Quantum Fiber vs. Frontier Internet Providers Compared

Quantum Fiber brings superior internet speeds and reliability at an appealing price.

Quantum Fiber is a fiber-optic network under the parent company Lumen Technologies, which also operates CenturyLink’s DSL-based service. According to data from December 2024, the Federal Communications Commission states that Quantum Fiber is available to just over 2.2% of U.S. households, making it one of the largest fiber-optic networks in the United States [1]. The service operates in 18 states, as well as a number of cities, with the strongest coverage in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, and Washington [2]. In May 2025, AT&T announced plans to acquire Quantum Fiber's parent operations for nearly $6 billion—the transaction is expected to close in 2026 [3]. AT&T has indicated no immediate changes are planned, and they will continue to "prioritize putting customers first" following the acquisition. The sale ultimately resulted in Lumen reporting $915 million in losses for Q2 2025, with Lumen attributing losses to the accounting changes, and "not from money actually spent" [4]. Quantum Fiber delivers symmetrical fiber-optic speeds ranging from 500 Mbps to 8,000 Mbps in select markets, with no data caps or contract requirements. The service stands out for its "Price for Life" guarantee, which locks in your monthly rate permanently—a significant advantage in an industry where 63% of customers reported price increases in the past year [5].

Great prices and a Price-for-Life Guarantee.

Quantum Fiber offers straightforward pricing that includes an autopay discount. Monthly costs are approximately $5 higher if you don't enroll in automatic payments. In most markets, the two primary plans available are the 500 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps (1 Gig) tiers. Multi-gigabit options—including 3 Gig and 8 Gig plans—are available in select areas. A handful of markets, including Ocala and Orlando, Florida, as well as Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, offer a budget-friendly 200 Mbps plan for $45 monthly [6].

Plan	Download Speed	Upload Speed	Monthly Price
Up to 500 Mbps	500 Mbps	500 Mbps	$50
Up to 940 Mbps	940 Mbps	940 Mbps	$75
Up to 3 Gbps	3,000 Mbps	3,000 Mbps	$100
Up to 8 Gbps	8,000 Mbps	8,000 Mbps**	$165

*Pricing varies by market **Note: The 8 Gig plan offers asymmetrical speeds with upload capped at 3,000 Mbps  All plans include free equipment rental during an initial period, unlimited data, and no contracts [7].

Value Analysis

When evaluating internet plans, the cost per megabit provides insight into true value. Quantum Fiber's entry-level 500 Mbps plan at $50 monthly translates to 10 cents per Mbps—a competitive rate for fiber service. This pricing structure positions Quantum Fiber favorably against cable providers that may advertise lower starting prices, but dramatically increase rates after promotional periods expire.

Fees and the Price-for-Life Guarantee

Quantum Fiber’s "Price for Life" guarantee permanently locks in your plan rate, which is a fantastic deal. Unlike most cable internet providers that raise prices after the promotional period of one or two years, Quantum Fiber maintains your original rate indefinitely. If you sign up for the 500 Mbps plan at $50 a month, that rate remains frozen even if the same plan later costs new customers $65. This guarantee applies specifically to your base service rate. Three potential cost increases are still possible:

1. Equipment rental fees: Quantum Fiber provides free equipment during an "initial period," but this timeframe is not clearly defined. After this period ends, rental fees may apply. You can drop these fees altogether by using your own compatible router.
2. Installation costs: Professional installation is currently free, though Quantum Fiber states this "could change in the future," and additional products or services might incur extra installation costs.
3. Taxes and miscellaneous fees: Local and state taxes or regulatory fees may increase over time, independent of Quantum Fiber's control.

No Data Caps or Contracts

All Quantum Fiber plans include unlimited data, allowing unrestricted internet use within the acceptable use policy without overage fees or speed throttling. The absence of contracts means you can cancel or modify service anytime without early termination fees.

Frontier will give you a good deal on fiber, but DSL varies widely Frontier's main distinction among fiber internet providers is competitive pricing on high-speed plans. Fiber internet plans range from $19.99 to $109.99 per month with Auto Pay and Paperless Billing [4]. Current promotional pricing includes Fiber 200 at $39.99/month, Fiber 500 at $29.99/month, and Fiber 1 Gig at $49.99/month—all offering symmetrical upload and download speeds.  With router rental included and no data caps, Frontier Fiber offers the kind of simple, clear pricing that earns high ratings from us. Frontier offers significant sign-up incentives, some of which has included a $300 Visa Reward Card with Fiber 5 Gig and 7 Gig plans, a $200 Visa Reward Card with Fiber 2 Gig, and $10/month off YouTube TV for 12 months. Be sure to check Frontier’s official website for current promotions. The only drawback is that Frontier Internet (the name for their DSL plans) does not provide the same kind of bargain. Frontier's single DSL plan costs $64.99 per month with variable speeds depending on your location. Plus, the DSL speed you will be able to get at your address will vary depending on infrastructure, with customers receiving average download speeds of 30 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 Mbps [5]. Average DSL pricing in the industry is not a great deal for customers compared to cable and fiber pricing. That's why Frontier and many other providers are moving away from copper-based service in favor of fiber.

Symmetrical upload and download speeds and superior reliability during peak usage times.

Quantum Fiber utilizes fiber-optic technology, which provides two key advantages over cable and DSL: symmetrical upload and download speeds, and superior reliability during peak usage times. Symmetrical speeds mean your upload capacity matches your download speed. On the 500 Mbps plan, for instance, you receive 500 Mbps in both directions. This proves valuable for video conferencing, uploading large files, livestreaming, and cloud backups—activities that require only modest upload speeds (typically 10 Mbps or less) but benefit from having bandwidth headroom available.

Fiber-to-the-Home vs. Fiber-to-the-Curb

In most installations, Quantum Fiber deploys Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH), where fiber-optic cable runs directly to your residence. This provides the fastest possible speeds with full symmetrical performance. However, in some cases, Quantum Fiber may install Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC), where the final connection to your home uses coaxial cable. Even a short coaxial cable segment will reduce upload speeds compared to pure fiber. If you receive an FTTC connection, your download speeds may remain at advertised levels, but uploads will be slower than the symmetrical speeds typical of FTTH. Before installation, confirm which connection type your location will receive.

Performance Capacity

A gigabit fiber plan from Quantum Fiber supports about 10 devices at once, engaging in high-bandwidth activities (like 4K streaming and online gaming) while maintaining a smooth performance. The combination of low latency, high bandwidth, and consistent speeds makes fiber particularly well-suited for households with multiple heavy internet users.

Frontier Fiber offers speed and reliability, but their DSL lags behind Just like pricing, performance for Frontier plans is heavily split depending on whether you get fiber or DSL. With Frontier Fiber, you can get multi-gigabit speeds up to 7,000 Mbps. That's right up there with the top few providers in the fiber internet business, with Frontier customers receiving average fiber speeds of 6,394 Mbps for both downloads and uploads. Frontier's fiber network delivers true symmetrical speeds—meaning your upload speed matches your download speed—which is particularly valuable for video conferencing, cloud backups, and content creation. These multi-gigabit speeds will be more than sufficient for very large households with many devices all streaming or gaming simultaneously. Even 500 Mbps is still a lot of speed and will be more than capable of supporting a five- or six-person home and all the devices in it. The pending Verizon acquisition commits to completing Frontier's planned expansion to 10 million fiber homes by 2026, ensuring continued network investment and reliability improvements.

DSL performance will be unpredictable, with customers receiving average download speeds of just 30 Mbps and upload speeds of only 2 Mbps. The only constant is that it will not deliver fiber-like performance. If you're lucky, you'll get a speed above 25 Mbps download. With that speed, you'll be able to do most standard internet activities such as streaming and browsing, though you'll have to watch how many devices are online at once. But if you get a speed that's 10 Mbps or lower, you may find your service glitching or freezing during heavy-data tasks. Frontier is actively phasing out DSL in favor of fiber networks, with former CEO Nick Jeffery indicating full copper decommissioning is expected within a three- to five-year timeframe [6].

Get free use of a  360 Wi-Fi mesh router or use your own router

Quantum Fiber provides its 360 Wi-Fi equipment at no additional cost during an initial period. This system includes a SmartNID ONT device and up to four mesh Wi-Fi pods. The number of Wi-Fi pods will be determined by your installation technician based on your home's size. Most equipment has Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, but Wi-Fi 7 is available in select areas. The mesh network architecture offers better coverage than traditional single-router setups. This is beneficial for larger homes or properties with thick walls that impede wireless signals. The 360 Wi-Fi system creates whole-home connectivity by placing pods throughout your space, eliminating dead zones and ensuring seamless handoff as you move between areas. This setup supports the high device counts and bandwidth demands typical of modern households.

Professional Installation

Quantum Fiber currently provides free professional installation. The company has noted this "could change in the future," and customers requiring additional products or services may incur extra installation costs. Professional installation ensures proper fiber-optic connection, optimal equipment placement for your home's layout, and immediate resolution of any technical issues. The installation process:

• Running fiber-optic cable to your home (FTTH) or to the curb (FTTC)
• Installing the SmartNID ONT
• Positioning mesh Wi-Fi pods throughout the home
• Testing connection speeds and performance
• Explaining system features and troubleshooting resources

Installation fees waived for fiber, included router varies by plan Frontier currently waives installation fees entirely for all fiber plans, while DSL plans have a $100 installation fee that you can avoid by doing self-installation. Every Frontier Fiber plan includes a premium Wi-Fi router at no charge, with the specific model depending on your speed tier. Plans from Fiber 200 through Fiber 2 Gig come with a free Amazon eero Pro 6E router, while Fiber 5 Gig and Fiber 7 Gig plans include the more advanced TP-Link Archer AXE300 6E router. For customers choosing the top-tier 5 Gig plan, Frontier also includes a three-year new tech upgrade guarantee. However, there are some important fees to be aware of if you decide to cancel service. Frontier charges a $100 early termination fee if you cancel within the first 12 months for all fiber plans except the Fiber 2 Gig plan, which has no early termination fee. Additionally, if you fail to return equipment after terminating service, Frontier may charge for non-return equipment fees. There's also a $50 restocking fee if you decide you no longer want your Frontier Fiber service.

Quantum Fiber ratings often skewed by CenturyLink

According to the 2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) report, Quantum Fiber scored 71 out of 100 points—a 7% decline from the previous year. This places Quantum Fiber four points below the fiber industry average of 75 [3]. The 2025 ACSI data also indicated overall fiber provider scores decreased by 1% year-over-year across the industry [8]. The J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study did not differentiate between Quantum Fiber and CenturyLink DSL, instead reporting combined results for Lumen Technologies. In the West, where Quantum Fiber has its strongest presence, Lumen Technologies ranked last with a score of 511 out of 1,000. This combined scoring methodology means CenturyLink's lower-performing DSL service likely impacted the overall rating. If you compare fiber and DSL services within the Lumen portfolio, the ACSI shows Quantum Fiber's fiber service scores 16 points higher than CenturyLink's DSL offerings. This gap showcases that fiber customers report better experiences than DSL subscribers. The 7% satisfaction decline and below-average ACSI score suggest Quantum Fiber has customer experience downfalls regardless of its technical advantages. Issues affecting its customer experience ratings likely include installation delays, equipment problems, billing discrepancies, and customer service responsiveness. Reddit backs this up, with some users frustrated with Quantum Fiber's reliability: "The speed is great, consistent 550mbps up and down, but it is so unreliable" [9]. Other subscribers report a more positive experience, but do note that they are utilizing their own equipment instead of the Quantum Fiber-supplied equipment: "Love [Quantum Fiber], just get your own wifi equipment" [10]. Despite the below-average satisfaction scores, Quantum Fiber remains a strong technical choice where available. The combination of fast symmetrical speeds, unlimited data, no contracts, competitive pricing, and the price-for-life guarantee creates genuine value.

Frontier Fiber shows strong performance in customer satisfaction Frontier's reviews have improved greatly with increased fiber service. In the 2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) report, Frontier scored 71/100 for its fiber service—a significant improvement over its 58/100 score for non-fiber internet [7]. While fiber ISP satisfaction scores tend to run lower industry-wide, with AT&T leading at 78/100, Frontier's fiber performance places it competitively among major providers. Recent customer feedback reinforces these improvements. One Reddit user wrote that their “newly installed 2 Gig fiber [is an] awesome experience so far” [8]. That said, reliability might depend on where you reside, as another Reddit thread had commenters praising their service in Plano, TX, but also reporting outages and inconsistencies in speeds [9]. Frontier's sharp rise in rankings is a promising sign that if you get Frontier Fiber, you will be happy with your choice. The fiber service has earned an overall rating of 3.83 stars specifically, compared to just 2.55 stars for DSL service, highlighting the dramatic difference in customer satisfaction between the two technologies.