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We compare internet service providers side-by- side to show you the key differences to make smarter decisions when choosing your tv, internet, phone options.

Charter Spectrum vs TDS Telecom

Charter Spectrum Deals and Promotions

Cheap Internet
SETUP SERVICE

(844) 273-1634
  • PRICE RANGE $44.99 to $69.99 / mo.
  • TECHNOLOGY Cable
  • SPEED RANGE (DOWNLOAD) 30 mbps to 940 mbps
  • SPEED RANGE (UPLOAD) --

Charter Spectrum OVERVIEW

Charter Communications provides residential and business broadband cable and fiber Internet, phone, and TV under the “Spectrum” brand name. Their 2016 acquisition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks expanded their cable network to become one of the largest in the US.

Charter Spectrum TECHNOLOGY

Charter Communications offers broadband Internet, TV, and phone service to consumers via their hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network.

Hybrid Fiber Coaxial is a broadband infrastructure that uses fiber optic cables as it’s backbone, only resorting to slower coaxial cables for the “last mile” between customer residences and a local “optical node.”

The optical node translates optic signals into electric signals, which are generally distributed via existing cable TV networks. A node may serve anywhere from 50-2,000 homes in an area.

This type of connection is widely called a “cable” internet connection due to the use of coaxial cable, which was historically used to offer “cable TV.”

Charter Spectrum RATINGS AND REVIEWS

Cheap Internet
Cheap Internet
50.7% recommendation rating according to 49,367 verified Spectrum users.
TDS Telecom Deals and Promotions
Cheap Internet
SETUP SERVICE

(888) 317-7540
  • PRICE RANGE $29.95 to $99.95 / mo.
  • TECHNOLOGY DSL
  • SPEED RANGE (DOWNLOAD) 15 mbps to 1,000 mbps
  • SPEED RANGE (UPLOAD) 0.768 mbps to 400 mbps

TDS Telecom OVERVIEW

TDS provides DSL, cable, and fiber Internet connectivity across much of the US, in addition to TV and phone services. Select areas within their network have access to gigabit speeds via 100% fiber connections.

TDS Telecom TECHNOLOGY

TDS offers broadband Internet, phone, and TV service to residential and business subscribers via DSL, cable, and fiber networks.

DSL offerings are delivered from a local TDS office near the subscriber via existing copper phone cable infrastructure. Cable, on the other hand, is generally delivered via fiber until it reaches a “node” in individual coverage areas, at which point data is switched over to an existing TV “cable” coaxial network for the final distance.

Fiber offerings from TDS are delivered via 100% fiber optic connections, generally fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), allowing next-generation download speeds up to 1Gbps (1,000Mbps) under ideal circumstances. Keeping the data in an optical format for the entire journey from ISP to consumer avoids the slowdowns associated with “switching” to an electric signal for DSL and cable.

TDS Telecom RATINGS AND REVIEWS

Cheap Internet
Cheap Internet
43.1% recommendation rating according to 4,170 verified TDS users.
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Promotions and Early Termination Fees

Look closely before taking a promotion

Sign-up promotions are a common marketing tactic used by broadband companies to bring on new customers. While the pricing looks great on paper, there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re signing up for service with a new company.

First, be aware of any ETFs (early termination fees) you’ll need to pay if you break the contact early. Second, give the final monthly price more weight than the promotional rate, particularly if you plan to stick with a provider for multiple years. Even if the promo rate is great, a small price for six months doesn’t save much against a high price for six years

Save on your Modem

How to save on extra hardware fees

Modems come with most broadband Internet plans, and they’re usually pretty cheap, less than ten dollars per month. Regardless, customers should consider whether or not it makes sense to simply buy their own, considering that a personal unit pays for itself within a year.

Using your own router also opens up customization options for controlling and securing your home network, so it’s a no-brainer for technically-minded customers who enjoy fiddling with gadgets. Since providers have specific brands they are compatible with, renting makes more sense for people who move regularly, while buying makes more sense for techies and more stable households.

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