Can at&t U-Verse exist in an area that has Verizon FIOS?

Question

I already have at&t phone and internet (DSL) in an area that already offers Verizon FIOS.

Answer 1

Yes, you can get FIOS Video service as long as you are not using the existing coax, if you have any, for any service that you do not want thru Verizon.  The way FIOS works is that a new fiber drop will be brought into your property and wired into a new ONT.  The coax that you have now will be transferred from your current providers outside terminal and moved into the new ONT.  You will also get a new router for the video service.  This will provide you w/ PPV, On-Demand, and the IMG (interactive media guide).  This also means that if in the future you decide to get the Internet and land line services via Verizon, you will not have to go thru the set-up procedure again, as the ONT provides all the services thru one unit.

Answer 2

Short answer: In theory yes, but you probably won’t see it anytime soon.

Long answer: For the most part AT&T and Verizon do not actually operate in the same area.  When you buy AT&T phone & DSL service in a Verizon area Verizon is leasing the “last mile” of copper line to AT&T.  If you buy Verizon in an AT&T area a similar thing happens.  (Note, except in a few areas in the Dallas area, where AT&T ran their own line rather than leasing GTE lines.  GTE was later purchased by Verizon.  There may be one or two other areas like this, but not many.)  

For both UVerse and FIOS to be available you would need to be in an area where both AT&T and Verizon are willing to deploy their TV service and compete with each other along with the cable companies.   Right now both AT&T and Verizon have plenty of areas where they don’t have to go head to head to expand.