Astound Broadband Staff Review
Astound Broadband brings high speeds at low promotional prices, but watch out for price hikes
You would think that as the sixth-largest telecom provider in the U.S., Astound Broadband would be a household name [1]. As of 2024, Astound Broadband serves over 1 million customers and is available to over 4 million households [2]. So why isn’t this cable internet provider as well-known as some of its competitors? Well, it’s all a matter of scale. The two largest cable internet companies, Spectrum and Xfinity, have over 30 million customers each. These are true giants, and despite the considerable size and growth of Astound Broadband, it is available to far fewer customers. It's worth your time to get to know what Astound can offer, though, because they serve eight of the top ten metro markets in the nation. And compared to their larger competitors in the cable market, they will offer you some surprisingly low rates for very fast, reliable internet. Though Astound is building out some all-fiber connections, most of their network is still the fiber-cable blend known as hybrid-fiber coaxial (HFC). HFC will not give you the symmetrical speeds of 100% fiber (FTTH), but it is still a strong option for high-speed internet that will support everything most households do online [3]. There’s just one catch to what otherwise would be a great deal: prices for Astound Broadband rise sharply when their promo rates expire.Pros
Provides superfast speeds and a reliable connection
Offers some of the best promotional rates in the U.S.
No data caps or contracts
Cons
Upload speeds are slower than download speeds for cable plans
Steep price hikes kick in after promo rates
Not available in many states
Pricing
Excellent promotional pricing but price hikes follow, along with extra fees
Astound Broadband has one major advantage for customers — the lowest cable prices in the nation during its initial promotional period. In some areas, the promo rate for the first-tier plan starts as low as $20/month for 300 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload. Prices don’t get lower than that for cable internet. Sounds great, right? But there are also a few significant drawbacks that you need to know about. The first drawback to Astound pricing is that there is an unusual “Network Access and Maintenance Fee” that can be up to about $16 dollars a month. Ruh-roh! That is going to erase at least some of your savings. Hidden fees like this one inspired the FCC to insist on broadband labels to inform consumers of exactly what their charges will be for each internet plan. Unfortunately, these broadband labels don’t always appear as early in the sales process as they should, which is why sites like ours help you figure out all your internet charges in advance. Here’s the next catch to Astound service. When your promotional rates expire, your monthly internet plan charges could rise by as much as $50 a month, according to Astound’s standard rate cards. While it is often possible to negotiate a lower rate, you should know that this price hike may require some action from you. Finally, be aware that Astound Broadband’s prices and rate hikes vary considerably by your location. Here at CompareInternet.com, we have always favored consistent national pricing because it makes it easier to know what to expect. That being said, because Astound’s initial promo rates are so low and there are no data limits or contracts, you might still choose their plan as your best internet deal. If they offer a two-year price lock, as they do at the time of this writing, you will get that low rate for some time. Remember to add in the $16 network access fee when you compare the price Astound is offering you to other provider’s internet plan rates. Then, when you reach the end of your promo period, you can reevaluate your options.Reliability and Performance
Cable internet brings gigabit download speeds, slower uploads
Cable internet has come a long way from its humble beginnings in coaxial cable. Because most cable internet now runs on a fiber spine, you can get gigabit download speeds if you want them. Astound Broadband does offer some all-fiber connections, but for the most part, their network is cable internet. The company recently affirmed its continuing commitment to cable/HFC technology, even as it builds more fiber-to-the-home into its network. The biggest difference between cable and fiber is upload speeds. Cable does not usually offer upload speeds above 50 Mbps, which is much slower than fiber’s symmetrical speeds. However, 50 Mbps upload speed will supply plenty of power for most households. That’s enough bandwidth to support several devices streaming or videoconferencing at once without any glitching issues. You will also be able to enjoy smooth real-time gaming with a fast cable plan. Astound Broadband’s cable internet plans vary from the entry-level 300 Mbps download/20 Mbps all the way up to 1500 Mbps download/50 Mbps upload. Recently, the company also launched symmetrical speeds of up to 5 Gigs in its fiber footprint [4]. But remember that their fiber service is very limited, so it is more likely your choice from Astound will not be multigigabit fiber but instead superfast cable.Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features
Standard Wi-Fi included in monthly plan, Whole Home Wi-Fi is extra
Astound Broadband will provide you with free use of a standard modem and router that is included in your monthly plan at no extra charge. For an extra fee (starting at about $10/month) you can order Whole Home Wi-Fi [5]. This gives you an eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh system, including a base eero and a beacon eero (an extender) to be sure your coverage is smooth and fast even in a large home. Gamers might want to check into the option to rent a gaming router from Astound, which will cost $13 per month but give you a top-end router with prioritization for gaming. In those select areas that are eligible for all-fiber internet with 5 Gig speed, your monthly plan will include a Wi-Fi 7 router. Standard installation is $80, but many customers get a 50% discount to bring the installation fee to $40 instead.Customer Experience & Support
Astound Broadband scores high for customer satisfaction
Astound Broadband formed out of a merger of smaller companies in 2021, and surprisingly, has since outperformed some of the largest cable internet companies [6]. For example, Astound was rated #1 among cable ISPs in PC Mag’s Readers’ Choice Awards [7]. As an Astound customer, you will have access to an online portal, a mobile app, and also bundling options for mobile and TV service. You can also get 24/7 customer support by phone, which is a lifesaver when you’re working or studying late at night. When you add customer satisfaction to high-speed, reliable internet, there’s a lot to like about Astound Broadband. Just watch your bill carefully and reevaluate your options when your promo rates end!FAQ's
Yes, Astound Broadband is building out new all-fiber connections, but their primary service is still fast cable internet.
Yes, a standard Wi-Fi router is provided for your use at no extra charge with Astound Broadband internet plans.
Internet First from Astound is a discount program that will offer internet at 50-150 Mbps for $10-20 a month. To qualify, customers must be part of federal assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or school lunch programs. Students can also qualify by submitting award letters for Pell Grants and other federal student programs.
No, there are no required contracts for Astound Broadband.
Astound Broadband plans include unlimited data with no data caps.
Astound Broadband announced its new name in 2022 after acquiring the companies previously known as RCN, Grande Communications, Wave Broadband, en Touch Systems, and Digital West.
Sources
[1] Astound.com. "About Us."
[2] LightwaveOnline.com. "Astound Broadband Continues to Pivot to Fiber-based Broadband."
[3] TechTarget.com. "Fiber to the Home (FTTH)."
[4] Astound.com. "Symmetrical 5 Gigabit Service for Residential and Business Use."
[5] Astound.com. "WiFi."
[6] Dgtlinfra.com. "Top Internet Providers in the U.S."
[7] PCMag.com. "Reader's Choice 2024: Top ISPs in North America."
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