For the past few months, I have observed Frontier Fiber crews marking utility lines, burying conduit, and installing utility pedestal boxes in my neighborhood. The promise of symmetrical speeds up to 7Gbps is appealing, especially as it is nearly six times faster than my current 1,200Mbps Xfinity connection.
After investing significant time and money into my home network with Ubiquiti equipment, I have realized that raw speed figures do not reveal the whole picture. My current setup efficiently supports everything my household requires. As fiber internet is being installed in my area, I have several reasons for staying with my existing service.
### My Current Setup Already Exceeds My Needs
#### 1,200Mbps Handles a House Full of Devices
My home utilizes smart technology, featuring Ring cameras on the exterior, Echo devices in nearly every room, and Philips Hue bulbs for lighting. Smart thermostats, myQ for garage doors, and various devices—including laptops, tablets, phones, an Xbox, a PS5, and multiple smart TVs—are all connected. My Ubiquiti dashboard indicates over 70 devices are online.
Everything operates smoothly. Wired speed tests typically range from 700 to 850Mbps, which is sufficient. My wife can stream on one device while I participate in a video call and download a PS5 game, and neither of us notices any slowdown. I learned that verifying Ethernet cable ratings is just as crucial as the plan you subscribe to—an old or faulty cable can bottleneck devices regardless of what the ISP provides.
While Frontier’s 2Gbps or 5Gbps plans may sound impressive, they would not significantly change my daily experience. I do not experience delays in downloads, streaming, or video calls. If everything works well, why pay more just for a higher speed test figure?
### Xfinity Has Been Surprisingly Reliable
#### Three and a Half Years with Minimal Issues
At my previous residence, I experienced frustrations with AT&T Internet, which offered a maximum of 100Mbps. The connection was often unreliable, leading to constant reboots of the modem. After moving to my current home three and a half years ago, I switched to Xfinity, combined with a 2.5Gbps Motorola modem, expecting similar problems.
However, my experience with Xfinity has been different. In three and a half years, I have faced only five outages, none lasting longer than an hour. There is no throttling during peak hours or unexpected fees on my bills. The service just works, which is all I wanted after years with AT&T.
Ironically, about a month ago, Frontier crews accidentally disrupted a buried Xfinity line while installing fiber, causing my entire block to lose internet for six to eight hours. This was the longest I’ve been without service since moving, caused by the company trying to win my business.
I prefer a reliable connection rather than one that might be faster but inconsistent. After putting extensive effort into cable management and optimizing my network, I have no desire to start over with a new provider.
### The Bundle Pricing Keeps Me Locked In
#### Streaming Discounts Add Up Fast
I bundle my Xfinity Internet with streaming services at a discount, and the savings become significant over a year. Frontier does offer $10 off YouTube TV, but only for the first year.
While Frontier’s pricing may appear reasonable at first glance—500Mbps for about $49.99 per month, 1GB for $69.99, and 2GB for $99.99 during promotions—switching would require recalculating my entire entertainment budget. Additional installation fees and rising costs after the promo period can negate the supposed savings when compared to my current Xfinity bundle.
### I’ve Already Invested in Infrastructure That Maximizes My Connection
#### The Network Hardware Matters More Than ISP Speed
My Ubiquiti Dream Machine Pro manages routing throughout my home, connecting to a managed switch with over 15 Ethernet runs. Four hardwired access points cover different zones—one for the kids’ rooms, another for the bedroom and great room, one in the basement, and another in the garage for the workshop and outdoor smart devices.
I crimped the Ethernet cables during the basement finishing project, saving money while ensuring the lengths were perfect. Although this infrastructure would work well with Frontier, my current setup does not demand faster service.
Most often overlooked is the fact that increasing ISP speed without corresponding upgrades to end devices is ineffective. Many laptops, smart TVs, and phones do not utilize speeds above 2Gbps. My Ring cameras need stable, low-latency connections, which my network provides efficiently. For many households, the limiting factor is not ISP speed but the quality of the internal network. I have already optimized that aspect.
### I’ll Revisit the Numbers Next Year
Frontier Fiber may be a good option for someone building a new network or leaving slow DSL service behind, with plans from 500Mbps to 7Gbps offering appealing features like symmetrical uploads and no data caps.
My current ISP has proven reliable, my network is effectively constructed, and I have no frustrations with my internet experience. There are currently no compelling reasons to switch. However, this could change due to pricing shifts or new promotions, prompting me to reassess my situation in a year. For now, I will refrain from switching to fiber.
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