SubscribeFrontier Communications is hoping to capitalize on cable operators alienating customers with extra modem fees and the increasing cost of cable broadband with a new offer it claims is free from hidden charges and other gotcha’s.
Frontier’s “Simple Choice” offers DSL broadband at speeds up to 6Mbps for $19.99 a month with the promise of an “end to confusing Internet bills” loaded with modem rental fees, contracts, or other “plan-cuffs” that “require a law degree to understand.” Frontier also offers to double your speeds for $10 more per month.
“It gives consumers an awesome amount of flexibility and choice,” said Cecilia K. McKenney, executive vice president of administrative services at Frontier. “By offering new broadband speed tiers to residential and commercial customers and eliminating contracts and early termination fees on our residential offers, we are truly simplifying the broadband experience.”
The offer includes a three-year price lock on voice and broadband, a free wireless router, no contract and no early termination fees. There is no Internet activation fee where a free self-installation kit is available.
But despite the promises of no tricks or traps, Frontier couldn’t help themselves in the fine print accompanying the offer:
- The offer is only available to customers subscribing to a “qualifying package of Frontier residential local service with calling features and long distance.” This means you must keep a Frontier voice landline with an added-cost long distance and feature package (eg. Caller ID, Call Waiting, voicemail, etc.) In Rochester, N.Y., a landline with qualifying features starts at $31 a month before taxes and fees.
- A $49.99 “Internet installation fee” is payable if a self-install kit is not available.
- A $9.99 “broadband processing fee” applies if/when you disconnect your broadband service.
- Taxes, governmental, and “other Frontier-imposed surcharges” that go unspecified also apply.
- Frontier does not guarantee you will actually receive 6Mbps service. Speeds will vary depending on local line conditions.
Rochester, NY Frontier customer for another three days before I switch. Frontier has been consistently terrible in my area. I have fiber into my home, a new program that no one at Frontier seems to know about. I get told I have regular DSL and am only provisioned for 7 mbps download when I was promised 40. Speeds sometimes hit that number during the day, but routinely drop under 10 during high traffic, and sometimes under 5. Upload speeds are pretty capped and are usually under or about 1 mbps even when the DL is over 30 mbps. Sometimes internet… Read more »
Verizon was better… They wouldn’t take anymore customers for a duration till people made the switch to Medicom here in IL. This customer blocking whatever was perfect for controlling the flow of bandwidth, then when Frontier took over, thumbs down.. Frontier has been accepting everyone that decides to use they’re DSL service and end up getting screwed finding out that during the hours of 5pm(sometimes 7pm) till 11pm and as late as 12:30am, the internet would plummet from the amount of users trying to Netflix, Download, and whatever else they would like to do concerning Frontier DSL service. I spoke… Read more »
I despise Frontier’s service, but I don’t think I have any other choices with where I live, and I feel trapped. Sure wish there was another option. I guess when people in your area have no other options, they get to provide atrocious service.
Ar, I live on north side of Washington, IL. We have had MTCO dig/install fiber on our street, and hope to have service by Xmas 2013. I had been told by Washington IL’s Frontier head tech guy(Spring 2013) that I could only get 3MB DSL. Nothing more planned. Big mistake by Frontier not to invest in improvements in this area. After MTCO finishes in Washington(in 2015), Frontier will be lucky to have any customers in the area. Agree that Frontier worse than Verizon. However, Verizon afraid to invest in any upgrades either, since buying the old GTE system. But, at… Read more »