[Trash Can]

Rather than clog up the recent T-mobile Home Internet thread, I thought it would be best to start a new one, where feedback for all home internet options could be discussed.

Verizon 5G Home Internet recently became available in my area (89183). I’ve been curious, so when I experienced a 4 hour Cox outage a few days ago, one of several outages lately, I was irritated enough to explore other options, so here we go….

Initial impression of Verizon 5G Home is very positive. The device is a cube, roughly 6” x 6” x 6”. Basic setup is simple. Total time is less than 10 minutes, which includes initial boot up and logging into the device to customize the network SSID and password. The MyVerizon app walks you through every step.

Performance has been much better than anticipated. I have a few Nest cams and several other devices connected to my network. Streaming on multiple devices simultaneously has been flawless. I can’t tell a difference between this and Cox Gigablast. Speed wise I got 324 down, 28 up this morning. I consistently get in the mid to upper 200s down and 17+ up throughout the day. Personally, I think those speed tests are largely irrelevant and more about “bragging rights” anyway, at least for the average person. As long as my network can handle what I need it to do, I’ll sacrifice some speed for stability, not to mention saving roughly $100/mo along the way.

Signal strength out of the box is strong, but I wanted to enhance coverage throughout my property with a mesh network using my Eero 6 Pros. It took a little digging to figure it out, but I was finally able to put the cube into “pass through” mode and let my Eeros handle the all the Wi-Fi network itself. I want to emphasize that using a mesh network is not necessary. The cube and it’s basic setup is all you need. Anything else is personal preference. If you don’t have a mesh network now, you won’t need one here.

All plans are no contract with unlimited data. They start at $25/mo for VZW customers, which includes a 2 year price lock. A “plus” plan is $35/mo, which includes a 3 year price lock, a few more perks, and potentially higher speeds that rival Cox Gigablast. Note: simply selecting the “plus” plan will not guarantee highest advertised speeds, even if 5G Home is available in your area. That’s solely dependent on where you live. The highest speeds aren’t available at my address, so I went back and opted for the cheaper plan during the checkout process. However, I’m still more than satisfied with the performance I’m getting. The plans are double the price for non-VZW customers. That’s still cheaper than Cox, so it may be an option for those who can’t get T-mobile home.

If you’re interested, go to VZW’s website, type your address in to see if it’s available. Give it a shot. Verizon has a 30 day money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with any aspect of the service, so nothing to lose.

Bottom line - I’m going to continue to test and evaluate for another week or so. If the stability and performance continues as is, dumping Cox will be a no brainer.

[timothyaw]

^ Thanks for the write-up

[moguldreamer]

Originally Posted by Trash Can

Performance has been much better than anticipated... I can’t tell a difference between this and Cox Gigablast. Speed wise I got 324 down, 28 up this morning. I consistently get in the mid to upper 200s down and 17+ up throughout the day.

That's great to hear. This provides some legitimate competition to Cox, and the competition should make both services better over time.

Originally Posted by Trash Can

Personally, I think those speed tests are largely irrelevant and more about “bragging rights” anyway, at least for the average person. As long as my network can handle what I need it to do, I’ll sacrifice some speed for stability, not to mention saving roughly $100/mo along the way.

Makes sense.

I also suspect that upon launching a speedtest, routing of packets change to suddenly get the best dedicated circuits or whatever it is called... that is, I suspect the speedtests near instantaneously cause the vendors from point to point to use their best gear & priority to put their best foot forward in ways they do not once you're just trying to use the internet for everyday activities and streaming.

Originally Posted by Trash Can

Bottom line - I’m going to continue to test and evaluate for another week or so. If the stability and performance continues as is, dumping Cox will be a no brainer.

Thanks for the review!

[cre8lite]

no surprise here - not available in pahrump

[Trash Can]

Originally Posted by cre8lite

no surprise here - not available in pahrump

Starlink….

The monthly cost rivals Cox with a large one time equipment fee.

A friend of mine has it and consistently gets 200 dn/20 up.

It’s not for me for a variety of reasons but it is an option, especially for those in rural areas.

https://www.starlink.com/

[Trash Can]

WeLink….. https://welink.com/

Relatively new ISP in Las Vegas.

They provide “wireless fiber speed” for as low as $70/mo on a 2 year contract or no contract for $80/mo.

There is a waiting list.

The review below is by a new WeLink customer in Las Vegas.

https://youtu.be/QcmvaI06qcM

[1madmadworld]

Hi
first post here.
18 years with Cox, the first 17 very happy. but the past year not so much. it started in March 2021 with intermittent outages. sometimes 5 minutes to 20 minutes, from 10am till 4pm mostly. they sent a guy out 5 times over a month or so back then. no fix. 3 of the 5 guys told me to ask for a maintenance tech service guy when I called back including the first guy yet they never sent one. things seemed a little better for awhile but within a couple of months back to the same.

Over the past 2 months it's got much worse for me starting at 7:30am till 8pm. outside of these times my service works great. people around me have had trouble also.

Thus me looking around to see how wide spread this is. and my need of a new service.

[cre8lite]

Originally Posted by Trash Can

Starlink….

The monthly cost rivals Cox with a large one time equipment fee.

A friend of mine has it and consistently gets 200 dn/20 up.

It’s not for me for a variety of reasons but it is an option, especially for those in rural areas.

https://www.starlink.com/

not available quite yet in pahrump. guesstimating 2023

[Trash Can]

Originally Posted by 1madmadworld

Hi
first post here.
18 years with Cox, the first 17 very happy. but the past year not so much. it started in March 2021 with intermittent outages. sometimes 5 minutes to 20 minutes, from 10am till 4pm mostly. they sent a guy out 5 times over a month or so back then. no fix. 3 of the 5 guys told me to ask for a maintenance tech service guy when I called back including the first guy yet they never sent one. things seemed a little better for awhile but within a couple of months back to the same.

Over the past 2 months it's got much worse for me starting at 7:30am till 8pm. outside of these times my service works great. people around me have had trouble also.

Thus me looking around to see how wide spread this is. and my need of a new service.

Our Cox service took a turn for the worst about 2-3 years ago when there was a lot of construction near our community. It seemed to get better when the construction was complete, although “better” is a relative term.

Also, how old is your modem and router? Those things don’t last forever.

[1madmadworld]

Originally Posted by Trash Can

Also, how old is your modem and router? Those things don’t last forever.

Thanks for the reply

About 2 years old.
They sent a guy out with a "test" modem it was the same with it. I just lost time looking for a new one and a call to the MFG to complain about it in the meantime. LOL

For awhile I was thinking they couldn't get a "part" that was needed, slowed by supply chain troubles, but now I'm just done.