Do You Need Verizon Phone Service for Verizon High-Speed Internet?

Verizon's uses DSL technology to deliver high speed Internet over a local telephone line. With the high-speed Internet plan, users can expect download speeds of up to 0.5 to 1 Mbps. The plan is ideal for users who use the Internet primarily for emailing and moderate browsing. The Enhanced plan is recommended for frequent Internet users and households with multiple users. Users can expect download speeds of between 1.1 and 15 Mbps, depending on the location. Plans can be purchased with or without a term contract.

Using a fiber optic communications network, Verizon FiOS delivers digital television, digital voice communication and high-speed broadband Internet. With FiOS, users can expect faster connection speeds in comparison to Verizon's DSL service. At the time of publication, Verizon offered four plans with download speeds of 15, 25, 50 and 150 Mbps. Plans with faster download speeds are recommended for customers who use the Internet frequently for downloading or streaming movies, and for online gaming. FiOS plans can be purchased for one- or two-year commitments.

High Speed Internet and FiOS plans include a range of standard features at no additional cost. Subscribers receive wireless routers with each plan, and can opt for a USB wireless modem for non-wireless enabled computers. Customers receive an Internet security suite, 24-hour customer and technical support, online backup and sharing, and access to online content on ESPN.com. Plans also include 10 MB of personal web space and up to nine email accounts. FiOS plans and the High Speed Internet Enhanced plan include access to Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the country.

In 2010, PC Magazine rated Verizon's FiOS service as the fastest Internet service provider in the United States according to tests conducted by the publication. In 2010, FiOS also won the Readers' Choice Award for over customer satisfaction among Internet service providers, marking the fifth consecutive year it received the recognition. Verizon's high-speed Internet DSL service ranked ninth among 16 Internet service providers in the 2010 Readers' Choice Awards survey, receiving lower than average ratings for speed and average ratings for reliability, customer support and technical support.