Introducing the Providers
When shopping for home internet service, two of the biggest providers you‘re likely to encounter are Frontier Communications and Comcast‘s Xfinity. But how exactly do these two internet service providers (ISPs) stack up against each other?
Frontier Communications focuses more on providing internet access to suburban and rural areas that are underserved by other large providers. They utilize both copper and fiber optic infrastructure to deliver internet, phone, and partnered TV services.
Comcast Xfinity, on the other hand, is the nation’s largest cable internet provider. They use a mix of fiber and coaxial cable lines to deliver fast broadband connections alongside full-service cable TV and home phone service to tens of millions of customers, primarily in denser metro areas.
Availability and Coverage
When considering Frontier vs Xfinity, a key question is what areas they serve. As of 2022, Comcast reports having a presence in 40 states plus Washington, D.C. Their coverage spans large portions of the Northeast, Midwest, South, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest.
Frontier‘s network covers around 25 states, with concentrations in parts of the Southern, Midwestern, Southwestern, and Northeastern U.S. You can check availability for each provider by entering your address on their website.
Types of Internet Service Offered
The types of internet service and connections that Frontier and Xfinity provide can impact availability and performance:
- DSL Internet: Frontier offers digital subscriber line (DSL) internet access over telephone lines to most of its service regions. This makes them widely available, but DSL speeds tend to be slower than cable and fiber.
- Cable Internet: Comcast primarily provides cable internet through their coaxial network optimized for TV and data delivery. Cable internet is generally faster than DSL.
- Fiber Optic Internet: Both providers are expanding state-of-the-art fiber networks. Fiber allows for symmetrical gigabit speeds and is the gold standard, but availability is still limited in most areas.
So in regions where Frontier only offers DSL, Xfinity’s cable will likely be faster. But both have fiber networks capable of blazing speeds.
Internet Plans and Pricing
Let’s compare the types of internet plans and price points available from each ISP:
Frontier Communications Internet Plans
| Plan | Type | Speeds | Price |
| Internet Basics | DSL | Max 25 Mbps | $27.99/mo |
| Ultra Internet | DSL | Max 115 Mbps | $44.99/mo |
| FiberOptic Internet | Fiber | 500 Mbps | $49.99/mo |
| FiberOptic Gig Internet | Fiber | 940 Mbps | $74.99/mo |
Xfinity Internet Plans
| Plan | Type | Speeds | Price |
| Connect | Cable | 50 Mbps | $29.99/mo |
| Extra | Cable | 100 Mbps | $39.99/mo |
| Fast | Cable | 200 Mbps | $59.99/mo |
| Superfast | Cable | 300 Mbps | $69.99/mo |
| Gigabit | Cable | 1000 Mbps | $84.99/mo |
| Gigabit Pro | Fiber | 2000 Mbps | $299.95/mo |
Xfinity tends to offer faster cable internet speeds, while Frontier DSL is slower but cheaper. Both have high-tier fiber plans reaching gigabit speeds.
Data Caps and Fees
Xfinity imposes monthly data caps on all plans, charging $10-50 per additional 50GB block if you exceed 1.2TB. Frontier, on the other hand, provides unlimited data on all plans.
However, Frontier does charge an additional monthly Internet Infrastructure Surcharge to help fund service upgrades.
So when weighing caps vs. fees, Xfinity penalizes heavier bandwidth usage while Frontier spreads infrastructure costs across all users.
Bundles With TV and Phone Service
Both ISPs allow bundling TV and home phone service with internet access:
- Xfinity offers Double and Triple Play bundles ranging from 140+ cable TV channels and home phone service paired with internet plans.
- Frontier FiberOptic customers can add DISH satellite TV starting at $20/month for a 2-year plan. Phone service is also available.
So Xfinity provides a more traditional full-service bundled package including cable TV, while Frontier partners with DISH and focuses more on internet provision.
Customer Satisfaction Comparison
According to 2021 American Customer Satisfaction Index ratings, Comcast Xfinity slightly edges Frontier in customer satisfaction scores:
- Comcast Xfinity: 64 ACSI Score
- Frontier Communications: 61 ACSI Score
However, both land on the lower end of rankings among telecom/ISPs, indicating customers see room for improvement in services and support.
The Pros and Cons of Each Provider
Frontier
Pros:
- Affordably priced
- No data caps on any plan
- Fairly reliable
- Strong fiber optic service where available
Cons:
- Limited availability in many regions
- DSL speeds often slower than cable
- Mediocre customer service reputation
- Lacks robust TV bundle compared to Xfinity
Xfinity
Pros:
- Bundles with Comcast Cable TV service
- Extensive metro & suburban infrastructure
- Fast cable download & upload speeds
- User-friendly apps and support system
Cons:
- Contracts and early termination fees
- Data caps can add costs for power users
- Spotty reliability and support outside metro hubs
- Typically costs more than Frontier for equivalent base speeds
Key Differences Summarized
In summary, some of the key factors separating Frontier vs Comcast Xfinity include:
- Network infrastructure: Xfinity leverages faster, more modern cable and fiber networks focused in populous areas while Frontier utilizes a mix of aging telephone infrastructure and leading fiber where available.
- Internet speeds: Xfinity cable plans edge out Frontier DSL performance, but Frontier’s fiber optic service can match and outpace Xfinity’s speeds.
- Availability: Xfinity covers more territory overall while Frontier availability is highly regional with gaps, especially in its fiber service.
- Data caps & fees: Frontier provides unlimited data while Xfinity enforces caps with overage charges on all plans.
- Bundles: Xfinity lets customers bundle full-fledged Comcast cable TV packages while Frontier satellite TV offerings are more limited.
So Xfinity brings faster base speeds with more robust TV options but less plan flexibility, while Frontier offers simplicity and affordability albeit with availability challenges in many areas.
Choosing Between Frontier and Xfinity
At the end of the day, is one of these ISP giants better than the other? The answer depends largely on your location and specific needs.
If you live within Comcast‘s Xfinity coverage footprint and are looking for reliably fast internet alongside cable TV bundles without worrying too much about data limits, their service may be the better fit.
On the other hand, if you want contract-free internet access without data caps at a low monthly price – even if speeds are slower in areas limited to DSL – then a Frontier plan meets that need. Where Frontier can deliver fiber optic speeds, they stand up well against Comcast too.
Ultimately, internet shoppers in regions served by both providers should weigh Frontier‘s simplicity and affordability against Xfinity‘s faster base speeds, more robust TV bundles, and stronger metro-focused infrastructure. Check availability at your address and compare plan pricing and features to determine the optimal service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Frontier offer faster speeds than Xfinity?
In regions limited to Frontier DSL service, maximum speeds usually top out around 50-115 Mbps, slower than the 100+ Mbps typical of base Xfinity cable plans. However, Frontier‘s fiber optic plans can deliver gigabit speeds on par with Xfinity.
What‘s the difference between Frontier FiOS and Frontier FiberOptic service?
Frontier originally branded their fiber optic internet service as FiOS when they acquired the lines from Verizon. As they’ve expanded infrastructure, the fiber product is now marketed as Frontier FiberOptic with the same capabilities.
Can I bundle satellite TV service if I have Xfinity Internet?
Comcast Xfinity bundles require pairing their Xfinity Internet plans with Xfinity TV cable packages. They don‘t offer the option to mix satellite providers at this time.
Which internet provider has more reliable service?
Both Frontier and Xfinity rely on overlapping infrastructure from prior regional providers. Overall service reliability comes down to each network in a given area. However, Comcast generally invests more in support and equipment upgrades sustaining faster, sturdier service (outside of Frontier fiber regions).
