Frontier Internet Review 2022

Nosotros like Frontier's Cobweb plans and unlimited data, just its customer service and random fees are hard pills to eat

Frontier Fiber Internet

3.8 out of 5 stars

3.75

Data constructive 05/09/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to alter.

* per month for 12 mos. One-yr agreement, early termination fee, and one-time accuse use. Max speeds are wired. Wi-Fi, bodily & average speeds vary.

per month for 36 mos. One-year agreement, early termination fee, and onetime charge utilise. Max wired speed 940/880 Mbps. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary.

Frontier has some good things going for it—namely, no information caps, no contracts, and a cobweb-optic network.

Betwixt Frontier's Fiber internet service and its DSL service, we retrieve Fiber is the improve deal. But nosotros know not everyone has access to cobweb net. That said, Borderland's DSL internet isn't a bad deal, though we wish information technology offered faster speeds than a max of upwardly to 25 Mbps.

Then should you lot go Borderland net? Allow's dig into the details and find out if Borderland's prices, internet speeds, and data caps make the cut.

Pros

  • Frontier has great prices for fiber internet plans

  • There are DSL internet options for rural areas

  • You become unlimited data for all net plans

Cons

  • The DSL speeds max out at 25 Mbps

Detect Frontier internet plans in your surface area.

Is Frontier Internet right for you lot?

Frontier internet is perfect for those who desire fiber internet, a type of internet that is fast and reliable but not available everywhere. And if you alive in a rural area, Frontier offers DSL internet for a depression price.

Borderland's Fiber internet plans gives you enough download speed for multiple people in the family to use at the aforementioned time without seeing a lag in your Netflix flick or your son's Xbox game. Likewise, Frontier'south internet service won't suspension the bank!

Borderland cyberspace is bachelor across more than half of the US, but you'll mainly find it in Westward Virginia, Connecticut, and Illinois.

Frontier internet prices and plans

Prices for Frontier'due south Fiber plans are limbo low, but you may detect better deals when it comes to its DSL plans

If you lot're lucky enough to live where Frontier's Cobweb internet is available, then nosotros recommend getting information technology.

Fiber net like this is faster and most often more than reliable than cable or DSL internet. And Frontier's fiber internet comes at some of the lowest prices for the speeds you become.

Frontier Cobweb cyberspace prices

Data effective 05/09/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

* per calendar month for 12 mos. One-year understanding, early termination fee, and 1-time charge employ. Max speeds are wired. Wi-Fi, actual & boilerplate speeds vary.

per month for 36 mos. One-year understanding, early termination fee, and one-fourth dimension charge utilise. Max wired speed 940/880 Mbps. Wi-Fi, actual & boilerplate speeds vary.

per month. One-twelvemonth agreement, early on termination fee, and one-fourth dimension charge apply. Max speeds are wired. Wi-Fi, bodily & average speeds vary.

The fastest Frontier fiber plan with 2,000 Mbps speeds rings in at about $150 a month. That's a pretty average toll for gig internet when compared to other internet providers. And if you desire the fastest internet possible, then those speeds will certainly practice the pull a fast one on.

Do you lot need gigabit speeds?

Info Box

Chances are you don't need gig download speeds—unless y'all've got a large family unit or a lot of roommates using your net connexion to stream, game, upload YouTube videos, and work from home.

We'll help you figure out which speed is right for you lot in our guide to download speeds.

That said, you may not need gigabit internet speeds if you're a smaller family who just streams an Hard disk moving picture or two on the weekend. And the prices for Frontier Cobweb Cyberspace 500/500 Mbps plan is even improve than the cost for its gigabit plan. Then, we'd say y'all're looking at a win-win if you lot go for either of these plans.

Only if you don't alive in an expanse where Borderland Fiber internet is available, you're not out of luck. Frontier likewise has DSL options that come at adequately low prices—but its DSL speeds max out at upward to 25 Mbps.

Frontier DSL net prices

Data effective 05/09/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are discipline to change.

^ due west/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Per month for 24 mos. One-fourth dimension charges apply. Max speeds are wired. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary.

Still, if Frontier DSL is all you've got, know that information technology's all right. For nigh $40 a month, you get upward to 25 Mbps download speeds and unlimited data.

Simply we wouldn't recommend download speeds a dull as Frontier's upward to 6 and up to 25 Mbps plans for anyone doing some serious online activities. (Think working from dwelling, gaming, or streaming a lot of YouTube videos.) And if you lot've got more than ii people using the internet in your domicile, you'll likely need more than speed.

That said, we know that Borderland DSL cyberspace might be one of your but—if non the only—choice in your area. Still, we recommend checking out these other rural cyberspace options to see if you have whatever alternatives.

Where tin can you get Frontier internet service?

Frontier cyberspace is available across most of the United states of america, but you'll mainly find it in West Virginia, Connecticut, and Illinois.

A map showing Frontier internet availability, mostly in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southwest

How does Borderland compare to Xfinity, CenturyLink, and others?

To be honest with you, Frontier doesn't have a identify in our top 8 internet service providers.

Frontier's availability is express and the customer service rating is quite low compared to other providers similar Earthlink and CenturyLink based on customer reviews.

But we must warn you: Frontier has a bad reputation for not delivering on its advertised download and upload speeds and its DSL service is pretty bad, according to customer reviews.

Check out our top ISP's if you lot'd rather lodge from a reliable cyberspace visitor (hard selection, we know).

Frontier internet comparing

Provider

Monthly toll

Download speeds

Data cap

Acquire more

Frontier $49.99 $149.99 ° 500 2000 Mbps Unlimited
Xfinity $39.99 $79.99 ** 300 1200 Mbps 1.2 TB
Verizon Authorized Dealer $39.99 $89.99 †† 300 940 Mbps Unlimited
CenturyLink $50 $65 ‡‡ 100 940 Mbps Unlimited
Earthlink $49.95 $149.95 ^^ 3 1000 Mbps fifty GB Unlimited

Data effective xi/11/21. Offers and availability vary by location and are bailiwick to modify.

° Requires Motorcar Pay or $5/mo. fee applies. Start April 2022, a printed nib fee of $2.99/mo. will employ, NY, PA and select customers excluded. A $x fee applies when Internet is disconnected. Equipment return required at disconnection, up to $150 per device if not returned. Multi-Device Security covers up to 10 devices. Other applicable charges and additional services are extra. Service subject area to availability. Cannot exist combined with other offers. Other restrictions, Frontier policies and service terms apply.

** For the first 12 months. Some packages require a 1- or 2-yr contract.

†† w/ Machine Pay + taxes & equip. charges.

‡‡ New customers only. Rate requires paperless billing and excludes taxes. Additional fees employ.

^^ With a 12 month contract.

And if y'all mostly apply the net for your abode business organization, freelancing, or streaming on YouTube, you might want to consider the Gig Service plan. With 2000 Mbps download speeds, you won't take to worry that your hour-long Zoom meeting will put a damper on your kiddos' Disney+ time.

Borderland internet speed

Frontier maintains fast net speeds, earning 12th place out of 38 ISPs we analyzed

Frontier's Fiber internet service comes in 500 and 940 Mbps download speeds, which pretty much suits whatsoever need you lot could have.

The 500 Mbps programme offers great speeds for medium- to large-sized families—or homes full of roommates. These download speeds should back up more than than a few people streaming, gaming, and working from home all at the aforementioned time. (Especially since information technology's a fiber connectedness, which gives you reliably fast upload speeds too.)

Borderland Cobweb internet download and upload speeds

And if you mostly utilise the internet for your dwelling house business, freelancing, or streaming on YouTube, you might desire to consider the Gig Service plan. With 2000 Mbps download speeds, you lot won't have to worry that your hour-long Zoom coming together volition put a damper on your kiddos' Disney+ fourth dimension.

Do I need fast upload speeds?

Pin

You lot likely won't need to worry most upload speeds unless you upload a lot of large files to the net. This includes attaching PDFs and giant spreadsheets to your e-mail so y'all can get them to your boss for the deadline.

With l to 880 Mbps upload speeds, Frontier's Fiber internet program upload speeds should keep things running smoothly no matter what you're uploading. That's the magic of fiber internet.

But its DSL internet plans may struggle to get your newest YouTube video or photo gallery uploaded in a timely manner. Frontier doesn't list upload speeds for these plans, but we'd imagine they're ten Mbps or lower.

On the other end of the Frontier speed spectrum is its DSL plans. Its fastest plan can reach up to 25 Mbps speeds, but DSL tends to exist less reliable in terms of speed performance. That's mainly considering it's an older technology.

We wouldn't recommend grabbing anything slower than Frontier's upward to 25 Mbps DSL plan if y'all can avoid it.

Even 25 Mbps is pretty slow—particularly if you have more than than one person or multiple devices using your internet at the aforementioned time. That's because the more people or devices that apply your net, the more speed you need to continue everyone'southward internet connection running smoothly.

Frontier DSL internet download speeds

How fast is Frontier internet?

Only how does Frontier's internet speed stack up? Not too bad, actually.

In our latest analysis of the fastest internet providers in the US, Frontier ranked twelfth out of 38 ISPs. That puts it alee of other well-known net providers like Spectrum, AT&T, and Cox.

Borderland cyberspace speed score1

Ane thing to annotation is that this weighted score isn't representative of whatever download speeds you lot'll get from Frontier. Instead, information technology'due south a combination of the average download and upload speeds, plus latency.

That said, Frontier's score is a lot lower than we expected. Other cobweb internet providers scored much higher: Google Fiber topped our list with 75.6 out of 100, and Verizon Fios Home Internet was a close second with 65.1 out of 100.

Borderland'south low score is likely due to its slow DSL internet service. So nosotros can take chances a approximate that Frontier Fiber internet speeds will be practiced, but its DSL speeds will be lackluster.

Frontier cyberspace information caps

A big selling point for Borderland is that it doesn't put any data caps on its plans. That's right: zero caps—even on its DSL plans.

Frontier doesn't fifty-fifty practice that sneaky affair some net providers exercise where their data is "technically" unlimited, but there are really soft data caps—later which your speed slows downwardly to a slow clamber. (We're looking at you, satellite cyberspace providers.)

Unlimited data is especially important in today'south twenty-four hours and historic period every bit about of us go along to work, study, and play at home. If y'all're similar us, you've found that your data usage spiked over the last few years. So not paying for extra data is definitely a blessing.

Frontier contracts, equipment, and fees

Borderland recently did away with a handful of confusing fees, making it easier to get a handle on your monthly beak

We're pleased as punch to non see whatever mention of contracts on both Frontier Cobweb and DSL plans. That doesn't mean your monthly bill won't become up afterwards the 12-month promotional menstruum, just information technology gives you the freedom to change things up without paying a penalisation.

Borderland equipment

The Frontier Cobweb Gateway Router is an Arris NVG468MQ wireless gateway. That means it tin can be used as a modem and a router, and comes with Wi-Fi already fix. And it comes included with any Fiber net programme. *fist pump*

The gateway used to cost $10 a calendar month to rent, and Frontier used to charge you the rental fee even if you brought your ain modem and router. In late 2020, a law was passed that now bans ISPs like Borderland from charging y'all a rental fee for your own router.1

Borderland service fees

Just similar any other internet provider, Frontier'southward service comes with a few fees. Though we're excited to say it recently trimmed these fees down. And so, aside from taxes, which modify based on your location, here's what yous tin expect to pay in terms of Frontier fees:

  • Activation fee: $85 i-time fee
  • Disconnect fee: $10 i-time fee when your service is disconnected
  • Installation fee: None
  • Equipment rental fee: None, equipment is included with your Fiber internet program

Borderland customer service

According to the scores, Frontier has the worst customer service out of all internet providers

No ISP gets astonishing marks for customer service, only even among the bad, Borderland is dead terminal. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) gives Frontier's client service a depression score of 57, which ranks it below x other ISPs—and an eleventh catch-all category of "All Others."

Frontier internet ACSI score 20212

Like with most ISPs, we recommend using online conversation instead of phone calls. But watch out—Borderland's live conversation feature can be a little unreliable. Information technology'due south not available 24/7 and it can accept some long wait times that brand you wish y'all'd just called.

So if you lot don't hear back on chat, schedule a telephone call back or choice upwards the telephone and requite Frontier a call.

  • Borderland client service phone number: 1-800-921-8101
  • Frontier tech back up: i-800-239-4430
  • Pay your Frontier beak: 1-800-801-6652
  • Borderland online conversation
  • Schedule a remember
  • Facebook: @FrontierCorp
  • Twitter: @AskFrontier

Recap: Is Frontier internet good?

  • Pricing: We think Frontier's Cobweb internet service is the better bargain, merely we like that it also offers DSL service to country-dwelling folks out there.
  • Data limits: Frontier also lets its customers live the unlimited data dream—even if they have its DSL internet.
  • Fees and contracts: We're thankful that Borderland recently trimmed downward its fees and swapped to no contracts.
  • Equipment: Oh, and your equipment is at present included with your cyberspace plan.
  • Customer service: Still, it has some work to do in the customer service area.

Information effective 05/09/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to alter.

^ w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Beak. Per month for 24 mos. Former charges apply. Max speeds are wired. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary.

* per month for 12 mos. One-year understanding, early termination fee, and one-fourth dimension accuse apply. Max speeds are wired. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary.

per month for 36 mos. One-year agreement, early on termination fee, and one-time accuse use. Max wired speed 940/880 Mbps. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary.

per month. One-year agreement, early termination fee, and one-time accuse apply. Max speeds are wired. Wi-Fi, bodily & average speeds vary.

Look for Frontier internet plans in your area.

Methodology

Nosotros base of operations our ratings and reviews off of these five criteria:

  • Prices
  • Availability
  • Speed scores
  • Customer service scores
  • Connection type

Later comparing the criteria, we give you our honest recommendation and allow yous know if this internet service provider is worth your money compared to the others ISPs in the manufacture.

FAQs

Why does Frontier have a bad reputation?

To put it simply, Frontier has a bad reputation for not delivering on its advertised download speeds and its DSL service is pretty bad, co-ordinate to client reviews.

Unfortunately, Frontier declared bankruptcy in 2020, but they're on a mission to gain consumers' trust back.

Is Frontier internet skilful for streaming?

For streaming your favorite movies and Tv shows, nosotros'd really recommend Xfinity internet, CenturyLink internet, or Verizon cyberspace.

They're more than reliable, speedy, and fairly priced. No ane likes to see the word "buffering" in the eye of an intense activity scene.

Catherine McNally

Written by

Catherine McNally

Catherine has a degree in journalism and an MBA, and has spent the last x+ years writing everything from Okinawa travel guides to stories on Medium. She'southward been online since AOL CDs were a affair and is an unapologetic PC gamer. She believes the cyberspace is a necessity, non a luxury, and writes reviews and guides to help everyone stay connected. Yous tin also observe her on Twitter: @CMReviewsIt.

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