Frontier vs Mediacom: Side by Side Comparison

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Frontier vs Mediacom

Mediacom and Frontier Communications both offer small-provider service with big-provider benefits to customers in select areas throughout the US. Both companies are actively working to expand their coverage and boost speeds, with fiber initiatives from Frontier and DOCSIS 3.1-based upgrades coming soon to Mediacom networks. Long story short: keep an eye on plan details, and check the local news for information on network upgrade timelines for your area.

Frontier Communications AT A GLANCE

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

$20 to $50 / mo.

6.0 mbps to 1,000 mbps

Up to 1,000 mbps

56%56%

DSL

Current: 41st (0)

Mediacom Cable AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (844) 402-1224
  • Support: (855) 633-4226
(844) 402-1224

$49.99 to $79.99 / mo.

60 mbps to 1,000 mbps

Up to 50 mbps

57%57%

Cable

Current: 19th ↑ (+1)

Frontier OVERVIEW

Frontier Communications offers fiber and DSL Internet service. Their fiber offerings are sold as “Frontier Fios,” and are built on fiber networks purchased from Verizon.

Mediacom OVERVIEW

Mediacom Cable sells cable TV, Internet, and phone plans for both business and residential subscribers, and recently began offering high-bandwidth gigabit download speeds in select areas.

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.
    • WiFi router fee is 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.
  • $25 for 12 mbps DSL
    • 12 Mbps download and 1-1.5 Mbps upload speeds w/ no data cap.
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • WiFi router fee is waived for 12 months, $10/mo. thereafter. Get a $100 Visa Reward Card when you order online.
    • Setup: Installation is $75 and equipment delivery/handling fee is $9.99.
    • 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.
    • WiFi router fee is waived for 12 months, $10/mo. thereafter. Get a $100 Visa Reward Card when you order online.
    • Setup: Installation is $75 and equipment delivery/handling fee is $9.99.
    • 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.
Show All Deals (12)
Last updated on 11/16/2018

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

Mediacom INTERNET DEALS †

  • $49.99 for 60 mbps Cable
    • 60 Mbps ↓ and 5.0 Mbps ↑ w/ a 400 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $69.99.
    • In-home WiFi included
    • Setup: $109.99 (Includes standard installation and activation. )
    • Modem: $10/mo
    • Call (844) 402-1224 to setup service.
  • $49.99 for 100 mbps Cable
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 10 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1000 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $79.99.
    • Monthly price increases by $20 each year until the third year, when service will begin to be billed at its standard rate.
    • Xtream WiFi 360 included at no additional charge for three months, $5/mo. thereafter.
    • Setup: $59.99 (Includes service installation and activation.)
    • Modem: $10/mo
    • Call (844) 402-1224 to setup service.
  • $59.99 for 200 mbps Cable
    • 200 Mbps ↓ and 20 Mbps ↑ w/ a 2000 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $99.99.
    • Monthly price increases by $20 each year until the third year when service will begin to be billed at its standard rate.
    • Xtream WiFi 360 included at no additional charge for three months, $5/mo. thereafter.
    • Setup: $60.00 (Includes service installation and activation.)
    • Modem: $10/mo
    • Call (844) 402-1224 to setup service.
  • $69.99 for 500 mbps Cable
    • 500 Mbps ↓ and 30 Mbps ↑ w/ a 4000 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $119.99.
    • Monthly price increases by $20 each year until the third year when service will begin to be billed at its standard rate.
    • Xtream WiFi 360 included at no additional charge for three months, $5/mo. thereafter.
    • Setup: $59.99 (Includes service installation and activation.)
    • Modem: $10/mo
    • Call (844) 402-1224 to setup service.
  • $79.99 for 1,000 mbps Cable
    • 1,000 Mbps ↓ and 50 Mbps ↑ w/ a 6000 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $139.99.
    • Monthly price increases by $20 each year until the third year when service will begin to be billed at its standard rate.
    • Xtream WiFi 360 included at no additional charge for three months, $5/mo. thereafter.
    • Setup: $59.99 (Includes service installation and activation.)
    • Modem: $10/mo
    • Call (844) 402-1224 to setup service.
Show All Deals (12)
Last updated on 11/12/2018

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

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.

Mediacom: DATACAPS From 400 to 6000 GB/mo.

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

Frontier's TECHNOLOGY

Frontier offers broadband internet and phone services using DSL and fiber-to-the-home technology.

Frontier’s DSL is provided over the company’s existing phone lines to provide internet access over the same wire as landline service. DSL is slower than cable or fiber internet, but it's generally more affordable.[3]

Frontier Fios connections send a high-bandwidth fiber optic connection over the "last mile" to residential and business customers. Fiber technology is the most robust broadband option marketed.

Mediacom's TECHNOLOGY

Home Internet, phone, and TV services from Mediacom are provided using a coaxial cable network, which leverages TV lines already installed on utility poles to cover the "last mile" to local customers. In most cases, optical fiber cable is installed up to a subscriber’s local area, at which point data switches from digital signal to RF signal for transmission over copper cables.

This hybrid system results in lower speeds compared to fiber, but is corrospondingly cheaper. Cable Internet is significantly more robust compared with DSL.

Frontier INSTALLATION

Self-installation is simple. Frontier gives customers a self-installation kit with all the required items including the modem, router, and etc. Directions are available on Frontier’s website for customers using their own modem.

Professional installation has a nominal fee, but makes the process much easier for less-technically-inclined subscribers. Appointments with a technician should be made when ordering service.

Mediacom INSTALLATION

Mediacom offers two installation options to subscribers: self-installation or professional installation. Self-installation is free. Installation by a technician usually comes with a fee.

Self-installation guidelines depend on your package and connection, and will be provided when you sign up. Self-installation usually takes less than an hour.

additional fees are added for professional installation, but can be a good choice for less technically-inclined users.

Frontier RATINGS AND REVIEWS

34%34% Customer Rating

33.9% recommendation rating according to 17874 verified Frontier users.

Mediacom RATINGS AND REVIEWS

42%42% Customer Rating

42.4% recommendation rating according to 8534 verified Mediacom users.

Frontier COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

Frontier Communications Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

Mediacom COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

Mediacom Cable Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

Renting isn’t always the best option

A modem isn’t as tricky to buy and configure as you might think

Broadband Internet providers usually offer hardware needed to connect your home network for a small rental fee, including modem, router, and a few cables to put the pieces together. However, the cost of simply buying this hardware yourself will quickly return when you stop paying that monthly fee, which adds up to around a hundred dollars annually with most providers.[1]

Since modem compatibility varies from company to company, just check with your plan provider first to make sure the one you’re buying will work with their network. With that in mind, consider simply renting if you move regularly since the modem that works with your current provider might not work with another when you switch.

Finding a provider that cares

Great customer service can be hard to find

If the providers in your area offer more or less identical offerings so far as speed and price, consider customer service and brand reputation as a tiebreaker. Getting fast resolutions to service issues is critical for anyone who depends on their broadband connection.

ACSI ratings like those above are a great source for general data on how satisfied current customers are. BroadbandNow also uses custom IP-verified reviews based on polls from site visitors, which use an address verification protocol to ensure the people leaving ratings are unique visitors with actual subscriptions to the provider being rated. The result: online reviews you can actually trust.[2]

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES
  1. https://broadbandnow.com/guides/renting-vs-buying-modem-whats-best-budget ↩
  2. https://www.theacsi.org/industries/telecommunications-and-information/internet-service-provider ↩
  3. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
Last updated on 11/16/2018.

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