Frontier has taken a step forward in providing fiber internet service with a new 5Gbps symmetrical plan across all its fiber markets in the US. The company claims to be the first “major” provider to offer such a plan, with a monthly charge of $155, including installation and a router.
However, to utilize the extra speed, you’ll need a WiFi 6e router and supporting devices like the Pixel 7 or 2023 MacBook Pro. Frontier estimates that it will take less than two minutes to download a 100-minute 8K movie.
The competition in the fiber internet market is heating up as Frontier’s 5Gbps plan faces challenges from AT&T’s 5Gbps plan costing $180 and Google Fiber’s upcoming 8Gbps plan for $150, which is available only in select cities. Although Comcast already offers 6Gbps service in some areas, the $300 monthly cost and non-symmetrical uploads may make it less practical.
The rollout of Frontier’s 5Gbps plan is positive news for customers as competition among multi-gig internet providers is expected to bring about more aggressive performance or pricing. Although the higher cost for 5Gbps service may not be appealing, the increase in competition is expected to benefit customers in the long run.
