As internet usage continues to grow, the demand for faster and more reliable connections has become a top priority for many households in 2024. Recent studies show that more than 67% of U.S. households now have access to speeds of 1 Gbps or higher, and broadband connections are rapidly evolving to meet these increasing demands. However, not everyone needs gigabit speeds, and this is where mid-tier plans, like the Verizon Fios 500 Mbps plan, come into play.
Verizon Fios, known for its fiber-optic technology, offers a range of internet plans suited to different needs. The 500 Mbps plan strikes a balance between speed and cost, making it a popular choice for households that require solid performance but don’t want to pay for the higher-tier gigabit options.
In this blog, we will perform an in-depth Verizon 500 Mbps review. We’ll assess the key aspects of Verizon’s 500 Mbps plan—pricing, performance, features, and customer satisfaction—to determine if it’s a good fit for your internet needs in 2024. So, let’s start.
- What Does Verizon Fios 500 Mbps Offer?
- Additional Features of Verizon Fios 500 Mbps
- Coverage and Availability of Verizon Fios
- Installation and Equipment Costs
- How Does Verizon Fios 500 Mbps Internet Compare to Competitors?
- Customer Satisfaction Status: What Do Users Think About Verizon Fios Internet?
- Final Verdict: Is Verizon Fios 500 Mbps Worth It?
What Does Verizon Fios 500 Mbps Offer?
Verizon Fios’ 500 Mbps plan is designed to meet the needs of mid-sized households that need reliable speeds for multiple connected devices. It offers up to 500 Mbps download speeds, which is sufficient for various activities such as:
- Streaming 4K content across multiple devices.
- Remote work that requires video conferencing and large file transfers.
- Online gaming with low latency and minimal lag.
- Managing smart home devices like security systems, smart lights, and voice assistants.
One thing to note here is that the plan provides symmetric upload and download speeds. Which means we get the same download and upload speed.
When we hear “500 Mbps,” most of us expect that’s the maximum speed we’ll get, right? Not with Verizon Fios. In fact, the 500 Mbps plan consistently delivers speeds that exceed the advertised rate. If you sign up for the plan expecting to max out at 500 Mbps, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Real-world tests show that Verizon’s 500 Mbps plan actually provides 511.39 Mbps download and an impressive 539.06 Mbps upload speed.
Plus, with latency as low as 4.37 milliseconds, it’s hard to argue against the fact that you’re getting far more than what’s on the label.
| Speed tier | Download speed | Upload speed | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300/300 Mbps | 309.04 Mbps | 328.39 Mbps | 5.4 ms |
| 500/500 Mbps | 511.39 Mbps | 539.06 Mbps | 4.37 ms |
| 1 Gig(up to 940/880 Mbps;avg. speeds between750-940 / 750-880 Mbps) | 940.68 Mbps | 867.7 Mbps | 4.25 ms |
| 2 Gig(avg. speeds between1.5-2.3 / 1.5-2.3 Gbps) | 2,355.63 Mbps | 2,304.87 Mbps | 5.4 ms |
Plan Breakdown and Pricing
The Verizon Fios 500 Mbps plan is competitively priced at $59.99 per month, as long as you sign up for AutoPay and paperless billing. This makes it an attractive option for those looking for high-speed internet without breaking the bank.
At first glance, the price seems reasonably low, however, if we compare the speed-to-price ratio of all Fios home internet plans, we can clearly see that the Fios 500 Mbps plan doesn’t perform very well. For instance, the speed-to-price ratio of the 500 Mbps plan is 8.33 (meaning you get 8.33 Mbps for every dollar). Comparatively, the Verizon Fios 2 Gig plan has a speed-to-price ratio of 23.53. Not only this, if we look at the prices realistically, you can get the 1 gig plan for just 5 more dollars per month.
So, while the 500 Mbps internet speed is perfect for any family the monthly price doesn’t make it a strong contender.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Speed | Speed/Price Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios 300 | $34.99/mo. | 300 Mbps | 8.573878251 |
| Verizon Fios 500 | $59.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | 8.334722454 |
| Verizon Fios 1 Gig | $64.99/mo. | 940 Mbps | 14.46376366 |
| Verizon Fios 2 Gig | $84.99/mo. | 2300 Mbps | 23.53218026 |
Verizon’s pricing structure is straightforward with no promotional gimmicks, meaning that you won’t experience sudden price hikes after a few months of service—a practice common with many other ISPs.
Verizon Fios 500 Mbps Review: Performance in Real-Life
According to the FCC’s Measuring Broadband America report, Verizon consistently provides speeds that match or exceed its advertised rates, a performance metric that many other ISPs struggle to meet.
Users of the 500 Mbps plan report:
- Stable, high-speed downloads even during peak usage times.
- Low latency (typically less than 5 milliseconds), making it ideal for gaming and video conferencing.
- Consistent performance across a variety of activities, from streaming 4K movies on multiple devices to uploading large files to cloud services.
This plan offers more than enough bandwidth for households with 3-5 active internet users, ensuring a seamless experience for everyone, whether they are streaming, gaming, or working from home.
Additional Features of Verizon Fios 500 Mbps
No Data Caps
One of the standout features of Verizon Fios, including the 500 Mbps plan, is that it comes with no data caps. This means you can use the internet as much as you want without worrying about overage charges or throttling.
This unlimited data usage is especially beneficial for households with multiple devices or for those who rely on bandwidth-heavy activities like cloud backups, video streaming, and gaming.
No Contracts
Verizon Fios offers its plans, including the 500 Mbps option, with no contract requirements. This gives customers the flexibility to cancel or switch plans without facing any early termination fees. If your needs change or if you find a better offer, you can easily opt-out without financial penalties.
Additionally, for customers switching to Verizon Fios from another ISP, Verizon offers up to $500 to cover early termination fees from your current provider, making the transition smoother.
Bundling Options
Verizon provides various bundling options, allowing customers to combine their internet service with TV and phone services for added convenience. Bundling your services can lead to significant savings on your monthly bill and offers a more streamlined service experience. Plus, you also get a free $200 gift card for signing up for their service.
For example, you can pair the 500 Mbps internet plan with Verizon’s myPlan bundle, which includes customizable TV and mobile options.
Coverage and Availability of Verizon Fios
As of 2024, Verizon Fios fiber internet is available in over 900 cities across the U.S., primarily in the Northeast region. However, fiber availability is limited to just 9 states, including:
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- Washington D.C.
Even after its limited availability, there are over 7 million Verizon Fios customers as per the data of 2023. This suggests that Fios is a quite good internet service.
If you’re located in one of these states, Verizon Fios is one of the best internet options available, offering superior speed and reliability compared to other ISPs. For customers outside these regions, Verizon primarily offers DSL internet, which is slower and less consistent than fiber.
To check if Verizon Fios is available in your area, you can visit their official website or use the National Broadband Map provided by the FCC, where you can enter your address and see all available ISPs in your region.
Installation and Equipment Costs
Installation Fees
When you sign up for the Verizon Fios 500 Mbps plan online, you may qualify for free professional installation, a major advantage over some competitors who charge steep installation fees. For example, providers like Spectrum charge between $65 and $100 for installation, so Verizon’s offer of free installation saves you upfront costs.
If you prefer to handle the setup yourself, Verizon also offers a DIY installation kit at no additional cost, although most users opt for professional installation to ensure everything is correctly configured.
Equipment Fees
Another benefit of the 500 Mbps plan is that the router is included at no additional cost. This is particularly appealing since many other ISPs charge monthly rental fees for routers or additional fees for whole-home Wi-Fi coverage.
How Does Verizon Fios 500 Mbps Internet Compare to Competitors?
When comparing Verizon Fios to other fiber-optic internet providers, the 500 Mbps plan stands out for its competitive pricing, strong performance, and additional benefits like free installation and no contracts.
| Provider | Speed (Down/Up) | Price | Contracts | Data Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios | 500 Mbps / 500 Mbps | $59.99/month | None | None |
| AT&T Fiber | 500 Mbps / 500 Mbps | $65/month | None | None |
| Frontier Fiber | 500 Mbps / 500 Mbps | $44.99/month | None | None |
| Xfinity | 400 Mbps / 35 Mbps | $55/month (12-mo) | 12-month | 1.2 TB |
As the table shows, Verizon Fios is competitively priced, though Frontier offers slightly lower costs for its 500 Mbps plan. However, Frontier’s customer service ratings often lag behind Verizon’s, and the availability of Frontier Fiber is also much more limited.
Customer Satisfaction Status: What Do Users Think About Verizon Fios Internet?
Verizon Fios is consistently ranked highly in customer satisfaction surveys. According to the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study, Verizon scored 760/1000, making it one of the highest-rated providers in its region.
Additionally, the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) gave Verizon Fios a score of 75, matching the industry average but ahead of competitors like Spectrum and Xfinity.
In customer reviews, Verizon Fios users frequently praise the service’s reliability, speed consistency, and low latency, which are critical factors for anyone using the internet for streaming, gaming, or remote work.
Final Verdict: Is Verizon Fios 500 Mbps Worth It?
After extensive research and reviewing the available data, we at GetInternetDeal can conclude that the Verizon 500 500 Mbps plan is an excellent choice by itself. However, from the economic point of view, we would suggest you get the Fios 1 Gig plan as it gives you double speed with just 5 more bucks.
