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CNET
5 days ago
- Business
- CNET
My Internet Provider Is a Monopoly and Yours Probably Is Too. Here's What It Means For Your Broadband Bill
You know the drill. It's time to shop for home internet, but you only have one or two options, and you're not sure how to decide which one is better. You've heard the woes from friends who signed up with Spectrum and were surprised by two price increases within the same year -- and as Spectrum is one of the biggest internet providers in the country (and may soon be the biggest cable provider in the country), there's a good chance that Spectrum is one of the two options available at your address. So what can you do? First, let's do a little research If you type your address into the Federal Communication Commission's broadband map, you can pull up all of the internet providers that will service your address. If you live in an urban area, you may have as many as seven options, each an alternative to Spectrum if that's a provider you're trying to avoid. But let's say you're trying to stick to a high-speed internet option. Maybe you have a smart TV you use for streaming in crisp 4K, a roommate who games religiously in their room or you're a student who uses Zoom pretty regularly. Whatever the reason, a good rule of thumb is to aim for speeds of 300 megabits per second or higher for average internet use with multiple devices in the home. You can use the FCC broadband map to find a list of internet providers that service your address. FCC The FCC defines "broadband" as an internet connection with speeds of 100Mbps down and 20Mbps up. Using that definition, go back to the FCC broadband map and rule out each provider with advertised speeds of 100Mbps or less. Why? Even though an ISP advertises that speed, you probably won't get it consistently because of how your router and Wi-Fi work. According to the FCC, there are only seven internet providers available at my address. If I eliminate ISPs with speeds of 300Mbps or lower, there are only two. FCC For most people, at this stage in internet shopping, there are only one to three decent options left and if one of them isn't Spectrum, it's most likely AT&T, Cox, T-Mobile Home Internet or Xfinity. While I don't personally have anything against Spectrum (and CNET ranks it as one of the better cable ISPs out there), some people do. The leading cause of those frustrations is usually outages or price increases. It's frustrating not only because your bill increases while your speeds remain the same but also because not having another internet option means you can't switch. Locating local internet providers At this point, your head is probably spinning. Why is shopping for internet providers such a headache? Will those other internet options be any good? Why can't you get more than one decent option at your address? 'According to the New America Foundation, Americans pay the most for broadband [among 38 democratic nations].' Christopher Ali, professor of telecommunications at Penn State University Internet monopolies are far too common in the broadband industry Over a third of Americans only have access to one or no internet provider. According to data from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, approximately 83 million Americans have internet access through just one provider. Overall, the American broadband industry is dominated by a handful of ISPs with broad footprints: Only six ISPs cover 98% of the mobile internet market, and recent industry changes will make that number even smaller. While Xfinity currently ranks as the country's largest cable internet provider, Spectrum's recent acquisition of Cox will make Spectrum the country's biggest cable provider if the merger is approved. Similarly, AT&T recently announced plans to buy 95% of Lumen's Quantum Fiber and Verizon was recently approved by the FCC to acquire Frontier Communications in a $20 billion deal. The industry is consolidating -- and while your broadband bill may not immediately (or ever) change, that still means fewer choices for consumers when it comes to internet. Various factors, including geographically diverse terrain, high infrastructure costs and the daunting task of competing with prices from a much bigger ISP, can make it costly for smaller businesses to get a foot in the door without significant funding. "Because of the way that we classify broadband service providers, the FCC has very little authority over prices, which means that [ISPs] can pretty much do whatever they want," Christopher Ali, a telecommunications professor at Penn State, told CNET. Because you likely have only one or two internet options at your address, your internet provider can keep inflating your monthly bill, and you can't really do anything about it. Just 10 years ago, our definition of broadband vastly differed from the FCC's definition today (it was previously a mere 4Mbps down and 1Mbps up). Our conversations about home internet needing to be more accessible, affordable and sustainably fast for average household needs are a relatively recent development. "The amount of money the average American is spending [on internet] relative to their income is about the same [compared to 10 years ago]," said Blair Levin, a policy analyst from New Street Research and former executive director at the FCC. "In that sense, we have a much faster, better product at about the same price point. Sure, you could say that's good. Does that mean it's affordable? Not for a lot of Americans it is not affordable and affordability is a key problem." Although there are thousands of local internet providers, our options often boil down to one or two of the country's ISP giants. Admittedly, CNET often reviews those top providers and may recommend them as viable internet options because those ISP giants aren't necessarily always bad home internet options. They typically offer an efficient cost per Mbps compared with plans from local ISPs, often DSL or fixed wireless options with slower speeds targeted to rural homes. In rural areas that may not have a big or local ISP presence, internet options are even more limited, and people usually have to fall back on the slow speeds and high costs of satellite internet. Although satellite internet offers extensive availability and has proven an invaluable internet option in rural areas, it tends to average less than 100Mbps in download speeds, not quite fast enough for average to above-average internet use. According to data from the FCC, Xfinity (red) and Spectrum (purple) are the two largest cable internet providers in the country. FCC Although competition among ISPs is often limited, there are pockets of regions where competition -- and fast, cost-efficient internet options -- thrive. Wireless internet providers, specifically, have a strong presence in rural areas, which are harder to reach with wired internet services. "There are about 1,500 wireless internet service providers in America, largely in rural, under-resourced and Tribal parts of the country," Mike Wendy, the communications director of WISPA, the Association for Broadband Without Boundaries, told me in an email. "They serve about 10 million Americans through primarily fixed wireless access." In other cases, municipal broadband networks (such as the community-owned fiber networks in Wilson, North Carolina, or Chattanooga, Tennessee) and public middle-mile networks offer much faster speeds for lower prices than a private-owned ISP. Still, those success stories aren't ubiquitous, effectively creating what Ali calls a "Swiss cheese pattern of broadband availability" throughout the country. All too often, people face high price increases, limited high-speed options and inconsistent connectivity with home internet. Even in urban areas, which typically have higher concentrations of internet serviceability, some low-income neighborhoods may see much slower speeds and fewer options at their address than a higher-income neighborhood across town. A study from the Markup and the Associated Press in 2022 zeroed in on the trend of inequitable internet access across neighborhoods with marginalized or low-income communities, raising questions about "digital redlining" by ISPs. Why the difference in the US? You may find it surprising that the high cost of the internet in the US isn't necessarily replicated in other countries. According to a study by the New America Foundation, US consumers pay the highest average costs for broadband compared across all studied regions. The average cost of internet service in the UK sits at around £27 ($34) a month, while the US averages $63 in monthly internet costs -- not including hidden fees, equipment costs and those yearly price hikes. Some researchers point to the concentration of US markets compared to the UK, noting that the concentrated telecommunication industry warrants high internet costs and low capital expenditures from both a consumer and investor perspective. Others point to the tendency of US policy to favor larger ISPs, limiting competition and driving up prices. 'According to the New America Foundation, Americans pay the most for broadband in any country in the OECD," Ali told CNET. "We're averaging somewhere between $74 and $84 a month -- and there is no technological reason why costs are this high. Zero. It is entirely price-gouging.' The size of internet companies such as AT&T, Google, Verizon and T-Mobile is staggering when you consider not only how sizable their footprints are but also how much of the infrastructure (from undersea cables to vast middle-mile fiber networks) they own. Although there are countless other local providers, many have to pay network fees to larger providers to use parts of the "middle mile" for internet services. Plus, it's often easier for those bigger companies to buy out another company and merge their networks than to build out a new network. For example, Verizon bought Frontier Fiber early this year in an attempt to expand its Verizon Fios fiber internet brand. Brightspeed edged into the playing field by buying parts of Lumen's CenturyLink DSL network in 2022, and Charter (Spectrum) bought Time Warner Cable in 2016 -- effectively establishing the company's footing as a top cable internet provider. Fixed wireless internet services might make a difference So far, we've mostly discussed wired internet services, which are tricky networks to establish because of zoning, equipment and labor costs. What about other internet connection types, such as satellite or 5G home internet? Although a fixed wireless internet service is generally touted as a solution to broadband accessibility because it's easier to establish than a wired network, only a handful of big companies dominate the fixed wireless internet market, namely, Starlink, T-Mobile and Verizon. Starlink, which edged into the satellite internet market in 2020, established itself as a top name in satellite internet by deploying roughly 7,000 low-Earth-orbit satellites and offering speeds up to 220Mbps and relatively low latency (the time it takes for data to get to the server and back). In contrast, competitors Hughesnet and Viasat fall behind with speeds that top out at 100 and 150Mbps, respectively. T-Mobile presents a popular alternative to rural internet with its network of high-powered cell sites and licensed 5G frequencies. To date, T-Mobile has the largest footprint of any single US internet provider, thanks to the reach of those frequencies. The catch? Starlink costs roughly $120 a month, not including the hefty up-front cost of satellite equipment, which runs $349 for the basic package. By comparison, T-Mobile offers a much more competitive price. For $50 monthly, you can get speeds around 87 to 318Mbps. There's no equipment rental charge, just the $35 activation fee you pay when you start service. But although Starlink and T-Mobile are popular choices for people with limited internet access, neither provider can offer a consistent speed of 300Mbps over a fixed wireless internet connection, which is why, although neither provider enforces a data cap, your speeds likely will be throttled during peak congestion periods. You won't see the quick, consistent gigabit speeds that you'd get from a cable or fiber internet provider (or at least, not yet). Additionally, more than 1 million people are on a waitlist for T-Mobile services, delayed because of network capacity. The internet services offered by Starlink and T-Mobile are an attractive alternative to solving internet accessibility in underserved or hard-to-reach areas, but the quality of those internet connections and the affordability of monthly prices, equipment and additional fees, are an imperative consideration. What does this all mean for you and me? So, what's being done to ease internet connectivity and affordability? How can we ensure that people have more than one or two options for internet service and that the costs of that internet stay low? No one really has the answers yet. Since the ILSR published its findings on telecom and cable internet monopolies, Congress portioned $90 billion toward bridging the digital divide. That money was split among various groups, including the Tribal Connectivity Program, but most of it has been funneled into the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) -- the largest investment that the federal government has made in internet accessibility. The Affordable Connectivity Program, which offered more than 23 million low-income Americans a monthly discount from $30 to $75 monthly, was perhaps the most significant attempt at ensuring accessible, high-speed internet nationwide. After the ACP ended in May 2024, policymakers disagreed over how to ensure that ISPs offer low-cost plans to their customers. So far, BEAD funding has become tangled with competing interests about how best to use it -- including disagreements with the organization tasked with administering BEAD funding, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The NTIA set guidelines for ensuring a low-cost plan with a baseline cost of $30 monthly, but many states have already planned a price increase for that baseline. Despite that, the plight of internet monopolies, high monthly internet costs and lack of adequate connectivity still hang in the balance. In the meantime, the most you can do to trim down your monthly internet costs is to either reduce your monthly data consumption or look for a cheaper internet provider.
CNET
6 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Which Internet Plan Is Right for You? 10 Expert Tips to Help You Decide
A good internet connection has become a necessity, but trying to get one can feel like a chore. There are a ton of providers offering different speeds, prices and promotional offers, which can make it difficult to pick the right connection for you. Some homes may have access to only a couple of options, but most US homes can choose from at least three providers that offer various bundles and speeds. Now, setting up your home internet may not seem like the most fun part, but picking the right provider and plan will save you a lot of money and hassle down the line. Here's what you need to know. How do you know which provider and plan is best for your needs? Somethings to look out for: Speed usage How much you want to spend on your internet Internet provider related details: connection type, additional fees, contracts and data caps Read more: Here's How You Can Stop Internet Throttling By Your Broadband Provider. 1. Evaluate your internet speed needs The best place to start is asking yourself these questions: How much internet speed do I currently use? Would I like a better connection? How many people in my home use the internet and how many devices are connected to my network? Is there a gamer or two in the house? Does anyone work from home? Is there more than one smart device connected to the network? Locating local internet providers For basic internet use like online shopping, browsing social media and light TV streaming, download speeds of 100 megabits per second are usually enough (and they meet the Federal Communications Commission's new definition for broadband). But I recommend faster internet speeds for working and learning from home, streaming in HD on multiple devices simultaneously and connecting numerous smart home devices like security cameras, video doorbells and smart speakers. Gigabit and multi-gig plans will all but guarantee you've got enough speed for every person and device in your home, but those are often the highest-priced plans. If you don't want to splurge on gigabit service but still prefer something on the faster side, consider speeds in the 300 to 600Mbps range, assuming they're available in your area. Advertised vs. actual speeds Pro tip here: Keep in mind that advertised speeds and actual speeds are two different things. An ISP's advertised maximum speeds may be 100Mbps, but those are speeds to the home. Actual speeds in the home are likely going to be lower, even more so when using a Wi-Fi connection and adding multiple devices to your network. CNET's Trisha Jandoc discovered this upon facing slow speeds despite being on a gigabit plan. Additionally, if you have an outdated router, you may not be getting the speeds you're paying for. When shopping for internet service, be sure to factor in that speed loss and select a plan with advertised speeds faster than what you'd like your actual speeds to be. For an in-depth examination of how much speed your house might need, you can check out our internet speed guide. Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:05 / Duration 4:25 Loaded : 15.68% 0:05 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 4:20 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home 2. Explore all of your ISP options Available internet providers vary by location and possibly by address within the same ZIP code. Even if you aren't moving far, the available internet providers, and the technologies they use, could be different. Your options can understandably feel limited, so know that it's uncommon for one provider to be the absolute only ISP option in an area. In markets where a cable internet provider such as Xfinity or Spectrum is available, there's also likely to be a fiber or DSL service available from providers like AT&T, CenturyLink or Frontier. Additionally, the recent rise of 5G home internet from T-Mobile and Verizon has further increased broadband competition in both rural and urban settings. Serviceability check tools like the one you'll find a bit further up the page are a good way to identify the internet providers in your area and get an overview of potential plans and pricing. I can't speak for all serviceability tools, but CNET's version uses proprietary in-house technology to help ensure your results are accurate and keep your information secure. 3. Consider the connection type Speed and cost are among the most important considerations when it comes to choosing an internet service, but you may want to start by comparing the internet connection type each provider uses. There are some exceptions, but if we're ranking connection types in order of most to least desirable, I'd start with fiber-optic, cable and 5G home internet. Keep DSL, fixed wireless and satellite as a last resort. Fiber-optic internet is the best bet for fast, consistent speeds, low latency and greatest overall value. Service also comes with the advantage of symmetrical or close to symmetrical upload speeds. Cable internet is not far behind in terms of speed and value, and is often a good choice for cheap internet, especially since you can often get a cheap cable TV and internet bundle from some providers. Meanwhile, 5G home internet is quickly proving to be a convenient alternative to cable and even fiber connections in rural areas. In fact, customers are reported to be more satisfied with a wireless 5G connection due to it's affordability and accessibility. The new technology could also provide much-needed upgrades to broadband in rural areas where less speedy or reliable DSL, fixed wireless and satellite internet services are often the only options. 4. Compare speeds, not just pricing Here's where the bulk of your internet shopping takes place: comparing plans from each available provider. It's tempting to look at the price first and speed second, but I'd suggest focusing on speeds first, then price. Opting for a cheaper plan that doesn't quite meet your household's speed demands, especially one that comes with a contract, may end up costing you more when you need to upgrade to a faster plan or provider anyway. Look for plans with the speeds you want, or higher, then compare the prices among those options. Find the one that best fits your speed demands and your budget. Price vs. value Pro tip here: A low price is nice, but is it a good deal? To get an idea of a plan's value, consider the cost per Mbps by dividing the cost by the advertised speed. For example, Xfinity's cheapest plan is available for as low as $40 a month for speeds up to 400Mbps -- that's a cost of around 10 cents per Mbps. Not bad, but one of Frontier Fiber's cheapest plans costs $50 a month, more expensive than Xfinity's cheapest plan. Frontier's plan comes with speeds up to 1,000Mbps for a cost per Mbps of just 5 cents. Although Xfinity's plan is cheaper, Frontier is the better deal. 5. Beware of set price increases Spectrum hikes it's prices after a year once the promo period ends, as seen through it's broadband labels. Spectrum/screenshot by CNET So you've identified potential providers and plans. Let's take a closer look at the monthly cost. Will it be the same a year down the road? Or are there steep price increases and hidden fees waiting for you? On average, internet costs around $78 a month in the US, but your monthly bill could be more than that once the promo period ends. I know that low pricing can be tempting, but a cheap plan can lose its value entirely from one bill to the next when the price goes up by 50% or more. Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox and others have competitive introductory pricing but a looming monthly hike of $20, $30 or more after 12 months. Carefully examine the FCC-mandated broadband labels for each plan. Check for hidden infrastructure fees or equipment fees you could bypass by buying your own equipment. The good news is that providers have to be fairly transparent about price increases as far as when you can expect them and how much they'll inflate your bill. Additionally, many providers don't require a contract, so if the price hike is too steep, you can cancel without penalty. Not all providers have a planned price increase. AT&T, Frontier, Verizon Fios and a handful of others, including EarthLink, don't have promotional or introductory pricing, so you won't have to worry about a guaranteed price increase. Your bill may still go up at some point, which understandably happens, but it won't go up as drastically or quickly. 6. Know your (data) limits Some ISPs enforce data caps and will charge extra fees or throttle internet speeds when you go over. Be aware of the data cap, if any, before signing up for an internet service. Those considering satellite internet will have to be the most mindful of data caps and usage. Although none of the major satellite internet providers impose overage fees for data used, unless you upgrade to an unlimited data plan, your speeds will significantly slow after going over your priority data allotment. Data caps are less of a problem with every other connection type, but they're still there. Fixed wireless internet like what you may find from AT&T or Rise Broadband in rural areas often comes with a data cap of 250 to 350GB. Select cable and DSL providers also have data caps, although typically much higher, between 1 and 1.5TB per month. That's a generous amount of data and much higher than the average household will use, but still, a plan with unlimited data is preferred. You don't want to have to watch your data usage all month, and you certainly wouldn't want to suffer slowed speeds or added fees for going over. 7. Weigh all Wi-Fi options in your new home Viva Tung/CNET You'll need a router to create a home Wi-Fi network. Most, if not all, ISPs offer a router either for rent, to purchase or for free. If you plan on renting your equipment, take a look at what the rental fee is ahead of time, then go ahead and tack that onto the monthly price. Some rental fees are better than others, but anticipate it to add anywhere from $5 to $20 extra to your bill. In some cases, that means an appealing $20 rate may jump up to $35 or even $40 after equipment costs, so make sure you take a look at the fine print before securing a promotional internet rate. Many providers have started including your equipment at no extra cost. AT&T, Verizon Fios, Google Fiber and 5G home internet providers T-Mobile and Verizon, for example, have no added equipment fees. Others, like Spectrum, CenturyLink and Xfinity, may include either a free modem (but not the router needed for Wi-Fi) or all of your equipment at no extra cost with select plans. You may also have the option of using your own router and skipping the equipment fee altogether. CNET's Joe Supan saved close to $1,000 in yearly fees by deciding to by his own router, for example. Although the upfront costs may be high, including the potential optimizations like mesh Wi-Fi, supplying your own may pay off in a year or two if you can save $15 per month in equipment fees. The option to purchase your router is a little less common, but you may come across it with satellite internet or prepaid internet services. This can add to your upfront costs, especially in the case of satellite internet, but you may save money in the long run. 8. Consider any lengthy contracts Your internet provider may lock you into a contract, sometimes disguised as a "term agreement." Breaking your contract by canceling service or failing to pay your bill before the term is up could result in early termination fees and problems if you want to sign up for service again in the future. Some providers require a contract, typically of one or two years, with all plans and services. Others may require a one-year contract to qualify for the lowest introductory rate or special offers. Most ISPs require no contract at all. Term agreements aren't much of an issue if you plan on keeping the service for the length of the contract, but if you think you may move or want to switch providers at some point, it's nice to know you can do so without penalty. Also note that if you decide to switch providers and you rented equipment from a previous provider, you return your equipment within the designated timeframe to avoid any other fees (often up to $300). 9. Consider customer satisfaction ACSI It's no secret that most of us aren't particularly fond of our internet provider. Customer satisfaction ratings, such as those from sources like the ACSI and J.D. Power, shed some light on which providers fare better than others and why. In most cases, customer satisfaction numbers will fall somewhere in the middle of the road and not indicate much one way or the other. In others -- like Optimum's consistently low customer satisfaction score, Frontier's improving numbers or Verizon's consistently high marks -- may be a bit more telling. Do a little social research. Ask neighbors and friends who they have and why, what they like and don't like. Check out Reddit, and other media sources for further insight. Take the feedback for what it's worth, but don't believe everything you hear or read. 10. Watch out for promotional offers There's a reason I'm mentioning this tip last. Signup bonuses, much like low introductory rates, are tempting, but they're never incentive enough to commit to an ISP or plan that isn't the right fit for your needs. Gift cards, free months of internet service or streaming subscriptions eventually expire or lose their value. When that happens, you don't want to be stuck with an expensive plan that is faster than you need or a cheap ISP that doesn't deliver the speeds you want. Additionally, you may have to sign a term agreement when accepting promotional offers to prevent you from canceling as soon as you get the reward. Still, promotional offers like Verizon's streaming bundles which comes with a free Netflix and Max subscription for a year and then $10 a month after, may be worth investigating. Bottom line: finding good internet service is worth the effort There can be a lot to consider when signing up for an internet service. Along with the cost and speeds, be sure to evaluate the fine print -- price increases, data caps, equipment fees and contract requirements -- so you know what to expect when you get the bill each month. It can be overwhelming, but ultimately, your research and knowledge of the internet provider you settle for will pay off in the long run. 10 expert tips to finding your ideal ISP FAQs How do I choose the right provider and plan for me? In order to find the ideal internet service provider and plan for you and your household requires considering these key things: Speed, how much you want to spend on your internet and internet provider-related details such as connection type, additional fees, contracts and data caps. Considering these things can help narrow your search for internet service. What are the best internet providers? This may not be the most exciting answer, but the best ISP will all boil down to what's available at your address. The top providers in the country that offer the widest coverage are EarthLink, T-Mobile Home Internet, Spectrum, AT&T, Xfinity and Verizon 5G Home Internet. EarthLink's unique use of a variety of connection types makes it one of the most available ISPs in the country. T-Mobile comes at a close second with coverage available to more than 60% of the country. There are spots in the Midwest and the West that will have very little to no coverage for T-Mobile. In that case, Spectrum and Xfinity's cable coverage offer wide availability throughout the country.
CNET
23-05-2025
- CNET
Choosing Between Cable and Fiber Internet: What Helped Me Decide
There are several kinds of internet technologies in use today, including satellite, DSL and fixed wireless, but none of them come close to cable and fiber when it comes to offering fast, reliable internet. Nobody likes slow, inconsistent internet. So after having to deal with buffering, lag and regular outages, I finally decided to find out which kind of internet would be the best. Here's what I found out. Fiber is the undisputed ruler when it comes to speed and reliability. With a fiber connection, you'll get symmetrical upload and download speeds, congestion won't be a common issue and your connection will be more stable. All of those factors make it perfect for streaming, gaming and remote work. Plus, fiber is also future-proof. But cable isn't exactly a bad option. It's still the more widely available one, comes in cheaper up front and ISPs usually bundle it with TV and phone services, making it the more practical choice for many households. So, which one should you pick? We made this guide breaking down the pros, cons and key differences between cable and fiber internet to help you make the right choice for your home and your budget. Coaxial internet cables vs. fiber-optic internet cables The difference between cable and fiber internet starts with how the service reaches your home. Locating local internet providers Cable internet uses coaxial cables, the same ones that bring cable TV to your home. These cables consist of a solid or woven copper wire surrounded by insulating and protective sheathings. The cables are an effective means for transmitting various signals, including those for your internet connection, but signal strength and quality can lessen with distance, interference and network congestion. Fiber internet uses thin glass strands called fiber-optic cables to carry data, such as your internet service, via light signals. The technology can carry greater amounts of data at faster speeds than coaxial cables and is also better equipped to retain signal strength and quality over long distances, like across the ocean. The downside of fiber-optic cables is that they are more expensive than coaxial cables, and laying new lines is a logistical challenge. As a result, cable internet boasts far greater availability than fiber. Let's get into some of the details of fiber internet and cable internet and the benefits, drawbacks and affordability of both. Cable vs. fiber quick comparison Internet type Connection Starting monthly price Download speed range Upload speed range Nationwide availability Cable Coaxial cable $15-$120 100-2,000Mbps 10-200Mbps 82% Fiber Fiber-optic cable $20-$900 100-50,000Mbps 100-50,000Mbps 43% Show more (0 item) Shop providers at my address Cable internet pros Availability : Approximately 82% of US households are serviceable for broadband speeds of 100 megabits per second down and 20Mbps up. : Approximately 82% of US households are serviceable for broadband speeds of 100 megabits per second down and 20Mbps up. Low cost : Cable providers may have the cheapest introductory rates on home internet. : Cable providers may have the cheapest introductory rates on home internet. Versatility: Cable modems can typically be set up anywhere in the home, which may allow for a better Wi-Fi connection. Cable internet cons Speeds : Cable internet doesn't match the download speed potential of fiber, and upload speeds are significantly slower. : Cable internet doesn't match the download speed potential of fiber, and upload speeds are significantly slower. Network congestion: Peak usage times can result in slower speeds to the home. Peak usage times can result in slower speeds to the home. Fine print: This is provider-specific, but with cable internet, you're more likely to encounter price hikes, data caps, equipment fees and contracts. Fiber internet pros Speeds : Fiber is the fastest internet connection type, and upload speeds can match download speeds. : Fiber is the fastest internet connection type, and upload speeds can match download speeds. Reliability : Fiber-optic lines are less susceptible to network congestion and interference. : Fiber-optic lines are less susceptible to network congestion and interference. Value: Compared to cable, fiber plans often have a lower cost per Mbps, along with fewer fees and price hikes. Fiber internet cons Availability: Less than half of US residences are serviceable for fiber internet, according to recent data from the Federal Communications Commission. Less than half of US residences are serviceable for fiber internet, according to recent data from the Federal Communications Commission. Pricing : Fiber internet may have a higher starting price than cable internet. : Fiber internet may have a higher starting price than cable internet. Bundling: Few fiber providers also offer TV or other home services, limiting the availability of internet bundles. Cable vs. fiber internet availability Fiber availability is growing but is still far behind cable internet. FCC You're nearly twice as likely to be serviceable for cable internet than fiber internet. Cable connections are available to more than 82% of US households, whereas fiber coverage lands around 43%, according to the FCC. Both cable and fiber providers largely operate in urban and suburban areas, but cable often provides more broad and consistent coverage throughout a given location. Fiber availability is limited to select areas in a city, and serviceability may vary from one neighborhood to the next. My hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, is a good example. The main local cable provider, Spectrum, is available to 93% of the city's residential addresses. Two major fiber ISPs, AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber, serve the area, but only around 60% of Charlotte addresses are serviceable for fiber internet. Top 5 cable internet providers by availability Top 5 fiber internet providers by availability If you're shopping for cable or fiber internet, you may encounter one or more of the providers above. Then again, there are hundreds of regional and hyper-local cable and fiber internet providers across the US. The available providers in your area will play a role in how much your internet costs, what speeds you can get and other service conditions. Cable vs. fiber plans and pricing Plan selection and pricing will vary by provider, but cable is commonly the best source of cheap internet, at least for the first year or two of service. Cable providers such as Astound, WOW and Xfinity, for example, have introductory rates as low as $20 to $25 a month for download speeds ranging from 150 to 300Mbps. Fiber internet is available for $20 to $30 a month -- Ziply Fiber and Frontier Fiber offer 100Mbps ($20) and 200Mbps ($30) plans, respectively -- but, for the most part, expect to pay at least $40 to $50 monthly for service. AT&T Fiber, Quantum Fiber and Verizon Fios are $50 to $55 per month in most locations, while Google Fiber's cheapest plan starts at $70. Cheap cable internet plans Source: CNET analysis of provider data Cheap fiber internet plans Plan Starting price Max download speed Cost per Mbps Equipment fee Ziply Fiber 100/100 $20 100Mbps 20 cents $12 (optional) Frontier Fiber 200 Read full review $30 200Mbps 15 cents None Metronet 100 Read full review $30 100Mbps 30 cents None Altafiber Fioptics 100 $35 100Mbps 35 cents $12 (optional) Kinetic Fiber 300 $40 300Mbps 13 cents $11 (optional) Brightspeed Fiber 200 $50 200Mbps 25 cents None Quantum Fiber 500 $50 500Mbps 10 cents None Verizon Fios 300 Read full review $50 300Mbps 17 cents None Show more (3 items) Shop providers at my address Source: CNET analysis of provider data Choosing the cheapest internet plan from a cable or fiber provider often means accepting the slowest speeds. As you get into faster speed tiers -- 500Mbps to 1,000Mbps, or 1 gigabit per second -- pricing is a bit more evenly matched, although cable may still have the advantage, depending on the provider. In select areas, Astound, Spectrum, WOW and other cable ISPs have lower introductory pricing on gig service than you'll find with most fiber providers. Just keep in mind that while cable internet's low pricing is tempting, it may not last long. Consider introductory and standard pricing Cable internet may start out cheaper, but many providers have steep price increases after the first year or two. Depending on the plan you choose, Astound, Mediacom and Xfinity rates can increase by $30 to $50 or more once the introductory pricing expires. Monthly pricing is a bit more stable with fiber internet. AT&T Fiber has no set price increases after 12 months, Verizon Fios offers a price guarantee of two to four years and Quantum Fiber will lock in your monthly rate for as long as you keep your plan. When comparing cable and fiber internet providers, be sure to evaluate introductory and standard rates. If you go with cable for the cheaper initial pricing, keep an eye on your bill and be ready to switch internet providers when the promotional pricing period ends. Cable vs. fiber internet speeds Like pricing, available speeds will vary by provider, but download speeds will probably be faster with fiber. Upload speeds will definitely be faster. Most cable and fiber internet providers offer download speeds up to a gig. A few cable ISPs offer speeds higher than a gig -- Astound goes up to 1.5Gbps, WOW has a 1.2Gbps plan and Xfinity stretches to 2Gbps in select areas -- but a single gig is typically the standard max for cable. With fiber internet, it's not uncommon to have a single gig speed tier, plus multi-gigabit plans with speeds of 2Gbps, 5Gbps, 8Gbps or higher available. Ziply Fiber offers the fastest home internet plan I've encountered with maximum speeds of 50Gbps, or 50,000Mbps. Fastest cable internet plans Source: CNET analysis of provider data Fastest fiber internet plans Plan Starting price Max download speed Max upload speed Ziply Fiber 50 Gig $900 50,000Mbps 50,000Mbps Google Fiber 8 Gig Read full review $150 8,000Mbps 8,000Mbps Quantum Fiber 8 Gig $165 8,000Mbps 8,000Mbps AT&T Fiber 5 Gig Read full review $245 5,000Mbps 5,000Mbps Frontier Fiber 5 Gig Read full review $130 5,000Mbps 5,000Mbps Metronet 5 Gig Read full review $110 5,000Mbps 5,000Mbps Verizon Fios 2 Gig Read full review $110 2,300Mbps 1,500Mbps Kinetic 2 Gig $100 2,000Mbps 2,000Mbps Show more (3 items) Shop providers at my address Source: CNET analysis of provider data Notice that with cable internet plans, upload speeds are significantly slower than downloads. That's not necessarily a big deal as upload speeds play less of a role in our internet use (my colleague, Joe Supan, notes that his cable upload speeds are more than enough). Still, it's something to consider when evaluating cable versus fiber internet services. Cable vs. fiber additional considerations Price and speed are the two most important factors when choosing an internet provider, but that's not all you will want to take into account. Fees and contracts can have an impact on your satisfaction as a customer. Again, these things are more provider-specific than the technology, but I find fiber to be more favorable. Equipment, data caps and contracts Equipment rental fees can easily add $10 to $15 to your monthly bill, perhaps more if you have a mesh system with multiple pods. Select cable and fiber providers include equipment rental at no extra cost, but the scale tilts more to fiber. Astound offers free equipment rental. Xfinity may include free equipment with select plans, in select areas. Spectrum includes a free modem lease, but renting a router for Wi-Fi will add $10 to your monthly internet cost if you go with the 500Mbps plan. Cox, Mediacom and others may charge $13 to $15 to rent a gateway router. In contrast, AT&T Fiber, Frontier Fiber, Google Fiber, Quantum Fiber and Verizon Fios, among others, offer free equipment rental. The only potential downside to fiber is that you may be limited as to where you can put your router. Most homes wired for fiber have an installed ONT (the fiber version of a modem) that may not be in the best location for a router. My ONT, for instance, is hidden behind a closet panel, so my router unfortunately sits in a coat closet. As for data caps and contracts, fiber providers are again generally more favorable. Nearly all fiber providers I have come across offer unlimited data and few require a contract. Cable ISPs, on the other hand, are more likely to hold you to a data cap and contract with the threat of speed throttling or added fees. Customer satisfaction favors fiber ACSI One last provider-specific, cable-to-fiber comparison here, but it is one worth noting as it gives insight to how actual customers feel about their service. In the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index report, major fiber providers scored higher than the big cable ISPs. All named fiber providers (with the exception of Optimum, which is mostly a cable ISP and is notorious for low customer satisfaction), scored above 70/100. The closest cable providers, Cox and Spectrum, came in at 68/100. Granted, the ACSI categorizes fiber and non-fiber providers separately, but I would assume they are evaluated the same. Another source we like to use for customer satisfaction data, J.D. Power, paints a similar picture. In its 2024 report, a fiber provider led in all four markets: Verizon (East), Google Fiber (South) and AT&T (North Central, West). Cable vs. fiber internet recap Cable internet has its advantages -- availability, low introductory pricing, better bundling options -- but fiber is the superior connection type. Fiber internet is capable of faster speeds, up and down, and is better suited to consistently deliver those speeds, even during peak usage times. Depending on the available ISPs in your area, fiber may be a bit more expensive, but the overall value can't be beat. Cable vs. fiber FAQs Is switching from cable to fiber worth it? That depends on your needs and the available providers in your area. Fiber is a superior technology, with faster speeds and better reliability than cable, but there's no need to pay extra for it if your current cable plan meets your needs. If your local fiber provider offers a plan comparable to your cable service, the fiber connection may provide better speed consistency. Is Wi-Fi faster with fiber internet? The connection type, such as fiber, affects the speeds to your home. Speeds in your home, specifically over Wi-Fi, are more dependent on your router and the connected devices than the internet type. Fiber is the most reliable internet connection type when it comes to delivering fast, consistent speeds to your home, which may result in faster and more stable Wi-Fi speeds in your home. Is cable or fiber internet cheaper? Cable internet providers like Astound, Mediacom, WOW and Xfinity have some of the lowest introductory rates of any major ISP with service starting at $15 to $20 a month in some locations. Starting monthly rates for fiber providers typically run from $40 to $55, though $20 and $30 plans are available from select providers. It's important to consider more than the advertised monthly rate when shopping for cheap internet. Some cable internet providers appear to be cheap, but added costs such as equipment fees, data overages and built-in price hikes can inflate the cost over time. After evaluating all costs, fiber may prove to be the better value. Is cable or fiber internet better for gaming? Along with faster speeds and better reliability, fiber internet is likely to have a lower latency, or ping, than cable internet. Either technology will offer plenty of speed to game online, but the lower ping that comes with fiber will make for a better gaming experience.
CNET
19-05-2025
- CNET
Securely Share Your Wi-Fi Password With Apple and Android Devices
Any time you have friends or family visiting your home, you're likely to get asked what your Wi-Fi password is. A truly secured Wi-Fi network may have a password made up of a randomization of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Since this can be difficult to remember off the top of your head, getting the password may be a task. On the other hand, if your password is simple -- "Oh it's just my telephone number," for example -- you'll have no problem sharing your Wi-Fi... with your invited guests and with anyone else who may want to access your network. If that's you, go change your Wi-Fi password. Having a secure Wi-Fi network, means that you're regularly changing your Wi-Fi password. Sharing your network credentials, even if they're appropriately complicated, is easy. Here's how to do it with the push of a button. Sharing your Wi-Fi password on Apple devices As long as you've got the latest operating system, Apple devices play quite nicely with one another, and it's simple to share your Wi-Fi password with other Apple devices using your iPhone. Keep in mind: Your guest will need to have the email address associated with your Apple ID saved in their contacts, and you will need theirs saved in yours to share your Wi-Fi password. Locating local internet providers Ensure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on both devices. Keep the devices close while connecting, within 10 feet or so of each other, and close enough to your router to get a strong signal. Connect your device to the Wi-Fi network you want to share. You're likely already connected to your primary home network. But if you're having visitors use a guest network, you'll need to connect your device to that network. Having visitors use a guest network is a good idea; here's how to create one. Have your guest find your network on their device. They'll need to go to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap on the network. Pro tip: This is the moment of payoff if you have a silly or witty Wi-Fi network name. Accept the prompt on your phone. A message will pop up on your iPhone asking if you want to share your password. Tap the Share Password button to accept, then Done. Your guest's device is now connected to your network. What if I have an iPhone and my guest doesn't? If your visitor has an Android device, or if their iPhone isn't in your contacts, there's an alternative method: You can create a QR code. Open the app and navigate to Shortcuts for Accessibility. Scroll to and tap QR Your WiFi, then tap Add Shortcut. Next, go to My Shortcuts and tap QR Your WiFi. Enter your Wi-Fi name followed by the password and tap Done. The app will create a QR code for your guests to scan from their device. If you're hosting many people and don't want to whip out your phone every time someone wants to hop on your Wi-Fi network, print out the QR code and place it somewhere visible. Your guests will be able to scan it and connect at their convenience. How to share your Wi-Fi password on Android devices Android and Apple devices don't play as well together, but you can still share your Wi-Fi password using an Android device via a QR code. Tap the QR code icon at the bottom left, or use Quick Share to send your Wi-Fi info to compatible devices. David Anders To create a QR code for your Wi-Fi on Android devices: Go to Settings, then tap Connections (or Network, depending on your specific device). Tap Wi-Fi and confirm you are connected to the correct network. Tap the Settings Cog to the right of the network name. Tap QR code in the bottom left of your screen. Share or save the image. If you're sharing between Android devices, you can also use the Quick Share feature. Follow the first three steps above, then tap Quick Share. Your device will scan for compatible devices nearby. Make sure your guest has Quick Share enabled on their phone. Tap on their device name to share your Wi-Fi password. From the Quick Share screen, you can also create a link or QR code to share your Wi-Fi password with others. Setting up a guest Wi-Fi network As mentioned earlier, creating a guest Wi-Fi network is always a good option to secure your Wi-Fi network. A guest Wi-Fi network would allow your guests to connect to your Wi-Fi router without providing access to other devices connected to your network. Here are some reasons to why you may want to set up a guest Wi-Fi: Enhanced security: Anyone with a password to your home Wi-Fi network can access all the devices connected to the network. Anyone with a password to your home Wi-Fi network can access all the devices connected to the network. Threats to your network: In some cases, certain activities while connected to your network can harm it. For instance, if your guests use a malware-infected device, this can expose your network (and all the other connected devices) to viruses. In some cases, certain activities while connected to your network can harm it. For instance, if your guests use a malware-infected device, this can expose your network (and all the other connected devices) to viruses. Certain devices are easier to hack: If you own IoT devices and or smart devices, these devices are prone to hackers. So, establishing a guest Wi-Fi network can be a good thing to shield these devices from hackers. To learn more about securing your internet connection, read our simple guide to setting up a guest Wi-Fi network. For more home internet tips and tricks, check out CNET's Internet Guides and How-To section. Sharing Your Wi-Fi Password FAQs Can you share your Wi-Fi password by using your phone? Yes. You can share your Wi-Fi password with both Apple and Android devices. If you have the latest iOS update, then navigating this process should be easy. It's worth noting that you will need to provide your guests with the email address associated with your Apple ID account, which must be saved in their contacts, and you will need to save theirs as well. If you are an Android user and want to share the Wi-Fi password with an Apple device, you can refer to the QR code, which is in your settings. This will allow you to quickly share Wi-Fi info to compatible devices. What is a good Wi-Fi password? It's always a best practice to create a strong password to secure your network. Your password should be unique, avoid birthdays, phone numbers, names and other easily guessed passwords. While it may be harder to remember, a strong password typically includes a randomization of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Don't forget to regularly change and update your Wi-Fi password every six months. To learn how you can protect your network, read our 10 Wi-Fi network security tips.
New York Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Cable Giants Charter and Cox to Merge in $34.5 Billion Deal
The cable giants Charter Communications and Cox Communications said on Friday they had agreed to merge, a colossal deal that would create one of the biggest TV and internet providers in the United States. The deal, which values Cox at roughly $34.5 billion, presents a test for President Trump's antitrust enforcers. While many deal makers had expected the Trump administration to be more permissive than the Biden administration, many on Wall Street have been surprised by early signs that a tough-on-deals stance may persist. Charter and Cox argued that the deal would help them compete against big rivals, including 'larger, national broadband companies' — read: Comcast, Verizon and others — as well as satellite service providers. They are also likely to argue that their cable networks don't significantly overlap geographically. Charter and Cox signaled in their news release they were eager to secure the Trump administration's approval of the deal. The announcement said that the merger 'puts America first' by returning customer-service jobs from overseas, echoing the presidents campaign rhetoric. It also underscored the value of 'unbiased news' produced by Charter and Cox, an apparent gesture toward mollifying the White House, which has been critical of the press. (Unmentioned in the news release was Axios, a scoopy Washington-based media organization owned by Cox.) Under the terms of the merger, Charter will pay cash and stock, with the combined company set to take on the Cox name within a year after closing. Cox would become the combined company's largest shareholder, with a 23 percent stake. The group expects to cut $500 million in annual costs within a few years of closing the deal, from 'typical procurement and overhead savings.' It wouldn't be the first time the two have discussed a merger: They held talks 12 years ago, and John Malone, the telecom billionaire who is a major Charter shareholder, had named Cox last fall as one of the company's potential transaction partners. The deal is one of the biggest takeovers announced so far this year, along with Google's planned acquisition of the cybersecurity provider Wiz for $32 billion. And it may show that, at least for some corporate leaders, uncertainty over the economy, driven in part by Mr. Trump's trade policies, isn't enough to deter them from major investments and acquisitions. But antitrust approval is needed, and the Trump administration, which moved early to block deals like Hewlett Packard Enterprise's $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks, has warned corporate America not to assume that all deals will pass muster. 'I don't have an ideological predisposition against M.&A.,' Andrew Ferguson, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission, said last month. 'It doesn't follow, however, that I think it should just be open season' for deal-making, he added.
