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Wave internet plans and prices 2022

By AJ Dellinger Last updated: January 18, 2022

Astound Broadband Powered by Wave has provided internet access, along with advanced TV and communication services in parts of Washington, Oregon and California, for more than 15 years.

  • Plans start at

    $70.00/mo.

    *Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of 09/23/21.

About Wave internet

Editor’s note: Wave announced plans in January 2022 to transition to Astound Broadband. Regional providers will retain their name, with Wave becoming Astound Broadband Powered by Wave. Branding changes to the company’s website are expected to follow.

Astound Broadband Powered by Wave serves customers across the West Coast. It offers broadband internet, cable TV and phone services, which are available individually or bundled together. The company’s internet service is often touted as being reliable, and the company has won a number of awards for its services.

What we like

  • Fast and reliable download speeds

  • No monthly contract required

  • Bundles for TV and phone service

Things to consider

  • Only available in a limited area

  • Data caps on some plans

  • Limited upload speeds

Wave internet prices and plans

Wave offers reliable, fast internet connections at a reasonable and competitive price. However, Wave does implement a 2TB data cap. Exceeding that will result in the company potentially slowing your connection. Xfinity offers similar speeds and pricing with similar restrictions, as the company imposes data caps. Likewise, AT&T offers plans at comparable speeds, though slightly cheaper — at least for the first year. AT&T also has data caps that result in additional charges. Spectrum offers the closest comparable service, with similar pricing for comparable data speeds and no data cap.

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of 09/23/21.

Allconnect’s favorite Wave plan 

Our favorite plan from Wave is the 250 package. With a significant speed boost for download speeds for just $10/mo., along with doubling the upload speeds, it’s well worth the small price difference to make the upgrade. This plan also matches up favorably against other national carriers, many of whom offer comparable or slower speeds for similar prices.

If speed is your primary concern, it is worth upgrading to the Gig plan, which provides gigabit download speeds that are ideal for households that stream lots of content and have multiple people connected to the internet at the same time. It is also ideal for gamers who are concerned about having a reliable connection. For most people, the 250 plan should do the trick, but those who want more speed should consider upgrading to the Gig plan.

Wave contracts, equipment and fees

Every internet service provider has some start-up costs, and Wave Broadband is no exception. Wave will require some equipment to operate, and while there are no contracts, there are some additional fees that you’ll want to watch out for.

Wave contracts

Wave Broadband does not require you to commit to any long-term contracts. Instead, you pay month-by-month. Under this model, your pricing is consistent and it won’t change after a year. You can also drop your service any time without paying a fee.

If you are looking for other no-contract internet options, check out our favorites.

Wave equipment

While Wave base price is affordable, the equipment is where things can start to get expensive. Wave offers a range of equipment, from routers to modems, that can help to serve your home and provide internet throughout. You can bring your own equipment including router and modem to limit your expenses, otherwise, you will have to rent from Wave and return the equipment when you are done.

  • Modem: $16/mo.
  • Modem with standard Wi-Fi: $18/mo.
  • Enhanced Whole Home Wi-Fi: $9.95/mo. (requires modem service)
  • Whole Home WiFi Beacon: $5/mo. Each (requires modem and enhanced whole home Wi-Fi)

Wave fees

On top of the equipment fees, Wave also has a number of hidden and associated fees that are not included in your monthly cost. These can add up and make your internet service more expensive than expected. 

  • One-time installation fee: Up to $80
  • Monthly infrastructure fee: $5.57/mo.
  • Double Data (optional): $10/mo.
  • Unlimited Data (optional): $20/mo.

Wave customer service

No internet service provider is perfect. That includes Wave, which does have a number of consumer complaints about service. But for the most part, the company appears to be well-liked. It received a Reader’s Choice Award for its service and has many positive reviews from customers. 

Wave customer support is available over the phone or online:

Waven availability 

Astound Broadband Powered by Wave is only available on the West Coast, in Washington, Oregon and California. The largest cities where Wave Broadband is available include San Francisco, Seattle and Bellingham.

Wave outage map

Like most internet service providers, Wave can occasionally experience outages as a result of extreme weather, infrastructure failure or other conditions. You can check Wave Broadband’s history of outages via DownDetector.

Wave bundling or TV service

In addition to high-speed internet, Wave also offers TV service. Cable bundles are extremely customizable, with packages that include just local channels, premium cable networks, sports networks, and popular streaming services like Netflix or HBO Max. Wave also offers live streaming TV services like Sling TV and FuboTV, which serve as an alternative to standard cable. These bundles start for as little as $30/mo. and can cost over $100 with premium packages added.

Wave compared to other internet service providers

Wave provides competitive speeds and pricing for customers looking for broadband internet service on the West Coast. Hidden fees and additional expenses may make some of these plans more expensive, but Wave’s no-contract plans provide additional flexibility compared to others.

The bottom line

Astound Broadband Powered by Wave provides reliable internet service for those living on the West Coast. The prices are competitive, though hidden fees and equipment costs can make your monthly bill more than you might have been expecting. The service is generally well-liked, and no long-term requirements give you additional flexibility if you choose to switch service providers. 
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Wave FAQs

What is Astound Broadband Powered by Wave?

Wave is an internet service provider and cable TV provider that operates on the West Coast of the U.S., offering high-speed broadband internet service in Washington, Oregon and California.

Wave’s internet plans start at $70/mo. and can cost as much as $100/mo. There are also additional fees, including costs for equipment rental and other hidden fees, that may make the monthly bill more expensive.

Wave is available in a number of large cities across the West Coast, including Seattle and San Francisco. It services both major metropolitan areas and more rural communities across the coast, though it has less coverage area than some national competitors.

Yes, Wave has TV bundles available. You can get traditional cable plans or a live streaming TV service like Sling or FuboTV. Subscriptions are available to bundle through Wave.

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AJ Dellinger

Written by:

AJ Dellinger

Contributor

AJ Dellinger is a writer and editor based in Madison, WI. He has spent the last 10 years writing about the internet, gadgets, technology and a variety of other topics. His work has appeared in Wired, Gizmodo, CN… Read more

Robin Layton

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

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