Wherever Frontier has deployed fiber broadband, it now offers 2 Gbps symmetrical service, the company said today. The company claims to be the first provider to achieve this.
The 2 Gbps symmetrical service sells for $149.99 a month. Activation, premium tech support, multi-device security, Wi-Fi 6e, Amazon Fire TV, a webcam, and a voice line are included at no extra charge.
Frontier calls the Wi-Fi offering “Total Home Wi-Fi,” noting that as part of its professional installation, the company will provide extenders to guarantee that “no matter the size of your home, we have you covered.”
Multi-gigabit services have been gaining some serious steam in recent months. AT&T last month said it had made 2 Gbps and 5 Gbps services available to 5.2 million locations. The same month, Ziply said it had launched 2 Gbps and 5 Gbps service in 60 markets. TDS has made 2 Gbps its standard for all new builds.
Verizon also has begun offering 2 Gbps service. That company is somewhat unique in using NG-PON2 to support multi-gigabit service. AT&T, Frontier, Ziply and others are using XGS-PON.
Frontier’s news today makes good on plans announced at an online company event in August when the company first revealed 2 Gbps plans.
Why 2 Gbps?
Service provider symmetrical 2 Gbps offerings aim to provide a competitive edge against cable companies, who can offer 2 Gbps downstream speeds relatively easily, but who can’t match fiber broadband on upstream speeds.
Frontier President and CEO Nick Jeffery reiterated that positioning in Frontier’s 2 Gbps press release today.
“Today is proof that Frontier is doing what customers want and cable can’t – bringing faster speeds and greater value to consumers as we Build Gigabit America,” he said. The company has trademarked the “Build Gigabit America,” according to the release.
Some other carriers – including AT&T and Verizon – offer lower pricing on 2 Gbps service. AT&T’s 2 Gbps service sells for $110 a month and Verizon’s offering sells for $119.95 monthly for customers on auto-pay. Ziply’s offer sells for $120 a month.
But those providers don’t include the same extras that Frontier offers.
