Frontier home internet review

What to expect from Frontier internet service

Frontier Internet offers DSL or fiber optic service, depending on your location. If you are looking to work from home or live stream from multiple devices frequently, you will want to choose a plan that offers at least 25 Mbps, but ideally over 100 Mbps. All of Frontier’s fiber optic plans, formerly known as Frontier FiOS, are above 25 Mbps. Although Frontier DSL does offer plans in select areas with max speeds of 115 Mbps, many areas don’t even reach 10 Mbps.

We scored Frontier internet service on a scale of 1 to 5 across four major categories. To learn more, see our methodology.

Frontier DSL vs Frontier FiberOptic

Overall, there’s a fairly significant difference between having access to Frontier FiberOptic and Frontier DSL. If Frontier FiberOptic is available to you, you will have access to better speeds (upload and download) and service. Starting prices may be slightly higher, but the value of the service will be superior.

Frontier FiberOptic internet

Frontier FiberOptic, formerly known as Frontier FiOS, gives you a reliable fiber optic internet connection for online gaming, streaming your favorite shows and working or learning from home. 

Take a look at the benefits of Frontier FiberOptic and the 100% fiber optic network:

• Fast download and upload speeds – FiberOptic can reach gigabit speeds, up to 940 Mbps. Additionally, FiberOptic can deliver much faster upload speeds, up to 880 Mbps, whereas cable or DSL internet upload speeds are unlikely to reach more than 30 Mbps. 
• Lower cost per Mbps means better value – The fast speeds and comparatively low prices of Frontier FiberOptic plans give you more speed for the money. Frontier’s fastest internet plans, 500/500 and 1 Gig, will both have you paying around $0.10 per Mbps or less.

FiberOptic Internet plans and pricing

*per month. Taxes, govt. surcharges and one-time charges apply. Service subject to availability and all applicable terms and conditions. Speeds may not be available in all areas.

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Frontier DSL service

Frontier uses DSL technology to deliver an internet connection over your phone line. This helps bring affordable internet service to more areas, especially rural areas that may not have access to a quality cable or fiber optic internet connection. Plus, Frontier Internet plans come with unlimited data, a bonus you’re unlikely to find with a satellite or fixed wireless connection.

Frontier Internet service comes with the fastest speeds available at your address, so speeds and pricing will vary by location. The maximum download speed you can expect with Frontier DSL is about 75 Mbps. Depending on where you live, you could have access to one of three Frontier DSL plans:

• Frontier Basic Internet

  Starting at $37.99/mo.*

  View speed details

• Frontier Internet

  Starting at $44.99/mo.*

  View speed details

• Frontier Internet

  Starting at $54.99/mo.*

  View speed details

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Wi-Fi equipment, contracts, data caps and fees

A modem-router gateway device is included with all Frontier internet plans, which means Wi-Fi is free with Frontier. In that sense, all Frontier plans could be considered “Frontier Wi-Fi plans.”

Equipment rental is included in the price

There is no added fee for equipment as your rental is included with the price of your plan. However, after the first 12 months you can expect your bill to increase by $10/mo. for the 500 Mbps plan due to an added equipment fee charge. There will not be any price increases with Frontier’s Gig plan for three years.

Frontier equipment features a single “gateway” device which acts as your modem and Wi-Fi router in one. Necessary Wi-Fi equipment may vary by internet type and speed you choose, but you can trust Frontier to provide the right device for your connection.

No contracts, no data caps

Frontier internet plans do not require a contract, allowing you to change your plan or transfer service when you move without fear of early termination fees. Even though you are not locked into a contract, Frontier still guarantees a three-year price lock for its Gig speed plan.

There are no monthly data caps with Frontier internet, so you don’t have to worry about watching your data usage to avoid overage fees. That’s not to say Frontier internet is truly unlimited, however, as excessive data use may violate the Frontier terms and conditions.

Activation fee

All Frontier internet plans are subject to a one-time activation fee of $85 but if you purchase a FiberOptic plan online, you can get this fee waived.

Autopay discount

When you enroll in autopay, you get a $5/mo. discount with any Frontier FiberOptic plan. The price listed includes this discount.

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Frontier internet vs. other top providers

If you have the option to choose between Frontier and another internet service provider, there are a few things you’ll want to consider, such as starting price, speeds, data limits and contracts. Frontier FiberOptic is one of the highest ranked internet providers due to its fair pricing and download/upload speed range. If Frontier’s only service available to you is DSL, you may want to consider a different internet provider, depending on where you live.

Already have Frontier internet? Test your Frontier internet speed and see how they compare to other Frontier customers across the U.S.

If you’d like more in-depth comparisons of Frontier vs. other providers, click any of the links below:

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Bundling Frontier internet with TV

Frontier is partnered with the satellite TV provider DISH, giving all customers the option to bundle Frontier internet service with TV. DISH offers four different TV packages, with a channel count that ranges between 190 and 290+ channels. Pricing for DISH TV is between $64.99/mo. and $99.99/mo., which means if you bundle Frontier internet and DISH TV together, you should expect to pay at least $115/mo.

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Customer satisfaction scores among the worst of all ISPs

Frontier has some of the poorest customer satisfaction scores out of any provider. Frontier scored lowest in customer satisfaction on the 2020 ACSI, 2020 Consumer Reports and JD Power compared to all other ISPs. However, this poor rating is mostly due to its lower tier DSL products in rural or underserved areas and less due to its fiber optic service. 

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