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: (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)

Suddenlink Communications AT A GLANCE

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

$49.99 to $99.99 / mo.

50 mbps to 1,000 mbps

8.0 mbps to 50 mbps

61%61%

Cable

Current: 21st (0)

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.

Suddenlink OVERVIEW

Suddenlink is a cable broadband provider offering Internet and TV in addition to phone subscriptions. The company uses an advanced hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network to deliver download speeds up to 1,000Mbps (1Gb) in some areas, comparable to fiber.

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.

Suddenlink INTERNET DEALS †

  • $49.99 for 100 mbps Cable
    • 100 mbps ↓ and 10 mbps ↑ w/ a 250 GB/mo data cap
    • Setup: $0 (Free installation. Activation fee is $20.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 694-9474 to setup service.
  • $59.99 for 200 mbps Cable
    • 200 mbps ↓ and 20 mbps ↑ w/ a 250 GB/mo data cap
    • Setup: $0 (Free installation. Activation fee is $20.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 694-9474 to setup service.
  • $99.99 for 1,000 mbps Cable
    • 1,000 mbps ↓ and 50 mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • Setup: $0 (Free installation. Activation fee is $20.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 694-9474 to setup service.
Last updated on 8/17/2017

†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

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.[2]

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.

Suddenlink's TECHNOLOGY

Broadband Internet offerings from Suddenlink come via their hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network, alongside TV and phone plans. While less future-proof than a true “fiber” network, Suddenlink’s HFC network is optimized to deliver speeds that rival fiber, up to 1,000Mbps.

Hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) networks work by bringing optical fiber cables as far as individual neighborhoods or subscriber areas, only switching over to existing coaxial copper TV infrastructure for the “last mile” between the node and subscriber residences.[3]

The upcoming DOCSIS 3.1 protocol for delivering broadband Internet data via coaxial cable promises to make high-speed Internet available to even more consumers in the near future without expensive upgrades to existing coaxial networks in use.

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.

Suddenlink INSTALLATION

Suddenlink provides detailed self-install guides for customers who wish to set up their own connection. This entails connecting a modem to the house’s cable jack, configuring it with or without a router, testing the lines, and a few other small tasks.

While self-installation is doable in less than an hour for most residential customers, professional installation is also available. Professional installation by a Suddenlink technician may be required if the residence has not received Suddenlink service before.

Professional installation is sometimes offered free for new customers, but cost should be confirmed before setting up an appointment.

Frontier RATINGS AND REVIEWS

36%36% Customer Rating

35.6% recommendation rating according to 13,021 verified Frontier users.

Suddenlink RATINGS AND REVIEWS

50%50% Customer Rating

50.2% recommendation rating according to 7,116 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://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/consumer-labels-broadband-services ↩
  2. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
  3. http://services.eng.uts.edu.au/~kumbes/ra/Access-Networks/hfc/cnethfc.htm ↩
  3. Frontier vs Suddenlink
Last updated on 8/17/2017.

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