This isn't strictly a problem, just something people considering FIOS should know.

This morning, I first noticed that Internet service was down.  I went downstairs and found that cable TV was down too.  And the phone line was dead.  I called Verizon and they ran a test.  That little box they put in the basement?  It had no power.  I clicked the circuit breaker and in no time at all, everything was back.  FIOS was running in all its glory, so to celebrate I bought Demigod from Impulse (it downloaded in less than 15 minutes). 

Now, what is the deal with the box in the basement? 

The FIOS service phone line is not a "normal" land-line, which is powered from the phone line.  The little box thingie in the basement provides battery backup so we can have phone service for a few hours in case of a blackout.  Oh, by the way, if it loses power the entire thing shuts down. 

Is this a big deal?  Not really.  We'll keep an eye on it.  Meanwhile, I've been very happy with this service.