Verizon Fios Review: Would You Want Their HD TV + High-Speed Internet If You Can Get It?

Diversification is the key to any business model, and the telecommunications giant Verizon takes that to heart. In 2005, Verizon launched the service Fios, which offers HD television and high-speed internet. Although it is not available to most of the United States, Fios has received high praise from both consumers and critics alike; but has also received some serious criticism.

So what’s the deal with Fios? Why isn’t it widely available and what makes it so great? Today I’m going to walk you through what Fios is, how much it costs, and whether or not it’s a good fit for you. Without further ado, let’s get started.

The Basics

What makes Verizon’s Fios television and internet so special is the information delivery system. For the most part, your standard internet/cable provider (AT&T Offering) will have something called “Fiber Optic Nodes,” these nodes essential act like hubs that distribute the internet/television signal. Most providers are using copper cable wires to deliver the signal; but unfortunately, those signals are unreliable and inconsistent.

What makes Fios different is that instead of being hundreds or thousands of feet away from the node, the node is essentially attached to your house and there are no copper wires. This drastically improves the reliability and clarity of your television and internet signal.

Verizon Fios Costs

Fios offers both internet and television services, and both come with multi-tiered plans. Here are the different service plans:

Fios Internet

• 300/300 Mbps: $49.99 monthly
• 500/500 Mbps: $69.99 monthly
• 940/880 Mbps: $89.99 monthly

Verizon offers deals like a discount of $20/mo if you also have certain 5G plans.

Fios TV

• Your Fios TV: 125+ channels for $70/mo
• More Fios TV: 300+ channels for $90/mo
• Most Fios TV: 425+ channels for $110/mo.

Fios DVR

The Your plan does not include a DVR. The More plan includes a single-device DVR. And the Most plan includes multi-device DVR.

The downside to Fios TV is the fact that you also have to rent Verizon equipment in order for it to work. One set-top box is included with each plan. The second and third are $12/mo each.

Can I Get Fios?

Only about a dozen states have Verizon Fios and even then it’s only available in select cities. All of them are located in New England and the Mid-Atlantic. These include:

Getting started with Fios is easy. All you have to do is go to Verizon’s Fios website, and if you are eligible, sign up. You will have two installation methods. If your home is already wired for Fios you can do it yourself or have a technician come out. If your home isn’t wired for Fios, you’ll have to have a tech come out anyway.

The installation fee is usually $50, which might be a bummer to some; but it’s a small price to pay for reliability. Ask any Comcast customer who pays for “50 Mbs Download” and they’ll tell you it’s more like 15 or 20. Which would you rather have; a cheaper start-up cost or to actually get what you pay for?

For those wanting television services, outside of Google Fiber you will be hard-pressed to find any internet service provider that will offer you what Fios can at the same price. (See our Google Fiber review.)

The Downside

The biggest downside is that Verizon is not widely available. But another concern is that this is basically just cable. And the overall price does tend to indicate that.

Other the other hand, it offers a lot. And it does allow a lot of flexibility.

Verizon Fios Channels

The channel lineup is impressive. It includes the main RSNs (assuming elibability) like YES Network and SportsNet New York. It also includes an impressive collection of general local channels.

In addition, it provides (with the top plan), the following channels:

Are you using Fios TV? If so, what do you like and not like about i

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Frank Moraes

I am a Senior Content Editor at Hotdog.com, specializing in sports streaming and regional programming issues. With a PhD in Atmospheric Physics from the Oregon Graduate Institute of Science and extensive experience in remote sensing technology, including early video streaming, I bring a unique technical perspective to the streaming industry.

My expertise in sports coverage, particularly for out-of-market games and regional sports networks, stems from years of hands-on experience as an early adopter of streaming services and my work addressing fans' viewing challenges. As a longtime cord-cutter and subscriber to multiple streaming platforms, I combine my technical knowledge with practical user experience, making me a leading expert in the field of sports streaming and entertainment technology.

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