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: (855) 370-0308
  • Support: (800) 921-8101
(855) 370-0308

$29.99 to $50 / mo.

12 mbps to 150 mbps

Up to 150 mbps

56%56%

DSL

Current: 43rd ↓ (-1)

Mediacom Cable AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (855) 603-8310
  • Support: (800) 479-2082
(855) 603-8310

$49.99 to $49.99 / mo.

10 mbps to 1,000 mbps

1.0 mbps to 20 mbps

57%57%

Cable

Current: 15th ↑ (+1)

Frontier OVERVIEW

One of the largest DSL and fiber broadband providers in the US, Frontier Communications offers Internet, TV, and phone to consumers and businesses. Their fiber offerings are sometimes marketed as “Frontier FiOS,” and utilize fiber networks the company purchased from Verizon in 2016.

Mediacom OVERVIEW

Mediacom is a cable TV, broadband Internet, and phone service provider for business and residential subscribers, offering gigabit download speeds in some areas.

Frontier INTERNET DEALS †

  • $29.99 for 12 mbps DSL
    • 12 mbps ↓ and 1.0 mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $44.99.
    • Setup: $0 (Installation fees waived.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (855) 370-0308 to setup service.
  • $30 for 50 mbps Fiber
    • 50 mbps ↓ and 50 mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $5/mo
    • Call (855) 370-0308 to setup service.
  • $39.99 for 24 mbps DSL
    • 24 mbps ↓ and 1.0 mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $54.99.
    • Setup: $0 (Installation fees waived.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (855) 370-0308 to setup service.
  • $40 for 100 mbps Fiber
    • 100 mbps ↓ and 100 mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $5/mo
    • Call (855) 370-0308 to setup service.
  • $50 for 150 mbps Fiber
    • 150 mbps ↓ and 150 mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Setup: $75.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $5/mo
    • Call (855) 370-0308 to setup service.
Show All Deals (9)
Last updated on 8/17/2017

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

Mediacom INTERNET DEALS †

  • $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.
    • Setup: $49.99 (Includes standard installation. Activation fee is $10.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (855) 603-8310 to setup service.
Show All Deals (1)
Last updated on 8/5/2017

†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 1000 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, TV, and phone services through DSL and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connections.

Frontier’s DSL offerings leverage the company’s existing phone infrastructure to deliver internet access anywhere with landline access. While DSL is an older technology and offers correspondingly slower bandwidth speeds, DSL is generally more cost effective than its alternatives.[3]

Frontier’s fiber or fiber-to-the-home connections, on the other hand, deliver a fiber optic connection directly to homes and businesses. This direct fiber connection is considered state-of-the-art, creating the fastest connection speeds and lowest latency when compared to other technologies like DSL and traditional cable Internet.

Mediacom's TECHNOLOGY

Home Internet, phone, and TV services from Mediacom are made available via their cable infrastructure, which uses existing cable TV coaxial cable to bridge the final distance between the Internet “backbone” and local subscribers.

In most setups, optical fiber cable is laid as far as a subscriber’s neighborhood, at which point data is switched from optical signal to electrical signal for transmission via coaxial cable. This makes the final bandwidth, speed, and latency offerings less ideal than a true fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connection, but offsets the high cost of installing FTTH cables, allowing the company to offer reasonably fast service at a lower up-front cost.[4]

Frontier INSTALLATION

There are two options for installing hardware needed for a Frontier Internet connection: self-installation and professional installation.

Self-installation is simple, and Frontier offers self-installation kits with all the required items including modem, router, filters, and ethernet cable. Instructions are also available on the provider’s website for customers using their own router or other supplies.

Professional installation comes with a fee, but makes the process much simpler for less-technically-inclined consumers. Professional installation can also be helpful if the internal wiring in your house is very old or damaged, in which case they can diagnose or help fix the issue. Appointments with a technician should be made directly through the provider.

Mediacom INSTALLATION

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

Self-installation guidelines vary based on plan and connection type, and should be provided when you sign up. Self-installation usually takes no more than an hour.

Professional installation comes with a fee, but can be well worth it for less technically-inclined customers as well as those who need further assistance in making sure the wiring in their building is sufficient for the plan in question.

Frontier RATINGS AND REVIEWS

36%36% Customer Rating

35.6% recommendation rating according to 13,085 verified Frontier users.

Mediacom RATINGS AND REVIEWS

42%42% Customer Rating

42.3% recommendation rating according to 6,033 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. http://broadbandnow.com/report/renting-vs-buying-modem-whats-best-budget/ ↩
  2. http://www.theacsi.org/industries/telecommunications-and-information/internet-service-provider ↩
  3. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
  4. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
  3. Frontier vs Mediacom
Last updated on 8/17/2017.

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