Frontier vs Suddenlink: Side by Side Comparison

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Frontier vs Suddenlink

Potential broadband customers for Frontier Communications and Suddenlink will often find the plans offered in their area to be quite similar, with the biggest differences being TV offerings, promotional schemes, and overall customer satisfaction ratings. Frontier’s DSL offerings generally offer equivalent speed and price to Suddenlink’s predominantly cable 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)

Suddenlink Communications AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (877) 882-3052
  • Support: (877) 694-9474
(877) 882-3052

$34.99 to $84.99 / mo.

100 mbps to 1,000 mbps

Up to 50 mbps

61%61%

Cable

Current: 21st ↑ (+6)

Frontier OVERVIEW

Among the top DSL and fiber broadband providers in the US, Frontier Communications offers Internet, as well as TV and phone to homes and business users. Frontier's fiber offers are sold as “Frontier Fios." Frontier Fios services utilize fiber networks aquired from Verizon in 2016.

Suddenlink OVERVIEW

Suddenlink is a cable Internet provider offering high-speed Internet and television. They also can provide digital phone 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.

Suddenlink INTERNET DEALS †

  • $34.99 for 100 mbps Cable
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 10 Mbps ↑ w/ a 250 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $75.00.
    • Setup: $49.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 882-3052 to setup service.
  • $44.99 for 200 mbps Cable
    • 200 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $85.00.
    • Setup: $0 (Free installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 882-3052 to setup service.
  • $54.99 for 400 mbps Cable
    • 400 Mbps ↓ and 40 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $95.00.
    • Setup: $0 (Free installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 882-3052 to setup service.
  • $84.99 for 1,000 mbps Cable
    • 1,000 Mbps ↓ and 50 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $125.00.
    • Setup: $0 (Free installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 882-3052 to setup service.
Last updated on 10/28/2018

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

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.

Suddenlink: DATACAPS From 250 GB/mo.

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

Frontier's TECHNOLOGY

DSL and fiber are the main types of internet available from Frontier.

Frontier’s DSL offerings leverage existing phone infrastructure. DSL can generally provide internet using the same line as landline service. While DSL offers slower bandwidth speeds, DSL is generally cheaper.[2]

Frontier’s Fios services, on the other hand, deliver a fiber-optic line over the "last mile" to homes and businesses. Fiber is currently the most robust option available.

Suddenlink's TECHNOLOGY

Broadband Internet plans from Suddenlink come via their hybrid fiber-cable network, alongside their TV and telephone plans. Although less future-proof than a “fiber” network, the Suddenlink hybrid cable-fiber network is capable of speeds that rival fiber.

Hybrid infrastructure works by installing optical fiber cables to communities. Nearer to subscribers, signal starts switching over to TV lines.[3]

The upcoming DOCSIS 3.1 cable upgrade promises to make high-speed broadband available to even more communities in the future without upgrades to existing coaxial networks in use.

Frontier INSTALLATION

Frontier offers two options for installing service: self-installation and professional installation.

Self-installation is simple. Frontier gives customers a self-installation kit including the modem, router, and etc. Frontier self-install kits include detailed instructions.

Professional installation comes with a fee, but makes the process much easier for less tech-savvy consumers. Professional installation is also helpful if you need new internal wiring, in which case they can fix the issue. Appointments with a technician can be made directly with the provider.

Suddenlink INSTALLATION

Suddenlink provides simple self-install instructions for those who wish to install their own connection. The process entails hooking up the modem to your home's coax jack, turning on the router, and a few additional small tasks.

Although self-installation is doable in an hour or so for most subscribers, professional installations can be scheduled as well. Professional setup is the best choice for TV subscribers and large homes.

Technician installation is sometimes provided free for new customers. Costs should be confirmed when setting up an appointment.

Frontier RATINGS AND REVIEWS

34%34% Customer Rating

33.7% recommendation rating according to 18067 verified Frontier users.

Suddenlink RATINGS AND REVIEWS

49%49% Customer Rating

48.9% recommendation rating according to 9255 verified Suddenlink users.

Frontier COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

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

Suddenlink Communications Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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Finding the right combination of services

“Triple play” and “double play” bundles

TV subscribers have been “cutting the cord” from cable TV in increasingly high numbers, leading providers to offer steep discounts for consumers interested in bundling Internet, TV, and/or phone service in one purchase. In some rare cases, they will even offer existing customers discounts to add services, hoping to profit in the future once subscribers are “hooked” to the convenience.

Broadband shoppers can benefit from this trend by keeping an eye out for “triple play” and “double play” services, which combined with sign-up discounts can make TV and phone service incredibly affordable for those who use it. Now that data caps are becoming common for residential Internet plans, bundled TV service can be worth the cost to prevent data-guzzling video content through YouTube and Netflix from eating up your allowance.

Fine print problems to be aware of

Hidden fees quickly add up if not monitored

There are two primary contract details to be aware of when you sign up for a broadband contract: ETFs (early termination fees) and promotional pricing periods. New customers commonly sign up via special sign-up offers for a discounted price.

This is great for your bottom line, but only if the final price is reasonable enough to keep up with. Always consider the final monthly price with more weight than the promo price, which usually ends within a year. For example, if you stay with a provider for four years at $50/month and the promo price is $30 for six months, your final cost is much closer to $50 than $30. Early termination fees are also important, especially if you anticipate relocating in the near future. Students, renters, and other less permanent residents should consider avoiding long contracts in general, even if the price is a little better in the short term.[1]

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES
  1. https://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/labels-for-broadband-services.pdf ↩
  2. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
  3. https://www.itu.int/ITU-T/worksem/asna/presentations/Session_2/asna_0604_whitepaper_brouse.doc ↩
Last updated on 1/3/2019.

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