Any homeowner would want reliable and high-speed internet access, especially at a time when the new normal means schooling and working from home. One of the biggest and fastest internet providers in the US is Verizon, with the Fios franchise being one of the most in-demand among customers.
Currently, it is available in nine states, with over 10 million customers combined. Its services are mainly centered on urban cities such as New York and Washington D.C. – but what do New Jerseyans think of Verizon Fios Internet?
Verizon Fios
Verizon Fios is a bundled internet service by Verizon, often combining internet access, cable television, and a telephone line for its users. Verizon is the first company to replace the traditional copper telephone lines previously used for landline and internet connectivity, bringing significant improvement in internet speed and reliability to customers.
With Verizon’s current Fios offer, customers can opt for download speeds of up to 940mbps and upload speeds of up to 880mbps. This is especially great for streaming H.D. content on multiple devices, including videos, gaming, and teleconferences.
Verizon Fios and New Jersey: A unique history
Verizon Fios’ unique history with New Jersey started with the 2006 Cable T.V. Act in New Jersey. This act is designed to encourage telecom companies to compete with each other, deliver better service to its users, and provide the much-needed internet connection to residents in the area.
Its main criteria were for the towns to be a county seat or have a population density of over 7,111 residents per square mile. Verizon delivered its promise in New Jersey to provide internet access covering over 300 towns, but not including Wayne.
New Jerseyans struggling with their ISP
New Jerseyans have been petitioning to get Verizon Fios in various townships. For years, there has been a constant struggle with New Jersey residents to secure more options when it comes to internet service providers.
At present, Fios Internet’s fastest plans are accessible by New Jerseyans in the biggest urban centers, such as New Jersey, Camden, Hoboken, and Trenton.
The situation is different in other areas. Over a dozen requests have been made by Wayne’s local officials to bring Fios into the township. Still, Verizon has continuously declined – citing the focus is currently to improve its service on existing areas where it is available.
This leads to over 18,000 homes in Wayne, NJ, and more in other towns, with no Verizon Fios access. The sole provider of the internet in the area is Optimum, a cable television service provider. Customers have been complaining about Optimum’s monopoly in the area, unreliable service, and ever-increasing rates.
In 2019, Wayne township Mayor Christopher Vergano noted the public’s plea to see competition and mentioned that the local government’s attempt to give its residents internet service options.
For some areas in New Jersey where Verizon Fios has been installed, users in the Fing app has scored the internet service provider as follows:
- Speed: 3.3 out of 5, with an average download speed of 158.8mbps and an average upload speed of 132.1mbps.
- Ratings: For its overall rating, Verizon Fios was given four out of 5, noting that the service has been improving lately.
In summary, New Jerseyans are clamoring for high-speed Internet through Verizon Fios. For the moment, however, with the exception of the densely-populated cities, residents in smaller townships have to wait.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
