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Verizon vs Astound in Boston
Boston’s trade-off is Astound’s cheaper, faster-download cable service versus Verizon’s stronger fiber uploads and slightly broader overall reach.
Astound is the better overall pick in Boston because it combines broader access to its fastest plan, higher downloads, and a much lower starting price. Astound wins on speed and price, while Verizon narrowly wins overall city coverage at about 87% versus Astound’s 86%. Astound suits households that want the most download speed for less, especially where its 1,500/50 Mbps plan is available. Verizon is the better fit for shoppers who can get its fiber service and value stronger uploads, including its 940/880 Mbps tier where available.
At a glance
Verizon vs. Astound, side by side.
| Provider | Type | Top speed | City coverage | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon |
Fiber | 1 Gig 75 Mbps upload |
87% | $49.99/mo | Solid fiber option |
| Astound |
Cable | 1 Gig 50 Mbps upload |
86% | $20/mo | Budget-friendly |
Coverage map
Two different questions, two views. Top speed shows who offers the faster plan where you can actually get it. Coverage shows who reaches more of each ZIP. Or pick a single provider to see just its footprint.
Neighborhood breakdown
The choice can shift by ZIP and neighborhood because availability varies block to block in Boston. Verizon reaches about 87% of the city overall, while Astound reaches about 86%; check your exact address to see which service and tier are available.
| ZIP | Neighborhoods | Coverage | Top speed | Rank score | Winner | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Astound | Verizon | Astound | Verizon | Astound | |||
| 02118 | South End, Blackstone/Franklin Squares | 60% | 91% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 35 | 57 | Astound |
| 02116 | Back Bay, South End, Copley Square | 44% | 94% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 25 | 59 | Astound |
| 02115 | Fenway, Longwood Medical Area, Symphony, Museum of Fine Arts | 32% | 90% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 19 | 57 | Astound |
| 02215 | Fenway, Kenmore Square, Audubon Circle, West Fens | 65% | 99% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 38 | 63 | Astound |
| 02108 | Beacon Hill, Boston Common, Downtown | 30% | 57% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 17 | 36 | Astound |
| 02114 | Beacon Hill, West End | 42% | 74% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 24 | 47 | Astound |
| 02109 | North End, Waterfront, Financial District | 56% | 70% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 32 | 44 | Astound |
| 02210 | Seaport District, Fort Point, South Boston Waterfront | 21% | 87% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 12 | 55 | Astound |
| 02110 | Financial District, Waterfront, Custom House District | 37% | 94% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 21 | 59 | Astound |
| 02111 | Chinatown, Leather District, Downtown Crossing | 44% | 94% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 25 | 59 | Astound |
| 02113 | North End, Little Italy | 86% | 73% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 49 | 46 | Verizon |
| 02112 | Downtown Boston | 30% | 94% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 17 | 59 | Astound |
| 02196 | Back Bay, Prudential Center | 30% | 94% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 17 | 59 | Astound |
| 02205 | Downtown Boston | 30% | 94% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 17 | 59 | Astound |
Rank score (0–100) is each provider’s Speed Score, discounted for weak upload, times the share of that ZIP it reaches — the same rule that orders providers on the Boston city page, so it moves as availability changes street to street.
Which is better for…
The right pick comes down to what you actually do online.
Get connected
Pick your provider and check availability at your address.
- 1 Gig down · 75 Mbps up Licensed Fixed Wireless
- 940 Mbps down · 880 Mbps up Fiber
- 300 Mbps down · 20 Mbps up Licensed Fixed Wireless
- 1 Gig down · 50 Mbps up Cable
- 1 Gig down · 1 Gig up Fiber
See what’s actually available at your address
Coverage changes from one street to the next. Check your exact address in seconds.
Check my addressFrequently asked questions
Is Verizon or Astound available at my Boston address?
Astound reaches about 86% of Boston overall, while Verizon reaches about 87% across all its technologies. Those citywide figures do not confirm a specific building, so check both providers at your exact address before choosing.
Which is cheaper, Verizon or Astound, and what will I actually pay?
Astound starts at $20/mo, while Verizon starts at $49.99/mo. These are promotional starting rates, so confirm the post-promo rate, equipment fees, and any contract before signing; then compare the full terms for your address.
Which is faster for gaming, working from home, or 4K streaming?
Astound’s 1,500/50 Mbps tier reaches about 86% of Boston, while Verizon’s 1,000/75 Mbps tier reaches about 43%; Verizon also has a 940/880 Mbps fiber tier reaching about 65% where available. Astound has the higher speed score at 89/100 versus Verizon’s 77/100, so check which tier your address qualifies for.
More Boston comparisons
How Boston’s other qualifying providers stack up head-to-head.