Your competitor down the block is running on gigabit fiber. You're running on a coax cable plan you signed in 2022 that still costs $189 a month and delivers 150 Mbps on a good day.
This is happening across every borough. The fiber rollout in NYC has quietly hit a turning point — Verizon's Fios Business network now covers most commercial corridors in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. And yet, the majority of NYC small business owners haven't changed their internet plan in three or more years.
What's Changed Since 2022
In 2025–2026, Verizon expanded Fios Business across Queens commercial zones — Jamaica, Flushing, Jackson Heights, Astoria — and into Brooklyn's Sunset Park, Crown Heights, and Flatbush. The Bronx saw expansion in Fordham, Tremont, and Pelham Bay. A 1 Gbps symmetric fiber plan now starts around $69–$99/month, compared to $189–$249 for legacy coax with worse performance.
If you haven't checked your options recently, you're almost certainly overpaying.
The Real Cost of Slow Business Internet
Speed is a revenue issue. Your business internet touches POS and payment processing, cloud inventory and scheduling systems, IP security cameras, and customer WiFi. A slow upload connection — often 10–20 Mbps on legacy cable plans — is frequently the actual bottleneck. Most owners never check it.
The Provider Landscape in NYC (2026)
Provider | Tech | Plans From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Verizon Fios Business | Fiber | ~$69/mo | Best symmetric speeds |
Optimum Business | Fiber + Cable | ~$79/mo | Solid in expanded zones |
Astound / RCN | Fiber + Cable | ~$59/mo | Competitive where available |
Spectrum Business | Cable | ~$99/mo | No fiber; weak on upload |
For most NYC small businesses: if Fios is available at your address, it's almost certainly the best value in the market.
Tired of news that feels like noise?
Every day, 4.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news fix. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture — all in a brief 5-minute email. No spin. No slant. Just clarity.
How to Audit Your Plan in 20 Minutes
Pull your current bill — what are you paying and what speed did you sign up for?
Run a speed test at fast.com during business hours — note the upload speed
Check if you're under contract — look for early termination fees
Get a competing quote from Fios Business
Negotiate — retention offers of $20–$40/month off are standard practice
Business vs. Residential Plans
Business plans include static IP (required for VPN and some payment processing), SLA uptime guarantees, priority support, and higher symmetric upload speeds. If you have on-site customers, payment processing, IP cameras, or more than 2–3 people on the connection — you need business class.
The Bottom Line
The NYC business internet market has changed dramatically in 18 months. Prices are lower, speeds are higher, fiber covers most commercial corridors. If you haven't shopped your plan since 2022, there's a real chance you're paying $80–$120/month more than you need to.
Disclosure: Metro Intel participates in affiliate programs. If you click and sign up, we may receive a commission at no cost to you.