How does Frontier compare to Verizon Fios internet?
Choosing an internet service provider (ISP) can be a complicated task. Not only is there an ever-growing list of companies to research, but there are many important considerations to keep in mind. You have to determine how much speed your household needs, review contract requirements, figure out any additional fees, and more.
If you’re in the market for a new ISP and are comparing Frontier vs. Verizon Fios internet, we’ve gathered all the details you’ll need in one place.
- Who Frontier and Verizon Fios internet are for
- Comparison of internet services
- What others say about Frontier and Verizon Fios internet
- How do Frontier and Verizon Fios internet packages compare?
Who Frontier and Verizon Fios internet are for
Frontier got its start offering DSL internet in mostly rural communities but has since expanded to offer internet services in 25 states. Their services now include fiber internet plans with industry-competitive speeds in some suburban markets.
For rural customers, Frontier has three DSL plans with speeds ranging from 9Mbps to 115Mbps and costs between $37.99 and $54.99/month. Unfortunately, the speed for your home is solely dependent on your address, so you don’t get to choose a specific plan. But the good news is that even the lowest rate of 9Mbps is enough for basic internet usage. The fastest DSL option is better for homes with one or two devices, but will be too slow for gaming and homes with heavy internet usage needs.
If you’re in a suburban market covered by Frontier’s fiber network, you’re in luck. With speed options ranging from 500Mbps to 2000Mbps and prices ranging between $49.99 and $149.99/month, there’s something for everyone. From households that only need service to browse the web to large households with multiple devices streaming at once, Frontier’s fiber plans can fit the bill.
Verizon Fios internet runs on a fiber network but is currently only available in parts of eight eastern states (including New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia) and the District of Columbia. You can choose between three fiber internet packages with speed options of 300Mbps, 500Mbps, or 940Mbps. When comparing Verizon Fios vs Frontier fiber internet plans, you’ll find Verizon’s $89.99/month price for 940Mbps is slightly more expensive than the $84.99/month you would pay for the same speed with Frontier.
Comparison of internet services
Activation fees
Frontier charges an $85 one-time activation fee, which is waived if you order online. They also charge a $10 disconnect fee when you end your service. Verizon Fios charges a $99 activation fee, which is also waived if you choose to order service online.
Equipment fees
Frontier does not charge an equipment rental fee for any of its plans, while Verizon Fios charges a $15/month equipment rental fee for its 300Mbps and 500Mbps plans. Verizon waives their equipment rental fee if you opt for the Verizon Fios Gigabit Connection plan.
Data caps and overage fees
Neither Frontier nor Verizon Fios has data caps or overage fees for any of their plans.
Contract terms
Both Frontier and Verizon Fios offer month-to-month plans, so you won’t be locked into any long-term contract and don’t have to worry about early termination fees.
What others say about Frontier and Verizon Fios internet
Frontier
A recent CNET review of Frontier internet services suggests that customers opt for their fiber plan options over Frontier DSL whenever possible since DSL connections are much slower and less reliable. The publication also commends the company for having competitive prices for both their DSL and Fiber plans.
A U.S. News & World Report review stated that the Frontier Fiber options get a top rating for latency, with “an impressive nine milliseconds (ms),” which they say is the lowest by far compared to other companies. This low latency makes their fiber plans optimal for gaming and videoconferencing. What’s more, the same review also pointed out that Frontier is only one of three companies that offers “symmetrical download and upload speeds” for most of its plans.
Verizon Fios
If Verizon Fios internet is an option at your address, you might be pleased to hear that recent reviews of their plans by U.S. World News & World Report ranks them as the second-best in three categories: Best Internet Service Providers of 2022, Best Fiber Internet Providers of 2022 and Best Internet Providers for Gaming of 2022.
A CNET review points out that the company has taken the top spot in the J.D. Power US Residential Internet Service Provider Customer Satisfaction Study for multiple years, including the most recent study in 2021. Also, the review points out that although Verizon Fios package prices are fairly competitive, you’ll need to keep an eye on the $15/month equipment fee cost for their 300Mbps and 500Mbps plans. That cost can push the monthly costs into the more expensive range compared to other providers offering similar speeds.
How do Frontier and Verizon Fios internet packages compare?
*Pricing varies by location and availability. Speeds may vary. All prices subject to change; for current pricing and availability visit our internet service page. Prices as of 3/3/22.
Disclosure | Updater articles are based on our own data and research, independent from partner relationships. We are not compensated by partners for information and opinions presented here. Our Editorial Terms of Service can be found here.
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