Is Verizon Internet an ultra-fast and reliable home/residential internet solution? What about its Fios service? Does it match competitors’ speeds? There are hundreds of ‘Whats’ and ‘Hows‘ to know.
What is Verizon Internet?
If you deep dive into Verizon, you’ll find Fios—A flagship service of Verizon. Verizon is one of the top Internet Service Providers in the US known for its affordable and fast internet plans, offering fast upload and download speeds without a data cap. In addition to its internet plans, Verizon offers other services, such as TV and phone services.
Unlike most internet service providers, Verizon Fios is not contract-based; it never requires years of contracts in order to use its services. Moreover, you will not be forced to use other services alongside its broadband.
Verizon Fios connection report says that it has completed 6.2 million connections at the end of 2023. That’s a huge number, making it one of the largest ISPs in the USA.
When it comes to available areas, Verizon covers all northeast metro areas from Delaware to Virginia. Other areas include Maryland, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Columbia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.
Suppose you don’t belong to these areas. In that case, you can subscribe to its DSL (digital subscriber line) service, as it’s a widely available service across the US, and the company has labeled it as High-Speed Internet for marketing. However, it’s a slower internet service compared to fiber-optic.
Verizon Internet Review 2023
The only thing that I don’t like about Verizon is its fiber-optic network availability. It is still struggling to provide a fiber-optic network to the big cities compared to other ISPs. On the other hand, its DSL network expansion is also very slow. So even though you pay more for its DSL 4G LTE network and slower speeds, its coverage is still limited and far from a large number of homes outside Fios reaches. Besides, its 5G network is used by a smaller number of homes because of its availability. Still, Apart from its availability, Verizon internet has many pros.
Pros & Cons: Verizon Internet
What I like:
- Verizon Fios service is true fiber; offers symmetrical downloads and uploads.
- There is no data cap on any plans
- Its terms-agreement free plans
What I don’t:
- Its fiber availability
- 4G LTE and DSL are still expensive compared to Fios and 5G
Who’s it for? Verizon Internet
Verizon Internet is an excellent choice for people looking for fast uploads and downloads; they’re symmetrical. You won’t find any data caps or allowances in its plans. Besides its fiber-optic and 5G network, Its bundles of internet, phone service, and TV are also very cost-effective. So, overall, Verizon internet is perfect for homes and businesses if its Fios service or fiber-optic network is available in your area.
Availability: Is Verizon Internet available in your state?
Verizon covers most metro areas, including Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware, Virginia, Washington, DC, and Columbia. Even though you belong to any of these metros, you’ll have to check your area availability on Verizon’s website. On the website, you’ll be asked to enter your street address to ensure the availability of Fios service in your area.
If it’s not available, you’ll see a message saying, ‘these services are not available at the area you entered.’ If your area is not available for FIOS services, DSL services will be available. However, you’ll have to compromise on speeds. I advise you to check the other similar ISPs if you want a faster or fiber cable connection.
Other Internet Service Providers
If you don’t find your area covered by Verizon, you can go for other similar ISPs, such as AT&T, Spectrum, Cox, Etc. Below is the comparison chart of their different plans. You can subscribe to any of them which suits you more.
Note: if you live in a rural area, you should pay more attention to Spectrum ISP.
1. AT&T Internet Service Provider
Its monthly plan starts at $35 and ends at $60, offers a fiber cable type connection for speeds from 100Mbps to 940Mbps, respectively. It also bundles Internet and TV services for some extra cost.
Check the full review of AT&T ISP.
2. Spectrum Internet Service Provider
Spectrum offers three different Internet plans: Standard, Internet Ultra, and Internet Gig. Moreover, it offers only a cable-type internet connection.
The standard plan costs $49.99 monthly for 200Mbps download and 10Mbps upload speeds. The Ultra starts at $69.99 monthly for 400Mbps download and 20Mbps upload speeds. The third or the fastest one, Internet Gig, costs $109.99 for 1,000Mbps download and 35Mbps upload speeds. Moreover, there are no data caps on any of these three plans, and all of them are contract-free.
Check the full review of Spectrum ISP.
3. Cox Internet Service Provider
Cox ISP offers five different internet plans and connection types—Fiber and Cable. It includes StraightUp Prepaid, Starter 25, Essential 50, Preferred 150, Ultimate 500, and Gigablast plans. You pay $50 for its Straightup Prepaid plan as a monthly cost; this plan ensures 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload speeds with a 1 TB data cap. Now, you have Starter 25 plan; as it suggests, you’ll get around 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload speeds with a 1.25TB data cap.
However, you pay $29.99 for this starter 25 plan. The essential 50 plan promises 50Mbps download and 3Mbps upload speeds for $39.99 per month. The other two plans, the preferred 150 and Ultimate 500, are also good plans that cost monthly $59.99 and $79.99 for 150Mbps and 500Mbps download speeds. However, both plans offer 10Mbps upload speeds with a 1.25TB data cap.
Except for the fastest Gigablast plan, all the other mentioned plans share the same Fiber/cable connection type. The Gigablast plan is a pure fiber connection that offers 940Mbps download and 35Mbps upload speeds; however, this plan also has a 1.25TB data cap.
Read the full review of Cox Internet Service Provider.
Verizon Internet Plans Chart, Prices, and Bundle Services
| Internet Plan | Monthly Cost | D. Speed | U. Speed | Data Cap | Type | CONTRACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200Mbps | Starts @ $39.99 | 200Mbps | 200Mbps | Unlimited | Fiber | No Contract |
| 400Mbps | Starts @ $59.99 | 400Mbps | 400Mbps | Unlimited | Fiber | No Contract |
| Gigabit | Starts @ $79.99 | ~940 Mbps | ~900 Mbps | Unlimited | Fiber | No Contract |
The 200Mbps Plan: Who’s it for?
Even though this is an entry-level plan, you get enough fast connection upload and download speeds. Therefore, Households with limited devices can subscribe to this plan without any second thought. Moreover, it is enough to handle your home’s peak usage unless your family members are only 4K UHD content lovers.
The 400Mbps Plan: Who’s it for?
Compared to the 200Mbps plan, the 400Mbps plan is double the download/upload speeds. Therefore, households looking for high bandwidth to run multiple devices simultaneously should look at this plan. Moreover, you can send large media files and play 4K UHD content without issues.
The Gigabit Connection: Who’s it for?
This plan is at the highest level. If you’re a bandwidth lover, you’re most welcome. Since the gigabit connection is Verizon’s fastest plan, you won’t have to worry about the speeds. Unlike the other two plans, you won’t be forced to use Verizon’s Wi-Fi gateway; you also save a $15 rental fee every month.
Plans Chart: Verizon Internet Plans Comparision Chart
Verizon offers only Fiber plans with the same download and upload speeds; they’re contract-free and have no data caps. And, it has only three plans: 200Mbps, 400Mbps, and the fastest Gigabit connection. You pay $39.99 a month for its starter 200Mbps plan that offers 200Mbps download and upload speeds. The 400mbps plan promises up to 400mbps downloads and uploads for $59.99. The Gigabit Connection costs $79.99, offers 940Mbps downloads/uploads.
Verizon Fios TV: How much does it charge?
Unlike most ISPs, Verizon has a simple approach for its TV service; it never forces anybody to buy the Verizon Fios TV service. Moreover, you’re allowed to use Google’s Youtube TV to watch content.
When it comes to payment, it requires an autopay for the account in order to use its services. However, the prices you see will be unaffected or remains the same whether you choose FIOS TV service or not.
Verizon’s Add-ons: What about other charges you pay every month to Verizon internet?
As with most ISPs, Verizon also charges you around $15 on all plans for its rented device, Verizon Wi-Fi router—It’s a Fios gateway that allows you to share your connection wirelessly throughout your house.
However, if you subscribe to its Gigabit Connection, you won’t have to pay for the Fios Gateway. Or use your own Wi-Fi router to eliminate this only add-on. On the other hand, if you buy it from Verizon, they might charge you around $300.
If you want a more affordable Wi-Fi router, read the article – best Verizon Fios routers 2023.
Note: Using your own Wi-Fi router can be a daunting task as Fios setup requires a ‘MoCA’ connection—this is a connection between the Fios Box and your Wi-Fi router. Such MoCA connections play a big role in receiving the fiber optic signal and sending it to the router.
Verizon’s Bundle Services
Unlike most major ISPs, Verizon hasn’t offered bundle deals since January 2023; to be honest, it never seemed interested in selling bundles like other ISPs. However, it still sells internet and TV service with no discount.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Verizon Internet
Verizon’s fastest Internet plan is its Gigabit connection, which offers 940Mbps downloads and around 880Mbps uploads. This Gigabit plan is a perfect choice for people who need massive bandwidth.
I am afraid to say you can’t. However, your area may have Verizon’s DSL service; its DLS plans are also good and fast enough for households like you. Unfortunately, you won’t get the same upload/download speeds.
Of course, you can. Verizon lets users use third-party TV apps, such as Youtube TV, even though they’re FIOS TV service users.
Conclusion: What does Routerwar.com think about Verizon Internet?
If Fios is available in your area, you should not look at any other ISP. Verizon Fios plans are very affordable and promise incredibly fast upload and download speeds. One of the biggest advantages of Verizon’s plans is their symmetrical downloads and uploads. However, the only thing that I don’t like about Verizon is its Fios service availability in most areas.