As a picky shopper and consumer expert, I know how challenging it can be to choose the right internet plan for your household. Speeds, prices, and features vary widely by provider and location, making it difficult to determine which plan offers the best overall value. If you‘re considering signing up for Verizon Fios, the 50/50 Mbps plan is one of the most popular options. But what does 50/50 really mean for your internet experience? Is this speed tier sufficient for modern online activities like 4K streaming, gaming, and videoconferencing? And how does it compare to rival plans from top competitors?
To help you make an informed decision, I‘ve put together the ultimate guide to Verizon‘s Fios 50/50 plan. I‘ll break down the key features and benefits, provide real-world speed recommendations, and share my analysis of how 50/50 stacks up against other Verizon Fios and competitor offerings. Plus, get expert tips for optimizing your speeds and solving common issues. Whether you‘re a prospective or current Fios customer, this in-depth overview will give you the knowledge you need to decide if 50/50 is the right fit for your needs and budget.
Understanding Internet Speeds and Bandwidth
Before we dive into the specifics of Verizon‘s 50/50 Fios plan, let‘s review some internet basics. The number one factor that impacts your online experience is speed, which is typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps). One megabit is equal to 1,000 kilobits, and one megabyte (MB) is equal to 8 megabits. So if you have a 50 Mbps connection, you can theoretically download a 5 MB file in just under one second (5 MB x 8 = 40 Mb / 50 Mbps = 0.8 seconds).
However, these are maximum speeds under ideal conditions. Your actual download and upload rates will be influenced by your internet provider‘s network infrastructure, the number of users and devices on your connection, your modem and router quality, and your physical distance from your router. Wi-Fi connections are typically slower than hardwired Ethernet connections.
Another important term to know is bandwidth, which refers to your network‘s maximum capacity for transferring data. Picture your internet connection as a highway with vehicles traveling in both directions. The number of lanes represents your bandwidth, while the speed limit for those lanes is your Mbps rate. A fiber optic internet plan like Fios 50/50 has symmetrical "lanes" traveling at 50 Mbps in both directions. With a cable plan, your upload lane would be significantly slower than your download lane.
So how much speed and bandwidth does the average household actually need? A recent report from OpenVault found that the average US household now uses over 400 GB of data per month, with median speeds in the 100-200 Mbps range. Bandwidth needs are steadily rising with the growth of remote work, high-resolution 4K video, and smart home devices. But your ideal speed tier will ultimately depend on the size of your household and your typical online activities. I‘ll provide more specific recommendations in a later section.
Verizon 50/50 Plan Pricing, Fees & Contract Terms
Now that you have a better grasp of internet speed basics, let‘s take a closer look at Verizon 50/50 plan specifics, starting with your costs. Exact pricing varies by location, but the base price for standalone 50/50 Fios service typically ranges from $39.99 to $59.99 per month before taxes and equipment fees. However, Verizon frequently offers discounts and perks for new customers that can significantly lower your first-year costs. As of this writing, new Fios customers can get 50/50 speeds for just $29.99/month with autopay and free DVR for 12 months. But keep in mind the price will increase in year two.
Current Verizon customers may not be eligible for new customer promotions, so you can expect to pay closer to the regular rate of $39.99 to $59.99. However, bundling Fios with TV and/or home phone service can sometimes unlock additional savings. Verizon also includes a few bonus perks for 50/50 customers, like one free year of Disney+ (a $69.99 value).
In terms of upfront costs, Verizon charges a $99 one-time setup fee if you opt for professional installation. But you can skip this fee by choosing self setup, which is free. You will need a router to access your Fios connection. The Verizon Fios Router is included at no extra charge, or you can use your own compatible router. The Fios Router offers the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology and includes a free Wi-Fi extender, which is a nice value-add.
Verizon recently eliminated annual contracts and early termination fees for new Fios customers. That means you can enjoy no-contract service without paying higher monthly prices, which is a unique perk compared to many internet providers. Verizon also doesn‘t impose data caps on any Fios plan, so you don‘t need to worry about overage fees for exceeding a certain limit. Just be aware that Fios isn‘t as widely available as cable internet, with service mostly concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
50/50 Speed Compared to Other Verizon Fios Plans
Verizon offers several other speed tiers in addition to the base 50/50 plan. Here‘s a quick comparison of how 50/50 stacks up:
| Plan | Download/Upload Speed | Recommended Uses |
|---|---|---|
| 50/50 | 50 Mbps / 50 Mbps | Light streaming & browsing, 1-2 people |
| 200/200 | 200 Mbps / 200 Mbps | Heavier streaming & gaming, 3-5 people |
| 400/400 | 400 Mbps / 400 Mbps | Heavy streaming, gaming & downloads, 5+ people |
| Gigabit | 940 / 880 Mbps | Nearly unlimited bandwidth, power users, home offices |
As you can see, Verizon‘s Fios plans are fully symmetrical with matching download and upload speeds. Upload speeds are increasingly important for online gaming, video calls, and cloud backups. Fiber is the only internet connection type that can deliver equal upload and download speeds.
Verizon allows you to mix and match download/upload speeds, which offers great flexibility compared to most providers. For example, you could stick with 50 Mbps downloads but boost your upload speed to 200 Mbps or higher. According to the FCC‘s latest Measuring Broadband America Report, Verizon Fios speeds were close to or exceeded the advertised speed across all tiers.
Real-World Speed Recommendations
When determining how much internet speed you need, consider two key factors:
- How many devices will be connected and in use simultaneously?
- What are your most common online activities?
Streaming video is usually the biggest bandwidth hog, especially if you watch a lot of HD or 4K content. High-resolution video calls, large file downloads, and online gaming also demand more speed for a smooth experience. Here are some general recommendations for common activities:
| Activity | Recommended Download Speed |
|---|---|
| Browsing, email, social media | 1-5 Mbps |
| Zoom/video calls | 3-25 Mbps |
| Online gaming | 3-25 Mbps |
| SD video streaming | 3-10 Mbps |
| HD video streaming | 5-25 Mbps |
| 4K video streaming | 25-50+ Mbps |
| Large file downloads | 25-100+ Mbps |
Keep in mind these are minimum speeds PER activity. So if you have two TVs streaming 4K movies and a gamer in the house, 50 Mbps could get bogged down quickly. A good rule of thumb is to multiply the number of simultaneous users/devices by the speed required for their most demanding activity.
Verizon recommends 50/50 speeds for households with 1-3 devices who use the internet mainly for browsing and light streaming. Households with 5+ connected devices or heavier streaming and gaming activity would likely do better with 200/200 speeds or above. But 50/50 is usually sufficient for common uses like HD video streaming, Zoom calls, and casual online gaming.
Your router can also impact your speeds, especially over Wi-Fi. Even if you have a 1,000 Mbps Fios plan, an outdated router may only be capable of delivering a fraction of that bandwidth. If you opt for the Verizon-provided Fios Router, you‘ll get a device optimized for your speeds with the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology. Using your own router is an option, but make sure it‘s powerful enough to support your speed tier.
50/50 Fios Compared to Cable & DSL Plans
Now that we‘ve covered how Fios 50/50 compares to other Verizon plans, let‘s see how it measures up against similar plans from top cable and DSL providers. Here‘s a breakdown of current pricing and speeds for entry-level broadband plans:
| Provider/Plan | Promo Price | Regular Price | Max Speeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios 50/50 | $29.99/mo | $39.99-$59.99/mo | 50 Mbps |
| Xfinity Performance Select | $40/mo | $74.99/mo | 100 Mbps down / 5 up |
| Spectrum Internet | $49.99/mo | $74.99/mo | 200 Mbps down / 10 up |
| Optimum 300 | $39.99/mo | $79.99/mo | 300 Mbps down / 35 up |
| Cox Internet Starter | $34.99/mo | $49.99/mo | 25 Mbps down / 3 up |
| CenturyLink Simply Unlimited | $50/mo | $50/mo | 100 Mbps down / 30 up |
Pricing per month + taxes for standalone internet. Equipment fees may apply. Not available in all areas.
As you can see, Verizon Fios 50/50 is priced competitively compared to similar speed tiers from major cable providers like Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox. And Verizon offers contract-free service at no extra cost, while most cable providers charge $10-20/month more for the same speeds without a one or two-year commitment.
CenturyLink is the only other major provider offering fully symmetrical speeds in the same range as Verizon. But CenturyLink uses a mix of fiber and DSL connections, so only certain customers will actually get fiber speeds. Verizon Fios is 100% fiber optic, which delivers faster, more reliable performance and much lower latency than cable or DSL.
According to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) benchmarks, Verizon Fios earned the top spot among internet service providers with a score of 72/100. Fios beat out major cable providers like Xfinity (66/100), Spectrum (63/100) and Cox (61/100), as well as rival fiber provider AT&T (69/100). Verizon customers reported higher than average satisfaction with speed and reliability compared to cable.
Tips for Optimizing Your 50/50 Speeds
Even if you determine that 50/50 speeds are sufficient for your needs, there are several ways to get the most out of your Fios plan:
- Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi when possible for the best speeds and stability. Gaming consoles, smart TVs and streaming devices can usually connect via Ethernet.
- Place your router in a central location, elevated off the floor and away from obstructions like walls, appliances, and furniture.
- Create a strong Wi-Fi password and consider setting up a guest network to avoid slowdowns from visitors‘ devices.
- Upgrade your router if it‘s more than five years old, especially if you‘re using your own instead of the Verizon-provided model.
- Use the 5 GHz band on your router for newer devices instead of 2.4 GHz, which offers less interference.
- Adjust your router settings to prioritize bandwidth for your most important devices and applications using Quality of Service (QoS).
- Power cycle your router periodically to flush the memory and potentially boost speeds.
- Call Verizon customer service if you‘re consistently testing well below your plan‘s advertised speeds. There could be an issue with your equipment or local network.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, Verizon‘s 50/50 Fios plan delivers excellent value for individuals and small households with basic speed needs. It offers more than enough bandwidth for streaming your favorite shows, working from home, gaming online and staying connected to friends and family. And unlike cable plans with similar speeds, you get matching upload speeds that make a difference for video calls, online gaming, and cloud backups.
Compared to rival plans, Fios 50/50 stands out for its low regular pricing, lack of data caps and contracts, and superior fiber performance. Cable can usually outpace Fios in terms of max download speeds, but 50/50 is plenty fast for most consumers. Serious gamers, streamers, and households with 5+ devices may want to consider Verizon‘s 200 or 400 Mbps plans instead. But 50/50 is a great starting point, and Fios offers unmatched flexibility to change your plan at any time.
If Verizon Fios isn‘t available in your area, cable plans like Spectrum Internet or Xfinity Performance Select are solid alternatives with double the max speeds at a similar price point. Just be prepared to deal with slower uploads, more latency, and potential slowdowns during peak usage times. CenturyLink is also a top pick if you can get their 100% fiber service in your area, which is fully symmetrical and contract-free.
Ultimately, the best internet plan for you depends on a variety of personal factors like your budget, online habits, and service address. Use the recommendations and tips in this guide to determine whether 50/50 is sufficient speed for your needs. And don‘t hesitate to chat with a Verizon expert to address any other questions or concerns. With a little research, you can find an internet plan that delivers great performance and value for your home.
