Frontier vs Optimum by Cablevision: Side by Side Comparison

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Frontier vs Optimum by Cablevision

Consumers will find plenty to mull over so far as the differences and similarities between Optimum by Cablevision and Frontier Communications. While the bandwidth, ping, and quality of service on offer is usually in the same ballpark, promotional deals and bundled services can create savings depending on your household’s needs.

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)

Optimum by Cablevision AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (866) 200-7273
  • Support: (866) 200-7273

$39.99 to $79.99 / mo.

60 mbps to 400 mbps

25 mbps to 50 mbps

69%69%

Cable

Current: 8th ↑ (+3)

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.

Optimum by Cablevision OVERVIEW

Optimum by Cablevision provides cable broadband Internet, TV, and phone service in the northeast US. They also provide business broadband services.

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 8/22/2017

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

Optimum by Cablevision INTERNET DEALS †

  • $39.99 for 100 mbps Cable
    • 100 mbps ↓ and 35 mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Setup: $0 (Free installation.)
    • Modem: $10/mo
    • Call (866) 200-7273 to setup service.
  • $49.99 for 200 mbps Cable
    • 200 mbps ↓ and 35 mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Setup: $0 (Free installation.)
    • Modem: $10/mo
    • Call (866) 200-7273 to setup service.
  • $79.99 for 400 mbps Cable
    • 400 mbps ↓ and 40 mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Setup: $0 (Free installation.)
    • Modem: $10/mo
    • Call (866) 200-7273 to setup service.
Last updated on 8/8/2017

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with Optimum by Cablevision.

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.

Optimum by Cablevision: NO DATACAP FOUND

We have not found plans that include data caps. This doesn't mean Optimum by Cablevision doesn't have data caps, just that we haven't found them when collecting their plans. Always 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.

Optimum by Cablevision's TECHNOLOGY

Cablevision offers broadband internet and TV, in addition to home phone services, through their hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network.

HFC networks offer internet to consumer residences by running a fiber optic connection to a local neighborhood node and then finishing the “last mile” of the connection using coaxial cable.

A HFC network infrastructure is common with companies that historically specialized in “cable TV” service, since they had already spent the high up-front cost to install coaxial cable to individual houses.[4]

Optimum has reportedly begun to roll out DOCSIS 3.1 in some areas, which will allow them to offer faster broadband options depending on the local internet infrastructure.[5] DOCSIS is the protocol used to send data over coaxial cable, and DOCSIS 3.1 can support multiple-gigabit speeds in ideal setups, rivaling true “fiber” connections.

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.

Optimum by Cablevision INSTALLATION

If your residence has had service from Cablevision before, chances are you’ll be able to self-install the required router, modem, and other hardware specific to your plan. Self-installation generally takes less than an hour and saves money compared to hiring a technician.

For those who haven’t had their residence wired for Cablevision, professional installation is required to run a connection from the Cablevision network to the inside of your building. Professional installation is also a good option for customers who want to avoid difficulties with configuring their hardware. Professional installation has a fee associated with it. Cablevision also offers “service plans” to make ongoing maintenance and configuration assistance available at a lower cost than “a la carte” technician services.

Frontier RATINGS AND REVIEWS

36%36% Customer Rating

35.6% recommendation rating according to 13,113 verified Frontier users.

Optimum by Cablevision RATINGS AND REVIEWS

55%55% Customer Rating

55.4% recommendation rating according to 9,139 verified users.

Frontier COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

Frontier Communications Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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Optimum by Cablevision COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

Optimum by Cablevision Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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Sign-up offers and ETFs

Early termination fees can cancel out discounts in some cases

Between bundled plans and new customer sign-up incentives, the first few months spent on a new broadband plan can be much cheaper than the regular monthly cost. Potential customers just need to keep a close eye on the details before they rush to take advantage of a limited-time offer, since not every deal is perfect for every household. For starters, ETFs (early termination fees) can easily cancel out any savings a plan seemed to offer if you find yourself relocating before the contract ends.[1]

Always compare the final monthly price before weighing in sign-up discounts, since that’s the price that ultimately matters if you’ll be with the provider for multiple years.

Bundle services to avoid data caps

Limits on data are a pain, but bundles can help

Data caps and ultra-high-definition video content have made life difficult for cord cutters, especially those of us in areas with slower-than-average download speeds available.[2]

Thankfully, the cord cutting trend has triggered providers to offer excellent bundled offers, including “triple play” Internet/TV/phone and “double play” Internet/TV or Internet/phone. For potential customers who consume large amounts of TV through multiple devices (looking at you, families with lots of kids) bundled plans provide a huge amount of value, often for very little extra cost. Just be sure the price you sign up for is locked in rather than a limited-time promotion to avoid bill surprises down the road.

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES
  1. https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/consumer-labels-broadband-services ↩
  2. http://broadbandnow.com/report/providers-with-data-caps/ ↩
  3. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
  4. http://services.eng.uts.edu.au/~kumbes/ra/Access-Networks/hfc/cnethfc.htm ↩
  5. http://www.fiercecable.com/cable/cablevision-reportedly-testing-1-gbps-services-new-jersey-apartments ↩
  3. Frontier vs Optimum by Cablevision
Last updated on 8/22/2017.

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