Verizon just announced today that it will offer up to 50 megabit-per-second download speeds to customers of its FiOS Internet service. New maximum upload speeds are at 20 mbps.
That’s up from the measly 30 Mbps currently offered. And it blows away the competition of cable TV companies (up to 15 Mbps) and other telephone companies (usually 1.5 to 5 Mbps).
But the key to the faster, free upgrade is you’ve got to request it, according to Jon Davies with Verizon.
Every tier of service gets a speed boost, while prices remain about the same. If you commit to a year and use Verizon telephone service, the monthly fee for the 50 Mbps is $139.95, which is the current price of its 30 Mbps service. That’s still a deal compared to the $199 Verizon charged users when FiOS launched in Orange County a few years ago.
Basic service, currently at 5 Mbps will jump to 10 Mbps. Mid-level service will increase from 15 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload, to 20 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload.
Verizon is sticking to the same price scheme for the various tiers, starting at $42.99 for the 10 Mbps service. The current prices and speeds haven’t been updated on Verizon’s site. But here’s what Verizon sent me today on cost and speed if you commit to 12 months of service:
What can you do with a 50 Mbps connection? You can download a 112-minute, high-definition movie (approximately 5 GBs) in 13.3 minutes. Comparably, the same movie on a 5 Mbps connection would take 2 hours and 15 minutes, according to my calculations.
The upgrade will be available next week nationwide. But don’t forget: you must request the upgrade. In Orange County, Verizon FiOS service is limited to certain residents in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Westminster, Garden Grove, Stanton and nearby unincorporated areas.
And if 50 Mbps still isn’t fast enough, you can look forward to much faster. Denny Strigl, Verizon’s president and chief operating officer, said in a press release: “The appetite for bandwidth shows no signs of slowing down. Neither will we. We’ve already had successful trials of the 100-megabit home, which will be a reality faster than anybody thinks.”
Related:
- Verizon FiOS goes to 50 Mbps across U.S.; should I upgrade? (ZD Net)
- Where in the world is AT&T’s U-verse?
- Help parents survive the digital TV transition
- Behind the TV services in OC
- Local TV update: The cheapskate package
- AT&T launches TV in OC
- Verizon FiOS TV expands in O.C.
- UPDATE: FiOS TV coming to your home faster
- HDTV central
Tamara 'the Gadgetress' Chuang
Here's a list of TV/mobile companies helping consumers one tweet at a time. 
FiOS sucks!!
I hope their Fios isn’t as flawed as their other services. I have Verizon DSL and it is a dissapointment just like their customer service.
Although I have found nothing to quite at good as COX internet the FIOS from Verizon for TV is awesome. I have had Verizon for 2 years and the customer service here has been awesome I know just enough about computers to get mysefl in trouble and they bail me out every time!!
I have Fios and will call to upgrade for free to the 20/5 package. It kicks major tail now. The new firefox 3 is *really* fast too. I turn off all ads and buzz around the internet like a speed demon. No problems with billing either. I did have my fios tv go whacky. I called them out 2 times and the 2nd dude fixed it at the box in the street. Fios is very, very sensitive.
I just called, because I have FIOS internet. It is not yet available. I didn’t notice at first the story says not until next week. The TV does act wierd sometimes, but I haven’t had any internet problems with them at all. 15 down is FAST! 20 down will be AWESOME!!