Astound Broadband Internet (formerly Grande) Review
If you’re familiar with Grande Communications as a service provider, it’s worth nothing that the regional internet service provider (ISP) in Texas merged with other ISPs under the Astound Broadband banner in May 2017. This move still allows the ISP to have a local focus and in Texas, it’s known as Astound Broadband powered by Grande. Other groups that fall under the Astound umbrella are RCN, Wave, enTouch, and Digital West.
While these sub-divisions of Astound Broadband still serve their local communities, they now do so with additional infrastructure. Together, the group forms the sixth-largest TV, phone, and internet provider in the US. In Texas alone, Astound Broadband powered by Grande serves over 1 million customers. In this review, we take a closer look at Astound Broadband, who their services are best suited for, and what others have to say about their internet services.
- Who is Astound Broadband internet for?
- Key considerations
- What others say about Astound Broadband internet
- How does Astound Broadband internet compare to other providers?
Who is Astound Broadband internet for?
Astound internet plans are designed to be simple and easily decipherable. Households that have basic streaming needs and minimal devices that need connectivity will easily get away with the 300Mbps plan that starts at $25.99/month. For small households, this speed can easily support online gaming and even streaming. A 50Mbps plan that starts at $19.99/month is also available for those who simply need to do basic browsing, such as to check emails or surf the web.
Households that have a mid-range demand for connectivity may want to consider Astound’s 600Mbps offering that comes in at $39.99/month. This speed means a lot less lag, which is great for those who work from home and make use of video conferencing tools. It’s also a great option for multiple-device homes that require streaming access at the same time.
For serious gamers and internet users that demand high performance, the 940Mbps plan is a good option. This speed means fewer connectivity issues such as lagging and can easily support multiple devices, depending on the hardware used. This plan currently goes for $49.99/month.
It’s important to note that these plans are internet-only, and devices like modems and routers need to be purchased separately. Astound Broadband also offers phone and TV plans that may include a discount when you bundle your services. Furthermore, customers aren’t locked into a 12-month contract on any of these internet plans.
Key considerations
Before deciding if Astound Broadband is the right choice for your household, there are a few thing customers should consider.
What other fees are charged when signing up with Astound Broadband?
Apart from monthly internet costs, there is also a one-time activation fee of $9.99 and a monthly network access and maintenance fee of around $6.97.
Are there any special offers?
Astound has a special offer for movers which includes free installation. If you happen to sign up for Gig internet (the 940Mbps plan), you can also opt for an Eero 6 Pro router, which is free for the first six months, and $9.95/month thereafter.
Will the internet + TV and internet + TV + phone combos save me money?
Yes, these offers are cheaper as a bundled product than when opting for all of the products as standalone services.
Are Astound Broadband internet plans flexible?
Yes, users can opt to pair their internet with Astound cable TV, phone packages, and/or enhanced home Wi-Fi. Astound internet plans are also contract free and include unlimited data, adding to their overall flexibility.
What others say about Astound Broadband internet
While there aren’t many reviews on Astound Broadband as a whole and even less on the Grande Communications operation, the brand gains points with its starter and mid-level plans, which reach those who may otherwise be excluded from access to broadband.
A U.S. News review looks at the combined offering of the Astound Group as a whole and rates it 3.8 out of 5 stars. Nothing that it offers reasonable pricing for packages at lower speeds. One area where Astound Broadband is lacking is by failing to offer customers the opportunity to buy equipment.
How does Astound Broadband internet compare to other providers?
If you’re looking for affordable packages and don’t need ultra fast speeds, Astound Broadband rates well when compared to Cox, which offers similar speed packages, but at a higher price. The pricing on all Astound packages is pretty great, however, it’s worth noting that devices are not included. These need to be rented separately.
In terms of availability, Astound Broadband, Powered by Grande is only available in Texas, however, the group as a whole is present in 8 other states, including Washington, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Verizon is more or less the same in terms of the number of states it’s available in, but Cox and AT&T enjoy a larger footprint.
*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 3/25/22.
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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