Verizon vs Frontier Internet: Now One Company, So Which Plan Should You Pick?

Verizon and Frontier are now the same company. Verizon closed its roughly $20 billion purchase of Frontier on January 20, 2026, but both brands are still on the market, so you'll see Verizon Fios, Verizon 5G Home and Frontier Fiber offered side by side. Frontier Fiber plans start at $44.99 a month and Fios starts at $40 as of October 2026. Here's how the plans, fees and speeds compare, and what the merger means if you're already a Frontier customer.

What the Verizon and Frontier merger means for you

Frontier is now a wholly owned Verizon subsidiary, and Verizon says the combined fiber network reaches about 30 million homes and businesses across 31 states and Washington, D.C. Integration is expected to continue through the end of 2026. For now:

• Frontier customers keep their plans: Verizon says your current Frontier plan, price, equipment, app, billing and support stay the same, and your pricing isn't changing because of the acquisition. You don't need to buy a new router or take any action.
• Changes come with notice: Verizon says Frontier Fiber customers will eventually move to Verizon Fios and that it will contact customers before anything changes. No date has been announced.
• Bundle savings are already here: Frontier Fiber customers can get $15 a month off a qualifying plan when they add an eligible Verizon mobile phone plan, or a Verizon Value brand plan such as Visible, Total Wireless or Straight Talk.

Our Frontier provider page and Verizon Fios provider page track both networks.

Verizon vs Frontier plans and prices

Advertised prices as of mid-October 2026, with autopay:

Frontier's advertised prices require Auto Pay and paperless billing. Both providers' fiber plans generally offer similar upload and download speeds, subject to equipment and network limits. Verizon's Fios 5 Gig plan comes with a five-year price lock, and Frontier offers price locks on some of its fastest plans.

Verizon 5G Home internet

Verizon also sells fixed wireless home internet where Fios isn't available. As of October 2026, 5G Home was advertised at $60 a month, 5G Home Plus at $70 and 5G Home Ultimate at $85 with Auto Pay. Available speeds depend on the address. Frontier also sells DSL in some areas. Our AT&T Internet Air vs Verizon 5G Home comparison covers how 5G home internet performs.

Fees and installation

• Installation: Verizon charges $99 for professional Fios installation, waived when you order online, and 5G Home is a free self-setup. Frontier's expert fiber installation is listed at $100 and is waived if you stay 12 consecutive months. Either provider may let you self-install free if your home already has an active fiber terminal. See our guide to self-installing Frontier or Fios.
• Equipment: neither provider charges a monthly equipment fee.
• Billing extras: both add about $10 a month if you skip autopay. Frontier also lists a $2.99 monthly paper bill fee, and a promotional contract can carry an early termination fee of up to $100.

Which should you pick?

In most places you won't actually have to choose between the two fiber networks, because Fios and Frontier Fiber rarely serve the same streets. Fios is concentrated in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, while Frontier Fiber reaches parts of states like California, Texas, Florida, Connecticut and the Midwest. If either fiber service is offered at your address, it's usually the best wired option there.

• Choose Frontier Fiber if it's available and you want the lowest price per gig or the fastest 7 Gig tier. Set up autopay and paperless billing to get the advertised price.
• Choose Verizon Fios if you're in its footprint and want Fios TV or a long price lock on a multi-gig plan.
• Choose Verizon 5G Home if neither fiber network reaches you and Verizon's 5G signal is strong at your address.

Both qualify for Verizon's $15 mobile-plus-home discount, so Verizon phone customers save either way. If you're comparing Frontier with other providers, see AT&T vs Frontier and T-Mobile Fiber vs Verizon Fios.

Options outside the fiber footprint

Many rural homes in Frontier's and Verizon's service states still can't get fiber or a strong 5G signal. Satellite reaches nearly every address with a clear view of the sky:

• Starlink: low-orbit satellite service. Residential plans were $55, $85 and $130 a month as of October 2026, according to Starlink's plan pages, plus equipment. Our Starlink guide covers setup and speeds.
• Viasat: Viasat downloads through RSINC are guaranteed at least 80 Mbps, while upload speeds can reach 3 to 5 Mbps. Its newest satellite is running faster than the download floor during its first year. Plans start at $39.99 a month for the first 12 months, plus a $15 monthly equipment lease, as of October 2026. See how much Viasat costs.
• Hughesnet: plans start at $39.99 a month for the first 12 months with autopay, as of October 2026, with a 12- or 24-month term and equipment extra. Our guide to Hughesnet data limits explains how its Priority Data works.

Frequently asked questions

Does Verizon own Frontier now?

Yes. Verizon completed its roughly $20 billion purchase of Frontier Communications on January 20, 2026. Frontier is now a wholly owned Verizon subsidiary and still sells service as Frontier, a Verizon company.

Will my Frontier plan or price change?

Not because of the acquisition. Verizon says Frontier customers keep their current plan, pricing, equipment, billing and support for now, and that it will notify customers before any changes. Integration is expected to continue through the end of 2026.

Is Frontier cheaper than Verizon Fios?

Usually, for similar speeds. In October 2026, Frontier Fiber 500 was advertised at $44.99 a month and Fiber 1 Gig at $64.99 with Auto Pay and paperless billing, while Verizon Fios 500 Mbps was $75 and Fios 1 Gig was $90 with Auto Pay. Availability and local offers vary.

Can I choose between Verizon Fios and Frontier Fiber at my address?

Probably not. The two fiber networks rarely overlap, so most homes can get one or the other. Verizon 5G Home internet may also be available where neither fiber network reaches.

Can Frontier customers get a Verizon bundle discount?

Yes. Verizon offers a $15 monthly discount on Frontier Fiber Internet plans of $20 a month or more when combined with an eligible Verizon mobile phone plan, and a similar discount with Verizon Value brands like Visible, Total Wireless and Straight Talk. Enrollment is required.

What if neither Fios nor Frontier Fiber is available?

Check for cable, 5G home internet and satellite. Viasat downloads through RSINC are guaranteed at least 80 Mbps, while upload speeds can reach 3 to 5 Mbps, and Starlink and Hughesnet cover most rural addresses. Call 1-877-697-2926 to compare plans at your address.