I actually hope the FiOS in a Box plan works out. That seems creative and cool at the same time. In the future, maybe Verizon can come up with a way that would allow them to let able customers install their own ONT. I know for myself, I'd love to toss the ONT into my network rack, and I have the know-how for grounding it, wiring up telephone and TV, etc.
I know some other ISPs, especially wireless, have been doing similar. They still come over to install the Antennas and run the cabling outside. But once done outside, they drill a hole through the house where it's safe, and hand the customer the needed cables then seal it all back up. All the customer has to do is plug in the gear and power it up. Then the tech does QA remotely using their computers, and a video call with the customer if possible.
At one point, Verizon was toying with sending out a G1100-like router with a built-in ONT, the G2100. That was also coinciding with some reports of IPTV trials. Maybe it'll come back off the shelf and show up in production someday. I just hope there is still the option for separate ONT if it does happen, so there isn't the concern of "forced router which might be buggy"
