NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten years is an eternity in the technology-driven society we live in, and Verizon's FiOS services – delivered over the nation's largest all-fiber-optic network – have moved consumers through the past decade at the speed of light.

This fall marks the 10-year anniversary of FiOS, the next-generation network technology that redefined the TV and Internet experience for millions of people and small-business owners throughout 12 states and the District of Columbia.

In 2004, a NASA probe landed on Mars for the first time; a startup called Facebook paved the way for a new way to connect online; and Internet download speeds of 8 megabits per second were considered fast. That year, Verizon began selling FiOS TV service in Keller, Texas, for the first time, along with FiOS Internet Service with then-unheard of download speeds of up to 30 Mbps and upload speeds up to 5 Mbps.

Today, people are creating video content via a device in the palm of their hands; sending more than 500 million Tweets each day; and Verizon customers can upload and download at speeds up to 500 Mbps. 

"We set out to create a customer experience that would redefine the connected home. FiOS helped grow the demand for faster Internet speeds and high-definition video channels," said Bob Mudge, Verizon president of consumer and mass business markets. "It was seen as a big bet at the time. Fast forward to today, however, and you can see that our investment in fiber-optic technology directly to homes and businesses laid the foundation for connected homes and work environments that will serve customers' needs well into the future."

Thank You!  10 Powerful Years (Video)

Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfh1jQxtnaY 

FiOS Speed Infographic

View the FiOS Speed infographic: http://vz.to/LeadingSpeed

"Ultimately, consumers win as Verizon continues to offer faster speeds," said Larry Hettick, contributing analyst, U.S. Consumer Services for Current Analysis. "With a free upgrade for FiOS customers, this increases the value of FiOS services in the near term. As others follow Verizon's lead with faster upstream tiers, all consumers will benefit as broadband providers move to meet evolving user needs." 

Pioneering Download and Upload Internet Speeds

In 2004, Verizon offered three tiers of FiOS Internet service, ranging from 5 Mbps down/2 Mbps up to 30/5 Mbps. Today, our entry-level speed is nearly that fast, at 25/25 Mbps.  We offer six speed options, peaking at 500/500 Mbps. This variety of options serves a wide array of users, including families, small businesses and startup companies. Recently, Verizon began to provide existing and new customers with SpeedMatch, upload speeds that match download speeds, a benefit that – thanks to the all-fiber network – no competitor in Verizon's service area is able to provide.

TV Redefined

In 2004, the DVR was not yet born and relatively few high-definition channels were available. People recorded their favorite shows from their TV onto a DVD or a VHS tape. Today, not only can you record shows from your TV onto a digital video recorder without a disk, you can use FiOS TV service to record up to 12 shows simultaneously, store 200 hours of HD programming and control live TV, eliminating any feuds in the household over who has control of the remote.

Inside or Out, FiOS Mobile App Lets You Watch TV Anywhere

FiOS not only redefined the household viewing experience, it took it on the go, too. With more than 50 channels currently available out of the home, more than 100 in home, and 60,000 on-demand titles, the free FiOS Mobile App turns tablets and mobile devices into virtual living rooms, giving customers content where they want it, when they want it. Other features built into the app make organizing and managing content seamless. In addition, the FiOS Mobile App offers robust parental controls, so parents can decide what content they want to allow their children to access.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with 104.6 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries. A Dow 30 company with more than $120 billion in 2013 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 177,800. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon