By Jim Kimble / Updated September 28, 2022
This guide outlines all of your options for Verizon Fios Internet plans, and includes details on some of the fine print you need to know before deciding whether to sign up for service.
Table of Contents
- What is Verizon Fios?
- How much are Verizon Fios Internet plans?
- Fios Wi-Fi Router: Buying vs Renting
- Verizon Fios 300Mbs Plan
- Verizon Fios 500 Mbps Plan
- Verizon Fios Gigabit Internet Plan
- Where is Verizon Fios Internet available?
- Verizon 5G Home Internet Cities
- Does Verizon Fios Internet have a data cap?
- Verizon Fios Internet alternatives
- Is Verizon Fios Internet a good deal?
- Plans & Pricing: Fios Internet
What is Verizon Fios?
Verizon Fios was initially known for its bundled TV, Internet and telephone service. But now more people are opting for standalone Fios Internet because they are cutting the cord from traditional cable TV and satellite services.
In November 2020, Verizon Consumer CEO Ronan Dunne acknowledged that the company’s pay TV service (FiOS TV) wasn’t nearly as profitable as it used to be.
“So we are leaning into cord-shaving and cord-cutting unequivocally,” Dunne told the virtual Morgan Stanley European Technology, Media and Telecom Conference.
Part of that strategy has led Verizon Fios to offer lower-priced standalone Internet service along with free trials of streaming services such as Disney+ and AMC+.
Like many of the major internet providers in the U.S., Verizon regularly changes discounts and promotions, and sometimes bundles discounts with mobile plans or phone service.
I’ve been using Verizon Fios for almost a year here in the Northeast, and I have been happy with the service. But you may find deals from Xfinity and Spectrum on home internet service that are worth considering.
Find out if Verizon Fios is available in your area
See the latest deals & promotional offers
Verizon Fios Internet pros vs cons
| PROS |
|---|
| Dedicated fiber-optic network |
| Fast internet speeds for multiple devices |
| No contracts & affordable pricing |
| High customer satisfaction |
| No data caps |
| CONS |
|---|
| Limited availability across the U.S. |
| Promotional pricing changes |
| Install may cost $99 |
| High price for Gigabit plan |
How much are Verizon Fios Internet plans?
The three Verizon internet plans are priced between $49.99 per month and $89.99 per month.
There are no contracts with standalone Fios Internet. Taxes are not included in the quoted price. If you read the fine print, auto-pay and paperless billing is also required to get the lowest price with any Fios Internet plan.
By ordering Fios internet service online – regardless of what Internet plan you order – you will also be able to avoid a $99 setup charge. Plans are on a month-to-month basis, so there are no contracts or an early termination fee.
If your home is not already wired for a fiber-optic network, then the on-site technician will come to your home to install a new line.
Verizon sometimes has a promotional rate for standalone Internet service that increases after a 12- or 24-month period. The company’s promotions in the past have been centered on free trials of streaming services, gift cards and other perks.
Verizon sometimes has a promotional rate for standalone Internet service that increases after a 12- or 24-month period. The company’s promotions in the past have been centered on free trials of streaming services, gift cards and other perks.
Fios Wi-Fi Router: Buying vs Renting
Verizon Fios once charged an additional $15 per month to rent one of their fiber-optic routers. Lately, the router rental has been waived with most standalone with Verizon high-speed internet plans, including the FiOS gigabit connection plan.
Fiber internet operates through an optical network terminal (ONT) instead of a cable modem.
To avoid the $15 rental fee, you have the option of using your own Wi-Fi router.
After signing up for service, I learned that you don’t need a Fios-compatible Wi-Fi router as you have in the past. While going through the online sign-up process, you can choose an option to use your own router.
The service technicians installed an ONT, and explained to me that you no longer need a Fios-compatible router. During the install, the technicians will run a test to make sure your Wi-Fi router is working properly with the Fios-installed terminal.
When I helped my parents transition from a Verizon bundle a few years ago, I bought a refurbished Verizon Fios router from an established seller on eBay for about $40. While renegotiating their service, I was able to get them a new Verizon router without them having to pay a monthly rental fee.
Verizon will also sell you a new router for $299.99. Here is a current breakdown for Fios internet plans in 2022.
How much does FiOS Internet cost by itself?
| PLAN | PRICE | DOWNLOAD SPEEDS | UPLOAD SPEEDS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet 300/300 | $49.99/mo. | 300Mbps | 300Mbps |
| Internet 500/500 | $69.99/mo | 500Mbps | 500Mbps |
| Fios Gigabit Connection | $89.99/mo | Up to 940 Mbps | Up to 880Mbps |
Verizon Fios 300Mbs Plan
This entry-level Internet plan costs $49.99 per month, and is designed with download speeds capable of streaming, downloading movies, and watching live TV online.
According to Verizon’s own internal network testing of Internet speeds the 300/300 Mbps fiber-optic Fios plan is designed to deliver 300 Mbps of download speeds. Customers also get 300 Mbps upload speeds. Verizon is also offering a two-year price guarantee.
I have been using this plan for close to a year with my own TP-Link router. It can easily handle all the TVs, streaming devices, smartphones and computers without any
This plan should give you plenty of download bandwidth for streaming movies, TV shows from apps such as Netflix. Most live TV services require a download speed of 5Mbps to 25Mbps.
As of December 2021, the download speed clocked in at 307.96 Mbps. This plan also has 300Mbps upload speed which came in at 323.99, according to Verizon. Latency was reported at 7.16 milliseconds.
You can easily check whether Fios Internet is available in your area by clicking on the “check availability” button on Verizon’s home page under the 300/300 plan.
Verizon Fios 500 Mbps Plan
The 500/500 Mbps fiber-optic plan costs $64.99 per month, and is designed for multiple Internet users within a larger household.
It is also for homes that are streaming on more than one screen at a time and sharing large files over a home Wi-Fi network.
If you need a slightly more robust Internet connection for gaming, this may be a good plan to consider, especially if you are willing to use an Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi.
Verizon’s own internal testing rated download speeds at 517.74 Mbps, and uploads at 553 Mbps with a latency of 8.86 milliseconds.
You can easily check whether Fios Internet is available in your area by clicking on the “check availability” button on Verizon’s home page under the 500/500 plan.
Verizon Fios Gigabit Internet Plan
The Gigabit connection plan costs $89.99 per month, and has speeds up to 940 Mbps download speeds and 880 Mbps upload. A router with Whole Home WiFi is included with the gigabit plan.
This plan is suited for PC gamers, large file transfers and households that need more overall speed.
You can easily check whether Fios Internet is available in your area by clicking on the “check availability” button on Verizon’s home page under the Gigabit connection plan.
Where is Verizon Fios Internet available?
Verizon Fios is currently offering standalone Internet in 9 states including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia.
Fios Internet is also available in the District of Columbia.
In areas of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, Verizon offers a couple of different Fios Internet plans. There is a 300/300 Internet plan and a 500/500 plan.
ABOUT THE MAP: The highlighted states show where Verizon Fios is available. The icons are cities where Verizon 5G Home Internet is available. This map is based on information from Verizon’s Fios and Wireless websites, and may not be 100 percent accurate.
Verizon 5G Home Internet Cities
There are 51 cities that currently get Verizon 5G Home Internet, which is another option to consider if you want high-speed Internet, but don’t live within Verizon’s coverage area for Fios Internet. You can easily check for availability in your city or town.
Does Verizon Fios Internet have a data cap?
No. Verizon Fios Internet has no data caps.
Verizon Fios Internet alternatives
Internet service is becoming more competitive as families transition away from bundling cable TV service into streaming and using TV antennas.
With more people working from home, the competition among Internet service providers will likely increase. Cable TV providers such as Xfinity are now offering lower introductory rates starting at about $29.99 per month.
Here are a few more fiber optic ISPs.
Is Verizon Fios Internet a good deal?
The prices and plans offered by Verizon Fios are about the same or slightly lower than competing Internet service providers.
Verizon’s Fios Internet has three plans, giving customers options with how much they want to spend to get connected online.
Overall, the 300/300 Mbps plan for $39.99 per month is likely the best deal for most people with common streaming TV and computer use.
The best way to get a deal from Verizon Fios is to own your own Fios router. A router rental costs an extra $15 per month, so owning your own equipment quickly pays for itself.
Plans & Pricing: Fios Internet
- 300/300 Mbps for $49.99 per month.
- 500/500 Mbps for $69.99 per month.
- Gigabit Plan for $89.99 per month.
For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.
* This article was published on January 19, 2022, and has been updated.
Founder and Editor of The Cord Cutting Report. Before launching the site in 2016, he worked for more than two decades as a staff writer or correspondent for a number of daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe. His enthusiasm for tech began with the Atari 2600. Follow @james_kimble
