Is Frontier Fiber Better Than Spectrum?
Is Frontier Fiber Internet Better Than Spectrum Internet?
In selecting the best internet service provider, the two most common options are fiber optic internet which is offered by Frontier Communications, and cable internet from Spectrum. Fiber internet is the newest way to access the internet in homes. It offers super-fast speeds and great connectivity. Cable internet has been in existence for more than a decade and is capable of delivering sufficient speedy internet to households.
Yes, Frontier Fiber is superior to Spectrum, is it? The great advantage of Internet services is that there are certain advantages and disadvantages of both types of services. You can compare its speed, reliability, coverage, and cost against other providers to see which one is better for where you live.
Internet Speeds
Another clear contrast between Frontier Fiber and Spectrum is the Internet speed offered by the two companies. Frontier Fiber is available to provide symmetrical gigabit speeds up to 2 Gbps. And that means upload and download speeds up to 2000 Mbps. Spectrum also offers download speeds of up to one gigabit, but their fastest tier delivers only 940 Mbps.
Furthermore, fiber optic cables offer better and more reliable speed rates near the advertised ones. The use of Spectrum’s cable network is also affected by high usage in your neighborhood more than any other factor. Nevertheless, Spectrum has adequate speed for the majority of households to perform gaming, streaming, and remote work.
Reliability
Fiber internet also triumphs when it comes to reliability. Fiber optic cables are constructed from glass and transmit data through the use of light beams. This makes them less liable to electromagnetic interference than the coaxial cables offered by Spectrum. Therefore, the probability of service disruption when using Frontier Fiber is minimal.
Spectrum employs a strong, contemporary cable infrastructure. But still, technical issues that result in outages are more probable than in a fiber-optic network. The two firms have repair crews that are always on standby to fix several service issues that may occur. But fiber is naturally a more stable platform given its physical nature of operation.
Network Coverage
An additional factor that needs to be taken into consideration while selecting an ISP is availability. Spectrum has invested billions of dollars in the growth of its hybrid fiber coaxial network in the past few years. Today, Spectrum provides internet connection to over 31 million homes and companies in 41 states. Thus, it is likely that Spectrum provides services to your location.
While Frontier’s 100 percent fiber optic network is comparatively smaller in size, the company is expanding it further. Frontier Fiber is currently available in parts of over 20 states and in certain metros like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Indiana. Although, Spectrum has a broader availability than Frontier, people living in rural areas can easily get Frontier connection while Frontier aims to expand in cities. For this, you can visit Frontier’s website and see whether fiber internet has extended to your area or not.
Cost and Value
Frontier and Spectrum both have promotional prices for new customers so that they can switch providers. Frontier Fiber has promotional offers such as $50 per month for a 500Mbps connection. Spectrum responds with prices such as $49. 99 for a 200 Mbps internet connection. However, Spectrum is more expensive during normal pricing for the same tiers of speed.
In terms of annual expenses, Frontier Fiber offers much more in the long run. Not only are the monthly rates more reasonable, but you are getting service speeds that are much faster than what is offered by the standard monthly rate. Fiber both upload and download speeds are the same, which is suitable for households with more devices connected to the internet. The initial cost of installation of Frontier Fiber is a bit high but the technology used is way better than DSL for those who are into technology.
Bundled Services
To select an internet service provider, many customers opt for bundled services such as TV, phone, and mobile, among others. Here, Spectrum has the upper hand in terms of the number of additional services it offers. Spectrum Mobile also offers the opportunity to combine data plans with the help of Verizon’s 4G LTE network. Spectrum TV provides more than 200 channels with their Silver, Gold, and Platinum services.
Frontier Fiber is more concerned with delivering the highest internet speeds at the lowest recurring prices. Frontier does not have a mobile communication service. As for Frontier’s Dish satellite TV bundles, their availability will depend on your location. In other words, Spectrum offers more conventional media services, while Frontier is for cord-nevers who only need the best internet.
Customer Service Reputation
The overall picture of Spectrum’s superiority in customer satisfaction over Frontier is evident in consumer satisfaction studies and service quality research. Frontier has experienced issues with reduced subscribers, more extended service interruptions, and lengthy customer service waits. However, Frontier seems to be solving these problems with the new management after coming out of bankruptcy.
On the other hand, Spectrum receives fewer complaints in comparison with its sheer size and is still working on enhancing its customer service section. Nevertheless, there is a certain amount of discontent with the majority of the large cable and telecom firms. And so, Spectrum and Frontier do not elicit significant levels of customer commitment and enthusiasm.
The Verdict
In the Frontier Fiber vs Spectrum Internet battle Frontier Fiber wins in terms of download speed, upload speed, reliability, and cost over time. Frontier’s fiber network has gigabit speeds that are symmetrical and are something that Spectrum’s cable network cannot offer. Fiber technology is highly advantageous in homes that have several connected devices.
But in terms of geographic coverage, offered bundles and a general image of the company Spectrum does offer more than Frontier does. Spectrum Internet still holds in the middle as an affordable service that delivers satisfactory speeds to most homes. However, for families residing in the areas where Frontier has been deploying fiber optic services at a very fast pace, Frontier Fiber is a clear winner.
To put it simply, Frontier Fiber provides the next best thing when it comes to speed and performance. If Frontier Fiber is available for your address, it’s a no-brainer that most households today will opt for Frontier’s future-proof fiber optic network rather than Spectrum cable network. However, even Spectrum may be required to increase the number of fibers to be able to match Frontier in the next couple of years.
