and cable companies for the business of internet users:

Stung by the success of phone companies in selling packages of TV and high-speed Internet services, the cable industry is getting close to launching a counteroffensive -- an inexpensive new technology that dramatically boosts Internet connection speeds. Called Docsis 3.0, the technology will allow the cable industry to compete on a more even footing with telecom giant Verizon Communications Inc., which is aggressively marketing a high-performance fiber-optic network called FiOS that offers much faster Internet connection speeds than cable modems can currently deliver. Whether the cable industry can roll out the new technology fast enough to minimize the damage from FiOS remains to be seen.

... For many years cable companies had an advantage on Internet speeds because phone companies were limited to DSL offerings, which had a maximum speed of seven megabits per second. Both Verizon's FiOS and a more limited fiber-optic service being rolled out by AT&T Inc. called U-verse are allowing the phone companies to offer more-competitive services. FiOS currently offers download speeds of up to 50 megabits a second -- nearly two and a half times faster than what Comcast or Time Warner offers. AT&T's U-verse can offer up to only 10 megabits a second, a 40% improvement over its fastest DSL offering and more comparable to cable offerings.

The NY Times on all-in-one cable, internet and phone triple play packages.

Consumers can also be the winners, if they are careful and question the sales representatives thoroughly. Let me impart my hard-earned knowledge and suggest that anyone considering a bundled plan ask these questions:

Are taxes included, or is there a flat rate?

Is there a one-time installation fee? Is there a fee to keep your phone number?

Is a contract required? For what duration? Can the fees rise over the contract period? What will they go up to after the contract expires? (For example, Cablevision’s bundled service rises to about $125 a month after the first year.)

If I change or drop one of the bundled services, will I be penalized? (Generally, the answer is yes.)

Is there a termination fee? (Verizon, for example, may charge a $200 fee if you cancel before the end of a two-year contract; Cablevision requires no contract and has no termination fee.)

Are there any promotions? (For example, we were offered $10 off the first six months of the bill in addition to a $200 gift certificate at an electronics store. My friend was given a $50 Target gift certificate for signing on.)

What options come free with the telephone services, and what costs extra? Caller ID? Call waiting? Voice mail?

There are other considerations. With Verizon we would get FiOS — the company’s name for its fiber optic technology. To make it more confusing, cable networks also use fiber optic technology, but it does not go all the way into the house, as FiOS does.

I think the cable companies better hurry up with their Docsis 3.0 technology.

UPDATE - 5/21/09 - I made the switch to Verizon FIOS and could not be happier.