Frontier Internet Plans, Pricing, Features, & Deals

This piece will cover Frontier’s home and business internet packages. Read on to learn more.
Frontier Approved Modems

Fiber 500 Internet

$ 49
99
Monthly
  • Symmetrical internet speeds
  • No data caps
  • No contracts

Frontier Internet (DSL)

$ 49
99
Monthly
  • Speeds depending on location
  • No data caps
  • No contracts

Fiber 1 Gig Internet

$ 74
99
Monthly
  • Symmetrical internet speeds
  • No data caps
  • No contracts

Fiber 2 Gig Internet

$ 69
99
Monthly
  • Use Autopay for this price
  • No data caps
  • No contracts

To find the best internet provider, we need to explore every option. I’ve compiled a bunch of information to help you determine whether Frontier’s a viable provider.

To help you make this decision, check out these points:

Let’s begin.

Frontier Internet Pros & Cons

Wins and losses for Frontier’s home internet services include:

Pros:

  • No data caps
  • Contract-free
  • Discount on YouTube TV
  • Equal download/upload speeds

Cons:

  • Almost no bundling options
  • No money-back guarantee

Frontier Internet Packages, Pricing, & Features Compared

The following sections will cover Frontier’s DSL and fiber optic internet packages and features.

Frontier Fiber Internet Plans

Here are the available Frontier Fiber optic internet plans:

PlanMax. Speed (DL & UL)* Price (Term Agreement)Best For
Fiber 500500 Mbps$39.99/mo.Online gaming
Fiber 1 Gig1,000 Mbps$75.99/mo.Remote work & freelancing
Fiber 2 Gig2,000 Mbps$149.99/mo.Home server management

Frontier Fiber to the premises internet plans compared.

* Pricing already includes the $5.00 AutoPay discounts. It doesn’t include sales tax and other fees.

Frontier Fiber (Fios) is 100% fiber optic internet. No dealing with fiber/cable hybrid connections. You’ll also get symmetric (equal) download and upload speeds.

500 Mbps download speed allows households with 20 or fewer to stream 4K video simultaneously. Because of the equal upload speed, livestreamers and remote workers will also benefit.

Livestreamers will have ideal speeds when streaming platforms like Twitch or YouTube. With the 500 Mbps upload speed.

Since each device will need at least 9.24 Mbps upload speed to stream. Meanwhile, your home could run security more than 100 home security cameras.

A perfect way to record every millimeter of your home.

Remote workers could video call on Zoom WHILE uploading massive files to clients with any of these plans.

Imagine this:

1080p Zoom group calls require 3.8 Mbps upstream bandwidth [1]. That gives you 496.2 bandwidth to download files with. An hour-long Wi-Fi video can require 45 GB of space [2].

The 500 Mbps plan will download this file in 12 minutes. The 1 Gig plan will require half the time. Ideal for time crunches and uploading files during your calls.

And why would you require 2,000 Mbps?

Unless 8K video streaming is typical in your home, media server management is the only notable application from 2.0 Gbps internet speed. To frequently back up and manage servers with terabytes of data, you’ll need excessive internet speed to transfer your files.

Dive into the plans’ features.

Frontier Internet Features

In a nutshell, Frontier has these features:

  • No data caps
  • Contract-free
  • 24/7 technical support
  • 99.9% network reliability (claim)

Every fiber internet plan includes a Wi-Fi router or system. I’ll cover these in a couple sections. The same goes for the data cap.

The contract-free aspect of this plan allows you to cancel Frontier without an early termination fee.

Want DSL internet instead of fiber? You’re in luck.

Frontier DSL Internet Packages

Digital service line (DSL) plans Frontier offers include:

PlanMax. Speed (DL & UL)* PriceBest for
Internet6.0 Mbps$28/mo.Browsing Google
Preferred internet12–25 Mbps$35/mo.Streaming 720p HD video
Premium Internet45 Mbps$45/mo.Streaming 1080p video
Frontier DSL internet plans compared.

* This pricing likely includes their discount for enabling automatic payments on your account. It doesn’t include equipment rental fees, sales tax, and other fees.

Discussions suggest Frontier’s DSL plans aren’t as prevalent nowadays due to DSL fading out of existence [3]. If you’re considering a DSL plan, contact Frontier’s sales department. Ask whether it’s supported in your area.

Why bother, though?

Look at the speeds. 6.0 Mbps download speeds supports 1 device streaming 1080p FHD video. And 45 Mbps supports 8.

Though the prices aren’t high—if these plans still exist—you may as well choose other providers. For instance, Verizon 5G and LTE Home internet costs $50 for a maximum of 300 Mbps download speeds.

Plus, there aren’t any equipment rental fees for Verizon’s internet. Frontier’s DSL has a $10 router rental fee.

Speaking of extra fees.

Frontier Internet Data Cap

Frontier doesn’t have a hard data cap on their home and business internet packages.

Some providers (cough, Xfinity) enforce hard data caps. They’ll limit the amount of data your household could use within a month. In their case, it’s 1.2 terabytes (TB). That’s enough to watch a little more than 200 hours of 4K UHD TV1 video.

With this provider, don’t worry and use data to your heart’s content.

Explore the type of equipment Frontier will provide.

Frontier Internet Equipment

Each Frontier Fiber Internet plan will include the following free wireless routers:

  • Fiber 500: Amazon eero Wi-Fi router
  • Fiber 1 Gig: Amazon eero Wi-Fi system
  • Fiber 2 Gig: Amazon eero Wi-Fi 6E system

Amazon eeros are smart mesh Wi-Fi routers and are the best routers I’ve seen included free with internet plans. 

Every plan includes routers that’ll support its maximum speeds. For instance, the Amazon eero Wi-Fi router maximum supports speeds up to 550 Mbps. The Wi-Fi 6E system supports up to 2.3 Gbps.

Don’t rule out using your own router, though.

Frontier won’t charge a fee to use a third-party router now. Here are some recommendations to help you get started. Getting your own device presents an option to choose from a $100 or $200 visa gift card instead of the Amazon routers.

What about a modem?

Frontier Fios doesn’t use a modem. They’ll install an Optical Network Terminal (ONT). I’ll cover the installation process in a bit.

A technician will install an ONT in your garage, a utility closet, or outside your home. The device is a translator to convert fiber optic signals to digital ones. Allowing your devices to receive fiber internet signals.

There’s no equipment fee for the ONT. But there’s an installation cost. I’ll cover it now.

Frontier Internet Hidden Fees

Extra costs you may encounter with Frontier include:

Service/Add-onPrice
Equipment Fee (Fiber)$0
Router rental Fee (DSL)$10
Professional installation$85
Cancellation Fee$10
Unreturned equipment fee$150
Printed Bill$2.99/mo.
Activation fee (business internet)$95
My Premium Tech Pro$5.00/mo.
Home Shield Elite$6.00/mo.

Frontier add-ons and additional fees.

Frontier doesn’t like wasting paper. Or they want another way to make money. To receive a printed bill, you must pay $2.99 a month.

To have a paper trail, you’re likely better off printing your own documents.

You’ll find no data overage surcharges. As Frontier doesn’t enforce data caps.

I’ll cover the installation and cancellation fees in the following sections. Before doing so, I want to talk about a couple add ons.

HomeShield Elite is just a password manager and an antivirus. I don’t have it in me to recommend this software. Windows and Mac operating systems include free antivirus software. 

And open source password management software like Bitwarden will likely have better security and user interface. BUT Frontier offers new customers HomeShield Elite for $0.99 a month for the first 3 months.

A great way to test the software.

You’ll only need My Premium Tech Pro if you’re not tech-savvy. The add-on gives you a dedicated technical support agent to help you set up social media accounts, Wi-Fi networks, and email.

You’re better off asking a tech-savvy family member or friend for help. Or Google.

Moving on.

Frontier Equipment Fee

Only their DSL plans have gateway (modem/router combo) have $10 rental fees:

Frontier DSL Internet

Frontier allows you to buy a third-party device and use it to eliminate the fee. It’s difficult to find a modem/router combo that’ll work for DSL, though.

Usually internet service providers provide a list of compatible devices on their website. Frontier doesn’t.

I had to dig deep, but here are some modems and network gateways that’ll work with Frontier DSL:

DeviceDevice TypeMax. Supported Download Speed
Netgear 7550 DSL Modem/router Combo Wireless ADSL+Gateway24
Actiontec GT701DModem24 Mbps
NETGEAR AC1600Gateway52 Mbps
Netgear DGND3700 N600 Dual-Band ADSL2+ ModemModem300 Mbps

Modems and network gateways that are compatible with Frontier digital service line.

Don’t like my recommendations?

Search on Amazon or similar eCommerce sites for a modem you like. When searching, type “Frontier modem” into the search bar.

Or visit whatever electronics store is nearby and ask them if they have modems that support Frontier DSL internet plans. Upon finding a device you like, call Frontier’s sales team at 833-970-2478. Ask whether you can use “X” device on their DSL plan.

Doing so will prevent you from wasting money on a paperweight.

Frontier has no resources on how to activate third-party modems. I suggest calling their technical support at 888-981-8176. Let them know you want to activate a third-party modem or network gateway.

You won’t need to follow the same steps when activating a router. They’re plug-and-play.

Frontier Installation Fee

The $85 activation fee is only waivable if you get the Fiber 2 Gig plan. Otherwise, no matter whether you self-install, you must pay this fee.

If this isn’t appealing, consider sitting back and waiting for a discount to appear on their site. Or call their sales department and ask whether there are any ways to reduce or waive the fee.

Moving on to cancellation fees.

Frontier Cancellation Fee

Unless you choose to bind yourself to a contract, you won’t need to worry about Early Termination Fees. But they’ll charge a $10 disconnect fee.

Failure to return their rented equipment will result in unreturned equipment fees up to $150. Usually, providers list what fees correlate to each device. But Frontier doesn’t give us this information.

Frontier Fiber & DSL Coverage and Map

States where Frontier offers their DSL and fiber internet services include:

AlabamaArizonaCaliforniaConnecticut
FloridaGeorgiaIllinoisIndiana
IowaMichiganMinnesotaMississippi
NebraskaNevadaNew MexicoNew York
North CarolinaOhioPennsylvaniaSouth Carolina
TennesseeTexasUtahWest Virginia
Wisconsin

States with Frontier digital service line and fiber internet.

Here’s a coverage map:

Frontier availability

Frontier provides DSL and fiber internet in all the same states. But coverage will vary. More areas will offer DSL.

To determine whether they support your ZIP code, visit go.Frontier.com/availability. Then enter your address.

Need to reach their customer service? Learn how.

Frontier Business Internet Packages & Pricing

Frontier offers the following small business internet plans:

PackageMax. Speeds (DL & UL)Starting PriceBest For
Business Fiber 500500 Mbps$49.99/mo.5 or fewer employees
Business Fiber 1 Gig1,000 Mbps$84.99/mo.5–15 employees
Business Fiber 2 Gig2,000 Mbps$149.99/mo.16–30 employees
Frontier business internet plans compared.

Tidbits you should know about Frontier’s business internet include:

  • No installation fee: it’s waived
  • Contract-free
  • Free Wi-Fi 6E router

Pay an additional $24.99 monthly and add RingCentral. It’s a video calling app businesses can integrate with Microsoft and Google. And it’s a way to send faxes.

Who would need it?

Businesses who frequently receive calls. It includes virtual receptionist software, internet fax, and video conferencing.

How To Reach Frontier Internet Customer Service

New customers should call 833-970-2478. They’re available Monday–Friday, 8 am–10 pm (Eastern Time). Saturday 8 am–9 pm. And Sunday 9 am–9 pm.

Existing customers must call 888-981-8176 to reach customer service team members.

Other ways to reach their customer support include:

  • Chatting with an online agent: visit Frontier.com/helpcenter
  • General complaints: call 888-895-0537
  • Tweet to @AskFrontier
  • Pay bills over the phone: 800-801-6652
  • Facebook: facebook.com/FrontierCorp
  • Technical support: call 800-921-8104

Ready to get started?

How To Get Started With Frontier Internet

Start using Frontier today by calling their sales department, visiting a retail store, or buying online.

Set up your online account. Frontier will also need to run a soft credit check. They state this won’t negatively impact your credit score.

The previous owner or renter at your address may have used fiber Frontier Fiber. At that point, you’ll want to contact your property manager.

If that’s the case, Frontier will send you a self-installation kit that includes the following:

  • Power cable
  • Frontier wireless router
  • Ethernet cable
  • Phone cable

Upon receiving this kit, connect your Optical Network Terminal (ONT) to an Ethernet port using an Ethernet cable. Or connect it directly to your router. When placing your router in a separate room, you’ll connect your wireless router to a nearby Ethernet port with an Ethernet cable.

Here’s an illustration from Frontier’s website [4 PDF link].

Frontier Modem 2

Connect your router and phone wall port with the included phone cable for Frontier DSL self-installation.

Whether using DSL or fiber, plug your device into the wall and wait for it to power on. Stare at your router and wait for the “Internet” light to glow green or blue. When you see this light, you’re almost to the end.

Connect a laptop or PC to your router using an Ethernet cable. Then visit Frontier.speedtestcustom.com and test your internet speed.

Trust me. This is one of the most critical steps. It tells you whether you’re getting advertised speeds. The Ethernet cable bypasses all weaknesses feeble Wi-Fi has.

Thus giving you the most accurate speed results.

How was your internet speed?

If it is good, log in to your Frontier router and tinker with your internet settings.

Otherwise, at least 5.0 Mbps under your advertised speeds may signify an issue. You’ll need to troubleshoot.

Check out our guide to learn more.

Frontier Professional Internet Installation

If your address doesn’t already support Frontier Fiber, you must schedule a professional installation appointment. Before scheduling, ensure someone who’s aged 18 and older will be present for the installation.

A day before your appointment, the technician will text you a reminder. Then they’ll call when on their way to your home.

Throughout the appointment, the technician will install your internet hardware, troubleshoot issues, and answer questions. Ensure they test your internet speed. If you’re not receiving marketed speeds (or anything close), the technician should fix it.

Before you buy, check out the few “bundles” they offer.

Frontier TV & Internet Bundles

Phone, TV, and home internet bundles Frontier offers include:

BundlePriceChannelsInternet SpeedBest For
Frontier Fiber 500 + YouTube TV$94.98/mo.100+500/500 MbpsOverall
Fiber 500 + Phone$49.99/mo.0500/500 MbpsLandline owners
1 Gig + Phone$84.99/mo.01,000/1,000 MbpsLandline owners
Frontier Fiber 500 + DirecTV Stream (Choice Package)$119.98/mo.105+500/500 MbpsMore channels
Frontier internet, TV, and landline bundles.

Frontier no longer offers standalone television services to new customers as of 2022 [5]. Frontier’s only television options include discounts when bundling fiber internet plans with YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream.

Existing customers will still have access to Frontier Fios TV, though.

The YouTube TV package is excellent, though. And I wholeheartedly recommend it. Because cable and fiber television services come with a bunch of ridiculous fees.

TV box rentals and installation, regional sports surcharges, and broadcast TV fees.

YouTube TV requires 3.0 Mbps of downstream bandwidth available per device. And smart devices (e.g., smartphone or PC) to stream videos with. Plus, Frontier will give you $10 off your monthly bill for a year.

$120 in savings.

Frontier also offers $120 off DirecTV Stream for a year. It doesn’t have unlimited cloud DVR. But it includes more channels.

Compare each live TV streaming service’s channel lineups before deciding:

Otherwise, bundling Frontier Fiber is only helpful if you want a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) home phone service.

Frontier Internet Deals & Promotions

Current deals and promotions Frontier offers on their internet plans include:

  • $10 off YouTube TV’s monthly price for a year
  • Save $10 a month of DirecTV Stream
  • Free VISA prepaid gift cards based on plan purchased:
    • Fiber 500: $100
    • Fiber 1 Gig: $200

Fiber 2 Gig includes a free phone line, premium technical support, and professional installation. I covered the details of the My Premium Tech Pro earlier. It’s an excellent add-on to help you set up port forwarding and deal with troubleshooting.

Frontier will buy you out of your current internet provider for up to $500. Say you must pay a $200 Early Termination Fee. They’ll apply the $200 to your Frontier account.

Want the money sent directly to your bank account? They won’t do that. Only bill credits.

You must fill out a form on this site to claim: Frontier.com/offer/contract-buyout.

Frontier vs. Other Internet Providers

The following sections will compare Frontier Fiber Internet to competing providers.

Frontier vs. Spectrum

Here are areas Frontier beats Spectrum:

  • Symmetric internet speeds
  • Offers fiber optic internet
  • Much faster internet speeds

Choose Spectrum if:

  • Has a 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Bundle(able) with Spectrum Mobile

Frontier’s fiber optic internet plans work better for households that want more upload speeds and access to a 2.0 Gbps internet plan.

Otherwise, they’re vague on their price after 12 months. And don’t offer additional services you can bundle with. For instance, pick Spectrum to bundle it with Spectrum Mobile or TV.

The former is a Mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) mobile service that borrows Verizon’s cellular towers. It’s affordable and offers great 4G LTE coverage to anyone in rural areas.

If you live in one of these states, you must choose between Spectrum and Frontier:

AlabamaArizonaCalifornia
ConnecticutFloridaGeorgia
IllinoisIndianaMichigan
MinnesotaMississippiNebraska
NevadaNew MexicoNew York
North CarolinaOhioPennsylvania
South CarolinaTennesseeTexas
West VirginiaWisconsin

If you don’t see your state, or want to consider Spectrum, check out their availability.

Frontier vs. Xfinity Internet

Frontier wins the crown in these areas:

  • No data cap or extra fees to remove caps
  • Equal download and upload speeds
  • 100% fiber internet: means more reliability
  • Better 2.0 Gbps internet plan
  • Contract-free

You may want to use Xfinity instead because:

  • More bundling options
  • Available in more areas
  • Offers an affordable mobile service

Frontiers offers much higher internet speeds without a hard data cap. Meaning, it’s better for households with people who frequently download files or watch 4K UHD video.

Xfinity charges extra for these luxuries. For an add-on or their wireless gateway rental.

And since Frontier provides symmetric speeds, this plan is more appropriate for tasks that require upload speeds.

For instance, livestreaming on YouTube or using home security cameras.

Choose Xfinity if you want cable TV and an affordable cellular service.

Xfinity Comcast and Frontier Communications compete in these states:

AlabamaArizonaCaliforniaConnecticut
FloridaGeorgiaIllinoisIndiana
MichiganMinnesotaMississippiNevada
New MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhio
PennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexas
UtahWest VirginiaWisconsin

Check out our Xfinity internet coverage guide to learn more about states they support.

Frontier vs. Optimum Fiber Internet

Here’s where Frontier wins:

  • More availability
  • Lower installation fee

Optimum’s a better option if:

  • Offers more than 2 million wireless hotspots
  • More perks
  • You can bundle with mobile and television plans
  • 2-year price lock

Frontier’s a better choice if it’s available in your area.

Otherwise, Optimum’s a better choice. They have more perks (e.g., free Showtime channel), much higher speed choices, and a 2-year price lock.

If you’re hesitant, try Optimum. They have a 60-day money-back guarantee [6]. Worst case scenario, you hate it.

Then move to Frontier.

Here are where optimum and Frontier compete:

ArizonaCaliforniaConnecticutMississippi
NevadaNew MexicoNew YorkNorth Carolina
OhioPennsylvaniaTexasWest Virginia

Frontier Internet vs. AT&T Fiber

Frontier Fiber is a better option if:

  • You don’t want as many hidden fees
  • Competitive pricing
  • No data cap on DSL plans

Otherwise, get AT&T Fiber for these reasons:

  • More internet speed options
  • Bundling with TV or mobile services

Choose Frontier Fiber over AT&T if you want more affordable internet plans.

AT&T Fiber offers much higher speeds. Like with their 5 Gig plan. While absurd, those running home media servers will benefit more from this plan than with Frontier’s 2 Gig plan.

Aside from their fiber products, AT&T offers the following:

  • Cellular plans: 4G LTE & 5G coverage
  • Fixed wireless: reliable internet connection for rural areas
  • DSL: internet over copper lines
  • DirecTV: satellite internet & live TV streaming service

Bundle these services and mold them around your household’s entertainment needs. A much better and more flexible option than Frontier.

Frontier just “bundles” YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream with their fiber packages.

AT&T and Frontier Fios are both available in these states:

CaliforniaNevadaTexasAlabama
MichiganIndianaIllinoisWisconsin
OhioSouth CarolinaTennesseeMississippi
North CarolinaGeorgiaFlorida

Learn more about AT&T Fiber’s availability in a separate guide we wrote.

Frontier vs. Verizon Fios

Reasons to choose Frontier Fios include:

  • Availability
  • More information on their 2.0 Gbps internet plan

Frontier didn’t surpass Verizon in these areas:

  • Can bundle it with fiber TV or cellular plans
  • Access to LTE & 5G Home internet plans
  • 10-year price guarantee
  • You can waive your activation fee when ordering online

Frontier Communication offers much more availability than Verizon. And offers more information on their 2.0 Gbps internet plan. Making it better for households that manage home media servers.

Verizon has a 2.0 Gbps internet plan. But not much information [7].

Verizon takes the crown otherwise. There’s no beating their 10-year price lock. And the $99 off their activation fee when ordering online. Plus, you’ll get $20 off internet bill when bundling with a 5G mobile plan.

Verizon and Frontier Fios compete in Pennsylvania and New York.

FAQs: Frontier Internet

The following sections will cover frequently asked questions about Frontier Fios and DSL internet products.

How Do I Check for a Frontier Internet Outage?

Visit this link and enter your billing telephone number. Frontier will then let you know whether there’s an outage.

How Much Does Frontier Cost After 12 Months?

Frontier doesn’t specify any of their internet products’ prices after 12 months.

What Type of Internet Does Frontier Offer?

Frontier offers fiber to the premises and digital service line (DSL) internet.

How Do I Lower My Frontier Internet Bill?

Lower your Frontier internet bill by contacting their customer service and attempting to negotiate your rates.

Is Frontier Internet Good for Gaming?

Frontier Fiber’s symmetric internet speeds are excellent for online gaming, cloud gaming, and livestreaming.

How Do I Fix Slow Frontier Internet?

Fix slow Frontier internet by using an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi or placing your router in the center of your room on an elevated surface. I cover more ways to speed up Frontier’s internet here.

Conclusion

Frontier provides fiber optic and DSL internet without contracts or data caps. The former products work best for households with multiple high-bandwidth users. Meanwhile, I can’t justify the latter.

Because the equipment rental fee puts the digital service line products at around the same price as their fiber packages.

Don’t care much for Frontier? Check out other internet providers we’ve compared.

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Frontier Offer

Fiber 500 Internet
$ 48
99
Monthly
  • Enough for a familly
  • Symmetrical speeds
  • No data caps