In today’s day and age of high-speed internet, it is no longer a luxury but a necessity. If you’re working from home, streaming movies, or gaming with friends, an internet connection that works is vital to your productivity and enjoyment. Verizon Fios is one of the many internet service providers out there and is a great choice if you’re looking for high-quality, fiber optic internet services. However, before you can take advantage of the perks of Verizon Fios, you should first ensure that the service is provided in your area. This can all sound a little confusing to many customers, but fortunately, it’s pretty easy to check Verizon Fios availability by address. In this article, I walk you through the process, why availability varies, and give some tips to make the process more bearable.
Why Check Verizon Fios Availability by Address?
Before getting into how to check Verizon Fios availability by address it’s vital to know why Verizon Fios availability is not common. Verizon Fios is one of the fastest and most reliable internet services available in the country, but it’s not available in every spot. Verizon’s fiber-optic network is not nationwide, and the company has expanded as it has based on demand, infrastructure, and local regulations.
That means if you’re not in an area where Verizon hasn’t rolled out its fiber optic network, you may not be able to get its services or have a lot of choice in plan type and speed. For that reason, the first step in finding whether you can sign up with Verizon Fios is to confirm that it is available in your local area using your address.
How to Check Verizon Fios Availability by Address
Verizon offers several ways to check Verizon Fios availability by address. The easiest and most common way of doing it is through the company’s online tool which is found on the official Verizon website. Here’s how you can do it:
1- Go to the Verizon Fios Website
First of all, head over to the official Verizon website. Once in the store, check out the section where you can enter your address to see availability. This option is usually shown on the homepage or under the Fios section.
2- Enter Your Address
They will ask you to enter your address, street, city, and zip. The more accurate the information, the more accurate the results. If you’re living in a multi-unit building, some tools may ask for your apartment or unit number.
3- Review the Results
Once your address is entered, the tool will determine if Verizon Fios is available in your area. It will tell you what internet plans and speeds are available in your location if service is available. If Verizon Fios isn’t available, the tool may suggest services or a list of areas where the service is being expanded in the future.
4- Call Verizon Customer Service
If the online tool doesn’t give you clear information, you can always call Verizon’s customer service. However, a representative may be able to give you more details and even help you if the service isn’t available right now, but could be soon.
Why Availability May Be Limited in Some Areas
If you want to check Verizon Fios availability by address, it is important to know why so few areas are available, which is because the fiber optic network is laid out in a particular way. Fiber-optic internet is a whole different animal than cable or DSL internet. But, for Verizon, it is a costly and time-consuming process to build out its fiber network in particular areas. Here are a few reasons why availability may vary:
1- Geographical Limitations: Verizon Fios is not available everywhere; it’s mostly available in select states and cities where Verizon has put in the fiber network. While cities along the East Coast including New York, New Jersey, and parts of Virginia are the most widely available, other areas may not be yet.
2- Infrastructure Costs: Fiber optic cables are expensive to install. In order for Verizon to expand its Fios network, it has to dig trenches, lay cables, and sometimes negotiate with local governments. These costs discourage Verizon from undertaking these investments, and so the company focuses primarily on densely populated urban areas where it can realize a higher return on investment first.
3- Competition and Local Regulations: Verizon can’t expand its network quickly in some regions because local government regulations or existing competition prohibit it. Let’s consider an example: some municipalities may have an exclusive agreement with some other providers and Verizon does not have an opportunity to provide its services in these places.
4- Future Expansion: Verizon Fios isn’t available everywhere today, but the company is always looking to expand its fiber-optic network. Some areas may get access to Verizon Fios as they grow their infrastructure. That means even if you can’t check Verizon Fios availability by address at the moment, there’s a chance the service will be available in your area soon.
What to Do if Verizon Fios Is Not Available in Your Area
If you live in an area that doesn’t have Verizon Fios, don’t worry, there are still options. While Verizon Fios gives you some of the fastest internet speeds and best customer service, other internet providers may be able to provide what you need. Here are some options to consider:
1- Check Other High-Speed Internet Providers:
If Verizon Fios doesn’t exist where you live, you may still have access to alternative fiber-optic internet providers like Google Fiber or AT&T Fiber. They can also get traditional cable internet providers like Comcast Xfinity or Spectrum to offer similar speeds and services.
2- Consider Fixed Wireless or Satellite Internet:
Fixed wireless or satellite internet services might be an option in rural areas where fiber-optic internet is not available. Satellite internet is available from companies like HughesNet and Viasat, and fixed wireless connections are available from services like T-Mobile Home Internet and Starry.
3- Look Into 5G Home Internet:
Several wireless carriers now offer home internet services, thanks to the growing availability of 5G networks. If you don’t have Verizon Fios available at your address, 5G could be an alternative to Verizon itself in the form of 5G Home Internet in some areas.
4- Stay Updated on Fios Expansion:
Don’t worry, if Verizon Fios isn’t available in your area now, that doesn’t mean it never will be. Verizon tends to update its expansion plans regularly, so it’s worth poking around their announcements or signing up for notifications if you’re eager to get a Fios when it’s available.
Why You Should Consider Verizon Fios When It Is Available
If you can check Verizon Fios availability by address and discover your area has the service, it’s worth it. Here are just a few reasons why:
1- Fast Speeds: Verizon Fios has some of the fastest internet speeds around and plans that can reach up to 200 Mbps to well over 1,000 Mbps. It assures the best streaming experience even when you are streaming 4K Content, Video Conference, or playing games online.
2- Reliability: Fiber loop connections are known to be stable. Unlike cable or DSL which can be weather or network congestion dependent, fiber optic networks offer a more reliable and consistent service.
3- No Data Caps: Because so many internet providers have data caps that restrict the amount of data you can use each month, it’s essential to know what your data threshold is. Unlike Verizon Fios internet plans, there are no data caps on Verizon Fios internet, which means you can stream, download, and browse without concern for a limit.
4- Excellent Customer Service: If you are familiar with Verizon you will know that they provide excellent customer service and support is available 24/7 either by phone, chat, or in person. It also provides the guarantee of quick and professional help if you have problems with your service.
5- Bundling Options: Verizon Fios has convenient bundling options that allow you to bundle your internet, your TV, and your phone services into one package. Bundling can represent a money-saving measure and help keep your services under control.
Conclusion
The first step in finding out if you can access Verizon Fios high-speed fiber optic internet is to be able to ‘check Verizon Fios availability by address.’ Verizon Fios is not available everywhere, but the process to check availability is easy, and even if it’s not, it’s easy enough to do. If Verizon Fios isn’t available in your area yet, the service may become available in your area in the future. Until then, though, there are other high-speed internet providers you could check out, but if you can get Verizon Fios, it’s worth it for its speed, reliability, and excellent customer service.