What Is Fios By Verizon?
Using fiber-optic technology, Verizon FiOS is an internet, TV, and phone business providing its services. FiOS is the short form for Fiber Optic Service. Using fiber-optic networks, Verizon debuted FiOS in 2005 hoping to provide internet services quicker than those provided by cable companies.
Verizon FiOS vs Cable: What Sets Verizon FiOS Apart?
Therefore, one can mostly define the main difference between Verizon FiOS and cable internet as the kind of network architecture. Verizon FiOS connects the customer's premises via an all-fiber-optic link devoid of outside plant copper pairs or coaxial cables. Conversely, cable internet uses a fiber-coaxial network in which the final mile to the consumers is accomplished via coaxial cables.
Little flexible glass threads called fiber-optic cables carry data in the form of light pulses. This thus helps fiber networks to provide noticeably higher bandwidth than copper cable networks. Verizon FiOS may therefore provide some of the fastest and most consistent internet connection speeds accessible.
FiOS Internet Speeds
Verizon FiOS provides four primary packages of Internet connection with a download speed of up to 940 Mbps and an upload speed of up to 880 Mbps. The speed tiers are:
- FiOS 100 Mbps (100 Mbps download / 100 Mbps upload)
- FiOS 300 Mbps (300 Mbps down / 300 Mbps up)
- FiOS 500 Mbps (500 Mbps downstream/ 500 Mbps upstream)
- FiOS 940 Mbps (940 Mbps in downstream/880 Mbps in upstream)
Verizon may experience lower speeds but guarantees that the connection provided is at least the specified download and upload speed continually including on the peak hours. This reliability is because the company has enormous capacity through fiber-optic lines directly to customers.
However, cable internet connection speed is comparatively slower and variable since the local nodes of cable networks have limited bandwidth provision. Peak usage slowdowns are more apparent in a cable internet connection because all the customers who subscribe to the service in a neighborhood share what is available.
FiOS TV Service
Apart from internet connectivity, Verizon FiOS provides television services via fiber-optic cable. FiOS TV offers availability in high definition and a bundle of around 425 channels.
All FiOS TV plans include Interactive Media Guide features. Customers can control the system by speaking to Alexa or using recommendations that are based on the history of what they have been watching. There is also a FiOS TV app that can enable the streaming of content within and outside the home through mobile devices.
FiOS TV channel packages are not identical among regions but usually contain such popular cable networks as ESPN, TNT, HBO, and Showtime. Local broadcast networks are always accessible in HD quality where the affiliates offer it. Customers are again able to make additional channel choices from several options including movies and global packages.
Although FiOS TV is more expensive than most cable services, it offers a higher picture quality due to fiber-optic transmission. FiOS provides sharp HD feeds because fiber lines can support higher bandwidths than coaxial cables. This makes it possible to provide more bandwidth per channel to increase clarity and resolution.
Bundled Service Options
Popular deals at Verizon include FiOS packages that offer internet, cable television, and home phone services. This way it is cheaper than if the customer had to subscribe to the individual services separately. The minimum monthly prices are $80 per month, but they rise with faster internet speed and more TV services.
Popular FiOS triple-play bundles include.
- 1500 Mb/s internet + basic package of FiOS TV Local + home telephony service
- FiOS 300 Mbps internet + FiOS TV Extreme HD + home phone
FiOS also offers several FiOS Mix & Match service packages which allow customers to further personalize their bundles by speed and channel tiers. Regardless of whether one opts for a packaged version where everything is procured at once or if one has the services individually customized for oneself, it is one-stop shopping in the sense that one is billed for the whole package.
FiOS Internet & FiOS Landline Phone Plans
In addition to its bundled packages that include both TV and internet, Verizon offers FiOS internet only and the conventional home phone line separately. FiOS internet-only plans are also available which offer customers a pure fiber connection at $40 per month and above. At the same time, the basic packages that include only a phone are offered at $25 monthly, and they offer free calls across the country.
This is because such standalone options are beneficial to customers such as renters with limited time flexibility. Since FiOS needs professional installation of fiber wires into premises, bundles usually entail an annual subscription that fixes the price. However, internet or phone-only plans are available and can be subscribed to every month. There are also no additional charges as in the case with TV levies such as the TV license fee.
Where Is Verizon FiOS Offered?
The drawback of fiber-optic networks over cable is how the deployment comes down to making physical connections to every single building that is supposed to be served. Connecting fiber wires to neighborhoods involves extensive cable laying, which is way more than merely plugging the coaxial cables.
As such, FiOS builds have primarily targeted densely populated metropolitan markets within the northeastern United States. Major FiOS markets currently span nine states including.
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Texas
- Virginia
In the supported states, FiOS internet is actively deployed across hundreds of cities and towns. To find out whether FiOS is available in a specific location, a consumer has to enter a zip code and the street address on the Verizon site. For customers with FiOS availability, new orders for services can be performed entirely through the website or by contacting Verizon sales.