Speed is important in many aspects of today’s fast-paced world, including your online life. Granted, not everyone needs high speed internet. However, if you have a serious need to speed things up on the information superhighway, there is one U.S. internet service provider that should appeal to you. Frontier recently announced plans to start offering 2 Gbps internet across its entire network. Keep reading for more details – it won’t take too long, we promise.
What’s Planned for Frontier’s 2 Gbps Rollout?
Available in 25 states with general service options, Frontier is an internet service provider best known for its DSL service, primarily in rural areas. This isn’t the case anymore, though. The ISP is now poised to bring 2 Gbps broadband service to all fiber customers. The company plans to make this new faster service available in 19 states to roughly 4 million customers across its entire network. It’s an appealing upgrade since you’ll get the 2 Gbps boost for both uploads and downloads.
What Does This Speed Really Mean for the Average User?
The 2 Gbps upgrade, which can also be expressed as 2,000 Mbps, is, at the moment, the highest speed available from any major internet service provider. So, yes, it’s definitely a significant improvement over the average internet speed. This is 42.86 Mbps, according to highspeedinternet.com. In practical terms, the speed boost means you’ll be able to download a popular online-based game like Fortnite in just a few minutes. If we’re talking about full-length TV shows, you can download an episode of something like “Game of Thrones” is about a minute and a half. Speeds in the 2 Gbps range are ideal for a wide range of purposes and tasks performed online, including:
- Streaming in higher resolution
- Downloading and uploading
- Video-chatting
- Gaming
- Performing multiple online tasks at the same time
Is This Much Speed Really Necessary?
Everybody has different internet service expectations and needs. That said, Frontier insists this speed boost is absolutely needed in today’s high-tech, always-connected world. According to Spectrum, the average home today has at least 17 connected devices. This is a figure the ISP claims has doubled within just a few years. Plus, more people are working and learning from home today, in part due to the lingering effects of the pandemic. Therefore, a valid case can be made that the average household today can definitely benefit from Frontier’s 2 Gbps fiber internet speed boost.
Are Other ISPs Offering 2 Gbps?
AT&T, Verizon, Google Fiber, and Comcast are among the other major ISPs offering multi-Gbps options. So, no, Frontier isn’t technically the only player in the internet speed game. However, Frontier stands out from the crowd since the company is currently the only ISP offering network-wide 2 Gbps service in the United States.
Wait, Didn’t Frontier Go Bankrupt?
Yes, the company did file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020. However, the internet service provider has since emerged from bankruptcy, having done so with a new president and CEO in 2021. The company’s new leader, Nick Jeffery, pledged to treat customers to more speed and better service. With the recent 2 Gbps announcement and the company’s investment in fiber optic connections, it looks like Frontier is delivering on its promise. The company’s high-speed investment has included thousands of miles of fiber cable to ensure the foundation is available to provide higher speeds to a broader range of users.
How Much Will This Speed Boost Cost?
Frontier’s 2 Gbps plan is slated to be priced at $150 per month. The ISP offers lower- speed options at lower monthly rates if this price tag is a bit too hefty for your budget, or if you don’t personally need that much speed for your online needs The 2 Gbps option from Frontier includes:
- A router that supports today’s fastest Wi-Fi standard, Wi-Fi 6e
- Unlimited data
- Voice line
- Free multi-device security
- Tech support
- No activation fee and no contract requirements
