Plans starting at: $30
Popular Package: Up to 8Gbps
Download speeds up to: 8 Gbps
Connection Types: Fiber
Plans starting at: $25
Popular Package: Fiber 5 Gig
Download speeds up to: 5 Gbps
Connection Types: Fiber & Cable
Quantum Fiber Staff rating
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].PROS
Cons
Cities with Quantum Fiber availability
WOW Staff rating
WOW! delivers fast, reliable internet with attractive pricing
WOW! (WideOpenWest) serves customers in 6 states—Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida [1]—and is the smallest cable internet provider on our list [2]. WOW! serves over 2 million residential, business, and wholesale consumer subscribers, which is still a smaller base compared to industry cable internet giants like Xfinity and Spectrum [3]. Notably, it serves 470,400 high-speed data subscribers as of December 31, 2024 (down from 490,100 in 2023). But WOW! provides a model of good internet performance, operational success, and general customer satisfaction. In August 2025, WOW! (WideOpenWest) agreed to be acquired by DigitalBridge Group and Crestview Partners in a $1.5 billion transaction valued at $5.20 per share [4]. WOW! uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network, like the biggest national cable providers. That technology allows WOW! to provide up to 1,200 Mbps download speed and 50 Mbps upload speed. WOW! also features very low introductory plan prices, far lower than most cable internet providers. Though prices will rise after the first year, you’ll still pay about $20 less for most WOW! plan speeds than you would with Spectrum or Xfinity. And WOW! scores above average for customer satisfaction too.PROS
Cons
Cities with WOW availability
Quantum Fiber Pricing
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 |
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:- 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.
- 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.
- 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.WOW Pricing
WOW’s prices are so low they’ll WOW you
If there’s any way that WOW! can claim to have truly earned its name, it’s with low pricing. The first-tier plan will give you 300 Mbps download speed for only $25 a month. That's on the very low end of cable ISP pricing—less than $0.10 per Mbps. A lightning-fast, 1 gigabit speed from WOW! will run you $50. That’s considerably cheaper than several other major cable providers’ multi-gigabit speed plans. WOW!’s lower-speed plans do have a couple of drawbacks that may increase their otherwise excellent prices. Those drawbacks are data caps and a $14/month modem rental fee [5]. Fortunately, the equipment rental fee is optional, meaning that you can skip it if you provide your own modem/router instead. And the data caps are fairly high for the lowest-tier plans (1.5 TB/month) and very high for the 500 Mbps (2.5 TB) and 1 Gig (3 TB) plans [6]. The high caps for the faster plans make it very unlikely that you will exceed your data caps. So, just don’t go overboard and have 40 gamers playing at your house for a month. The vast majority of households will never get close the limits of a 2.5+ TB data cap.Quantum Fiber Reliability and Performance
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.WOW Reliability and Performance
WOW! cable delivers gigabit downloads but asymmetrical upload speeds; fiber offers symmetrical multi-gigabit service
WOW's hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) cable network delivers download speeds up to 1,200 Mbps across approximately 99% of its service footprint [7], matching the technical capabilities of national cable providers such as Spectrum and Xfinity. Upload speeds on cable plans are capped at 50 Mbps regardless of download tier. This asymmetrical speed structure is standard for cable internet technology and sufficient for typical household activities including streaming multiple 4K devices and online gaming.
WOW's cable plans provide adequate performance for households with average internet usage patterns. The 1,200 Mbps top speed on cable supports simultaneous streaming, video conferencing, and gaming across multiple devices. However, the 50 Mbps upload limitation presents constraints for specific use cases. Users who regularly upload large files (such as video content creators), operate cloud-based backup systems, or require symmetrical bandwidth for enterprise-grade applications will experience performance bottlenecks with cable service.
In select Greenfield expansion markets, WOW offers all-fiber service with symmetrical speeds up to 5,000 Mbps for both downloads and uploads. Fiber service is currently available within 5.7% of WOW's total coverage footprint [8], concentrated in newer markets including Central Florida, Hernando County (Florida), Greenville County (South Carolina), and select areas in Michigan and Alabama [9]. The symmetrical nature of fiber service eliminates the upload speed constraints present in cable plans, making fiber suitable for bandwidth-intensive applications, heavy content creation, and households with 10+ simultaneous high-bandwidth users.
Quantum Fiber Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features
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
WOW Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features
Equipment rental fees are optional, self-installation is free for WOW!
All WOW! plans come with a free self-installation kit. If for any reason you’re not comfortable with self-installation, you can get pro installation for $50. Though most plans will allow you to rent a modem/router from WOW! for about $14/month, you also have the option to supply your own equipment (which removes that fee). This choice may be better for your budget if you plan to have service for more than a year. Just make sure you check with WOW! to be sure your router has compatible specs.Quantum Fiber Experience & Support
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.WOW Experience & Support
WOW! maintains above-average customer satisfaction despite declining subscriber base
WOW scored 733 out of 1,000 in J.D. Power's North Central region study [10] and outperformed larger ISPs including Cox in the 2023 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study [11]. This positions WOW above the cable industry average of 68 out of 100 on the ACSI scale [12], though below top fiber providers like AT&T Fiber (80) and Verizon Fios (77) [13].
Despite these satisfaction ratings, WOW's subscriber base declined 5% year-over-year from 490,100 to 470,400 as of December 2024, with revenue decreasing 8.1% to $630.9 million. These declines reflect competitive pressure from expanding fiber networks and 5G wireless alternatives rather than service quality issues.
WOW provides 24/7 telephone support and online chat daily from 7:00 AM to 11:45 PM EST [14], plus an online account management portal, and has been named a "Best & Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation" 12 times, including 8 consecutive years as of 2025.
Ultimately, WOW's regional focus enables more personalized service than national cable giants.
Quantum Fiber FAQ's
WOW FAQ's
Quantum Fiber Sources
WOW Sources
[2] Dgtlinfra.com. "Top 125 Internet Providers in the U.S."
[3] Wikipedia.org. "Wide Open West."
[4] PRNewswire.com "WideOpenWest (WOW!), Inc. to be Taken Private by DigitalBridge Group, Inc. and Crestview Partners in $1.5 Billion Transaction."[5] WOW!. "Equipment Rental Fees."
[6] Wow! "What are monthly data usage plans?" [7] SEC. "WideOpenWest 10-K Filing, December 31, 2024." [8] BestNeighborhood.org. "WOW coverage maps." [9] PRNewswire.com. "WOW! Reaches 100,000 Homes Passed Market Expansion Milestone; On Track to Reaching Goal of Adding 400,000 Additional Homes to its Footprint."[10] JDPower.com. "2023 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study."
[11] JDPower.com. "Can You Reach Me Now? Wireless Internet Providers Certainly Can and with High Levels of Satisfaction, J.D. Power Finds." [12] ACSI. "Press Release Telecommunications Study 2024, June 4, 2024." [13] Telecompetitor. "Customer Satisfaction Index: AT&T Repeats as Top Fiber Broadband Provider." [14] WowWay.com. "Contact Us."WOW Accolades
Quantum Fiber Internet Plans
| Plan | Service Type | Download Speed | Monthly Price | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
WOW Internet Plans
| Plan | Service Type | Download Speed | Monthly Price | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Quantum Fiber Customers Review
WOW Customers Review
