Verizon does offer home internet, but only in certain areas and through two different technologies

Verizon sells home internet under the brand name Verizon Fios and Verizon 5G Home. Fios is fiber-optic internet available in parts of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and some areas of the Midwest and Florida. 5G Home is wireless home internet available in select cities across the country. Neither service reaches everywhere Verizon's cell network does, so you need to check your specific address to know if either one works for you.

The two services work differently, cost differently, and have different speed limits. Fios uses physical fiber cables run to your home. 5G Home uses Verizon's wireless network and a small box that sits in your window or on your roof. If you are comparing Verizon to other internet providers in your area, you need to know which Verizon service (if any) is actually available at your address before you can compare prices and speeds.

Key Takeaways

  • Verizon Fios is fiber internet available only in parts of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and scattered areas of Florida and the Midwest — check your address on Verizon's website to see if it reaches you.
  • Verizon 5G Home is wireless internet that works in some cities but not others, and availability changes as Verizon builds out its network.
  • Fios speeds typically range from 300 Mbps to 2 gigabits per second, while 5G Home speeds vary widely depending on network congestion and distance from the tower.
  • Both services require a Verizon technician to install equipment, and both have data caps or throttling policies you should review before signing up.

Verizon Fios: fiber internet in limited regions

Verizon Fios is available in parts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Florida. The service does not cover all of these states — only specific cities and neighborhoods within them. Verizon stopped expanding Fios in 2010 and has not added new service areas since then, so if Fios is not available at your address now, it is unlikely to become available in the future.

Fios speeds start at 300 Mbps for basic plans and go up to 2 gigabits per second (2,000 Mbps) for the highest tier. These are symmetrical speeds, meaning upload and read speeds are the same. Fios plans come bundled with TV and phone service or as internet-only, and prices vary by location. You can check availability and pricing by entering your address on Verizon's website.

Fios requires a technician visit to install fiber optic cables and a router in your home. Installation is usually free, but Verizon may charge a fee if you need additional equipment or if the installation is unusually complex. Once installed, Fios is generally reliable because the fiber cable is not shared with neighbors the way some cable internet is.

Verizon 5G Home: wireless internet in select cities

Verizon 5G Home is wireless home internet that uses Verizon's 5G cellular network. It is available in parts of major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, and others, but not in all neighborhoods of those cities. Verizon continues to expand 5G Home availability, so you should check your address on their website to see if it is currently available or coming soon to your area.

5G Home speeds vary more than Fios speeds because wireless networks are affected by distance from the tower, weather, and how many people are using the network at the same time. Verizon advertises typical speeds of 72 to 245 Mbps, but real-world speeds can be higher or lower. Upload speeds are usually much slower than read speeds, which matters if you work from home and need to send large files or attend video calls regularly.

5G Home installation is simpler than Fios. A technician brings a small wireless receiver box and places it in a window or on your roof where it has a clear line of sight to the nearest tower. The whole process usually takes less than an hour. There is no monthly equipment rental fee, though Verizon charges an upfront set up fee.

How to check if Verizon internet is available at your address

Go to Verizon's website and use their address lookup tool. Enter your street address, city, and zip code. The tool will tell you whether Fios, 5G Home, or neither is available at that location. If both are available, you can compare the speeds and prices for each service.

If neither Verizon service is available, the lookup tool may show you other internet options in your area, though this varies by region. You can also use a broader search tool like the FCC's broadband map (broadbandmap.fcc.gov) to see what other providers serve your address.

Data caps and speed throttling policies

Verizon Fios does not have a data cap — you can use as much data as you want each month without overage charges or speed reductions. This is one advantage Fios has over cable internet from some other providers.

Verizon 5G Home has a soft data cap of 250 GB per month. If you use more than 250 GB in a month, Verizon may slow down your speeds during times of network congestion, but you will not be charged extra. For most households, 250 GB is enough for streaming video, video calls, and web browsing, but households with multiple people working from home or streaming 4K video regularly may hit this limit.

Installation, equipment, and contracts

Both Fios and 5G Home require a technician to install equipment. Fios installation is free, but 5G Home has an upfront set up fee (usually around $99, though this varies). Both services provide a router or wireless receiver at no additional monthly cost.

Verizon Fios typically requires a two-year contract, though month-to-month options may be available in some areas. 5G Home is month-to-month with no contract. If you are unsure about committing to a service, 5G Home's flexibility is an advantage, but Fios's contract often comes with lower monthly prices.

Verizon internet compared to other providers in your area

Once you know whether Verizon Fios or 5G Home is available at your address, you can compare it to other providers. In areas where Fios is available, it usually competes with cable internet from Comcast or Charter. Fios typically offers faster speeds and no data caps, but cable internet may have more flexible contract terms or lower introductory prices.

In areas where only 5G Home is available, it competes with cable, DSL, or satellite internet depending on your location. 5G Home is faster than DSL and satellite in most cases, but cable internet is often faster and more stable. The best choice depends on what speeds you need, how much data you use, and what other providers serve your address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Verizon internet if I live in a rural area?

Verizon Fios is not available in rural areas. Verizon 5G Home may be available in some rural areas near cities, but coverage is spotty. Check your address on Verizon's website to see if either service reaches you. If not, you may need to look at satellite internet, fixed wireless from other providers, or DSL.

What is the difference between Verizon Fios and Verizon 5G Home?

Fios uses fiber-optic cables and offers faster, more consistent speeds with no data cap. 5G Home uses wireless technology, is easier to install, and has no contract, but speeds vary more and there is a 250 GB monthly data cap. Fios is available in limited regions; 5G Home is expanding to more cities.

Do I have to sign a contract with Verizon for home internet?

Fios typically requires a two-year contract, though some areas offer month-to-month plans. 5G Home is month-to-month with no contract. Check what options are available at your address when you look up service availability.

What happens if my Verizon internet goes down?

Call Verizon's customer service line or use their website to report an outage. For Fios, technicians can usually diagnose problems remotely and send someone to your home if needed. For 5G Home, troubleshooting often involves restarting the wireless receiver box or checking that it has a clear line of sight to the tower.

Can I bundle Verizon internet with other services?

Verizon Fios can be bundled with TV and phone service for a discount, or purchased as internet-only. 5G Home is internet-only and cannot be bundled with other Verizon services. If you want bundled services, Fios may offer better pricing.