Spectrum Internet in Maine Slows Down During Uploading
Spectrum Net Review 2022
The nation'southward second-largest cablevision internet provider has decent prices, fast speeds, and no information caps or contracts. But is that enough to outweigh its bogus fees and poor customer service?
Data effective 03/15/22. Offers and availability vary past location and are subject to change.
* Limited time offer; subject area to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services inside the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
† Wireless speeds may vary.
‡ Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have non subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who take no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Internet® Gig promotion price is $89.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. one. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject area to alter during and afterwards the promotional menses; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra.
^ Speed based on wired connection. Available Cyberspace speeds may vary by accost. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem.
While Spectrum received some non-then-cracking news coverage in the past,ane information technology offers upwards some good prices and download speeds when compared to other net service providers (ISPs) that cover the same locations.
To top that off, Spectrum Internet plans come with a few actress perks you might non detect elsewhere, like unlimited data. So is Spectrum the right internet provider for you? Let'southward dig into the facts and observe out.
Pros
-
Spectrum has proficient prices for most speeds
-
There are no contracts
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There are also no information caps
Cons
-
Spectrum might have download speeds that may be slower than advertised
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This internet provider gives poor customer service
Compare Spectrum and other internet providers in your area.
Is Spectrum Internet correct for you?
Before we get into the details, let's figure out if Spectrum is the right fit for you.
One matter we like is that Spectrum is widely bachelor across the US. Use that zip code internet finder above to see if you live in ane of the 42 states it'southward available.
Spectrum but has three plans to choose from, and nosotros wish their Gig plan was a little less expensive. In comparison to Xfinity cyberspace, our meridian pick, Spectrum offers 3 fewer plans and the Gig cyberspace is $xv more.
Nosotros do similar how Spectrum doesn't require you to sign a contract, but its cyberspace performance could exist a little improve (this is why information technology didn't make our acme five).
Spectrum prices and plans
Spectrum has a couple practiced deals, but we'd love to see a lower cost on its Gig plan
If you're looking for fast download speeds that'll go on a family unit gaming and streaming over the weekend, Spectrum has y'all covered. It offers a few different plans with speeds ranging from upwards to 100 to ane,000 Mbps.* Each of those speeds is juicy plenty to go along that buffering icon away.
Merely nosotros're not gonna prevarication, we'd love to see more plans from Spectrum. That'southward because nosotros love choices, and right now Spectrum doesn't offer anything in the fashion of slower download speeds at lower prices.
Sure, the price for its up to 100 Mbps plan* is reasonable, but what about solo gamers or casual web surfers that don't demand that much speed? (Of course, more speed is better than less speed, then nosotros still recollect the Spectrum Internet® program is a deal.)
Looking for a Time Warner Cablevision or Charter Communications internet review?
You lot're in the correct place. Back in 2016, Charter Communications bought both Time Warner Cable and Vivid House Networks. Yup, at present all that ISP prowess is housed nether one proper noun, Spectrum. And you lot'll find all the juicy details about Spectrum internet right here in our review.
Spectrum prices and plans
Information effective 03/15/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to alter.
* Express fourth dimension offering; subject to alter; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
† Wireless speeds may vary.
‡ Express time offer; subject to modify; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to whatsoever services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Lease. Spectrum Internet® Gig promotion price is $89.99/mo; standard rates apply afterwards yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges actress and subject to change during and afterward the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and boosted services are extra.
^ Speed based on wired connection. Available Net speeds may vary past address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem.
You might hear Spectrum compared to AT&T Cobweb or Frontier. That'southward because these three ISPs serve some of the same parts of the United states.
When information technology comes to price, nosotros recollect AT&T Fiber offers the all-time value—and the lowest prices. AT&T Cobweb is also a cobweb connection, which tends to exist more reliable than the cable connectedness Spectrum uses.
But if you can't go AT&T Fiber and instead have a selection of Spectrum versus Borderland, we'd go with Spectrum. Frontier'due south prices start out great, but quickly skyrocket to the highest toll we've seen for a gig speed plan.
Spectrum toll comparison
Data constructive 01/14/22. Offers and availability vary past location and are subject to alter.
° For the commencement 12 months.
** Cost afterward $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill disbelieve (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes $ fees. Limited availability. May not be bachelor in your area.
†† for 24 months with two-year agreement. Actual speeds may vary. Installation, equipment fees, Internet Infrastructure Surcharge, early term, taxes & other fees apply. Services subject to availability and all applicable terms and weather condition.
Is Spectrum Internet bachelor in your surface area?
Spectrum Net is available in 42 states, and so chances are pretty good that it'southward available near you. Especially if you live in the northeastern US, where Spectrum is focused on connecting cities and towns to the world wide web.
Of the states where you can discover Spectrum, here are the top v states with the most availability:
- Ohio
- Maine
- New York
- Wisconsin
- Due north Carolina
If yous're not sure whether Spectrum Internet is bachelor in your hometown, we tin help you out. Merely enter your zip code below and we'll tell yous if Spectrum is in your area.
Search for Spectrum Cyberspace plans in your area
Spectrum Internet speed
Stream in 4K or download your entire Steam library without worrying about data charges
We mentioned nosotros wished Spectrum offered more choices for download speeds, merely what speeds it does offer are great for streamingThe Expanse on Amazon Prime Video or teaming up with your buddies in aPlayerUnknown'due south Battlegrounds friction match.
The up to 100 Mbps plan* should exist hefty enough to keep parents happily streamingSchitt'southward Creek while their kiddo watchesPhineas and Ferb on Disney+. (Only perchance not in the aforementioned room.)
But if you lot've got more than a few connected devices, like cell phones, home security systems, and smart TVs, and yet want to binge-sentinelThe Neat British Baking Show when you come up home from work, y'all'll probably want to upgrade to Spectrum'south up to 200 or even up to 400 Mbps plan.*
And that Spectrum Cyberspace Gig plan? That's perfect for a big family who loves to do all of the in a higher place—or for serious gamers or adults who make a living working from dwelling house.
Spectrum download speeds and upload speeds
Data effective 03/fifteen/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
† Wireless speeds may vary.
^ Speed based on wired connection. Available Internet speeds may vary by address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a listing of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.cyberspace/modem.
And then what almost all this news coverage of Spectrum'southward slower-than-advertised speeds? Yes, we've heard nearly that as well, and it has u.s.a. shaking our heads in disappointment.
In our latest analysis of the fastest net providers in the Usa, Spectrum ranked 14th out of the 38 full ISPs we analyzed. That puts it far beneath other cablevision internet providers like RCN (ranked 6th), Xfinity (ranked 7th), and Optimum (ranked 9th).
Spectrum Net speed scores2
| Provider | Overall rank | Cable Internet service provider rank |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Cyberspace® | 14th out of 38 ISPs | 7th out of 22 cable ISPs |
Really quick, nosotros want to notation that Spectrum'due south weighted score of 35.six out of 100 isn't representative of whatsoever download speeds you lot might run across with it. Instead, that weighted score is a combination of the average download speeds, upload speeds, and latency that Spectrum Internet customers saw in more one 1000000 speed tests taken between Jan and December 2019.
Our highest-ranked cable internet provider, RCN, earned 47.4 out of 100, while our lowest-ranked cable provider, Sparklight, earned 31.v out of 100. That puts Spectrum toward the bottom of the pack when information technology comes to internet speed from large cable ISPs. So, we expect that you'll likely get slower speeds than what you pay for with Spectrum.
The somewhat silver lining is that Spectrum has no contracts. So if you find your download speeds waning and client service is no assistance, it'due south easy to put a stop to your service and discover someone else. Yous won't get slapped with early termination fees either.
Non sure if Spectrum'south download speeds are enough for you? Check out our Mbps guide for more info.
Information caps
Spectrum volition neither throttle your speeds nor charge you actress for your data use. That's the best kind of "no" we've e'er heard.
While most ISPs offer only 1 TB of data (which is commonly more than enough information for near of us), Spectrum'due south unlimited information is a dream come up true for anyone who uses the web for file sharing, (legally) downloading movies, or working from home.
Contracts, equipment, and fees
Spectrum comes with no contract, simply yous'll still pay for installation and a Wi-Fi activation fee
We like that Spectrum offers a no-contract net pick because information technology frees you up to switch providers if you're moving homes or unsatisfied with the service. That's perfect if you're renting, temporarily in a metropolis for work, or just don't similar commitments. (We get it.)
Other options for no-contract cyberspace that may be in your area include Frontier and Xfinity.
The only issues we take with Spectrum are information technology's additional fees. Those fees are a confusing bunch, so we'll try to clear them up for you.
Equipment
Spectrum throws in a free modem with your internet, which is pretty nice of them. Well-nigh other companies accuse anywhere from $10 to $twenty extra a calendar month to rent equipment.
Of class, you lot can still bring your ain modem and router philharmonic if yous adopt. If y'all need a recommendation, we're fans of this ARRIS SURFboard modem router combo from Amazon.
Service fees
The professional installation fee for the Spectrum Internet and Spectrum Internet Ultra plans is one of the most reasonable we've seen. Only the fee for the Spectrum Net Gig programme is outrageous at all-time.
- Pro installation fees: $49.99 for Spectrum Cyberspace and Spectrum Internet Ultra plans, $199.99 for Spectrum Gig plan
- Self installation fee: $19.99
- Early termination fees: No contract means no early termination fee. Yay!
Spectrum Boob tube's customer service
Spectrum's client service improved over the final yr, but at that place's still room for more improvement
Internet service equally a whole doesn't exercise well in the client service section. We know that's no alibi, but we desire to put the situation in perspective earlier we swoop into how Spectrum'southward customer service performs.
The American Customer Satisfaction Alphabetize (ACSI) scores ISPs for customer service each year, and the internet industry averaged a score of 65 out of 100 for 2021.3 And then if you look at Spectrum'due south latest score of 63 out of 100, it may not seem that cracking. But that score is withal a major improvement from ii years ago, when Spectrum scored a lackluster 59 out of 100.
Spectrum client service rating3
| Customer service rating | Spectrum |
|---|---|
| ACSI 2020 | 63 out of 100 |
So, while we're pleased to see Spectrum improved over the past couple of years, we're yet expecting bigger and better things from it.
Merely if you lot have no other choice simply to call customer service, what tin you do? Outset thing's first, take a deep breath and grab a pen and paper.
- Use online conversation or electronic mail if yous can. Chat and email free y'all up to proceed living your life without a cell telephone fastened to your ear. Both of these methods likewise keep a log of what was said or promised, which is perfect if you need to refer dorsum to it for proof.
- Advocate for yourself. If your current customer service rep isn't cut it, inquire to speak to someone else—or their director. It may seem disrespectful, only at the end of the day you're the client and you deserve fair and respectful treatment!
- Negotiate. Spectrum doesn't have contracts, so this can be a huge bargaining bit for you. Research other net providers' prices and speeds earlier you telephone call or conversation, and don't be afraid to say y'all'll cancel your service if Spectrum can't give you what you're request for.
Get in impact with Spectrum here:
- Phone: ane-855-707-7328
- Online conversation
- Twitter: @Ask_Spectrum
- Facebook: @Spectrum
How does Spectrum Cyberspace compare to the competitors?
As nosotros mentioned before, Spectrum Internet barely made our top isp picks.
Although it's still a skilful provider for some, nosotros'll requite you some context of how Spectrum stacks up against our height four net providers.
Spectrum Net competitor comparison
| Provider | Monthly toll | Download speeds | Data cap | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | $17.99/mo. – $89.99/mo. for 12 mos. ° | thirty – 1000 Mbps | Unlimited | View Plans |
 | $xix.99 – $79.99 ‡‡ | 50 – 1200 Mbps | 1.2 TB | View Plans |
 | $39.99 – $89.99 ^^ | 300 – 940 Mbps | Unlimited | View Plans |
 | $50 – $65 °° | 100 – 940 Mbps | Unlimited | View Plans |
 | $55 ** | 75 – 100 Mbps | ane TB – Unlimited | View Plans |
Data effective 11/11/21. Offers and availability vary past location and are subject to change.
° For the first 12 months.
‡‡ For the first 12 months. Some packages crave a 1- or two-yr contract.
^^ west/ Auto Pay + taxes & equip. charges.
°° New customers only. Rate requires paperless billing and excludes taxes. Additional fees apply.
** Cost after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes $ fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your surface area.
Our picks: The all-time Spectrum Internet plan
All-time budget choice for most families: Spectrum Internet
Who it's best for: If your family unit loves to stream videos or playFarming Simulator 19 together online, the Spectrum Cyberspace plan's upwardly to 100 Mbps* is fast plenty to go along yous continued on a budget.
But hey, if your house is home to a large family, you've got kiddos uploading YouTube videos, or a partner who works from home, you lot'll want to look into the upward to 400 or 1,000 Mbps* plans instead.
Why we picked information technology: The toll Spectrum charges for its up to 100 Mbps program* isn't the best out at that place, but information technology's still reasonable. We besides retrieve it's the best deal of all three Spectrum plans available. And then if you're stuck on a budget just even so love to game and stream reruns of Parks and Recreation, we recall this program is the perfect compromise.
Download speed:
Upwards to 200 Mbps
Information effective 01/25/2022. Offers and availability vary by location and are field of study to alter.
Data effective 5/17/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject area to change.
Epitomize: Is Spectrum Net skilful?
Spectrum's got okay pricing and client service, just on the plus side it pairs its fast speeds with unlimited data and no contracts
As the nation'south second largest internet provider, Spectrum has to compete with big dogs like Xfinity, Verizon, and AT&T.
How does it stack up? Mmm, so-and so if yous inquire united states.
It's widely available in the Us, offers a wide range of speeds that work for streaming or gaming households, and keeps you going with unlimited data—all while avoiding contracts.
Simply its disruptive fees and iffy customer service make us hesitate. Can you find better than Spectrum? Aye. But are at that place worse ISPs out there? Again, yes.
Spectrum internet prices and plans recap
- Spectrum Internet: $49.99/mo. for the first 12 months, upward to 100 Mbps download speeds,* no information cap
- Spectrum Cyberspace Ultra: $69.99/mo. for the first 12 months, up to 400 Mbps download speeds,* no data cap
- Spectrum Cyberspace Gig: $89.99/mo. for the beginning 12 months, upwardly to 1,000 Mbps download speeds,* no information cap
Data constructive 12/16/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to alter.
Methodology
Nosotros research and charge per unit our cyberspace providers based on the following criteria:
- Prices
- Availability
- Speed scores
- Customer service scores
- Connection type
After comparison the criteria, we requite you our honest opinion about each provider while giving you the information you need to know before signing up.
Spectrum FAQs
Who owns Spectrum Internet?
Back in 2016, Lease Communications bought both Fourth dimension Warner Cable and Vivid Business firm Networks. Now, all that Internet access provider prowess is housed under one proper noun, making Lease the proud new possessor of Spectrum.
How much is Spectrum Internet after 12 months?
After 12 months of service, your prices will increase by $21 for internet. Since Spectrum doesn't require a contract, your promotional price isn't guaranteed after the get-go yr (although it's worth calling and negotiating for if yous're an existing customer).
How do I install Spectrum Internet?
If you already have a cable connection and basic knowledge of modems and routers, you can set it upwards yourself. Information technology's straightforward enough if you've prepare-up a Wi-Fi network before, but in that location's a Spectrum video if you haven't.
Sources
*Wireless speeds may vary.
°Speed based on wired connection. Available Internet speeds may vary by address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.internet/modem.
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Source: https://www.reviews.org/internet-service/spectrum-internet-review/