The internet has become an integral part of our daily lives. From work and school to entertainment and communication, most of our activities involve an internet connection. With more activities moving online, having a reliable high-speed internet connection at home is now a necessity. Frontier and Xfinity are two of the major internet service providers operating across the United States.
Frontier Communications offers internet, TV, and phone services to customers in 29 states. Its fiber-optic FiOS service provides super-fast internet speeds. Xfinity from Comcast is one of the largest cable TV and internet providers in the country, offering their services to over 31 million customers. While both Frontier and Xfinity aim to provide quality internet services, they differ in availability, speeds offered, pricing, and customer satisfaction.
Making the right choice between Frontier vs Xfinity can ensure you get an internet connection that meets your needs in terms of speed, reliability, and budget. Read on as we compare these two internet service providers on key parameters to help you decide Which One Is Better For the Internet in 2024.
Frontier vs Xfinity: Which One Is Better For Internet in 2024?
Criteria | Frontier | Xfinity |
---|---|---|
Availability and Coverage | 29 states | 40 states |
Internet Speeds | FiOS Quantum Fiber (500 Mbps) | Performance Pro+ (800 Mbps) Gigabit (1200 Mbps) FCC Report: 101% reliability during peak hours |
Pricing and Fees | Generally lower cost No data caps |
Potentially higher cost 1.2TB data cap (excluding xFi Complete plan) Additional fees not included |
Reliability and Customer Satisfaction | More stable based on customer reviews ACSI Score: 70/100 |
Occasional outages reported Faster outage resolution ACSI Score: 62/100 |
Availability and Coverage
When it comes to Frontier vs Xfinity availability, Xfinity easily wins. Of the two providers, Xfinity has significantly wider availability across 40 states in the US. Frontier’s fiber internet service is available only in limited areas of 29 states. So chances are higher that Xfinity services your area compared to Frontier fiber-optic network. If you move homes within the same city or to a different city, you’re more likely to be able to get Xfinity service in your new location.
Internet Speeds
Both providers offer multiple internet speed tiers to suit light to heavy internet usage. Xfinity offers faster maximum speeds, while Frontier FiOS fiber optic network provides reliable speeds with less variability.
Xfinity’s Performance Pro+ tier offers lightning-fast download speeds up to 800 Mbps along with high upload speeds. They also have a Gigabit plan for downloads up to 1200 Mbps. Frontier’s FiOS Quantum Fiber plan tops out at 500 Mbps.
However, when it comes to consistency in maintaining the speeds you pay for, Frontier FiOS outranks Xfinity. As per the FCC Measuring Broadband America report, Frontier fiber internet delivered 101% of advertised download speeds during peak hours while Xfinity managed 93.1%.
So if blazing-fast speeds are your priority, Xfinity has an edge. But Frontier FiOS brings reliable speeds closest to as advertised. Also, check out Frontier vs Spectrum: Which is Better for Home Internet?
Pricing and Fees
Both Frontier and Xfinity offer promotional pricing for the first year that can significantly bring down monthly costs. Compared to regular rates, Frontier fiber internet plans are cheaper than similar speed plans from Xfinity. Moreover Frontier does not enforce data caps on its fiber internet plans so you don’t have to worry about overage charges.
On the flip side, Xfinity offers better bundling options by giving good discounts when you opt for TV and internet or mobile and internet combo packages. As part of its xFi Complete package, Xfinity also includes unlimited data along with modem/router rental, xFi Advanced Security, and other features. But this costs $25 extra per month. Do note their advertised pricing doesn’t include various fees like regional sports fees, broadcast TV fees, etc which can easily add $15-$30 extra to your bill.
Overall Frontier FiOS fiber pricing seems to offer better value for money especially if you just want a standalone internet service without bundling other services.
Reliability and Customer Satisfaction
A key aspect that impacts customer experience for any service provider is reliability. Both providers have seen their share of outages over the years that disrupted services for hours or even days. Xfinity users had to face several outages in 2021 that impacted millions of users across regions. Meanwhile, some Frontier FiOS users also complained about experiencing periodic outages and slow internet.
However, in general, Frontier fiber internet services seem more reliable with less downtime based on various customer reviews. When outages do occur, Frontier is also quicker to restore services as per users. Considering the fiber network’s superior stability over cable internet, Frontier FiOS has an edge over Xfinity when it comes to reliability.
Consequently, Frontier Wins over Xfinity when it comes to customer satisfaction levels amongst internet subscribers. As per the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index report, Frontier Communications scored 70 out of 100 points, which while just about average is still higher than Xfinity’s score of 62.
So between the two, current users seem happier with the service quality received from Frontier versus Xfinity internet. Also, check out How to Get Alteryx Free Trial in 2024?
FAQs
Q1. Does Xfinity have data caps?
Most Xfinity internet plans have a 1.2TB monthly data cap including the popular Performance and Performance Pro plans. You have to opt for the higher-priced xFi Complete plan if you want unlimited data allowance. In contrast, Frontier’s FiOS fiber internet plans do not enforce any data caps.
Q2. Is Frontier FiOS fiber internet worth it?
Frontier FiOS fiber-optic network can deliver reliable internet speeds with low latency. If you have option for Frontier’s fiber-optic internet service in your area, it is certainly worth it especially for home users. The fiber network brings lag-free connectivity for streaming, gaming and video calls.
Q3. Does Xfinity offer faster speeds than Frontier?
Yes, Xfinity’s top tier Gigabit plan provides faster maximum download and upload speeds reaching upto 1200 Mbps and 35 Mbps respectively. In comparison, Frontier fiber service maxes out at 500 Mbps downloads. However, Xfinity’s lower tier plans have lower maximum speeds compared to Frontier for the price.
Q4. Is Xfinity or Frontier better for streaming?
Both providers bring adequate speeds to support streaming on multiple devices. However, Frontier’s fiber network offers more consistent speeds and lower latency. There is also no data cap to worry about. These factors provide a smoother steaming experience. Xfinity on the other hand may suffer speed slowdowns during peak times that can impact streaming quality.
Conclusion
Choosing between Frontier and Xfinity internet services greatly depends on availability at your location. Given its wider reach, Xfinity by Comcast covers more US states and areas compared to Frontier fiber network. Xfinity also offers faster maximum speeds but their service reliability is not at par with Frontier FiOS. When it comes to pricing, bundled plans, and promotional offers, Xfinity provides more options for savings. But Frontier costs less for standalone fiber internet service.
At the end of the day, internet users want good speeds at affordable prices along with reliable connectivity. For most home users and households, Frontier FiOS fiber service offers a better value proposition in this regard. With reliable high speeds, no data caps, and competitive pricing, Frontier FiOS emerges as the preferred choice for internet service in 2024.