Verizon Launches 500 Mbps FiOS Tier

By Catherine Cai
published

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. 

Catherine Cai
47 Comments Comment from the forums
  • BulkZerker
    How bout no... for 200 maybe. For the first year to cover the install cost
    Reply
  • getochkn
    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.
    Reply
  • slomo4sho
    Half the speed, triple the price...
    Reply
  • getochkn
    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.
    Reply
  • MasterMace
    Most US companies do not have data caps for ground based internet. It's suicidal.
    Reply
  • getochkn
    11214988 said:
    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.
    Reply
  • nevilence
    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...
    Reply
  • DarkForce_256
    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.
    Reply
  • JPNpower
    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....)
    Reply
  • heero yuy
    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)
    Reply