Updated August 2026. Pricing and promo terms change monthly — verify current numbers on each provider's site before you publish or sign up.

The number on the ad isn't the number on your bill in month 13. That's not a Fios problem specifically — every major provider runs it the same way — but it's the part almost nobody explains before you sign the order form. This piece breaks down what's actually in Verizon Fios new customer deals, where the price quietly changes, and how it stacks up against Xfinity, Spectrum, AT&T Fiber, and T-Mobile Home Internet.

Key Takeaways

  • Most "new customer" fiber and cable deals apply a bill credit for a fixed window (commonly 12–36 months) — after that, the rate jumps to the standard rate, not the promo rate.
  • Fios advertises no annual contract on most plans, which matters more than the sticker price if you think you might move or switch within the first year.
  • Equipment, activation, and one-time setup fees vary a lot between providers and are rarely shown next to the headline monthly price.
  • Bundling with mobile service is where Fios and Xfinity both build in their biggest ongoing discounts — not just the sign-up bonus.
  • You have more leverage to negotiate a lower rate after year one than most people realize, especially with a competitor's offer in hand.

What "New Customer" Pricing Actually Includes

When a provider advertises Fios internet sign up deals, that number is almost always a promotional rate — a bill credit applied on top of the standard monthly price, not a permanently lower price. Verizon's current Fios offers, for example, apply the discount as a bill credit for a set number of months (Verizon has run 36-month credit terms on several plans), after which the account reverts to the standard rate automatically. Xfinity and Spectrum do the same thing on shorter windows, usually 12 months.

That structure isn't hidden exactly — it's in the fine print — but it's easy to skim past when you're comparing headline prices side by side. The number that matters for a real comparison is the effective average price over the first two years, not the intro-month price.

Verizon Fios New Customer Deals vs. Xfinity's First-Year Price

Here's the comparison that actually matters for a new customer:

 Verizon FiosXfinityAT&T FiberStarting price (promo)~$35–50/mo for entry tierVaries by region, often ~$30–45/mo intro~$55–65/mo entry tierContract requiredNo, on most plansOften yes for the lowest promo priceNoPromo/credit windowCommonly up to 36 months on select plansTypically 12 monthsTypically 12–24 monthsEquipment feeOften included or waivedUsually $10–15/mo unless ownedOften includedNetwork type100% fiberCable (hybrid fiber-coax)100% fiber

Fios and AT&T Fiber are the closer comparison since both are full fiber, which matters if upload speed, reliability, or symmetrical speeds are the priority. Xfinity's advantage is broader availability outside the Northeast fiber footprint, since Fios service is limited to a handful of East Coast states.

What Happens to Your Bill After the Promo Period Ends

This is the part that generates the most "why did my bill go up" searches, and it's worth spelling out clearly: when the promotional bill credit expires, the account moves to the provider's standard rate for that plan and speed tier — not a new promo, not a renewal offer automatically. You typically won't get a notice that specifically says "your discount is ending, here's your new price" beyond a line item on the bill itself.

The practical fix is to calendar the end date of your promo period the same week you sign up. When it approaches, two things are worth doing before the higher rate hits: check if a new retention offer is available, and get a competing quote from another provider in your area so you have a number to negotiate against.

Equipment, Activation, and Setup Fees Compared

Sticker price aside, the fees that actually differ between providers are:

  • Equipment/router rental — Fios frequently includes the router at no extra monthly cost on current promotions; Xfinity often charges $10–15/month unless you use your own compatible modem/router.
  • Professional installation — commonly free with an online order for Fios and AT&T Fiber; Xfinity sometimes charges a technician visit fee depending on the plan.
  • Early termination — largely irrelevant for Fios since most plans skip the annual contract; it matters more with Xfinity or Spectrum promo tiers that require a term commitment for the lowest price.
  • Activation fee — one-time charges in the $0–$35 range appear across all four providers depending on current promotions; this is the line most likely to be waived if you ask before ordering.

When AT&T Fiber or T-Mobile Home Internet Beats a New Fios Deal

Fios isn't the right call for every household, even where it's available. AT&T Fiber tends to be more competitive on symmetrical upload speed at the mid-tier price points, which matters for anyone doing heavy video calls, cloud backup, or remote work uploads. T-Mobile Home Internet (and Verizon's own 5G Home plans) can beat both Verizon Fios new customer deals and Xfinity on flat, no-contract pricing for single-person households or renters who don't need gigabit speeds and want to avoid installation altogether.

The trade-off with 5G home internet is consistency — speeds can vary by time of day and network congestion in a way fiber doesn't. If you work from home and rely on video calls, that variability is the thing to test during any trial period before committing.

How to Negotiate a Better Rate Before You Renew

Retention departments at every major provider have more room to move than the public price page suggests. A few things make that conversation go better:

  • Call (or use chat) specifically to the retention/loyalty team, not general customer service — ask directly to be transferred if the first rep can't adjust pricing.
  • Have a specific competing offer ready — a screenshot or quote number from Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, or T-Mobile Home Internet in your area gives the rep something concrete to match or beat.
  • Ask about current new-customer promotions being applied to your existing account — providers frequently can apply a version of the current sign-up deal to retain you, even though it's not advertised for existing customers.
  • Be willing to mention you're considering switching. Providers lose far more by losing an account entirely than by giving a modest bill credit to keep it.

The Bottom Line

The intro price on any new customer deal — Fios included — is a temporary number, not a lasting one. Read the promo window before you sign, know the standard rate you'll land on afterward, and keep a competing quote on hand for the day that credit expires. Between the major options, Fios and AT&T Fiber generally win on speed and lack of contract; Xfinity wins on availability; T-Mobile Home Internet wins on simplicity for light users. None of them win by default — the right pick depends on what your promo window actually costs you after it ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Verizon Fios raise prices after the first year?

Yes, in the sense that the promotional bill credit applied at sign-up expires at the end of its term (commonly up to 36 months on current Fios offers, shorter on some plans), and the account reverts to the standard monthly rate for that speed tier unless a new discount is applied.

Is Fios cheaper than Xfinity for new customers?

It depends on the plan and region. Fios often has a lower or comparable entry price and typically doesn't require an annual contract, while Xfinity's lowest advertised price sometimes requires a term commitment. Comparing the standard (post-promo) rate, not just the intro price, gives a more accurate picture.

What's the catch with Fios new customer sign-up deals?

The main thing to check is the length of the promotional bill credit and what the standard rate becomes afterward, plus any equipment or activation fees not included in the advertised price. There's typically no long-term contract, but the discounted price is temporary.

Can you negotiate Fios pricing after the promo ends?

Often, yes. Contacting the retention team directly, rather than general support, and having a competing offer from another provider in hand improves the odds of getting a renewed discount or bill credit applied to your account.

Is Fios or AT&T Fiber better for a new customer?

Both are full fiber networks with generally no annual contract. AT&T Fiber is often more competitive on upload speed at mid-tier pricing; Fios has a larger presence in the Northeast and frequently includes equipment at no extra monthly cost. Availability by address usually decides it, since the two networks rarely overlap heavily.

Does Fios require a contract for new customers?

Most current Fios plans do not require an annual contract, which is one of its main differentiators from lower-tier Xfinity and Spectrum promotional pricing.

Note for publishing: verify all current prices, promo terms, and fee amounts directly against verizon.com, xfinity.com, att.com, and t-mobile.com before this goes live — provider pricing changes monthly and this draft uses ranges rather than locked figures for that reason.