Verizon Fios Outage Leaves Thousands Offline Across the U.S.—Latest Updates & How to Restore Your Connection

Verizon Fios customers across the Northeast are waking up to higher monthly bills after the carrier quietly trimmed its long-standing $10 Auto Pay discount down to $5 for legacy plans, triggering a $5-a-month jump for millions of households beginning with January 2025 statements. Early bill notices label the hike as a “discount adjustment,” but angry posters on Verizon’s community forum report total increases of $15–$44 once TV equipment surcharges and regional sports fees are factored in. The surprise has sparked a surge in searches for “Fios price increase 2025,” “why did my Fios bill go up,” and “how to lower Verizon Fios bill.” What changed • Auto Pay perk cut: Legacy 300 Mbps and 500 Mbps tiers now get only $5 off when using paperless billing. • Forced migration: Older “Mix & Match” packages are being moved to the new “myHome” lineup, where speeds stay the same but promo credits reset. • Equipment fees climb: Verizon raised set-top-box rental to $14 mo. and router rental to $18 mo. in several markets. Why Verizon says prices are rising The company points to expanded fiber maintenance, ESPN carriage renewals and ongoing 5G build-outs that “require price realignment.” Industry analysts note that Verizon’s average revenue per user (ARPU) on home internet has lagged behind cable rivals, and the shift helps fund its aggressive 2 Gig rollout. New ways to save 1. Lock in a long-term plan: Verizon’s 1 Gig ($74.99 mo.) and 2 Gig ($94.99 mo.) tiers come with a three-year price guarantee and Whole-Home Wi-Fi extenders included, effectively offsetting the lost $5 discount for heavy streamers. 2. Bundle with mobile: Pairing Fios with Unlimited Welcome or Unlimited Plus cuts internet cost by an extra $15–$25 mo. 3. Check ACP eligibility: Qualified low-income households can shave off another $30 through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. 4. Buy your own router: Swapping Verizon’s rental for a compatible Wi-Fi 6E gateway saves $216 over two years. 5. Negotiate with retention: Customers still under contract can often secure a bill credit or free speed upgrade by citing competing offers from cable and fixed-wireless providers. Fios expansion on deck While price hikes sting, Verizon is simultaneously widening fiber access. A pending merger with Frontier Fiber, green-lit by the FCC in May, is expected to push Fios into 25 states by 2026, with 2 Gigabit symmetrical speeds already testing at 2.3 Gbps download and 1.9 Gbps upload in select New Jersey neighborhoods. FAQ quick hits Is the price increase nationwide? Currently it’s concentrated in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland and Virginia, but more markets could follow as contracts renew. Can I keep my $10 Auto Pay discount? Only by switching to a current myHome 1 Gig or 2 Gig tier that still offers the full $10 credit. Will Verizon waive the early-termination fee if I leave? Customers who experience a “material change of terms,” such as a bill increase during a price lock period, can request an ETF waiver through customer retention. Bottom line Verizon Fios remains one of the fastest residential internet options, but the 2025 discount rollback effectively raises the entry price to $55 for 300 Mbps service. Shoppers should compare total cost—including taxes and fees—against cable and 5G home internet promos, leverage mobile bundles, and consider higher-speed plans with longer price guarantees to soften the blow.