As we move toward the future the demand for high-speed internet services is increasing multi-fold. Every aspect of our lives from social media to jobs and remote work is not possible without the Internet. Plus, with the recent efforts of the government and internet service providers to narrow down the digital divide more than 97% of the population now have access to the internet. In fact, according to the NTCA Rural Broadband Association, over 67% of the U.S. population now has access to internet speeds of 1 Gbps or higher.
With such widespread availability, it’s essential to evaluate which gigabit plan provides the best balance of speed, pricing, and reliability. Among the many players in the market, Verizon Fios stands out as one of the most well-known providers of fiber-optic internet services. But is their 1 Gig plan the best choice for you in 2024?
That’s what we are going to find out in this detailed Verizon Fios 1 Gig review blog. We’ll break down the Fios 1 Gig plan and examine its pricing, speeds, performance, and much more. So, let’s start.
What Does Verizon Fios 1 Gig Offer?
Let’s start with a bit of downside. Even though Verizon advertises this as the Gigabit plan, the actual speeds are not exactly 1,000 Mbps and fall a little short. Plus, unlike other Fios fiber internet plans and most other competitors, the download and upload speeds are not symmetric. With Verizon Fios 1 Gig you get speeds of up to 940 Mbps for downloads and up to 880 Mbps for uploads. Even though the speeds aren’t symmetric you can work on anything without experiencing any lag or disruptions.
Plan Breakdown and Pricing
The 1 gig Fios plan is priced at $64.99 per month when you sign up with AutoPay and paperless billing. While this pricing is competitive in the gigabit internet space, it’s important to note that Verizon doesn’t offer promotional rates that increase dramatically after a set period. Instead, the price remains stable, giving you peace of mind that your bill won’t spike after a 12 or 24-month promo period, as is common with other ISPs.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Data Caps | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios 1 Gig | $64.99/mo | 940 Mbps | 880 Mbps | None | None |
Verizon Fios 1 Gig: Performance in Real Life
According to the FCC’s Measuring Broadband America Report, Verizon consistently delivers speeds close to or even slightly above what is advertised. This makes it one of the more reliable ISPs when it comes to providing the speeds customers pay for. The chart below depicts the weighted median peak download and upload speeds as a percentage of advertised download speeds for various internet service providers (ISPs). Verizon and Mediacom display the highest percentage of both download and upload speeds, significantly exceeding 100%, indicating that their actual speeds frequently surpass their advertised rates. But that’s not the case for the 1 gigabit Fios internet plan. This means that, among all the Fios internet plans the 1 gig plan is the least performer.
However, like most fiber internet services, Verizon Fios 1 Gig excels in low latency, making it a great option for gamers and households that need uninterrupted connectivity. With an average ping time of about 4.25 milliseconds, it’s a strong performer for real-time applications like online gaming and video conferencing.
| Speed tier | Monthly Price | Download speed | Upload speed | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300/300 Mbps | $34.99/mo. | 309.04 Mbps | 328.39 Mbps | 5.4 ms |
| 500/500 Mbps | $59.99/mo. | 511.39 Mbps | 539.06 Mbps | 4.37 ms |
| 1 Gig(up to 940/880 Mbps;avg. speeds between750-940 / 750-880 Mbps) | $64.99/mo. | 940.68 Mbps | 867.7 Mbps | 4.25 ms |
| 2 Gig(avg. speeds between1.5-2.3 / 1.5-2.3 Gbps) | $84.99/mo. | 2,355.63 Mbps | 2,304.87 Mbps | 5.4 ms |
Who is Verizon Fios 1 Gig Best For?
The Verizon Fios 1 Gig plan is ideal for:
- Households with heavy internet use: If your family streams HD or 4K content on multiple devices, plays online games, and has a lot of smart home devices, the 1 Gig plan can handle it all without slowing down.
- Remote workers: If you work from home and need to handle large file uploads, video calls, or access cloud-based applications, the near-symmetric speeds of Verizon Fios will help ensure smooth connectivity.
- Gamers: Low latency and fast speeds are crucial for online gaming, and Fios 1 Gig offers both. You can enjoy multiplayer gaming without worrying about lag or interruptions.
- Small businesses: Small teams or home-based businesses that require multiple devices to be connected at once will benefit from the fast, stable connection Fios offers, especially for video conferencing and large file transfers.
Additional Features of Verizon Fios 1 Gig
Apart from the impressive speeds, Verizon Fios offers several perks that make the 1 Gig plan even more appealing.
No Data Caps
Verizon Fios doesn’t impose any data limits on its customers, which means you can stream, game, and download as much as you need without worrying about hitting a data cap. This is a major advantage over ISPs that either limit data usage or throttle speeds after a certain threshold.
No Contracts
Another benefit of Verizon Fios is its no-contract policy. This allows you to cancel the service at any time without being locked into long-term agreements. If for any reason you need to switch providers or move to a new area, you won’t have to worry about early termination fees.
Bundling Options
Verizon Fios also offers bundling deals for customers who want to combine their internet with TV or phone services. These bundles can save you money each month while providing a convenient, all-in-one solution for your home entertainment and communication needs.
Coverage and Availability of Verizon Fios
While Verizon Fios delivers impressive speeds and features, its availability is somewhat limited. Fios primarily serves the Northeastern United States, covering areas like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Currently, Fios is available in 9 states, making it less widespread compared to ISPs like Spectrum or Xfinity, which cover much larger areas of the U.S.
Here’s a list of states where Fios is currently available:
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
If you live in one of these areas, Verizon Fios is likely one of the best options available. However, if you’re outside these regions, you’ll have to look at alternative internet providers, like AT&T Fiber or Spectrum.
Installation and Equipment Costs
Installation Fees
When you sign up for Verizon Fios 1 Gig online, you qualify for free professional installation. This is a huge advantage over competitors that often charge steep installation fees for gigabit internet plans. Normally, ISPs like Spectrum charge around $65 to $ 100 for installation, so Verizon’s offer saves you upfront costs. This is also the case for low-tier Fios fiber internet plans. Verizon charges a one-time installation fee of $100 for the 300 Mbps and 500 Mbps plans.
Verizon also offers a self-installation option for customers who prefer to set up the equipment themselves.
Equipment Fees
Verizon Fios includes a free router with its 1 Gig plan, meaning you won’t need to worry about any additional equipment costs. The router provided by Verizon is designed to handle the speeds offered by the 1 Gig plan, ensuring a strong Wi-Fi signal throughout your home.
For those who require extended coverage, especially in larger homes, Verizon also offers Whole-Home Wi-Fi with its gigabit plans. This system helps eliminate dead spots and ensures you get strong, consistent coverage in every corner of your home.
How Does Verizon Fios 1 Gig Compare to Competitors?
When evaluating whether Verizon Fios 1 Gig is the right choice, it’s important to consider how it stacks up against the competition. Let’s take a look at how Verizon compares to other major gigabit internet providers in terms of speed, pricing, and features.
| Provider | Speed (Down/Up) | Price | Contracts | Data Caps | Installation Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios | 940/880 Mbps | $64.99/mo | None | None | Free (Online Orders) |
| Spectrum | 1000/35 Mbps | $79.99/mo | None | None | $65 |
| Xfinity | 1200/35 Mbps | $80.00/mo | 12-Month Contract | 1.2 TB | $89.99 |
| AT&T Fiber | 1000/1000 Mbps | $80.00/mo | None | None | $99 |
| Frontier Fiber | 1000/1000 Mbps | $69.99/mo | None | None | Free |
Customer Satisfaction: What Do Users Think?
Verizon Fios has a solid reputation when it comes to customer satisfaction. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Verizon Fios scored 75, matching the industry average but outpacing many competitors like Spectrum and Frontier. The 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study ranked Verizon Fios as the top-rated fiber optic provider, earning 760/1000, the highest score in its region.
Customers frequently praise Verizon for its consistent speeds and reliable service, particularly in urban and suburban areas where fiber coverage is available. Complaints tend to center around the limited coverage, especially in more rural parts of the country where Fios is not available.
Final Verdict: Is Verizon Fios 1 Gig Worth It?
In conclusion, according to our team and our expert review the Verizon Fios 1 Gig plan is an excellent option for households that need fast, reliable internet with no data caps and no hidden costs.
While its availability is somewhat limited, if you live in an area where Verizon Fios is offered, it’s hard to find a better balance of speed, price, and reliability.
