rebeccajeanne wrote:Do I assume this is fiber optic cable?
No. The fiber optic cable attaches to the Optical Network Terminal (ONT), which is usually outside.
For speed tiers < 100Mbps, the installation is usually coax from the ONT to your router.
For speed tiers > 100Mbps, the installation is always ethernet from the ONT to your router.
If the cable from the ONT is indeed an ethernet cable, you can certainly replace it.
The ONT has a standard RJ45 jack which the other end of the cable is connected to.
You can confirm if you're connected via ethernet in two ways.
1) The WAN ETHERNET light on your router should be lit and the WAN coax light should be off.
2) The ethernet cable should be connected to the white WAN port on the back of your router.
Since your ONT is outside, replacing the ethernet cable presents a couple of problems..
1) When VZ installed the cable, they passed it through the wall, then sealed the opening with silicone.
You need to make sure you can fit a preterminated cable through that opening unless you're capable of terminating a cat5 cable yourself.
2) You need to reseal the opening with silicone.
An easier option is an RJ45 coupler.
http://www.amazon.com/Britta-Products-RJ45-Coupler-F-F/dp/B000BSLW8U
rebeccajeanne wrote:
Can Verizon replace it for a longer cable?
Yes, but they will charge you a truck roll to do so. $88 or so.