Frontier adds 2-gig speeds across its entire fiber network

Image: Alex Castro / The Verge

Frontier Communications is rolling out 2-Gig speeds across its existing fiber-optic network, which currently spans six states, including Texas, Florida, California, Indiana, West Virginia, and Connecticut. The plan comes with symmetrical downloads and uploads and a free installation of a wi-fi 6E compatible router.

It's not clear if you'll get the 4-Series Fire TV or the 43-inch Amazon Fire TV if you sign up for Frontier. The company is giving away a $200 Visa Reward Card, an Eero Pro 6 routers, and a wi-fi extender as part of a promotion for its single gig fiber plan.

A number of communications companies have already started to go beyond the 1Gbps threshold when it comes to fiber. Last month, AT&T announced its rollout of 2-gig and 5-gig plans, priced at $110 / month and $180 / month, respectively. Xfinity also has a 3Gbps plan for a pricey $299.95 / month, and Verizon has a 2-gig $119 / month plan for New York City residents only. Meanwhile, Google Fiber’s $100 / month 2-gig plan still remains the cheapest of the multi-gig family.

Frontier filed for bankruptcy in 2020 because of under-investment in fiber deployment. According to Ars Technica, most of Frontier's fiber connections at the time were installed by the same company that purchased Fios operations in California, Texas, and Florida. In the last quarter of the year, the company added 45,000 new fiber customers.

It is still a fantasy for many of us who are not located in specific areas of the US. It would be great to have more cables laid down so more of us can gain access to faster fiber.