Charter Spectrum and Verizon are both good internet options and choosing between them can be tough when both are available in the area. That is because both offer similar speed levels and have their fan base.
To make this choice easier, we have done some research against both service providers, what they offer, how they differ from each other, and the cost that customers would have to pay. That will take out the guesswork and offers you in-depth insights into what you’re looking at.
Verizon Fios VS Charter Spectrum
To compare both of these service providers, we will be looking at the connection type, monthly costs, plans and options, one-time charges, and plan perks and benefits.
- Type of Connection
In this comparison, the first thing we are going to look at is the connection type for both service providers. Verizon Fios, as the name suggests, is a fiber internet service provider that uses the fiber-optic connection to deliver the services. That makes it faster and reliable compared to other connection types out there. The best part about having a fiber connection is that it offers a faster upload speed as well along with an amazing download speed.
On the other hand, Charter Spectrum is a cable internet service provider that uses coaxial cable to provide services to its customers. Cable connection is the second-best option available after fiber optics because it can offer higher download speeds but the upload speeds are generally slower than fiber.
- Availability
If we look at both service providers from the aspect of availability, Charter Spectrum is the winner here. That is because the fiber optics connection is still in the expansion phase and is not available nationwide. Different service providers are offering services through Fios but are limited to a few states.
Verizon Fios services are also currently available but are limited to 9 states along with the District of Columbia. In comparison to that, Charter Spectrum offers services in about 41 states including California, Alabama, Texas, Philadelphia, New York, Colorado, and Florida.
That means if you are a frequent mover, Charter Spectrum is the one that you will be able to find easily compared to Verizon Fios. So, you will be able to transfer your same account or get a new one.
- Internet Speed Options
In terms of internet speed options or internet plans, both of the service providers are almost on the same page.
That is because both Verizon and Charter Spectrum offer three internet options for customers. These include the download speed of up to 200 Mbps, up to 400 Mbps, and up to 940 Mbps. However, the difference is in the upload speeds.
Charter Spectrum offers upload speeds of up to 10 Mbps, up to 20 Mbps, and up to 35 Mbps respectively. In contrast, Verizon Fios offers symmetrical download and upload speeds. That means customers will be getting the same upload speed as their download speed. So, if someone signs up for the 200 Mbps plan, both their download and upload speeds will be up to 200 Mbps.
- Cost per Month
When it comes to the monthly cost, Verizon plans are priced lower than the Charter Spectrum plans for the same speed. For instance, if we look at the 200 Mbps plan, Charter Spectrum charges $49.99 per month for that plan while Verizon costs $39.99 per month.
Similarly, the 400 Mbps plan has a starting price of $59.99 with Verizon Fios while it costs $69.99 per month. The major price difference comes for the customers who are looking for the Gig plan. The gig plan with Charter Spectrum costs $109.99 per month while the price of this plan with Verizon is $79.99 per month.
That is not all when it comes to the monthly cost of the services. There is one thing that is still unaccounted for and that is the cost of the equipment. Charter Spectrum offers an internet modem for free while the router can be leased at $5 per month. On the other hand, Verizon charges $15 per month for the equipment.
Moreover, the charges for professional installation with Charter Spectrum are $49.99 while Verizon charges about $100 for that. So, if we include these costs for the plans of 200 Mbps and 400 Mbps, both of the service providers cost the same. However, the Gig plan is cost-effective with Verizon.
- Contract & ETF
A service contract is something that customers usually do not like unless they are saving a good amount of money out of that. For instance, if there are two options for internet services where one requires a contract while the other does not, and the prices are similar as well, customers would go for the one without the contract. That is because they will get the freedom of making their choices such as canceling the services and choosing a different provider whenever they want.
Luckily, both Charter Spectrum and Verizon do not require any contracts and there are no charges for canceling the services. So, customers have the freedom and the liberty to cancel or switch easily.
- Service Benefits
Service benefits are the additional plans and perks that customers get when they sign up for the services. These perks include things like unlimited data, free equipment, or other things like that.
When it comes to Charter Spectrum, it has a lot to offer in the form of service benefits. When customers sign up for Charter Spectrum, they get unlimited data so that they can enjoy the services at their best. Moreover, Charter Spectrum offers additional perks such as access to Wi-Fi hotspots to enjoy internet services when they are not home and anti-virus software to protect their computers from online threats.
However, Verizon does not offer Wi-Fi hotspots to its customers but does have internet security and unlimited data. So, if you are someone who needs connectivity even when they are not home, Verizon is not going to help with that and you might have to spend additional money on that.
Summing Up
Charter Spectrum and Verizon are good internet options and based on what you need and what you are looking for, both can be a good option. Both cost almost the same unless you are getting the Gig plan and the service quality is good as well.
However, if you are a gamer and need a solid internet connection with a good download and upload speed, Verizon Fios is the option to go for. On the other hand, if you are a frequent mover or spend a lot of time out of your home every week, Charter Spectrum signup is the first thing you should do and get your installation date scheduled.
