If you‘re looking for home internet service, two of the top providers on your radar are likely Metronet and Xfinity from Comcast. With so many options for cable, fiber, and bundled plans available, choosing the right internet service can get confusing fast.
This comprehensive comparison guide between Metronet and Comcast will walk you through all the key factors in plain language – so you can determine which provider best fits your needs and budget based on what‘s available in your area.
Why Care About Fiber vs Cable Internet?
As more providers roll out high-speed fiber optic connections directly to homes and businesses, an increasing number of consumers now face the decision between fiber and cable internet. Why does this choice matter?
While both technologies enable fast internet speeds, important differences impact reliability, performance when networks get congested, susceptibility to outages, and long-term capacity for speed upgrades.
Fiber optic connections transmit data as light pulses along flexible glass fibers rather than electric signals over metal copper wiring. This allows fiber networks to deliver extremely high bandwidth over long distances with lower signal loss. Translated – that means faster, less interrupted service even when the whole neighborhood is streaming.
So if fiber optic service is available in your area from providers like Metronet or Comcast Gigabit, prioritize that over cable internet. The price tag might be higher, but you’ll enjoy a smoother, more future-proof internet experience meeting even the most demanding household needs for work and entertainment.
Now, onto comparing the two top providers’ service specifics…
Metronet vs Xfinity From Comcast Overview
| Metronet | Comcast Xfinity | |
| Year Founded | 2005 | 1963 |
| Headquarters | Evansville, IN | Philadelphia, PA |
| Availability | 16 states (Midwest/Southeast) |
40 states nationwide |
| Internet Type | 100% Fiber Optic | Cable and Fiber |
| Connection Ownership | Private network owned | Mix of owned and leased |
| Services Offered | Internet, Phone | Internet, TV, Phone, Home Security |
| Data Caps? | No caps | Yes, 1.2 TB/mo cap |
| Intro Pricing | 100 Mbps: $49.95/mo | 75 Mbps: $19.99/mo |
| Gigabit Pricing | 1 Gbps: $89.95/mo 2 Gbps: $119.95/mo |
1.2 Gbps: $80/mo |
From this high-level overview, we already see some clear differentiators emerge. Metronet focuses solely on providing fiber optic internet and phone services, while Comcast offers quadruple play bundles across TV, internet, phone and home security.
In regions where their 100% fiber optic networks are available, Metronet is completely self-provided. Comcast on the other hand utilizes a mix of privately owned infrastructure combined with leased network connections to deliver services.
Now let’s analyze both provider‘s service specifics in greater detail across factors like speed, technology, availability, reputation and more.
Technology and Infrastructure Report Card
At the foundation of every internet provider is the network infrastructure that physically delivers service to your door. This underlying technology largely determines performance metrics like connection consistency, susceptibility to outages, congestion and upgrade limitations.
Because Metronet operates 100% fiber optic internet infrastructure, they earn top marks for performance and future-proofing capacity. Fiber transmits data digitally as light rather than analog electrical signals, enabling increased bandwidth over longer distances. This makes fiber optic internet the gold standard for speed, low latency and reliability.
Comcast offers a mix of coaxial cable internet and fiber networks, depending on your location. Its backbone network interconnecting regional hubs utilizes high-capacity fiber optics. But the notorious “last mile” to your neighborhood is still transmitted via radio frequency signals over copper coaxial cables for most subscribers.
While Comcast continues upgrading infrastructure across markets, fiber optic connections directly to the home remain limited for now. Expect a noticeable difference in speed consistency once neighborhood usage peaks in the evening if relying on cable.
Network Technology Comparison
| Metronet | Comcast Xfinity | |
| Local Network Type | 100% Fiber to the Home | Coaxial Cable and Fiber Mix |
| Data Transmission | Light signals through glass fiber | RF signals over copper coaxial cable |
| Network Capacity | ★★★★★ (Nearly limitless bandwidth) |
★★☆☆☆ (Shared capacity over cable) |
| Speed Consistency | ★★★★★ (Excellent even under load) |
★★☆☆☆ (Depreciates during peak times) |
| Reliability & Uptime | ★★★★☆ (Extremely reliable) |
★★☆☆☆ (More susceptible to outages) |
| Future Upgradeability | ★★★★★ (Easy speed upgrades over fiber) |
★★☆☆☆ (Limited without more fiber builds) |
Metronet’s privately owned, uniformly fiber network earns top marks across all categories. Comcast delivers solid internet connectivity for most basic needs, but starts running into issues matching fiber’s speed and reliability during peak congestion.
Only a direct fiber optic connection can offer “future-proof” capacity keeping up with household bandwidth demands expected to double every two years on average.
Internet Speed Options Compared
When comparing providers, the advertised internet speeds make for useful shorthand. But take care not to focus solely on the maximum gigabit figures promoted. Instead, pay attention to each provider‘s entry-level speed tier. Why? That base internet speed will determine your actual experience during real-world usage times, when regional networks endure greatest congestion and performance slowdowns.
Here’s how Metronet and Comcast compare on speeds offered:
Metronet
- 100 Mbps – $49.95/month
- 500 Mbps – $69.95/month
- 1 Gbps – $89.95/month
- 2 Gbps – $119.95/month
Xfinity from Comcast
- 75 Mbps – $19.99/month
- 200 Mbps – $39.99/month
- 800 Mbps – $59.99/month
- 1.2 Gbps – $79.99/month
The numbers reveal that Metronet’s base plan starts off faster at 100 Mbps compared to Comcast’s intro tier of 75 Mbps. But Comcast offers faster maximum speeds topping out at 1.2 Gbps down.
Importantly, Metronet’s symmetrical fiber speeds ensure equally fast upload and download connectivity. This bidirectional performance becomes crucial for handling today‘s latency-sensitive cloud apps, video calls and remote access needs.
Comcast’s cable plans generally allocate 5-10x faster download than upload capacity. So despite promising gigabit downloads, uploads still lag at 35 Mbps for example. Make sure to note the complete upload/download speed specs when comparing provider plans.
Availability and Coverage Footprint
Internet providers can boast all they want about fast speeds and reliable service. But none of that matters if they don’t service your address! Before committing to a provider, first check availability.
As the much younger upstart founded in 2005, Metronet has focused growth regionally across 16 Midwestern and Southeastern states so far. Within those states, service zones center primarily around Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Florida and select metropolitan zones like Chicago suburbs and Raleigh, NC.
The provider maps available on Metronet’s website let you enter an address to check if their 100% underground fiber network reaches the location. If so, you’re golden. If not, explore other options…or exercise patience as they methodically expand reach.
By contrast, Comcast Xfinity boasts a nationwide coverage footprint spanning 40 states and Washington DC, cementing its position as the country’s largest cable provider along the way. Over 56 million homes passed translates to unrivaled availability for cable TV, broadband and digital voice services.
Check Xfinity availability by entering your street address on their website as well. If their network infrastructure doesn’t reach your area yet, expanded cellular and satellite broadband options from major wireless carriers continue supplementing wireline connectivity across rural America.
Bundles, Fees and Contracts
Ah, the fine print. This is where providers sneakily dig deeper into your wallet through equipment fees, surcharges, early termination fees and more. What hides in those long contracts and bundled packages? Let‘s break it down:
With just two offerings – fiber optic internet and digital phone over the same connections – Metronet keeps things wonderfully simple. No bundles, no contracts required, no equipment fees. The price listed is the monthly cost, period. If blazing internet speeds are your top priority, Metronet presents excellent value.
But for many households, value comes in packaging internet together with TV and voice services. This is the appeal behind Comcast Xfinity‘s bundles spanning across broadband, cable TV, home phone and home security monitoring. By combining multiple services on one bill, overall savings become possible…before the fees hit.
Here’s the catch: while Internet + TV intro bundles start at just $39.99/month for 12 months, you’re also going to pay up to:
- $14/month modem rental
- $25 activation fee
- $10/month for HD technology fee
- $8-15/month broadcast TV & sports fees
- Various taxes and misc fees (~15% of bill)
Suddenly that bargain bundle jumps over $50/month even after promo discounts. And that‘s before the 12-month term ends and regular prices apply!
Read all terms before signing, as early termination fees as high as $120 can apply if cancelling service before the contract period ends.
The bottom line – Metronet transparency offers simplicity that Comcast can‘t match. Just be prepared to pay more upfront.
Customer Satisfaction and Reviews
In this era of social media and crowdsourced reviews, customer sentiment says a lot about providers‘ actual service and support standards. How do Metronet and Comcast compare when we analyze objective consumer ratings across the internet?
Metronet consistently earns 5 out of 5 stars across nearly all rating platforms including Google Business Profile, Facebook and industry sites like BroadbandSearch. Its exceptional service quality across fiber internet and VOIP phone plans satisfies even the most discerning customers. Consumers praise Metronet staff for prompt, courteous issue resolution along with transparent, as-advertised pricing free of surprising fees.
Comcast Xfinity averages between 2 and 3 stars among crowdsourced review sites. The broad range of services offered to millions nationally comes at the cost of underwhelming customer support when issues arise. Many shared complaints involve misleading fees, unreliable connections requiring repeated technicians visits and frustrating experiences navigating outsourced call centers.
In J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study, Comcast actually rated highest among all national ISPs. But relatively speaking, smaller fiber providers still dominate ratings for overall customer satisfaction.
Pros and Cons Summary
Metronet
Pros
- 100% fiber optic speeds are extremely reliable
- Low, transparent pricing with no surprise fees
- Top-rated customer support
- Available 2 Gbps plan future-proofs growing bandwidth needs
Cons
- Regional availability still growing
- No bundles with TV or home security
Xfinity from Comcast
Pros
- Wide availability with extensive infrastructure
- Bundles can offer savings over standalone plans
- Advanced technology enables Gigabit speeds
Cons
- Poor marks for customer satisfaction
- Numerous fees drive up actual monthly costs
- Congested networks struggle with consistency
The Final Verdict: Who Wins?
Hopefully this detailed side-by-side comparison of Metronet vs Comcast Xfinity empowers you to decide which provider best meets your family‘s needs based on what services are accessible at your address.
For those lucky enough to access Metronet‘s 100% fiber optic networks, enjoy outstanding internet speeds with excellent reliability and customer support to back it up. While TV/entertainment bundles aren’t offered, you can scarcely do better for pure future-proof internet connectivity.
In regions where Metronet hasn‘t expanded to yet, Comcast Xfinity presents a compelling value proposition for bundled home services – if you can stomach the contract terms and handle occasional hiccups working through its outsourced support channels.
Ultimately, we don’t all have the luxury of choice. Evaluating the providers available in your area remains the best approach, as opposed to comparing national brands universally. With more cable and fiber internet options expanding thanks to competing local providers and fixed wireless 5G solutions on the horizon, consumers stand to benefit from the growing marketplace choice.
I welcome any feedback or questions in the comments below! Please share your experiences dealing with Metronet or Comcast internet service where you live.
