Since the dawn of the internet, we have seen rapid shifts in technological trends. A sea of innovative products and services emerged in the early 1990s, only to become obsolete a decade later. Together, we witnessed many firsts, like the replacement of dial-up connections as digital subscriber line (DSL) took over, and fiber-optic internet started powering entire cities.
In this ever-changing landscape of the internet, a new kind of broadband technology is making waves. The erect-and-connect nature of 5G home internet is promising ease of mobility to millions of cord-cutters in the country.
Continue reading as we open the floor for the Verizon 5G Home Internet vs Spectrum Internet debate to decide if 5G wireless home Internet is worth the switch from wired broadband services.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Spectrum Internet
- Key Differences – Verizon 5G Home Internet vs Spectrum
- Home Internet Plans – Verizon 5G vs Spectrum
- Internet Speed – Spectrum vs Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Data Caps
- Bundle Deals
- Customer Service – Spectrum vs Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Contracts
- Coverage Area
- Additional Fee
- Which is Better- Verizon 5G Home Internet or Spectrum?
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Verizon is the second biggest cellphone service provider in the country. It has over 143 million active subscribers. The telecommunications company (formally known as Verizon Communications Inc.) was founded in 1983 as Bell Atlantic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Today, Verizon is a multinational telecom conglomerate that operates in 150 countries and is one of the Big Three wireless network operators in the United States.
Verizon’s extensive product portfolio consists of innovative telecommunications solutions, like broadband, cable TV, landline, mobile phone, and TV streaming services. In 2018, Verizon expanded into the country’s fixed wireless internet market by rolling out its 5G home internet plans. The wireless 5G home internet service aimed to fill the digital connectivity gaps left behind by Verizon Fios and Verizon DSL internet.
Verizon 5G Home Internet plans start at $50 per month, and users can receive up to 1,000 Mbps of download speeds with unlimited data and contract-free service. Verizon uses its nationwide 5G cell towers to deliver wireless home internet to more than 30 million houses. It envisions expanding its reach to 200 million people that currently access its 5G ultra wideband phone service.
Get Verizon 5G Home Internet for less than $1/day.
Browse Verizon 5G Home Internet’s pros and cons to calibrate if it has what it takes to compete with your cabled Spectrum Internet.
Pros
- Nationwide, wireless 5G Home internet service.
- Download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps
- Exciting perks and warranties
- Cost-saving bundle deals
- No annual contracts
- No data caps
Cons
- The availability of ultra-wideband 5G is spotty across the USA.
- Objects can interfere with the signal range.
- Asymmetrical speeds
Spectrum Internet
Spectrum brand was launched in 2014 to offer designated broadband plans to over 32 million business and residential subscribers across 41 states. Today, Spectrum uses a dual-cable internet transmission model to distribute up to 1,000 Mbps of download speeds in urban and suburban areas.
At the moment, Spectrum Internet is testing its fiber-optic internet capabilities. A handful of areas receive symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 1 Gig for a starting price of $49.99 per month.
Get a Free Unlimited Mobile Line with all Home Internet Plans
Spectrum is capitalizing on its sprawling cable empire by adding TV, home phone, and cellphone services to the mix. Spectrum Internet customers can bundle their internet plans with Spectrum TV, Spectrum Voice, and Spectrum Mobile to get holistic connectivity within the comfort of their homes.
Spectrum Internet’s superfast internet speeds, no-contract service, and unlimited monthly data make it a strong contender for Verizon 5G Home Internet.
Pros
- Expansive coaxial cable network in 41 states
- Download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps
- Freebies and promo discounts
- Super saver bundle deals
- Contract-free service
- Unlimited data
Cons
- Additional costs make the service expensive
- Limited coverage in rural/ remote areas
- Second-year price hikes
Key Differences – Verizon 5G Home Internet vs Spectrum
Your need for a gigabit download speed can be effectively met by both, Verizon 5G Home Internet and Spectrum Internet. Both internet carriers offer broadband speeds between 300 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps for moderate to heavy internet usage. A little probing will tell you that the two internet providers are neck to neck with each other, even in the arenas of annual term commitments, data caps, and customer satisfaction. So, what is it that makes Verizon 5G Home Internet service different from Spectrum Internet?
To satisfy your curiosity, we have created a table to compare Verizon 5G Home Internet and Spectrum Internet side-by-side.
| Comparison | Verizon 5G Home Internet | Spectrum Internet® |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Internet | Fixed Wireless | Hybrid Fiber-Cable |
| Starting Price | $25.00/mo. | $49.99/mo. |
| Speed | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Up to 1,000 Mbps |
| No. of Plans | 2 | 3 |
| Contract | Not required | Not required |
| Data Cap | Unlimited Data | Unlimited Data |
| Bundle Deals | Available | Available |
| Coverage Area | 34 states | 41 states |
| Installation Fee | Free | $30.00 to $65.00 |
| Equipment Fee | Included | Included |
| Perks | Price lock guarantee, 30-day money-back guarantee, Cloud storage, and gift cards. | Free internet modem and antivirus software. Spectrum One bundle benefits. |
| Customer Rating | 4.2 out of 5 stars | 4.2 out of 5 stars |
| Shop Now | Order Now | Order Now |
Home Internet Plans – Verizon 5G vs Spectrum
Verizon and Spectrum are offering high-speed and reliable residential internet service to millions of Americans in fiber-deprived areas of the country.
Verizon uses its 5G cell towers, erected in more than 900 locations across the USA, to deliver fixed wireless 5G home internet service to at least 30 million cord-cutters. The cellular towers transmit C-band (mid-band) and ultra-wideband radio frequencies to distribute internet data to individual homes within a 3-mile radius.
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Verizon is offering 2 ultrafast 5G Home Internet plans to its customers. The Verizon 5G Home and 5G Home Plus internet plans include unlimited data, up to 3 years of price guarantees, a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, and a free self-installation kit.
Order online today & we’ll waive the $99 setup fee
Verizon 5G Home Internet’s starter kit contains a cutting-edge 5G ultra-wideband receiver and an advanced WiFi 6 router for full-home wireless coverage. The equipment rentals are included in the monthly internet fee. First-time customers of Verizon 5G Home Internet can get a $100 gift card for placing an online order for the wireless internet service. Customers of the Verizon 5G Home Plus plan get added benefits in the likes of 10 GB Cloud storage, a $200 Home Depot Gift Card, and a $400 discount on Verizon Stream TV Soundbar Pro.
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Plans | |||
| Plan | Price | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
| 5G Home | $50.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | 25 Mbps |
| 5G Home Plus | $70.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
Spectrum
Spectrum Internet’s hybrid fiber-coaxial cable empire spreads over 41 states covering most cities and towns. Selected fiber-ready areas can receive symmetrical internet speeds up to 1 Gig. However, most residential communities within Spectrum’s broadband footprint are getting asymmetrical internet speeds where the upload speed maxes out at 35 Mbps.
Spectrum Internet subscribers can choose between 3 home internet plans to get their preferred speeds at affordable monthly rates. Spectrum Internet service starts at $49.99 per month, and users can expect 99.9 percent network uptime. All the Spectrum home internet plans come with unlimited data, no-contract service, free equipment, and antivirus software activation on 3 devices.
| Plan | Price | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $49.99/mo. | 300 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| Internet Ultra | $69.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | 20 Mbps |
| Internet Gig | $89.99/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
Based on the price points of Verizon and Spectrum’s home internet plans, we can say that Verizon offers the best value for the money. Its comparatively cheaper plans and a long list of perks make the service attractive to new customers.
Internet Speed – Spectrum vs Verizon 5G Home Internet
Spectrum Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet can deliver download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. The real difference lies in the consistency of upload and download speeds.
Customer reviews indicate that Verizon 5G Home Internet speeds are deprioritized in relation to their wireless service. It means that Verizon Wireless customers will get faster 5G data on their mobile devices as compared to Verizon 5G Home internet subscribers. E.g., if you are subscribed to the Verizon 5G Unlimited phone plan, as well as the 5G Home Internet service, then most likely your wireless internet connection will be slower than your 5G mobile data.
Moreover, Verizon does not specify the internet speeds for its 5G Home internet plans. It acknowledges that the speeds tend to fluctuate due to network congestion, bad weather, and physical obstructions, but assures that its network is fast enough for streaming, gaming, and file sharing on multiple devices.
In contrast, Spectrum Internet claims to deliver 99.9 percent network reliability. It uses a robust wired internet infrastructure to distribute unfluctuating internet speeds over long distances. The insulated structure of fiber and coaxial cables reduces signal interference and data loss, ensuring that users get the speeds they pay for.
Data Caps
Verizon 5G Home Internet and Spectrum Internet plans include unlimited monthly data. It means that users can go all out and consume as much data as they like throughout the month without incurring data overage fees. Neither do they have to worry about sudden service halts, as is the case with many U.S. internet service providers that bar users from accessing the internet once they reach their monthly data limit.
In all honesty, we found this surprising because even the best cable internet providers like Xfinity and well-established fixed wireless internet carriers like Rise Broadband have data caps on their month-to-month plans.
Here is all you can do with Verizon 5G’s and Spectrum Internet’s no-data cap plans.
- Download movies by the dozen
- Attend video conferences/ webinars all day long
- Share files of any size on the cloud
- Stream, surf, browse and play 24/7
- Host several study dates, game fests, movie nights, and more
With Verizon 5G and Spectrum Internet’s unlimited data, the possibilities are unlimited.
Bundle Deals
You can bundle your Verizon 5G Home Internet and Spectrum Internet plans with their respective cellular phone services to get discounts of up to $35 per month.
Verizon 5G Unlimited Bundles
The standalone Verizon 5G Home Internet service starts at $50 per month, but when you bundle it with Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Welcome phone plans, the monthly internet fees become as low as $25, leading to $25 – $35 in savings every month.
| Price | 5G Home Internet | 5G Mobile Plan | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | Postpaid, unlimited | Order Now |
| $35.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Postpaid, unlimited | Order Now |
Spectrum One Bundle
For a promotional period of 12 months, new customers of Spectrum Internet can enjoy free unlimited 5G cellular connectivity and whole-home WiFi coverage along with their high-speed internet plans. The Spectrum One bundles start at $49.99 per month, and customers get up to 1,000 Mbps of Spectrum Internet®, an Advanced Home WiFi system, and one Spectrum Mobile Unlimited line for a year. Purchasing these 3 services separately will cost Spectrum customers an additional charge of $35 per month, but by combining them under a super saver Spectrum One plan, customers can save $420 during the promo pricing period.
| Spectrum One Bundles | |||
| Price | Spectrum Internet® | Advance WiFi | Spectrum Mobile™ |
| $49.99/mo. | 300 Mbps | Included | 1 Unlimited line |
| $69.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | Included | 1 Unlimited line |
| $89.99/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Included | 1 Unlimited line |
Customer Service – Spectrum vs Verizon 5G Home Internet
| Customer Service Scores | ||
| Source | Verizon 5G Home Internet | Spectrum Internet |
| Broadband Now | 2.83 out of 5 stars | 3.39 out of 5 stars |
| Forbes Home | 4.0 out of 5 stars | 3.9 out of 5 stars |
| ACSI | 75 out of 100 | 64 out of 100 |
| J.D. Power | 758 out of 1000 | 666 out of 1000 |
Gauging customers’ satisfaction levels with their internet service providers is not as easy as it sounds. Human emotions are subjective, and when it comes to the provision of technical services to over 30 million people, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The challenges researchers encounter to statistically present vast qualitative data are evident in the discrepancies in customer satisfaction scores from different rating agencies. We first turned to the acclaimed Broadband Now to find what customers had to say about Spectrum and Verizon’s 5G Home Internet and customer support.
Spectrum Internet has an average score of 3.39 out of 5 stars based on 8,374 reviews submitted by Broadband Now readers. On the other hand, Verizon 5G Home Internet was given a median rating of 2.83 out of 5 stars after 705 readers submitted their reviews to Broadband Now.
However, our Forbes Home magazine skimming presented a different picture. According to Forbes Home editorial team rates Verizon’s 5G Home Internet as a “4-starrer” (out of 5), and Spectrum follows closely behind with 3.9 stars out of 5.
According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index of 2023, Spectrum Internet has a below-average customer service score of 64 on a 100-point scale. Unfortunately, data for Verizon 5G Home Internet is unavailable, but Verizon Fios has an average score of 75 out of 100 in the same index. Similarly, Verizon is the reigning champion in the eastern regions as evaluated by the J.D. Powers 2022 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study. While Spectrum Internet is the 4th best residential internet provider in the East with a score of 666 on a 1000-point scale.
After considering all the varying perspectives, we can confidently say that Verizon 5G Home Internet and Spectrum Internet’s customer services are at par and therefore deserve a high score of 4.2 out of 5 stars.
Contracts
Verizon 5G Home Internet and Spectrum Internet services are contract-free. It means that customers are not required to sign annual term contracts to qualify for the service or avail of associated perks. They can cancel the subscription if it proves unsatisfactory or if they want to move to a place outside of their carrier’s coverage area. In the case of abrupt service cancellations, customers are not asked to pay an early termination fee, which can be as high as $400 for some internet providers.
Another benefit of Verizon 5G’s and Spectrum Internet’s no-contract internet service is that you can switch plans any time to upgrade or downgrade your internet speeds.
Interestingly, both Spectrum and Verizon 5G reimburse their new customers’ early termination fees if they happen to switch mid-contract. Spectrum’s Contract Buyout program covers up to $500 in early termination fees charged by your previous provider. You will be asked to submit the final bill statement that clearly states the fine for service termination, and after a thorough review, Spectrum will compensate you for the loss.
Similarly, Verizon pays its new customers up to $500 towards early termination fees. The coverage helps newbies transition smoothly and swiftly from a low-performing, contract-based internet service to Verizon’s cordless, contract-less 5G home internet plans.
Coverage Area
Spectrum Internet® is one of the most widely available internet providers in the United States. Its 41-state-wide coaxial cable network system makes it the second-largest cable internet provider in the USA. Currently, around 110.6 million Americans can access Spectrum Internet service in their areas. Spectrum offers the greatest broadband coverage in California, New York, and Texas.
The following are the 41 states that fall under Spectrum Internet’s national footprint.
| States where Spectrum Internet is Available | |||
| Alabama | Indiana | Missouri | Oregon |
| Arizona | Kansas | Montana | Pennsylvania |
| California | Kentucky | Nebraska | South Carolina |
| Colorado | Louisiana | Nevada | Tennessee |
| Connecticut | Maine | New Hampshire | Texas |
| Florida | Maryland | New Jersey | Vermont |
| Georgia | Massachusetts | New Mexico | Virginia |
| Hawaii | Michigan | New York | Washington |
| Idaho | Minnesota | North Carolina | West Virginia |
| Illinois | Mississippi | Ohio | Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | |||
Here are the top 5 cities for subscribing to Spectrum Internet’s ultrafast hybrid fiber-cable internet service.
| 5 Best Cities for Accessing Spectrum Internet® Service | |||
| City | State | Availability | Population Covered |
| Los Angeles | California | 98.4% | 2,373,857 |
| Dallas | Texas | 98.1% | 1,350,950 |
| Austin | Texas | 97.8% | 1,124,610 |
| San Antonio | Texas | 97.2% | 1,784,492 |
| Orlando | Florida | 96.7% | 1,030,677 |
Contrary to Spectrum’s vast 41-state footprint, Verizon 5G Home Internet service is limited to 900 cities in 34 states. Verizon is in the process of expanding its 5G ultra-wideband service across the country. But at the moment, Verizon 5G cell towers are available in a select few cities and offer wireless internet connectivity to over 30 million households.
Below, we have named all the 34 states where Verizon’s ultrafast 5G Home Internet plans are available.
| All the States where Verizon 5G Home Internet is Available | |||
| Alabama | Georgia | Michigan | Ohio |
| Arizona | Illinois | Minnesota | Oklahoma |
| Arkansas | Indiana | Missouri | Pennsylvania |
| California | Iowa | New Hampshire | Rhode Island |
| Colorado | Kentucky | New Jersey | South Carolina |
| Connecticut | Louisiana | New Mexico | Tennessee |
| Delaware | Maryland | New York | Texas |
| Florida | Massachusetts | North Carolina | Utah |
| Virginia | Washington | ||
Here are the top 5 cities enjoying Verizon’s 5G wireless home internet service.
| 5 Cities with the Best Verizon 5G Home Internet Coverage | |||
| City | State | Availability | Population Covered |
| Los Angeles | California | 97.0% | 2,341,104 |
| Indianapolis | Indiana | 82.4% | 812,069 |
| San Jose | California | 80.3% | 830,510 |
| Columbus | Ohio | 75.8% | 662,183 |
| Chicago | Illinois | 74.8% | 2,040,894 |
Additional Fee
There is a common saying in our consumerist society, “What you see is not what you get”, which perfectly sums up the plight of internet subscribers at the end of the billing cycle. Customers expect to pay the exact amount advertised to them for their broadband plan, but when they receive the bill, a morbid realization sinks in. For the first time, they become aware of the additional costs that must be covered on top of their internet service fee.
Luckily, Verizon 5G Home Internet and Spectrum Internet keep their additional monthly costs to a minimum. Plus, most of these add-on charges are avoidable if you practice prudence.
Extra Charges for Verizon 5G Home Internet
| Additional Service | Extra Charges |
|---|---|
| Month-to-Month Billing | $5.00/mo. |
| Bill Printing Fee | $5.00/mo. |
| Taxes and Surcharges | Up to $8.00/mo. |
Extra Charges for Spectrum Internet
| Additional Service | Extra Charges |
|---|---|
| Professional Installation Fee | $65.00 (one-time) |
| Self-Installation Kit | $30.00 (one-time) |
| WiFi Router Rental | $5.00/mo. |
| Spectrum WiFi Pods Rental | $3.00/mo. per pod |
| Late Payment Fee | $8.95/mo. |
| Unreturned Equipment Fee | Up to $480.00 (one-time) |
| Taxes and Surcharges | Up to $10.00/ mo. |
Best Home Internet for Gaming – Verizon 5G or Spectrum?
With download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps, average latency of 65 milliseconds, and unlimited data, Spectrum and Verizon 5G Home Internet serve as perfect gaming arenas for online game players. Spectrum Internet is ranked the No.1 destination for gamers due to its 99.9 percent reliable internet speeds, and ultra-low lag times. It offers ideal bandwidths (1,000 Mbps down and 35 Mbps up) for competitive PC gaming. Moreover, Spectrum’s advanced network is compatible with the latest gaming devices, like consoles, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
Verizon 5G Home Internet service is slowly gaining traction among gamers, but its deprioritization policy in favor of Verizon Wireless customers causes the speeds to fluctuate during peak hours. This adversely affects the gamers’ performance and leads to downvotes for the service.
Which is Better- Verizon 5G Home Internet or Spectrum?
The moment of the big reveal is finally here. Together, we explored the many facets of Verizon 5G Home Internet vs. Spectrum Internet service in an effort to declare the ultimate winner. The truth is that while Verizon 5G Home Internet offers the best value for money with its long list of perks, minimal add-on fees, and straightforward service, it cannot match the large coverage area and speed reliability of Spectrum Internet.
So, while Verizon 5G Home Internet is a good option for frequent movers, it is Spectrum Internet that offers better stability and eventually turns your house into a home.
We hope our Verizon 5G Home Internet vs. Spectrum Internet comparison blog will help you pick the best carrier for your home.
