Luckily, there are entrepreneurs and corporations out there solving these issues right now, one of which is technology-focused Verizon. The company is engaging startups and developers in a growing number of tech hubs, including Boston and New York, with its recent Verizon Meetups.

The company hopes that by being more present in the community, it will encourage developers to build services and content solutions upon its fiber broadband FiOS network, which provides bundled television, telephone and Internet service to some 5 million customers as of Q1 2013.

At its New York event, which took place at the trendy Yotel Tuesday May 7^th, in collaboration with Mashable and the MIT Enterprise Forum – a group of entrepreneurs, developers, venture capitalists, and media elite joined forces to discuss the future of the connected home.

Presenters spoke of a future in which every home is wired to a mega-fast network, where buffer times and download speeds aren’t an issue, but instead where the only issue is just figuring out what types of innovative services to stack on top of a high-speed, fiber optic powered network.

On stage, four startups were invited to share their innovations front and center. 

iMediaShare co-founder Metodi Filipov shared his frustration with having to watch mobile videos from a small screen, passing that single phone around from person to person. This frustration was the inspiration for iMediaShare, which lets users play videos from their mobile screens directly on their TVs with the tap of a finger.

Simulmedia Sales Director Brett Joss discussed how his company is bringing Internet ad targeting to the television, letting advertisers target specific affinities, psychographics, and demographics, just as online ads already do. For example, an advertiser could target ads to 18-35 year-olds who live in urban areas, earn more than $150,000 annually, and have watched "Dance Moms" more than five times in the past six months. "We have a strong belief that in the next five to 10 years, TV is not going to the Web. Web-like business models are coming to TV," he says, pointing out that it will take quite a bit for the television to be displaced as the center of American living room life.

KISI co-founder Bernhard Mehl wowed the audience with his introduction to the startup's "digital doorman" app, which acts as a keyless home entry service managed right from a user's smartphone. The hardware that powers the service can be easily installed in most homes, including the buzzer systems in multi-family homes and apartments, which has the capability to open both a user's front door and apartment door. Mehl says that future implementations may include voice and face recognition, thus the need for fast broadband connections.

The startup demos were rounded out by GetGlue's Lead Product Manager Lara Warman, who introducing GetGlue as "the social TV and second-screen platform" which "owns the TV and movie check-in space." With GetGlue, users check in to the movies and TV shows they are watching, unlock special stickers, and discover content based on the shows they already love, she explained.

iMediaShare, Simulmedia, KISI, and GetGlue all represent the types of "ninja innovators" that Verizon FiOS would like to turn into its "ninja collaborators," Verizon FiOS Director of Product Development Maitreyi Krishnaswamy told the audience. She and her colleagues are hoping efforts like the Verizon Meetup will help fuel such innovation.

"What we're trying to do tonight is actually not about Verizon, but more about the partnerships that we know we need to develop and that we could do better as a company to foster and drive innovation," Verizon’s President of Consumer & Mass Business Bob Mudge told the audience. "If you think about Verizon for just a minute, our growth has been predicated upon scale. So we're learning product innovation ourselves as we scale FiOS, as we've scaled what we are as a wireless company, as we've created the largest global IP network. Once scale is obtained, innovation on top of that scale is even more important than ever."

We’re already living in a semi-connected media world. We can watch YouTube videos on our TVs and see tweets alongside our favorite shows or we can just skip the TV experience and see those shows online. Even more impressive, though, is that we can control nearly every device in our houses – from doorbells, to speakers, to our heating units – right from our smartphones, that is, if we’re hooked up. The problem, of course, is getting there. The technology exists, and it’s people like those in attendance at Verizon’s Meetup who are figuring out how to scale and innovate upon these solutions.

It remains to be seen just how innovative the Verizon FiOS crew can get with local developers and entrepreneurs, but community efforts such as these Meetups already seem to be a hit and a step towards building strong relationships in the startup community.

Editor's Note: This sponsored article was written by Erica Swallow, a New York City-based tech and lifestyle writer, technology entrepreneur, and MIT Sloan MBA candidate. Erica's articles on entrepreneurship and startups have appeared in Forbes, Mashable and The Huffington Post. Follow her at @ericaswallow.

WPRI-TV (Providence, RI) reporter Ted Nesi recently interviewed Donna Cupelo, Verizon’s vice president of affairs in New England, about the company’s participation in the Rhode Island tech community, its products and services for Ocean Stated consumers, and her views on how the state can continue its growth. Watch the interview here.

Small Business Week in Philadelphia will feature a series of events allowing small business owners to gain insights to better run their business and opportunities to network. While most of the activities will take place in or near Philadelphia, there is a webinar next Thursday, May 16, that anyone with a broadband connection can join.

Highlights of Small Business Week in Philadelphia include:

• Tuesday, May 14:Small Business Week Educational Workshop – At the GPCC offices, DiBona Room, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Delivering Exceptional Customer Service. The panel discussion will focus on the best techniques to connect with clients and deliver exceptional customer service. The workshop is free for chamber members and $35 for nonmembers.
• Thursday, May 16: Small Business Webinar presented by Verizon – Denise Hart, author and executive momentum coach, will host a free webinar, Defining Your Don’t Quit Attitude – For Business Owners, at 2 p.m.  The webinar, presented by the Verizon Small Business team, will be accessible anywhere there is broadband access. Anyone interested in participating can register online at www.verizon.com/webinar.
• Friday, May 17: Keynote Event featuring Wharton School Professor Jonah Berger – Jonah Berger,author of “Contagious: Why Things Catch On” and one of the world’s foremost experts on what goes viral and why, will deliver the week’s keynote program, Create Contagious Content for Your Business. Berger, a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, studies social epidemics, or how products, ideas and behaviors catch on and become popular. He is an expert on how individual decision-making and social dynamics between people generate collective outcomes such as social contagion and trends. The event will be held at the WHYY Studios in downtown Philadelphia from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The registration fee for the event is $45 for Chamber of Commerce members and $90 for nonmembers.  Attendees also will receive a free copy of Berger’s book, courtesy of Verizon.

[Verizon’s customers and friends can use code “VERIZONSBW” to purchase tickets to this event at the member fee of $45. Go to http://vz.to/11QCVyQ and follow the prompts to purchase ticket as a “Non-member”; register then enter the promo code.]

Also, as part of the Small Business Week celebration, Verizon will be holding street team events at various locations across the city of Philadelphia this Thursday (May 16), so if you are in the following areas please stop by for some great give away prizes:

On Thursday, May 16

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. at the lobby of One Penn Center;

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. at a Verizon FiOS retail store (7110 Ridge Avenue); and

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the lobby of the Philly Enterprise Center at 4548 Market Street.

Tim Smith, Verizon area president of consumer and mass business markets for Pennsylvania and Delaware and a member of the chamber’s executive board, said: “Verizon serves many small businesses in southeastern Pennsylvania, and we’ve teamed with the chamber to provide a variety of resources to help them advance their business. We’re looking forward to celebrating this week with them.”

Every year since 1963, the president of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small-business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.

For more information about the GPCC/Verizon Small Business Week, visit www.gpcc.com/smallbizwk.  Follow us on Twitter for more information: @VZSmallBiz or @PhillyChamber or search for #PHLSmallBizWk.

Let us know if you’ll join any of these events.

Stewart, fiber network field technician, had originally installed FiOS at the house so he responded to help the AV specialist who was installing the new system.   He detached all the devices and tested each one individually, systematically identifying which ones were causing interference or not working properly.   After spending hours testing and re-configuring the system to work properly, Stewart then took the time to explain to the AV specialist what the problems were and showed him what changes were made.   Thanks to his expertise and professionalism, team managers now request him to install FiOS for all the players who sign up with Verizon.

This story illustrates just one reason why Stewart was named the most recent “Service Hero” for Verizon’s FiOS franchise in the Tampa Bay area.  Stewart has worked for Verizon for 15 years, moving from a copper tech to his current role as a fiber network field technician.  He is a recognized subject matter expert and is often called upon to conduct peer-to-peer training.  His sense of urgency has saved numerous frustrated customers and, thanks to Stewart’s professional approach, turned them into promoters of Verizon’s products and services.

Stewart is also willing to take the extra steps necessary to build business relationships that benefit FiOS such as his arrangement with the owner of a local audio-video shop that installs media equipment for local Tampa Bay area residents.  When this individual has a service challenge with his customers and Verizon involving the technology, he reaches out directly to Stewart for resolution.  This relationship has led to a number of customers switching their provider to enjoy the superior picture quality offered by FiOS HD service and the fast, consistent Internet service offered by FiOS Quantum. 

Stewart recognizes that as the Verizon Credo states in part, “we have work because our customers value our high-quality communication services.”  He does not shrink from challenges, yet another of the many reasons he was selected to represent Verizon as a Service Hero.  As a Service Hero, Stewart will be featured in local newspaper and TV ads and his photo now appears on the window of Verizon’s building in downtown Tampa. 

How times have changed! Now, rarely a day goes by where her homework assignments don’t call for use of the computer. Whether it’s researching authors or historical events, getting inspiration for science projects, or typing up an essay, a computer has become as important to today’s teenager as a backpack or pocket calculator.

Online reference material is almost unlimited, which can present its own problems. With so many sources to choose from, students have to learn how to be both curious and objective, searching for answers but constantly questioning their legitimacy. But helpful web sites abound. From Learnist and eduClipper to Khan Academy, there are an overwhelming number of online resources if you know where to look.  

And then there are the educational social networks. Web sites like Lore, Edmodo and My Big Campus are providing teachers with revolutionary ways to extend the learning experience beyond the classroom. Whether it’s confirmation of those homework assignments, reference tools for problem solving, or just a safe and secure environment for communicating and sharing ideas, these online platforms are growing in both sophistication and popularity.

Of course, such an immersive educational experience is only possible when there are efficient and effective home networks. For us and millions like us, that means Verizon FiOS. With so many connected devices, speed and flexibility is essential, and our FiOS Quantum service never misses a beat.

Technology as a driving force in education is here to stay, although sometimes I can’t help thinking that it’s the kids that are doing the teaching and the teachers that are striving to keep up! But whoever’s at the wheel, I know we all have to be on board. A great home network is no longer a luxury, it’s an educational necessity.

More than 250 entrepreneurs, developers and other influential tech industry leaders got together at the very hip Hotel Yotel NYC on May 7th for a night of interactive presentations from top Verizon executives, dynamic demonstrations from key startup companies and diverse networking options centered around their innovations for the digital living room.

The NYC innovation community viewed presentations from iMediaShare, Simulmedia, KISI Systems and Get Glue. These presentations reinforced the infinite ways content can be consumed and integrated into daily life from the comfy confines of your home.

Lori Hoberman, a member of the board of directors of the MIT Enterprise Forum of New York, welcomed the attendees. Bob Mudge, president of consumer and mass business for Verizon, spoke about Verizon’s work with tech start-ups and the importance of developing events like the meet-up that bring industry influencers together to continue to foster great ideas.

Maitreyi Krishnaswamy, director of product development for FiOS TV, touched on the many innovations that her team has developed and continues to create to expand the benefits of FiOS TV.

In order to gauge attendees’ reactions to the event and to provide insight into what consumers want from an IP-connected home, attendees were given the opportunity to participate in surveys that were distributed electronically via tablets at the meet-up. When asked what they thought the biggest innovation opportunity for smart homes in the next five years would be, 38 percent responded with connected TVs and TV apps and 35percent of those surveyed believed higher speed connected homes spark innovation “a great deal.”

Overall, the meet-up served as a forum for some very good discussion about the possibilities for the connected home and the Verizon team is grateful to our partners and sponsors, and the tech community in New York City for their time and participation.

"I have a CFO and a CEO who are telling me quite often, 'We are not going green for green's sake.'  So we absolutely have a positive return on investment based on a 10-year net present value," Gowen said in an interview with Reuters.

That positive return assessment on Verizon’s green energy investment is bolstered by a story, The Next 10 Years in Energy, that aired on the APM radio show, Marketplace Morning Report.  In it, Joshua Freed, at the think tank Third Way explains that the price of natural gas is dropping because it's cheaper and easier than ever to extract natural gas.  Because of that efficiency, he believes that natural gas – which Verizon will use to power its fuel cell systems – will remain a popular energy source into the next decade.  "Natural gas is the equivalent to U2, or the Jay-Z of energy.  Everybody wants it right now," Freed said.

Freed says the next big thing in renewable energy will be photo-voltaic solar panels, the type of solar systems that Verizon will be deploying in the coming months.  "Solar has actually grown by 130 percent from 2011 to 2012," Freed told Marketplace.  "That's because the price of solar panels has dropped precipitously and solar panels are starting to increase significantly in efficiency."

According to Gowen, corporate sustainability programs are more than just the right thing to do – they are an example of how companies can provide powerful answers to the big questions confronting society.  In Verizon’s case, our sustainability programs demonstrate how we are taking action to strengthen and transform individuals, communities, businesses, and society through the application of technology solutions that have real and lasting impact.

As part of the On Demand Marathon, you’ll have the chance to catch up on the latest movies and TV series with just a click of the blue On Demand button in the middle of your remote control.

When the Memorial Day weekend arrives, head over to the FiOS TV Video on Demand menu and select the “Free Marathon” folder. (It’s not there yet.)  There, you’ll find a full list of all of the available TV shows and movies you can watch during the marathon.

Find a Nice Chair, or Beanbag, and Dive In!

We know your schedule can be absolutely nuts, so if you want to use the weekend to catch up on selected episodes from shows like Spartacus, Boss, Camelot and Da Vinci’s Demons on STARZ or the HBO^® hit series Game Of Thrones® they’ll be there for you. Those are just some of the many series that will be available.

Did you want to watch The Hunger Games, but missed it earlier?  During the On Demand Marathon, you can watch it, courtesy of premium network EPIX.

As your kids are bursting at the seams for school to end, you know they’ll want to watch something. Check out Ice Age: Continental Drift  or Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted – or all of ‘em.   All of these titles are available on HBO On Demand^® and n will be available as part of the free On Demand Marathon from Friday, May 24 through Tuesday, May 28.

With one-stop shopping and instant access to more than 50,000 monthly titles, FiOS TV Video on Demand puts you in control.  And during the free On Demand Marathon, we’re giving FiOS TV customers free access to many of those titles.

As temps rise in a few weeks (we can only hope!), get ready to watch as many TV shows and movies as you want – any time of day, and from your couch, deck or porch.  Follow us on Twitter @Verizon, @VerizonFiOS and @SomosFiOS and on Facebook for more details on the free On Demand Marathon.

Memorial Day weekend will be here sooner than you realize.  We wanted to give you a heads up about this fun event to help you get into the summer groove.  Later this month, we’ll provide more information about the great shows that will available.

HBO^® and related channels and service marks are property of Home Box Office, Inc. ICE AGE CONTINENTAL DRIFT TM & ^© 2012 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted ^© 2012 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.

When it’s the eighth year in a row in which your Internet service rates atop the PCMag.com annual Reader’s Choice Award, you call it a huge honor. 

Not only did FiOS Internet earn the highest overall satisfaction rating in the well regarded magazine’s annual survey of its readership, but it secured the highest ratings in many other key categories as the chart shows.

For overall satisfaction, FiOS Internet earned a score of 8.8 on a 10 point scale as compared to the average 7.5 rating of all cable providers as shown in the chart.

For stats hounds, you’ll see that FiOS Internet also received the highest marks in the categories of reliability (8.8), initial setup (8.6), speed (8.5), satisfaction with technical support (7.4) and repairs (7.4).

In addition, FiOS Internet earned the top honor of being the broadband service consumers would most likely recommend to a friend or colleague (8.6) and blew away the field in the Net Promoter score.

We regard PCMag.com readers as some of the most knowledgeable, technologically sophisticated and deservedly demanding bunch as it relates to how they measure broadband performance.

As we’ve said for years, we believe that the biggest differentiator for FiOS Internet as compared to cable-modem based providers is our all fiber-optic network.  Since imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, we know why many competitors have attempted to position their networks as being just like FiOS, but the reality is they don’t replicate what we offer.

Our investments help us to deliver America’s fastest, most consistent and most reliable Internet service.  Our claims are strong:

Fastest: Last year, we introduced our 300 Mbps FiOS Internet service that represents our fastest consumer broadband speed.  As of the end of the first quarter, 27 percent of our FiOS customers were using 50 Mbps or faster service.  In fact, nearly 60 percent of new FiOS Internet subscribers added during the first quarter chose FiOS Quantum speeds of 50/25 Mbps or faster.

Most consistent: This year’s survey results once again affirm what our customers tell us about FiOS Internet having fewer outages and delays even during the most active Internet service time periods from 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. on weekdays.

Most reliable: Of all consumers who participated in the PCMag.com survey, more than half reported needing to have some technical support with their broadband Internet service provider.  However, only 42 percent – the lowest percentage among all ISPs rated – said they needed technical support with FiOS Internet.

We’re already working hard to earn a nine-peat.  Soon, you’ll be hearing exciting news about more enhancements that will make FiOS Internet an even more compelling choice.

Throughout the inferno, Verizon has been standing-by, providing comunications assistance to the first responders, as well as those they are protecting.

On Friday, Verizon rolled into the Red Cross evacuation center in the city of Thousand Oaks to provide communications assistance to residents displaced by the fire.  Our mobile recharging center provided evacuees with an easy way to keep their wireless devices energized, while our portable WiFi hotspot enabled them to connect their mobile phones, tablets, and PCs to stay in touch with friends and family, and monitor the unfolding situation via online news sources.

The following day, Verizon revieved a request for phone lines and Internet data connections at a new Fire Command Center being established at the Camarillo Airport.  Our field technicians quicklyinstalled, activated, and tested the performance of the circuits – before turning them over to the firefighting command.

Despite the size and intensity of the Springs Fire, there has only been a small number of injuries and no fatalities.  While 15 homes and five business properties have been damaged by fire, none have been destroyed.

Weather conditions have turned in favor of firefighters.  Humiidity is up, while the temperature and the winds have fallen.  Fire command reports the blaze is 56% contained.  Firefighters continue to construct control lines, patrol the fire perimeter and extinguish hotspots.

Verizon line crews and field techs are ready to initiate their repair and restoration work when  we’re given the go-ahead from authorities.  Our operations management  reports no major damage to the Verizon wired network in the fire area with the exception of a small portion touched by fire in Camarillo affecting about 185 customers affected.