XFINITY vs TDS: Side by Side Comparison

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XFINITY vs TDS

TDS and Xfinity have two things in common: high speeds and rapidly evolving fiber or hybrid fiber offerings. The differences that matter for choosing one over the other are mostly in the details. Shoppers will need to consider everything from TV offerings to promotional pricing when making a judgment call.

XFINITY from Comcast AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (844) 246-9494
  • Support: (800) 934-6489
(844) 246-9494

$39.99 to $74.95 / mo.

10 mbps to 300 mbps

2.0 mbps to 25 mbps

59%59%

Cable

Current: 2nd ↓ (-1)

TDS Telecom AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (866) 571-6662
  • Support: (866) 571-6662

$29.95 to $89.95 / mo.

15 mbps to 1,000 mbps

0.768 mbps to 400 mbps

--

DSL

Current: 42nd ↓ (-1)

XFINITY OVERVIEW

Xfinity by Comcast provides broadband internet, cable TV, and phone service via their hybrid fiber coaxial network. Xfinity is one of the most widely available cable Internet providers in the US.

TDS OVERVIEW

TDS provides DSL, cable, and fiber Internet connectivity across much of the US, in addition to TV and phone services. Select areas within their network have access to gigabit speeds via 100% fiber connections.

XFINITY INTERNET DEALS †

  • $39.99 for 10 mbps Cable
    • 10 mbps ↓ and 2.0 mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $49.95.
    • some areas have a 1TB data cap
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (844) 246-9494 to setup service.
  • $69.99 for 400 mbps Cable
    • 400 mbps ↓ and 10 mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $99.95.
    • some areas have a 1TB data cap
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (844) 246-9494 to setup service.
  • $74.95 for 25 mbps Cable
    • 25 mbps ↓ and 5.0 mbps ↑
    • some areas have a 1TB data cap
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (844) 246-9494 to setup service.
Show All Deals (5)
Last updated on 9/9/2017

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with XFINITY.

TDS INTERNET DEALS †

  • $29.95 for 15 mbps DSL
    • Download speeds of 6.0 to 15 mbps and max upload of 0.768 mbps
    • 3-year promo rate. Regular rate is $59.95.
    • $100 processing fee applies.
    • Setup: $14.95 (Includes equipment handling fee. Activation is free.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $6.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $29.95 for 50 mbps DSL
    • Download speeds of 36 to 50 mbps and 1.5 to 10 mbps upload speeds
    • 3-year promo rate. Regular rate is $64.95.
    • $100 processing fee applies.
    • Setup: $14.95 (Includes equipment handling fee. Activation is free.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $6.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $29.95 for 25 mbps DSL
    • Download speeds of 18 to 25 mbps and 1.5 to 5.0 mbps upload speeds
    • 3-year promo rate. Regular rate is $64.95.
    • $100 processing fee applies.
    • Setup: $14.95 (Includes equipment handling fee. Activation is free.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $6.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $39.95 for 60 mbps Cable
    • 60 mbps ↓ and 5.0 mbps ↑ w/ a 250 GB/mo data cap
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $60.00.
    • 2-Year Price Lock Offer: Valid in wired service areas only for new residential customers who complete a TDS Bundle with qualifying TV, Internet and/or phone service (core services).
    • Modem: $4.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $44.95 for 50 mbps Fiber
    • 50 mbps ↓ and 50 mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $64.95.
    • $100 processing fee applies.
    • Setup: $14.95 (Includes equipment handling fee. Activation is free.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $6.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $49.95 for 100 mbps Fiber
    • 100 mbps ↓ and 100 mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $69.95.
    • $100 processing fee applies.
    • Setup: $14.95 (Includes equipment handling fee. Activation is free.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $6.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $59.95 for 100 mbps Cable
    • 100 mbps ↓ and 10 mbps ↑ w/ a 250 GB/mo data cap
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $80.00.
    • 2-Year Price Lock Offer: Valid in wired service areas only for new residential customers who complete a TDS Bundle with qualifying TV, Internet and/or phone service (core services).
    • Modem: $4.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $79.95 for 300 mbps Cable
    • 300 mbps ↓ and 10 mbps ↑ w/ a 250 GB/mo data cap
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $100.00.
    • 2-Year Price Lock Offer: Valid in wired service areas only for new residential customers who complete a TDS Bundle with qualifying TV, Internet and/or phone service (core services).
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $89.95 for 1,000 mbps Fiber
    • 1,000 mbps ↓ and 400 mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $109.95.
    • $100 processing fee applies.
    • Setup: $14.95 (Includes equipment handling fee. Activation is free.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $6.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
Last updated on 9/23/2017

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with TDS.

XFINITY: DATACAPS From 1024 GB/mo.

We have found plans that include datacaps. XFINITY offer plans with data caps regionally or nationwide. Be sure to verify plan details before purchasing.

TDS: DATACAPS From 250 GB/mo.

We have found plans that include datacaps. TDS offer plans with data caps regionally or nationwide. Be sure to verify plan details before purchasing.

XFINITY's TECHNOLOGY

Xfinity by Comcast offers Internet, TV, and phone service to consumers primarily via their hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network. They are also rolling out fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) installations in some regions.

Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) networks are used globally by cable providers to deliver broadband internet access to consumers. In short, HFC networks deliver a fiber optic connection to a node within a neighborhood, which then branches off to service 25-2000 homes.[3] By using this network structure, Comcast and other cable providers are able to take advantage of their existing coaxial infrastructure to offer competitive broadband speeds at a lower up-front installation cost to the company.

In the case of FTTH installation, fiber optic cable is run directly to consumers residences or businesses. This network structure is preferred over hybrid networks. Unfortunately, they aren’t widely available due to the high costs associated with running fiber optic cable.

TDS's TECHNOLOGY

TDS offers broadband Internet, phone, and TV service to residential and business subscribers via DSL, cable, and fiber networks.

DSL offerings are delivered from a local TDS office near the subscriber via existing copper phone cable infrastructure. Cable, on the other hand, is generally delivered via fiber until it reaches a “node” in individual coverage areas, at which point data is switched over to an existing TV “cable” coaxial network for the final distance.[4]

Fiber offerings from TDS are delivered via 100% fiber optic connections, generally fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), allowing next-generation download speeds up to 1Gbps (1,000Mbps) under ideal circumstances. Keeping the data in an optical format for the entire journey from ISP to consumer avoids the slowdowns associated with “switching” to an electric signal for DSL and cable.

XFINITY RATINGS AND REVIEWS

40%40% Customer Rating

40.3% recommendation rating according to 117,424 verified XFINITY users.

TDS RATINGS AND REVIEWS

44%44% Customer Rating

44.1% recommendation rating according to 3,495 verified TDS users.

XFINITY COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

XFINITY from Comcast Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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TDS COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

TDS Telecom Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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ACSI ratings and IP-verification matter

Customer reviews are the best source for insider opinions

The ACSI ratings above are based on data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index, a nationwide standard for assessing consumer happiness.[1] Data is collected manually by trained professionals to ensure the highest accuracy possible. IP-verified ratings, on the other hand, are also significantly more trustworthy than unverified online reviews or comments. BroadbandNow uses IP address verification to ensure that only existing customer are able to leave ratings for their provider. Broadband is central to personal and work communication, so a provider with high customer ratings for quality of service and fast dispute resolution is probably worth choosing, even if their plans are slightly higher priced.

Keep an eye on early termination fees

The details are worth looking at before you sign

It’s common practice for broadband communication companies to offer promotional pricing to new customers. This makes sense, and also draws in subscribers switching from other providers out of frustration. There are some great deals to be had, but it’s critical to make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to. First, average in the final monthly price when you decided which plan to pick.

If the final price is high, even a very appealing sign-up promotion might not be worth it, since it’ll just cancel out and switch to the regular price after a few months. Additionally, keep an eye on what your early termination fees will be if you break the contract early. Students, young professionals, and anyone who moves on a semi-regular basis should be careful about signing a multi-year contract with a steep early termination fee.[2]

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES
  1. http://www.theacsi.org/industries/telecommunications-and-information/internet-service-provider ↩
  2. https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/consumer-labels-broadband-services ↩
  3. http://services.eng.uts.edu.au/~kumbes/ra/Access-Networks/hfc/cnethfc.htm ↩
  4. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
  3. XFINITY vs TDS
Last updated on 9/23/2017.

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