I'm Saving $1,339 For the Year By Switching to Frontier.
You Can Save A Bundle, Too.
Dear Screenwriter,
Normally, I email information that is strictly and narrowly focused on screenwriting.
I’m making an exception because I have started saving so much money each month on Internet access and streaming that I want you to know about it.
I’m saving this money by switching from Spectrum cable Internet access and programming to Frontier fiber for Internet, bundled with YouTube TV for streaming and live programming.
Including everything, I’m paying $90.98 per month for virtually the same programming as I received from Spectrum for $172.15 per month. My Spectrum rate was due to rise to $197.15 in May, when a $25 promotional rate for a programming package would have ended.
That comes to savings of $1,274.04 for a year of recurring fees plus $65 savings on installation, for total savings of $1,339.04.
And the switch was easy and free.
You can see my actual costs, taken directly from invoices, below. To learn about the savings that are possible with Frontier with no obligation to buy anything, click here or on any image or scan the QR code.
But What About Reliability?
I can’t say definitively whether there is any major difference in reliability after only two stormy winter months with Frontier up here in the mountains, but I can say this:
In the 12 years I had Spectrum, outages due to storms and mystery outages were not uncommon. They lasted 10 minutes to several hours.
In the stormy two months that I’ve had Frontier, the signal has dropped a few times for periods of a few seconds to a minute. There have been no longer outages to date.
One very noticeable difference: the Spectrum modem always needed 10 minutes or more to restart after the signal dropped and came back on, and I often had to unplug the modem and router to restart. The Frontier modem quickly restarts on its own.
And Internet Speed?
My Frontier fiber offers 500 mbps speed for both download and upload. Spectrum offered 300 mbps download and 75 mbps upload with my service for a higher price.
Frontier has plans from 200 to 5,000 mbps. Spectrum has plans from 50 to 1,000 mbps.
Also: I don’t know whether this is a latency issue or something else, but in the last year before I ditched Spectrum, the sound of voices was out of sync with the picture in talk and news shows and commercials. I have not noticed a similar problem with Frontier.
Installation: Frontier Is Free, Spectrum Makes You Pay:
Both companies will come to you and install.
Frontier installed the modem and router for free. Spectrum charges $65 for in-home installation. If your home is already wired, you could DIY Spectrum for a $30 activation fee.
Contract Length:
They are the same – month-to-month for either Frontier or Spectrum with no long-term contracts.
Customer Service:
Spectrum has more people here in the mountains, including the store at which it sells cell phones as well as Internet.
Frontier customer service, other than the installation people, seems to be all online and by phone. I did need technical service at the start. It was quick and effective.
Spectrum's Annoying Automatic Price Hikes:
Not only are Spectrum’s prices higher, but it constantly games customers.
For example: At the end of your first year, the price for Internet access rises from a rate that is already higher than Frontier to an even higher rate. You might be able to get the promotional price back for another year by calling them and saying you’re leaving.
As mentioned above, my Spectrum programming price also would have jumped next month. I don’t know whether I could similarly call in and get Spectrum to defer the upcoming May programming price hike for a year.
But why should anyone have to play such games just to avoid being gouged with automatic price increases?
Does Frontier play similar games with prices? I don’t know. At the end of a year, the total cost will rise $30 to $120.98/month. Spectrum, by then, will cost $212.15/month if it doesn't raise its current rates.
So next year, I'll save "only" $1,094.04 with Frontier.
Coverage:
Frontier Internet is currently available in 25 states coast to coast as shown in red on the map below, and the company says it’s expanding to more.
However: not all of the Frontier system is fiber. Some of it is older DSL, and in those areas, Spectrum will be more expensive but likely faster.
Normally, I email information that is strictly and narrowly focused on screenwriting.
I’m making an exception because I have started saving so much money each month on Internet access and streaming that I want you to know about it.
I’m saving this money by switching from Spectrum cable Internet access and programming to Frontier fiber for Internet, bundled with YouTube TV for streaming and live programming.
Including everything, I’m paying $90.98 per month for virtually the same programming as I received from Spectrum for $172.15 per month. My Spectrum rate was due to rise to $197.15 in May, when a $25 promotional rate for a programming package would have ended.
That comes to savings of $1,274.04 for a year of recurring fees plus $65 savings on installation, for total savings of $1,339.04.
And the switch was easy and free.
You can see my actual costs, taken directly from invoices, below. To learn about the savings that are possible with Frontier with no obligation to buy anything, click here or on any image or scan the QR code.
But What About Reliability?
I can’t say definitively whether there is any major difference in reliability after only two stormy winter months with Frontier up here in the mountains, but I can say this:
In the 12 years I had Spectrum, outages due to storms and mystery outages were not uncommon. They lasted 10 minutes to several hours.
In the stormy two months that I’ve had Frontier, the signal has dropped a few times for periods of a few seconds to a minute. There have been no longer outages to date.
One very noticeable difference: the Spectrum modem always needed 10 minutes or more to restart after the signal dropped and came back on, and I often had to unplug the modem and router to restart. The Frontier modem quickly restarts on its own.
And Internet Speed?
My Frontier fiber offers 500 mbps speed for both download and upload. Spectrum offered 300 mbps download and 75 mbps upload with my service for a higher price.
Frontier has plans from 200 to 5,000 mbps. Spectrum has plans from 50 to 1,000 mbps.
Also: I don’t know whether this is a latency issue or something else, but in the last year before I ditched Spectrum, the sound of voices was out of sync with the picture in talk and news shows and commercials. I have not noticed a similar problem with Frontier.
Installation: Frontier Is Free, Spectrum Makes You Pay:
Both companies will come to you and install.
Frontier installed the modem and router for free. Spectrum charges $65 for in-home installation. If your home is already wired, you could DIY Spectrum for a $30 activation fee.
Contract Length:
They are the same – month-to-month for either Frontier or Spectrum with no long-term contracts.
Customer Service:
Spectrum has more people here in the mountains, including the store at which it sells cell phones as well as Internet.
Frontier customer service, other than the installation people, seems to be all online and by phone. I did need technical service at the start. It was quick and effective.
Spectrum's Annoying Automatic Price Hikes:
Not only are Spectrum’s prices higher, but it constantly games customers.
For example: At the end of your first year, the price for Internet access rises from a rate that is already higher than Frontier to an even higher rate. You might be able to get the promotional price back for another year by calling them and saying you’re leaving.
As mentioned above, my Spectrum programming price also would have jumped next month. I don’t know whether I could similarly call in and get Spectrum to defer the upcoming May programming price hike for a year.
But why should anyone have to play such games just to avoid being gouged with automatic price increases?
Does Frontier play similar games with prices? I don’t know. At the end of a year, the total cost will rise $30 to $120.98/month. Spectrum, by then, will cost $212.15/month if it doesn't raise its current rates.
So next year, I'll save "only" $1,094.04 with Frontier.
Coverage:
Frontier Internet is currently available in 25 states coast to coast as shown in red on the map below, and the company says it’s expanding to more.
However: not all of the Frontier system is fiber. Some of it is older DSL, and in those areas, Spectrum will be more expensive but likely faster.
Price
Breakdown For My Service:
The Real Numbers, Taken From Invoices:
The Real Numbers, Taken From Invoices:
| Item | Frontier (500 mbps) | Spectrum (300 mbps) |
| Internet connection (1) | $24.99 | $64.99 |
| Streaming and live programs (2) | $62.99 | $84.99 |
| Streaming/program receiver | $0 | $10.99 |
| Security (optional) (3) | $3.00 | $0 |
| Broadcast TV surcharge | $0 | $23.30 |
| Taxes, fees, and charges | $0 | $5.98 |
| Router rental | $0 | $7.00 |
| Recurring subtotals: | $90.98 | $197.15 |
| Installation fee | $0 | $65.00 |
| Totals, one year | $1,091.76 | $2,430.80 |
| Pricing
Notes: 1. Internet connection: I don’t know whether you can get the one-year, $24.99 discount price I got. If not, the price is $44.99 for 500 mbps. My Frontier Internet price is due to rise $20 in a year. However, I was also getting a $15 promotional discount on Internet service from Spectrum. That discount was due to end sooner than a year from now. 2. With Frontier, streaming is YouTube.com. The price is $10 off the regular price for a year. It includes the same live national sports channels that were available with a sports premium package on Spectrum. The Spectrum programming price above is as of next month when a $25 programming discount ends. Also, Spectrum adds $10.99 for the programming receiver rental and $7 to rent a router. Frontier doesn’t charge for these. And there are those programming fees with Spectrum. 3. This is a service that blocks some ads and malicious sites. I already have this protection with my Trend Micro Internet Security, so I don’t need it. But for only $3/month, I said yes. 4. There are no “Broadcast TV surcharge” or “Taxes, fees, and charges” with Frontier. 5. The router is free with Frontier. Spectrum charges $7/month to rent one. Instead of that $84/year rental, I bought my own router a year ago for $59.99. It is now in storage. 6. Spectrum charges $65 to install your modem, router, and cable box in your home. You can save $35 by doing all this yourself; it will involve running cables. Frontier charged me nothing for installation and setup. |
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Potential cash benefit to you:
To learn about the savings that are possible with Frontier with no obligation to buy anything, click here or on any image or scan the QR code.
Once you sign up for Frontier, you can become an affiliate in about two minutes (they’ll send you a link to do this) and make $150 for every family member, friend, associate, or perfect stranger you persuade to sign up. This offer from Frontier ends in June, so don’t wait!
Disclosure: I signed up as an affiliate. Please use the link or the QR code in this email to inquire about the savings Frontier can offer you.
Thanks for reading this far.
Sincerely,
Bill Donovan
ScreenwritingCommunity.net
To Learn More with No Obligation To Buy Anything,
Click the Frontier Logo or Scan or Click the QR Code
