Spectrum vs Verizon Fios: Side by Side Comparison

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Spectrum vs Verizon Fios

Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable) and Verizon Fios present a variety of pros and cons, depending on your needs and budget. Since Time Warner Cable was recently acquired by Charter Communications, new Time Warner Cable customers should be especially mindful of how the merger will affect their speeds, price, and quality of service. Internet access isn’t the only factor to consider, as both companies offer extra services like phone and TV, often for a bargain.

Charter Spectrum AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (877) 587-2569
  • Support: (833) 780-1880
(877) 587-2569

$44.99 to $44.99 / mo.

100 mbps to 940 mbps

10 mbps to 35 mbps

63%63%

Cable

Current: 8th ↑ (+1)

Verizon Fios AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (866) 775-4717
  • Support: (800) 837-4966
(866) 775-4717

$39.99 to $79.99 / mo.

100 mbps to 940 mbps

100 mbps to 880 mbps

73%73%

Fiber

Current: 10th ↑ (+3)

Spectrum OVERVIEW

Charter Communications provides residential and business broadband cable and fiber Internet, phone, and TV under the “Spectrum” brand name. Their 2016 acquisition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks expanded their cable network to become one of the largest in the US.

Verizon Fios OVERVIEW

Verizon FiOS is a provider of fiber broadband Internet, TV, and phone services. They offer 100% fiber connectivity and have one of the largest pure fiber networks on the market.

Spectrum INTERNET DEALS †

  • $44.99 for 100 mbps Cable
    • Up to 100 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $64.99.
    • Setup: $49.99 (Includes professional installation.)
    • Modem included.
    • Call (877) 587-2569 to setup service.
Show All Deals (5)
Last updated on 9/20/2018

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with Spectrum.

Verizon Fios INTERNET DEALS †

  • $39.99 for 100 mbps Fiber
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 100 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $54.99.
    • Paper free billing and auto pay required.
    • $500 credit to help cover early termination fee available. Restrictions apply.
    • Setup: Setup fee waived when you order online ($99.00 value).
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo or one-time $149
    • Call (866) 775-4717 to setup service.
  • $59.99 for 300 mbps Fiber
    • 300 Mbps ↓ and 300 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • $50 Visa® Prepaid Card. Get up to $500 credit to help cover your early termination fee. (Restrictions Apply)
    • Setup: Wavied (Normally $99)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo or one-time $149.99
    • Call (866) 775-4717 to setup service.
  • $79.99 for 940 mbps Fiber
    • Up to 940 Mbps download and 880 Mbps upload w/ no data cap.
    • Auto pay required.
    • $100 Visa® Prepaid Card. Free Router Rental for 3 years. $500 credit to help cover early termination fee available. Restrictions apply.
    • Setup: Waived (Standard setup charge is waived ($99.00 value) when you order online.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo or one-time $149.99
    • Call (866) 775-4717 to setup service.
Show All Deals (5)
Last updated on 9/21/2018

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with Verizon Fios.

Spectrum: NO DATACAP FOUND

We have not found plans that include data caps. This doesn't mean Spectrum doesn't have data caps, just that we haven't found them when collecting their plans. Always verify plan details before purchasing.

Verizon Fios: NO DATACAP FOUND

We have not found plans that include data caps. This doesn't mean Verizon Fios doesn't have data caps, just that we haven't found them when collecting their plans. Always verify plan details before purchasing.

Spectrum's TECHNOLOGY

Charter Communications offers broadband Internet, TV, and phone service to consumers via their hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network.

Hybrid Fiber Coaxial is a broadband infrastructure that uses fiber optic cables as it’s backbone, only resorting to slower coaxial cables for the “last mile” between customer residences and a local “optical node.”[3]

The optical node translates optic signals into electric signals, which are generally distributed via existing cable TV networks. A node may serve anywhere from 50-2,000 homes in an area.

This type of connection is widely called a “cable” internet connection due to the use of coaxial cable, which was historically used to offer “cable TV.”

Verizon Fios's TECHNOLOGY

Verizon Fios offers broadband internet, TV, and home phone service to consumers using their fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network.

Fios was one of the first major telecom companies to deploy a large fiber optic network. They have sold parts of their network to Frontier in recent years. Regardless, Fios is still available in a handful of states.

Unlike hybrid networks, FTTH carries data over next-generation fiber optic cables all the way to a subscriber’s doorstep. The core drawback to an FTTH network layout is that it costs an Internet provider significantly more to build up-front, thanks to the high cost of fiber cable combined with the cost of labor to install that cable underground throughout an area.[4]

That said, FTTH is generally considered the “gold standard” of consumer internet connections because it offers the lowest latency and highest bandwidth capabilities.

Spectrum INSTALLATION

Installation of the hardware needed for Charter is generally straightforward. Most Charter plans are cable, which requires plugging a cable modem into your house’s existing TV jack.

For homes with working internal wiring, self-installation can be done using the equipment and instructions provided by Charter. Houses that have never been wired for Charter before, have no internal wiring, or have damages to wiring will need help from a professional technician.

Professional installation comes with a fee, but for customers who are nervous about installing hardware themselves, the fee may be worth it for ease and peace of mind.

Verizon Fios INSTALLATION

Installation of the hardware needed for Charter is generally straightforward. Most Charter plans are cable, which requires plugging a cable modem into your house’s existing TV jack.

For homes with working internal wiring, self-installation can be done using the equipment and instructions provided by Charter. Houses that have never been wired for Charter before, have no internal wiring, or have damages to wiring will need help from a professional technician.

Professional installation comes with a fee, but for customers who are nervous about installing hardware themselves, the fee may be worth it for ease and peace of mind.

Spectrum RATINGS AND REVIEWS

50%50% Customer Rating

50.0% recommendation rating according to 58767 verified Spectrum users.

Verizon Fios RATINGS AND REVIEWS

62%62% Customer Rating

62.4% recommendation rating according to 27918 verified users.

Spectrum COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

Charter Spectrum Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

Verizon Fios COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

Verizon Fios Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

Mergers in mind

How services will change under Charter

While many Internet, TV, and phone plans are still available under the name “Time Warner Cable,” the company was actually purchased by Charter Communications in 2016 and is in the process of switching over to the new name. For most customers, service speed and cost will remain unchanged for the time being.[1]

Buying vs Renting your modem

It’s easy to save when you don’t rent

Modem rentals are a standard offering from Internet providers. In spite of the convenience, the monthly rental fees quickly add up to the cost of simply buying a modem and router outright — and can cost subscribers hundreds of dollars in the long run.[2]

Buying your own modem and router also opens up the possibility of configuring a stronger and more secure home network than is possible with the default modem or modem/router combo rented with a plan. That being said, customers who plan to move or switch providers within a couple years might be better offer renting, since providers tend to be picky about which brands and models will work with their service.

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES
  1. https://www.timewarnercable.com/en/support/faqs/our-company/charter-twc-merger/twc-charter-merger-information.html ↩
  2. https://broadbandnow.com/guides/renting-vs-buying-modem-whats-best-budget ↩
  3. http://services.eng.uts.edu.au/~kumbes/ra/Access-Networks/hfc/cnethfc.htm ↩
  4. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
Last updated on 9/20/2018.

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