Comparison Between Metronet and Spectrum

Thu, Jun 3, 2021 11:15 PM cheap internet offers

There are a number of internet service providers on the market. Every communications business, from municipal networks to national carriers, appears to have entered the competition for the fastest internet.

Despite the fact that the market is becoming increasingly crowded, two companies stand strong. That's right, today we're discussing Metronet vs. Spectrum, a long-running competition.

Perhaps rivalry is an understatement, but there's no doubting that these two companies have a significant presence in American households. Both businesses provide similar services, such as high-speed Fiber Optic internet, cable TV, and landlines, but what sets them apart?

Metronet vs Spectrum: Pricing Plans

Two of the most significant things to consider when picking an internet service are speed and pricing plans. Let's take a look at the Metronet and Spectrum alternatives to see which one will provide you with the most bang for your buck.

Metronet

Metronet offers four different internet plans, starting at 100 megabits per second. Here's a rundown of each Metronet plan's speed, pricing, and perks:

100 mbps — This is Metronet's most basic service, and it costs $49.95 a month (on average). This will usually come with a MetroNet-compatible wireless router. In addition, the upload and download speeds will be symmetrical, or 100/100.

200 mbps — Metronet just reduced the price of their most affordable internet service, which was previously $59.95. Customers may now receive 200 mbps for $49.95, which is an updated price. Metronet is also unusual in that their Metronet internet bundles begin at a high speed of 200 megabits per second. Many other firms (particularly those who do not offer fiber optics) start with substantially slower rates, such as 9-20 mbps.

500 mbps — Metronet's newest package offers more than quadruple the speed, at 500 mbps. You'll get the benefits of a WholeHome WiFi router, which extends the range of your signal, as well as no contracts or data limitations, with this speed. This package was formerly $79.90 per month, but Metronet has reduced it to $64.95 per month with a two-year price-lock guarantee.

1 Gigabit – Finally, Metronet's fastest plan, 1 Gigabit, is available to heavy internet users and larger homes. Metronet considerably reduced the cost of this package, which was originally priced at $104.85. This high-speed fiber connection is now available for only $69.95 per month (for the first year of service). Metronet Defense, a unique cyber security tool and password manager, is included with the 1 Gigabit plan.

Spectrum

Surprisingly, Spectrum offers a nearly equal range of internet speeds to Metronet. 2 However, we all know that speed is only half the battle. Let's have a look at how these plans compare in terms of cost:

200 mbps - Spectrum customers will pay a monthly fee of $49.99 for the same 200 mbps speed (for the first year of service). This offer is comparable to Metronet's 200 mbps deal.

400 mbps — Spectrum's next grade of internet falls short of Metronet's, offering only 400 mbps. Spectrum subscribers will pay $69.99 per month for this plan (for the first year of service). In this situation, it appears that Spectrum consumers will pay a small premium for a much slower fiber connection.

1 Gigabit — Spectrum's most expensive plan, like Metronet's, uses 1 Gigabit of fiber optic internet. Spectrum's 1 GB package will be significantly more expensive than Metronet's: $109.99 per month, to be exact.

Metronet vs Spectrum: Availability

We'll compare each provider's availability across the United States next on the list. Customers will have more access to a network if it has a wider coverage area. When choosing an internet provider, availability is critical—and even the lowest costs won't compensate for a lack of coverage.

Metronet is a regional internet service provider. The company's coverage is limited to seven states in the United States, including:

Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Michigan
Minnesota
Ohio

Metronet is an enticing alternative because of its low prices, but its availability is limited outside of the Midwest. Unfortunately, Metronet may not be a viable alternative for a great number of Americans.

In comparison to Metronet, Spectrum offers a substantially bigger coverage map. Spectrum is the country's second-largest cable internet provider, with cable internet access in 44 states. The following are the states in which Spectrum internet is available:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Metronet vs Spectrum: Fees

Both Metronet and Spectrum's fiber internet plans will have additional fees, some of which may be more hidden than you think. We'll look at the charges that each provider has in addition to your regular monthly bill in this part.

Metronet

When assessing Metronet's fees, watch for three things: price spikes, data caps, and technology service. Customers should be aware of the following details before receiving their first bill:

Metronet's advertised costs, like those of many other fiber internet providers, are promotional. You may notice that your monthly price has increased after the first 1-2 years of service. Depending on the package you choose, these price increases will range from $10 to $30.

Data caps - One of the best things about being a Metronet customer is that you'll never have to pay an overage fee for exceeding your data limit. Instead, consumers are free to access the internet as much as they wish without incurring additional charges. Many of Metronet's plans are also contract-free, which means you won't have to pay any early termination penalties.

Customers will pay $9.95 each month to rent a WholeHome WiFi router, and Metronet will collect an extra technological service fee each month as well. This fee is intended to cover any technician visits that may be required if your equipment fails. Finally, Metronet users will be charged a $75 one-time router installation fee.

Customers who use Spectrum internet should anticipate to pay a similar set of fees in addition to their monthly payment. The following is a breakdown of the Spectrum internet pricing increase, installation fees, and contracts:

Spectrum

Spectrum's promotional prices, like Metronet's, are subject to change after the first year of service.

Customers could anticipate a $10-$15 increase in their monthly cost.

Installation Costs - Here's where Spectrum gets tricky: they like their installation fees. Spectrum users should be aware of a variety of installation and servicing fees, including:

Installation Cost — Installation fees vary according on the package you choose, and they can be expensive with Spectrum. An installation fee of $49.99 will be applied for the 200 and 400 mbps plans. The installation of a 1 Gig router, on the other hand, can cost about $200.

Self-installation fee — While some consumers may be able to save the high expense of professional installation, this does not exclude you totally. Self-installation fees of $9.99 will be applied to customers who set up their own router.

Activation fee - Spectrum subscribers must pay $9.99 to activate their WiFi in addition to the installation price.

Many Spectrum options do not require a contract, which is a welcome relief. Customers will be able to avoid paying early termination costs if they decide to quit their service.

Final Thoughts on Metronet vs. Spectrum

Metronet or Spectrum: which is better? Metronet is the answer. They come out on top due to their promotional deals, cost, and speed. While Spectrum's availability is a strong suit, Metronet's comprehensive range of advantages makes it the superior internet service provider.