Verizon's Internet Service Options

Verizon offers internet service in most parts of the United States, but not everywhere. The company provides two main types of home internet: Fios, which uses fiber-optic cable and is the faster option where available, and Verizon Home Internet, a newer wireless service that works in areas where fiber has not been installed. Before you assume Verizon serves your address, you need to check your specific location — availability varies significantly by neighborhood and even by street.

Fios has been around since 2005 and reaches roughly 40 percent of U.S. households, concentrated in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and parts of California and Texas. Verizon Home Internet launched in 2021 and is expanding into areas where the company does not plan to run fiber lines. The two services have different speeds, equipment, and pricing, so knowing which one is available to you matters before you compare it to other providers.

Key Takeaways

  • Verizon offers Fios (fiber) in about 40 percent of the country, mostly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, and Verizon Home Internet (wireless) in expanding areas where fiber is not available.
  • You must check your address on Verizon's website to see which service, if any, is available to you — availability is block-by-block and cannot be assumed from your city or zip code.
  • Fios speeds typically range from 300 Mbps to 2 gigabits per second, while Verizon Home Internet offers speeds between 72 and 245 Mbps depending on location.
  • Both services require professional installation or self-installation, and both come with a modem or router that Verizon provides.

How to Check if Verizon Serves Your Address

Go to Verizon's website and enter your street address in the service availability tool. The tool will tell you whether Fios, Verizon Home Internet, or neither is available at that location. This is the only reliable way to know — calling customer service or asking neighbors may give you outdated information, since Verizon expands coverage regularly.

If neither service shows as available, you can sign up for a notification when Verizon launches service in your area. Some people wait months or years for this to happen; others never see Verizon arrive. If you need internet now and Verizon is not available, you will need to look at other providers in your area.

Fios: Fiber-Based Internet

Fios uses fiber-optic cable running directly to your home, which allows for faster, more consistent speeds than older cable or DSL technology. read speeds start at 300 Mbps and go up to 2 gigabits per second (2,000 Mbps) on the highest tier. Upload speeds are symmetrical, meaning they match your read speed — this matters if you work from home, stream video, or upload files regularly.

Fios requires professional installation in most cases, though Verizon occasionally offers self-installation kits. The technician will run fiber cable to your home and install a router that Verizon provides. There is typically a one-time installation fee, though Verizon sometimes waives this during promotions. Monthly pricing varies by speed tier and your location, and introductory rates usually last 12 months before the price increases.

Verizon Home Internet: Wireless Service

Verizon Home Internet is a fixed wireless service, meaning a router in your home connects to Verizon's cellular network rather than receiving a cable or fiber line. This service is faster than traditional DSL but slower than Fios. Speeds typically range from 72 Mbps to 245 Mbps, depending on how close you are to the nearest cell tower and how congested the network is in your area.

Installation is simpler than Fios — you can usually set up the router yourself by plugging it in and connecting your devices. Verizon ships the router to you, and there is no technician visit required. Monthly pricing is lower than Fios, and there is no long-term contract. The main trade-off is that wireless service can be less stable than fiber if your area has poor cell coverage or if the network becomes congested during peak hours.

Speed and Performance Differences

Fios is the faster and more reliable option if you have heavy internet use — multiple people streaming video at once, online gaming, or large file uploads. The fiber connection is not shared with neighbors the way cable internet is, so your speed remains consistent even during peak hours. Fios also has lower latency (the delay between sending and receiving data), which matters for gaming and video calls.

Verizon Home Internet works well for lighter use — browsing, email, video calls, and streaming one video at a time. If your household has multiple people using the internet simultaneously for bandwidth-heavy tasks, wireless service may feel slow. Performance also depends on your distance from the nearest tower and local network congestion, which you cannot control.

Equipment and Installation

Both Fios and Verizon Home Internet come with a router that Verizon owns and maintains. You do not buy the equipment; it is included in your monthly service fee. If the router fails, Verizon replaces it at no cost. You can use your own router if you prefer, but Verizon's equipment is optimized for their network and usually performs better.

Fios installation typically takes 2 to 4 hours and requires a technician to run cable to your home and set up the router. Verizon Home Internet arrives by mail, and you plug it in yourself — the whole process takes 15 minutes. If you have Fios and later move, the service does not transfer; you would need to check availability at your new address.

Pricing and Contract Terms

Verizon advertises introductory rates for both services, usually lasting 12 months. After that period, the price increases to the regular rate, which is often significantly higher. The introductory price varies by location and current promotions, so you need to check what Verizon is offering in your area right now.

Neither Fios nor Verizon Home Internet requires a long-term contract, though some promotional pricing may require you to stay for a certain period to avoid an early termination fee. Read the terms carefully before you sign up. Verizon also offers bundles that combine internet with phone or TV service, which may lower the total cost if you use multiple services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Verizon internet if I live in an apartment or condo?

It depends on whether your building has Fios infrastructure or whether Verizon Home Internet reaches your location. Some apartment buildings have Fios installed building-wide, while others do not. Check your address on Verizon's website — the tool will tell you what is available. If your building does not have Fios, you may still be able to get Verizon Home Internet if the wireless signal reaches your unit.

What happens to my internet if the power goes out?

Both Fios and Verizon Home Internet routers require electricity to work, so you will lose internet during a power outage. Fios routers have a battery backup option that keeps the router running for a few hours, but you have to buy this separately. Verizon Home Internet routers do not have battery backup available.

Can I use Verizon internet with my own modem?

Verizon does not allow you to use your own modem with either Fios or Verizon Home Internet. The router must be Verizon's equipment. You can connect your own router to Verizon's equipment if you want different features, but the Verizon router has to stay in the network.

How long does it take to get Fios installed?

Verizon typically schedules Fios installation within 1 to 2 weeks of your order, depending on how busy they are in your area. The installation itself takes 2 to 4 hours. If your home needs new cable runs or other infrastructure work, installation may take longer or require a second visit.

What if Verizon Home Internet is too slow for my needs?

If wireless service does not meet your speed requirements, check whether Fios is available at your address — Fios is much faster. If Fios is not available and you need higher speeds, you will need to look at other providers like cable internet or fixed wireless services from other companies. Some areas have only one or two options, so your choices may be limited.