Frontier vs Xfinity: Side by Side Comparison

Enter your zip code below to see if Frontier or Xfinity offers service in your area.
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Frontier vs Xfinity

Xfinity and Frontier both offer modern, rapidly expanding networks that usually combine fiber and other technologies to deliver some of the fastest broadband on the residential market. For consumers, choosing between Xfinity and Frontier Communications comes down to fine print details including network type, special offers, and TV options.

Frontier Communications AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (844) 829-1466
  • Support: (800) 921-8101
(844) 829-1466

$20 to $200 / mo.

6.0 mbps to 1,000 mbps

Up to 1,000 mbps

56%56%

DSL

Current: 42nd (0)

XFINITY from Comcast AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (800) 934-6489
  • Support: (800) 934-6489
Order Online

$39.99 to $299.95 / mo.

15 mbps to 2,000 mbps

Up to 2,000 mbps

59%59%

Cable

Current: 4th (0)

Frontier OVERVIEW

Frontier Communications sells fiber and DSL broadband Internet. Their fiber plans are branded as “Frontier Fios,” and are built on a fiber network the company purchased from Verizon in 2016.

Xfinity OVERVIEW

Xfinity Internet services are one of the most common Internet options in the US, offering WiFi, phone services, cable TV, and home security services.

Frontier INTERNET DEALS †

  • $20 for 6.0 mbps DSL
    • 1.1-6 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload speeds w/ no data cap.
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Get a $200 Visa Reward Card when you order online.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
  • $25 for 12 mbps DSL
    • Maximum speed range of 6.1 Mbps to 12 Mbps download and 1-1.5 Mbps upload speeds w/ no data cap.
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Get a $200 Visa Reward Card when you order online.
    • Setup: Installation is $75 and equipment delivery/handling fee is $9.99.
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
  • $30 for 18 mbps DSL
    • 18 Mbps download and 1-1.5 Mbps upload speeds w/ no data cap.
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Get a $200 Visa Reward Card when you order online.
    • Setup: Installation is $75 and equipment delivery/handling fee is $9.99.
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
  • $40 for 50 mbps Fiber
    • 50 Mbps ↓ and 50 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Wi-Fi router fee waived for 12 months, $10/mo. thereafter. Get a $100 Visa Reward Card when you order online.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
  • $50 for 100 mbps Fiber
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 100 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Wi-Fi router fee waived for 12 months, $10/mo. thereafter. Get a $100 Visa Reward Card when you order online.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
  • $50 for 200 mbps Fiber
    • 200 Mbps ↓ and 200 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Wi-Fi router fee waived for 12 months, $10/mo. thereafter. Get a $100 Visa Reward Card when you order online.
    • Setup: Equipment delivery/handling fee of $9.99 applies.
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
  • $150 for 500 mbps Fiber
    • 500 Mbps ↓ and 500 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Router and Wi-Fi Support free for 12 months, $6/month extender (Sold by Tech)
    • Setup: Free installation for Single Play in Term with ETF.
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
  • $200 for 1,000 mbps Fiber
    • 1,000 Mbps ↓ and 1,000 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Router and Wi-Fi Support free for 12 months, $6/month extender (Sold by Tech)
    • Setup: Free installation for Single Play in Term with ETF.
    • Call (844) 829-1466 to setup service.
Show All Deals (14)
Last updated on 1/3/2019

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

Xfinity INTERNET DEALS †

  • $39.99 for 60 mbps Cable
    • 60 Mbps ↓ and 5.0 Mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $74.95.
    • Some areas have a 1TB data cap.
    • Call (844) 336-0715 to setup service.
  • $49.95 for 15 mbps Cable
    • 15 Mbps ↓ and 2.0 Mbps ↑
    • Some areas have a 1TB data cap.
    • Call (844) 336-0715 to setup service.
  • $79.99 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.
    • Call (844) 336-0715 to setup service.
  • $89.99 for 1,000 mbps Cable
    • 1,000 Mbps ↓ and 35 Mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $104.95.
    • Some areas have a 1TB data cap.
    • Call (844) 336-0715 to setup service.
  • $94.95 for 105 mbps Cable
    • 105 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑
    • Some areas have a 1TB data cap.
    • Call (844) 336-0715 to setup service.
  • $299.95 for 2,000 mbps Fiber
    • 2,000 Mbps ↓ and 2,000 Mbps ↑
    • Contract Term: 2 years
    • Call (844) 336-0715 to setup service.
Show All Deals (15)
Last updated on 1/7/2019

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

Frontier: NO DATACAP FOUND

We have not found plans that include data caps. This doesn't mean Frontier doesn't have data caps, just that we haven't found them when collecting their plans. Always verify plan details before purchasing.

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.

Frontier's TECHNOLOGY

Frontier provides internet, TV, and phone services using DSL and fiber-optic technology.

DSL offerings leverage existing phone lines to deliver internet anywhere with landline access. DSL is slower than cable or fiber internet, but it's generally cheaper.[3]

Frontier’s Fios services reach a future-proof fiber optic line over the "last mile" to residential and business customers. A Frontier Fios fiber connection is considered state-of-the-art, creating the fastest Internet speeds and lowest latency when compared with other options like DSL or cable.

Xfinity's TECHNOLOGY

Comcast are mostly "cable", meaning digital signals share the cable that sends cable TV through the cable jack.

Cable providers use coaxial copper TV wires. Coaxial Cable wires can hold more traffic compared with phone line services. However, cable has less speed than fiber infrastructure.

Cable providers usually have higher download than upload speeds.

Xfinity is upgrading to gigabit speeds in some areas, thanks to DOCSIS 3.1 technology.

Frontier INSTALLATION

Self-installation is not difficult, and the company will give you a self-installation kit with all the required equipment including the WiFi gateway, filters, and ethernet cable. Directions are also available on Frontier’s website for customers using their own modem or other supplies.

Professional installation isn't free, but is much simpler for less-technically-inclined consumers. Appointments with a technician can be made when ordering service.

Xfinity INSTALLATION

Xfinity self-install is the quickest option for most customers.

New customers will get a boxed kit with step-by-step instructions for activating the router and configuring WiFi.

Professional installs come with a nominal fee. For subscribers ordering TV services, professional installation is recommended, as the wiring is usually more involved. This is particularly true with the new X1 smart TV system.

Frontier RATINGS AND REVIEWS

34%34% Customer Rating

33.7% recommendation rating according to 18067 verified Frontier users.

Xfinity RATINGS AND REVIEWS

41%41% Customer Rating

41.0% recommendation rating according to 160154 verified Xfinity users.

Frontier COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

Frontier Communications Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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Xfinity COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

XFINITY from Comcast Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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Buying or renting a modem and router

Many Internet users can save big with their own equipment

The small price of renting a modem and/or router from your provider may look small, but that five or ten dollars a month adds up quickly — in fact, the cost of a decent router can usually pay for itself within a year. After that, it’s just money in the provider’s pocket.[1]

If you don’t move regularly and are willing to spend a half hour configuring your own equipment, buying your own modem and router is a no-brainer. Additionally, using your own equipment opens up more options so far as security and monitoring your network for power users.

TV matters: big differences in channels and content

Xfinity and Frontier Communications offer very different video options

The TV market is rapidly changing thanks to advances in on-demand technology and increased competition from online streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. This is great for consumers, but it also creates a lot to consider compared to the simple “how many channels?” decisions of previous decades.

Customers who watch more than average TV should strongly consider the value offered by a dedicated TV subscription compared to “cord cutting” options like YouTube, especially considering the increasing popularity among providers of “data caps” that put a limit on how much data some subscribers can download within a month.[2]

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES
  1. https://broadbandnow.com/guides/renting-vs-buying-modem-whats-best-budget ↩
  2. https://broadbandnow.com/internet-providers-with-data-caps ↩
  3. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
Last updated on 1/3/2019.

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