Mediacom vs Verizon Fios: Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Mediacom and Verizon Fios plans, pricing, internet speeds, and available services to find the best home service provider for your area.
Mediacom vs Verizon Fios: Our Verdict
Mediacom and Verizon Fios are completely different classes of internet service — Verizon Fios delivers premium 100% fiber-to-the-premises internet across the Northeastern United States with symmetrical speeds from 300 Mbps at $50/mo to 2.3 Gbps at $110/mo, while Mediacom provides cable internet to rural and suburban Midwest and Southeast communities with plans from $29.99/mo for 100 Mbps to $59.99/mo for 1 Gbps. Verizon Fios has no data caps, no annual contracts, and delivers symmetrical upload and download speeds that are impossible on Mediacom's cable infrastructure, which caps lower-tier plans between 60 GB and 400 GB of data per month.
Our Pick
Verizon Fios
Recommendation
Verizon Fios is objectively the superior internet service with symmetrical fiber speeds, no data caps, and consistently top-rated reliability — if you have access to it, it should be your first choice. Mediacom serves a necessary role in bringing broadband to rural and smaller communities where Fios will never reach, and its $29.99/mo entry price makes it accessible for budget-constrained households in those markets.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Mediacom | Verizon Fios |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $30.00/mo | $49.99/mo |
| Max Internet Speed | 2000 Mbps | 2000 Mbps |
| Available Plans | 6 plans | 15 plans |
| Internet | ||
| TV | ||
| View Mediacom Plans | View Verizon Fios Plans |
Featured Plans
Mediacom
Verizon Fios
Verizon Unlimited Plus
Fios 1 Gig
Your Fios TV
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Verizon Fios and Mediacom speeds compare?
Verizon Fios offers symmetrical speeds from 300 Mbps up to 2.3 Gbps, meaning upload speeds match download speeds on every plan. Mediacom's cable plans range from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps download, but upload speeds are a fraction of the download speed — typically 10-50 Mbps depending on the plan. This means Verizon Fios's entry-level 300 Mbps plan delivers faster upload speeds than Mediacom's top-tier 1 Gbps plan.
Why is Mediacom cheaper than Verizon Fios?
Mediacom's $29.99/mo starting price is significantly cheaper than Verizon Fios's $50/mo entry tier because Mediacom uses existing cable infrastructure in less competitive rural markets, delivers lower speeds, and imposes data caps. Verizon Fios invested billions in running fiber-optic cable directly to homes, which costs more to deploy but delivers a fundamentally superior product. The price difference reflects the technology gap.
Do Mediacom and Verizon Fios serve any of the same states?
Mediacom and Verizon Fios have no geographic overlap. Verizon Fios is available exclusively in Northeastern states including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Mediacom serves communities in Midwestern and Southeastern states including Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Missouri, Minnesota, and Mississippi. You cannot choose between these two providers at any single address.
Does Mediacom have data caps compared to Verizon Fios?
Mediacom enforces data caps on its lower-tier plans, with limits ranging from 60 GB to 400 GB per month depending on the plan tier, and overage charges apply when you exceed your allocation. Verizon Fios has no data caps on any plan, from its 300 Mbps tier all the way up to 2.3 Gbps, allowing completely unlimited data usage. For context, 60 GB — Mediacom's lowest cap — can be consumed by streaming about 20 hours of HD video.
Can I get TV and phone bundles from both Mediacom and Verizon Fios?
Both Mediacom and Verizon Fios offer TV and phone bundles alongside their internet service. Verizon Fios TV provides a comprehensive channel lineup with integration with Verizon Wireless mobile plans, potentially providing greater savings for families who also use Verizon for mobile service. Mediacom also offers cable TV and phone bundles, which can be convenient for customers in its service area who want a single bill for all home services.