Which is better, Verizon or Highland Telephone Cooperative?

Highland Telephone Cooperative is faster where you can get it, but Verizon reaches 4,187 times as many people, so at most addresses Verizon is the one on offer. Where both are offered (about 38,451 people), Highland Telephone Cooperative has the faster top speed for 100% of homes.

FasterHighland Telephone CooperativeFaster for 100% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startToo close to callWe do not list plans for both yet.

Better ratedToo close to callRated about the same by their customers.

Available to more peopleVerizon282.2 million people in 49 states, vs 67,411 in 3 states.

Verizon
Price: $49.99 - $119.99 / mo.
Speed: 25 - 2,300 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (816)
View Plans

Highland Telephone Cooperative
Price: Unavailable, please see site for details
Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (5)
View Plans

Verizon vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative at a glance

Measure	Verizon	Highland Telephone Cooperative
Available to	282.2 million people in 49 states	67,411 people in 3 states
Main technology	Fixed wireless 93%, fiber 15%	Fiber 100%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	2,300 Mbps	1,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	5,000 Mbps down, 5,000 Mbps up	Not listed
Starting price	$49.99 a month	Not listed
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$1,200 (300 Mbps plan)	Not listed
Customer rating	3.8 of 5 (802 reviews)	4.4 of 5 (5 reviews)
Rated for speed	4.0 of 5	4.2 of 5
Rated for price	3.5 of 5	3.8 of 5
Where both are offered	About 38,451 people (57% of Highland Telephone Cooperative's area); Highland Telephone Cooperative is faster for 100% of them

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where Verizon and Highland Telephone Cooperative are available

Verizon and Highland Telephone Cooperative have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Verizon currently offers internet service in 41,951 cities and 2,829 counties across 49 states, reaching approximately 282,939,228 residents. Their service area includes major markets like New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; and Chicago, IL. By comparison, Highland Telephone Cooperative serves 67,411 residents in 97 cities and 10 counties in 3 states, with a presence in population centers such as Knoxville, TN; Oneida, TN; and Wartburg, TN.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: Verizon coverage map and Highland Telephone Cooperative coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether Verizon, Highland Telephone Cooperative or both are offered at your home.

Verizon vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative Speeds and Technology

Verizon and Highland Telephone Cooperative utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Highland Telephone Cooperative offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,000 Mbps compared to Verizon’s average speed of 499 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Verizon’s premium Fiber service reaches 14.7% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Highland Telephone Cooperative’s top-tier Fiber is available to 100.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Verizon vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Verizon, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table. Unfortunately, Highland Telephone Cooperative has not complied with FCC requirements to provide their broadband label data, limiting transparency and the ability for consumers to make direct comparisons.

If you represent Highland Telephone Cooperative, getting listed is simple: publish your machine-readable broadband label file, or send your current plan lineup through our contact page, and your plans will appear here shortly after verification.

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

Verizon vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate Verizon and Highland Telephone Cooperative based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, Verizon earns an overall rating of 3.76 / 5 stars from 816 customer reviews, while Highland Telephone Cooperative maintains a 4.40 / 5 rating from 5 reviews. Highland Telephone Cooperative outperforms Verizon by 0.6 points in overall satisfaction. Verizon’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.87 / 5 stars, compared to Highland Telephone Cooperative’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 4.40 / 5 stars.

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

Verizon vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative Pros and Cons

Verizon

From 455 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Fast speeds: praised in 205 of 455 written reviews (61 call it slow). "overall speeds are fast"
• Reliable connection: praised in 189 of 455 written reviews (58 report outages). "My provider gives me reliable service"
• Good value: praised in 137 of 455 written reviews (95 call it overpriced). "the robust performance and stability make it well worth the investment"

Cons

• Bills that go up: a complaint in 30 of 455 written reviews. "It goes up every year"

Highland Telephone Cooperative

Too few written reviews to sum up yet (3); these lines come from our data.

Pros

• Faster where both are offered: the faster top speed for 100% of those homes.
• Mostly fiber: 100% of the homes it serves, vs 15% for Verizon.

Cons

• Data caps on some plans.

Verizon vs. Highland Telephone Cooperative Top Cities

Verizon serves 41,951 cities while Highland Telephone Cooperative is available in 97 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.