Frontier vs. Xfinity (Comcast) Comparison

Frontier is strictly an internet provider while Xfinity (Comcast) offers the whole shebang of internet, cable TV, VoIP and mobile phone services either a-la-carte or in various bundles. Frontier is available to about 10% of the U.S. population mostly in suburbs and rural areas. Comcast Xfinity is available to about 37% of the U.S.

To keep the comparison fair, since Frontier does internet exclusively, we’ll focus on Frontier Internet vs. Xfinity (Comcast)Internet.

Technology: Frontier uses DSL and fiber optic technology to transmit internet signals. Some areas will have just DSL available while others will have the option for DSL or fiber optic service.

Xfinity (Comcast) uses broadband cable and fiber optic.

DSL isn’t the slowest internet technology out there; that slot belongs to dial-up where a modem in your computer dials a phone number to connect to an internet service provider. Dial-up speeds top out at 56k. Still, there are some remote areas where dial-up is still used. DSL is the next-fastest (or second-slowest) internet technology. It transmits the internet over telephone lines. DSL speeds can go up to 100 Mbps on the high end. DSL is widely available and relatively inexpensive, and yes, people complain about the slowness at times. But it can be a viable alternative where the only other connection types are dial-up or satellite. Satellite internet can be a good solution but it’s typically more expensive than DSL.

Cable internet uses copper TV lines to transmit the internet signal. It’s faster and has more bandwidth than DSL. Cable speeds can on the high end reach 1,000 Mbps but you would still find the internet “fast” at a speed of 50 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload for these tasks: surfing, working online, attending an online meeting, or streaming in HD. Where you’d need more speed is to do those tasks plus gaming on several devices at once; or, if you routinely upload very large files to a server or website.

Fiber optic internet is the absolute gold standard in internet speeds. It tends to cost a bit more but the high speed and extra bandwidth are likely to serve your internet needs pretty much no matter how heavy they are. Both companies offer fiber internet but not in all markets. It depends on your address.

Pricing: Frontier DSL starts at $54.99 - $64.99 per month. Fiber plans start at $75.00 per month and go up to $155. No contracts, unlimited data and no equipment fee for fiber-optic connections.

Comcast Xfinity cable plans have different names and different pricing depending on where you live but in general, they range from $29.99 - $74.99 per month for cable. Speeds for cable range from 75 Mbps on the inexpensive side up to 1.000 Mbps on the high end. Xfinity fiber plans start at $79.95 per month and go up to $299.95 per month depending on whether you can get by on 1.2 Gig (1,200 Mbps) or need 3 Gig (3,000 Mbps). Xfinity does have data caps, and contracts, but not for all plans. There may be equipment leasing fees.

For either company you may have installation and activation fees. To get the lowest quoted price per plan you may be required to use paperless billing and autopay. Check with each provider for details.

Guideposts: Growing families are likely to want and need more bandwidth and speed over time. At other stages of life, it depends entirely on your lifestyle and online activities. In either case your budget is another guiding factor, and some plans have dramatic price increases in the second year. When you are signing up be sure to look for or ask about what your price increase will be in year two and beyond because it’s likely you’ll have the service for several years if it works out.