There have never been more high-quality options to consider when searching for an internet service provider. Among the crowded market, Verizon Fios should earn your consideration for a number of reasons.
Founded in 2005, Verizon Fios consistently tops consumer satisfaction charts for internet service providers. The company’s 100% fiber-optic network comes without data caps and has lightning-fast download and upload speeds. The catch? Access to Verizon Fios remains limited to parts of the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States.
Pros
- High-quality, low-priced internet
- Symmetrical download and upload speeds
- No data caps
Cons
- Limited availability
- Fees for equipment and installation
- LTE and DSL options cost more
Table of Contents
Verizon Fios Internet at a Glance
An offshoot of phone carrier Verizon, Verizon Fios (or Fios by Verizon) offers fast download and upload speeds thanks to its physical fiber internet infrastructure. While that’s a big pro for potential customers, the downside is that Verizon Fios’s availability has been slow to expand during its nearly 20 years in business. The latest update from the company is that the service is set to extend to another 2,000 locations in Delaware.
When it comes to internet options from Verizon Fios, the company states that the 100% fiber-optic internet option has upload speeds 25 times faster than cable and that there are no data caps. Fiber plans are currently available in eight states and the District of Columbia. Beyond that, Verizon does still have internet offerings in the form of DSL and 5G LTE. However, these plans don’t quite stack up to the benefits of fiber internet, and the price points are also higher.
If you’re in the market for TV service or a phone carrier (or already have Verizon), you may be able to bundle for even greater discounts. You can also customize your plan and change your service without any penalties. The company is transparent with rates and doesn’t have hidden fees—although you will want to buy your plan through the website to avoid an installation fee.
Internet Speeds and Data
In terms of internet service providers, Verizon Fios internet is about as speedy as it comes. The fastest “streaming” plan available offers 940 Mbps download and 880 Mbps upload speeds, which are more than adequate for most households’ needs. For lower price points, there are 500 Mbps and 300 Mbps symmetrical plans. There are never data caps on Verizon Fios plans.
Set-Up Process
New Verizon Fios users may be eligible for self-install. This depends on whether there was a previous Verizon Fios service at the home or if there’s an available optical network terminal (ONT), which connects fiber optic cables to things like phone and ethernet lines. Other factors include the status of existing equipment, if there is a need for additional wiring and the homeowner’s ability to do basic installation work. Eligibility is determined when an order is placed.
If you are eligible for self-installation, Verizon Fios can mail equipment or you can pick it up at a store. Then, simply follow the installation guides and videos to activate your service. If you run into problems, technical support agents from Verizon are available around the clock.
Alternatively, you can schedule a Verizon technician to install and get everything set up. Additional fees may apply, especially if more wiring is required.
Verizon Fios State Availability
Verizon Fios is available in Washington D.C. and 9 states including:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New York
- New Jersey
- Virginia
- Washington D.C.
- Rhode Island
- Pennsylvania
Other Benefits
The ultra-fast and reliable internet at competitive rates is already a strong selling point for Verizon Fios. That said, there are other benefits, including:
- Greater monthly savings if you enroll in auto-pay
- Bundle-and-save discounts with Verizon mobile and TV plans
- No data caps
- Regular promos for new users, including free Verizon Stream TV
- No contracts
Fine Print
Fiber-optic internet is significantly faster than the internet options of yesteryear, but potential Verizon Fios users will still want to consider which plan speed is best for their needs. If there are multiple internet users in the household who regularly stream or game, the 940 Mbps plan is optimal and comes at a greater price point. The good news is that you’re not bound to a certain plan or contract with Verizon Fios, so you can upgrade or downgrade if necessary.
The company says there are no hidden fees, which appears to be largely true. Just pay attention to the fact there is a $99 installation fee that can be avoided if you purchase your plan online. From there, plan prices are locked in for two to four years (depending on which plan) and are then subject to unknown price increases.
Verizon Fios Internet Pricing
There are three plans through Verizon Fios based on internet speeds. If you bundle with select Verizon 5G mobile plans, you can save $20 per month. Speed breakdowns include download and upload speeds, which are symmetrical for the two lower-price plans and nearly symmetrical for the fastest plan.
- 300/300 Mbps: Costs $49.99 per month without a 5G mobile plan or $24.99 with select mobile plans. Router rental included. Price guarantee for two years.
- 500/500 Mbps: Costs $69.99 per month without a 5G mobile plan or $44.99 with select mobile plans. Router rental included. Better for video meetings, streaming and more. Price guarantee for three years.
- 940/880 Mbps: Costs $89.99 per month without a 5G mobile plan or $64.99 with select mobile plans. Router rental with Whole-House Wi-Fi coverage included. Best for seamless streaming on multiple devices. Price guarantee for four years.
How Verizon Fios Stacks Up
Is Verizon Internet Right for You?
If you live in an area covered by Verizon Fios, then exploring the available plans is absolutely worthwhile. Whether you need the fast 940 Mbps plan or the smaller (but still fast) 300 Mbps plan is sufficient, the price points from Verizon Fios are extremely competitive. If you are interested in bundling with a Verizon mobile or TV plan, you stand to save even more money.
Verizon Fios Comparisons
Methodology
To determine the best internet providers ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 21 major internet providers, with each provider’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics including:
Plans (37%)
The types of plans an ISP offered garnered the most attention in the ranking. Each ISP had its lowest-priced plan, highest-priced plan, contract requirement, pro installation availability, self-installation options, unlimited data plans and bundle plans availability evaluated on a scale. Lowest- and highest-priced plans grabbed the most attention with contract requirements while installation options factored less.
Customer Reviews (18%)
Customer ratings account for 20% of the total best internet providers ranking. Each company’s ratings were evaluated on a variety of platforms like the BBB, Trustpilot, Consumer Affairs and Google. Each review site had a grading weight associated with it and those companies with better BBB ratings and accreditation rated higher than those with lower marks.
Availability (15%)
Nationwide coverage is paramount when it comes to which internet provider is best for you, which is why it accounts for 15% of the ranking. The more states a provider covered, the more points it gained.
Features (14%)
Features took a look at download speeds offered by each ISP. The fastest advertised download speed and the minimum download speeds received a weighted grade while those providers who offer fiber received a boost.
Customer Support Options (12%)
Choosing among the best internet providers involves ensuring that each customer receives the best user experience and can troubleshoot issues with customer support easily, which is why this category makes up 12% of the total ranking. Features like live chat (pre-sale), phone service, knowledge base, community forum and informational blog either gained or lost a company points based on what it offered.
Expert Score (4%)
Companies also benefited from our experts’ analysis for having outstanding service and others lost out due to significant deficiencies, like poor reviews, slow speeds or a lack of services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Verizon Fios Internet a good deal?
Across all measures, yes, Verizon Fios is a good deal. There are many internet service providers (ISPs) out there that charge more for slower, less-reliable internet than what Verizon Fios offers. If you don’t need the speed of 300 Mbps internet (Verizon Fios’ lowest plan), then you may be able to save money with a slower service from another provider.
Is there a downside to fiber internet?
The biggest downside to fiber internet is that it relies on a physical infrastructure of cables laid coming and going from a house. If your home isn’t already connected or eligible to connect to fiber, you will have to pay a premium to put the cables in place. After that, you’ll have to take care to avoid damaging the cables—like when renovating a house or doing major yard work.
Is Verizon Fios home internet good for streaming?
Yes, Verizon Fios has options that are excellent for streaming. Although you should be able to do some streaming with the 300 Mbps plan, the company recommends the 500 Mbps plan for most streaming needs. With the 940 Mbps plan, you should be able to simultaneously stream on multiple devices.
Is Fios internet fast?
Currently, the fastest plan from Verizon Fios promises 940 Mbps download speeds and 880 Mbps upload speeds—which is very fast and more than sufficient for most households’ needs. In contrast, Speedtest Intelligence reported that in May 2023, the average American gets 200 Mbps download speed from fixed broadband connections.
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