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Verizon Launches 500 Mbps FiOS Tier

By - Source: GigaOM | B 47 comments

Google Fiber has inspired some competitors, such as Gigabit Squared in Seattle and VTel in Vermont. To compete with the new gigabit speeds offered by ISPs, Verizon has unveiled its new 500 Mbps tier for FiOS. It's half the gigabit speeds that Google Fiber, VTel, and Gigabit are offering, but Verizon's not shy about charging an arm and a leg for the service. 

Yup, whereas Google Fiber charges $70/month for its services, Gigabit Squared $80/month, and VTel $35/month, Verizon is asking $299.99/month from its customers, or $294.99/month from customers who sign up for a two year agreement. This high charge is to encourage customers to buy bundled plans, which charge $309.99/month for Internet and TV and $329.99/month for Internet, TV, and phone.  

To be fair, most ISPs don't even offer comparable tiers, and those that do are asking for more. So, for those out of the coverage of any of the gigabit ISPs that are looking for high speed Internet may just have to live down paying the price. 

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Top Comments
  • 20 Hide
    getochkn , July 23, 2013 5:07 PM
    Is it unlimited bandwidth though? One of the ISP's in Canada is offering a 175mb/s up and down fiber package, but only 300GB per month cap on transfers. With a 175mb/s, I could burn through 300GB in a few days. ISP's still don't get that more speed doesn't mean anything if you can't use it for more than 5 days a month. It's like giving someone a Porsche, and 3 gallons of gas. Sure you can get it up to 200 for about 3 seconds, then you're out of gas.
Other Comments
  • 0 Hide
    BulkZerker , July 23, 2013 5:06 PM
    How bout no... for 200 maybe. For the first year to cover the install cost
  • 20 Hide
    getochkn , July 23, 2013 5:07 PM
    Is it unlimited bandwidth though? One of the ISP's in Canada is offering a 175mb/s up and down fiber package, but only 300GB per month cap on transfers. With a 175mb/s, I could burn through 300GB in a few days. ISP's still don't get that more speed doesn't mean anything if you can't use it for more than 5 days a month. It's like giving someone a Porsche, and 3 gallons of gas. Sure you can get it up to 200 for about 3 seconds, then you're out of gas.
  • Display all 47 comments.
  • 9 Hide
    slomo4sho , July 23, 2013 5:16 PM
    Half the speed, triple the price...
  • -1 Hide
    getochkn , July 23, 2013 5:16 PM
    Is it unlimited bandwidth though? One of the ISP's in Canada is offering a 175mb/s up and down fiber package, but only 300GB per month cap on transfers. With a 175mb/s, I could burn through 300GB in a few days. ISP's still don't get that more speed doesn't mean anything if you can't use it for more than 5 days a month. It's like giving someone a Porsche, and 3 gallons of gas. Sure you can get it up to 200 for about 3 seconds, then you're out of gas.
  • 5 Hide
    MasterMace , July 23, 2013 5:17 PM
    Most US companies do not have data caps for ground based internet. It's suicidal.
  • 2 Hide
    getochkn , July 23, 2013 5:23 PM
    Quote:
    Most US companies do not have data caps for ground based internet. It's suicidal.


    Problem up here, too few companies offer net, cell, etc, so they can do what they want like ofer 175/175 and a 300GB cap.
  • 3 Hide
    nevilence , July 23, 2013 5:23 PM
    I think you would all crap yourself in fear if you had to use the internet in Australia, at home im lucky if I get over 1.5Mbps >< best I ever got was 5Mbps and thats only because I could spit on the exchange from my window at the time. Oh wells, have to wait on the governments fibre roll out...
  • -1 Hide
    DarkForce_256 , July 23, 2013 5:27 PM
    well I pay $200 a month for my 6 mbs out here in the middle of nowhere so if Verizon offered it to me I would take it.
  • 5 Hide
    JPNpower , July 23, 2013 5:38 PM
    O're here in Japan, we get optic internet for cheap. Of course completely unlimited. All's not bad after all! (But then I live in murica....)
  • 0 Hide
    heero yuy , July 23, 2013 5:47 PM
    300 dollars a month? that's like £200 I pay £20 a month (although I don't get as good internet as someone paying the exact same amount in say derby or Manchester due to me being in the arse end of nowhere)
  • 4 Hide
    rb420 , July 23, 2013 6:21 PM
    Quote:
    Is it unlimited bandwidth though? One of the ISP's in Canada is offering a 175mb/s up and down fiber package, but only 300GB per month cap on transfers. With a 175mb/s, I could burn through 300GB in a few days. ISP's still don't get that more speed doesn't mean anything if you can't use it for more than 5 days a month. It's like giving someone a Porsche, and 3 gallons of gas. Sure you can get it up to 200 for about 3 seconds, then you're out of gas.


    Yeah I don't understand Bell Canada at all. I switched from them to my local cable company. Almost 2 years ago.

    When they asked me why i was cancelling my service, I told them they were unable to offer me a service that suits my needs. He asked what my needs were and I told him, unlimited usage. I even told him I would be willing to pay more for it. He went off and asked his supervisor or whatever...comes back on the line and concedes that they are unable to offer what I need blah blah blah...

    Horrible business model. I mean, it would have so simple for them too keep me as a customer. I went from paying taxes included, about $80/ month for bell 16/1 Mbit with 195GB cap to $60/month for 25Mbit UNLIMITED. I would have kept the slower speeds to avoid the hassle of switching ISPs had they JUST GAVE ME UNLIMITED USAGE!

  • -1 Hide
    bgunner , July 23, 2013 6:22 PM
    OK Here is an average person out of the range of Fios and google Piss off the both of you as none of you can compare to the average price of internet around my area "Western Mass" I will stick with The cheapest around, Yes we are a tourist destination, there is no where like the Berkshires. We are the Hub to Mass and the Green mountains and Boston but we are the ones that get screwed by the the rest because we are "the mountain folk" google and verizon which is our land line service can piss off because I am so fed up with there service I have shut Off my land service and have have gone with a different carrier for cellular service. Don't let the adds fool you they are shitty, you will have your own experiance but try being in the mist of every thing and get passed over, then you will get the Idea.
  • 2 Hide
    DarkForce_256 , July 23, 2013 6:32 PM
    well I pay $200 a month for my 6 mbs out here in the middle of nowhere so if Verizon offered it to me I would take it.
  • 2 Hide
    vlaframboise , July 23, 2013 6:46 PM
    up here (montreal) i'm paying 145$/month for 120mb down and 20mb up. normally it's limited to 300gb/month but videotron (deff not bell) is negociable, reps got great discretionary possibilities and understant BIG bandwith users.... considering I live in a country with less than 4 individuals per square kilometre....
  • 2 Hide
    John Bauer , July 23, 2013 7:49 PM
    Quote:
    I think you would all crap yourself in fear if you had to use the internet in Australia, at home im lucky if I get over 1.5Mbps >< best I ever got was 5Mbps and thats only because I could spit on the exchange from my window at the time. Oh wells, have to wait on the governments fibre roll out...


    My internet doesn't get over 1mb, I get about 700 kb/s on a good day. I love AT&T.

    In the good ol' (rural) USA
  • 1 Hide
    vmem , July 23, 2013 8:02 PM
    well, time to pack up and find a nice apartment in seattle :p 
  • -2 Hide
    John Bauer , July 23, 2013 8:12 PM
    Quote:
    Most US companies do not have data caps for ground based internet. It's suicidal.


    Google is the only ISP (off of the top of my head) I know that doesn't have a data cap. I have a 150gb data cap with DSL.
  • 1 Hide
    John Bauer , July 23, 2013 8:13 PM
    Quote:
    well, time to pack up and find a nice apartment in seattle :p 


    Kansas City has Google Fiber though......
  • 1 Hide
    Erdrick , July 23, 2013 8:19 PM
    Commufa in Japan is offering 1 Gb Up/Down + phone + tv for less than $60 / month.
  • 1 Hide
    acadia11 , July 23, 2013 8:53 PM
    What is to be fair? And who cares that most IPS's don't offer such speed. The price is ridiculous.
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