Verizon Acquires Starry: What it Means for You | Allconnect

Verizon will expand its fixed wireless broadband footprint to millions of new customers in early 2026 with its acquisition of Starry’s multi-dwelling unit (MDU) markets (residences with multiple separate living units such as apartments, townhomes, duplexes and condos).Starry is a fixed wireless internet provider serving 100,000 MDU customers in five markets, including Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C.Verizon’s acquisition of Starry will allow the fiber and 5G internet provider to expand its footprint into urban communities using Starry’s existing market presence.

Expanding Verizon’s fixed wireless service into urban community MDUs will help Verizon double its fixed wireless subscriber base to a range of eight to nine million by 2028 and expand its fixed wireless availability to 90 million households.The acquisition is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2026, pending approval by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).What this acquisition means for you Verizon’s acquisition of Starry means more internet options for those living in apartments or other types of multi-dwelling units in urban communities.  MDUs are generally dominated by cable companies like Xfinity and Spectrum, so Verizon’s expansion into this market signifies more choices for apartment or other MDU residents when it comes to choosing their internet provider.

It could also affect internet provider pricing and speed tiers.If Verizon stays true to Starry’s affordable price structure, other providers could be incentivized to lower their own prices in order to compete.Starry’s tech So, why is Starry’s tech ideal for urban dwellers? Starry delivers internet to MDUs via high-frequency millimeter wave (mmWave) signals and rooftop transmitters.  It has its own proprietary technology that uses large antennas on radio towers, skyscrapers and building rooftops to transmit internet to receivers on apartment buildings or individual homes to avoid expensive in-building wiring.

Starry’s technology allows it to uniquely service urban areas since it only requires one base station to serve multiple buildings.Its beamforming tech directs multiple, concentrated mmWave beams to specific receivers, allowing it to bypass line of sight limitations that other providers face when trying to serve urban communities.With Starry’s technology, Verizon will now be able to compete in cities where it’s expensive (and difficult) to expand its fiber service due to fiber line trenching or in-building wiring negotiations.  Verizon’s existing mmWave and fiber technology combined with Starry’s urban-centric internet infrastructure will provide MDU consumers with an affordable internet option that doesn’t sacrifice performance in a heavily cable-dominated market.

Timeline Verizon’s purchase of Starry is set to be finalized in early 2026, pending some regulatory red tape.Right now, there is no information regarding the specifics of this transition since the deal hasn’t officially been pushed through yet, but Starry customers can expect to be integrated into Verizon’s fixed wireless customer base and footprint.After the purchase is finalized, keep an eye out for any communication from your provider, whether you’re a Starry or Verizon customer, that can provide more context about next steps.

Future of fixed wireless connectivity Verizon’s strategic move into the MDU market will shape the broadband market in coming years.The MDU market has been historically dominated by cable companies like Xfinity and Spectrum.These cable giants would secure agreements with MDU property owners to be the primary service provider at those properties, leaving residents with no other internet option.  While the FCC now prohibits certain practices discouraging ISP competition in MDUs, existing cable infrastructure in these properties has given cable providers a leg up since they could offer service without investing in expensive rewiring efforts.  Verizon’s move into the urban market will allow it to compete with cable providers serving MDUs, giving customers access to an affordable alternative to cable internet.

It will also enable Verizon to more closely compete with T-Mobile, its main wireless competitor.Whereas T-Mobile mainly expands in suburban and rural areas, Verizon’s move into densely populated urban markets will differentiate it from its most direct fixed wireless competitor.Verizon’s upcoming acquisition of Starry and its recent purchase of Frontier signify the provider’s ambitious and fast-moving broadband expansion efforts across both its fixed wireless and fiber footprints, so we can expect more developments in the future.

Verizon’s fiber plans start at $34.99/mo.(when paired with a mobile plan) and have speeds ranging from 300 to 2,300 Mbps.Verizon’s 5G service starts at $35.00/mo.

(when paired with a mobile plan) and provides speeds ranging from 25 to 1,000 Mbps.Learn more about Verizon’s 5G and fiber internet service options.Enter your ZIP code to view internet plans available near you Make sure to check our news and resource hubs for recent broadband industry developments and information.

For researchers and journalists If you would like to know more about this topic, we can assist you.Our experts can help you dig deeper into the data.Email our experts What to read next Read more Featured Allconnect’s 2025 broadband customer satisfaction report  Camryn Smith — 8 min read Featured Can 5G home internet get more of rural America online? Robin Layton — 5 min read Featured 10 questions you should ask before choosing an internet service Robin Layton — 3 min read Latest Monday, November 24, 2025 Verizon will acquire Starry — here’s what it means for you Camryn Smith — 4 min read Monday, November 24, 2025 Americans are getting 298 Mbps in download speed, but are you? Robin Layton — 5 min read Thursday, November 20, 2025 The smart home dilemma: more devices, higher utility costs Lisa Iscrupe — 4 min read