Starting at
$49.99/mo
for 12 mos.*
Call to Order
(877) 654-4997
Starting at
$39.99/mo.
for 12 mos.*
Call to Order
(877) 783-2597Would you prefer a national internet provider with comprehensive coverage or a regional option with a better understanding of your needs? You might find Spectrum in most parts of the country, but Altafiber only serves three states. Despite its small coverage area, Altafiber can give tough competition to Spectrum.
This Spectrum vs. Altafiber comparison is all about weighing their overall value based on various factors like speed, price, additional charges, and more. Your priorities and requirements will decide the final winner. Let’s get into the usual details.
Spectrum is a large-scale internet provider with a comprehensive 875,000 miles of hybrid fiber-coaxial network. The provider offers a full range of telecommunication and entertainment services, such as internet, TV, home phone, and mobile plans.
As a result, it has a huge customer base of over 32 million people in 41 states. Among them, 30.6 million people trust Spectrum’s broadband service with their daily online activities.
In contrast, Altafiber is a regional fiber internet provider based in Cincinnati, Ohio. However, it is much older than Spectrum. Previously known as Cincinnati Bell, the company started as a telegraph service provider and expanded into the broadband market in the early 90s.
It was rebranded as Altafiber in 2022 after its acquisition by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets. Today, the provider offers several telecommunication services, such as high-speed internet, TV, and home phone, over a reliable fiber network in three states.
| Features | Spectrum | Altafiber |
| Price Range | $49.99/mo. – $79.99/mo. | $39.99/mo. – $99.99/mo. |
| Download Speed | 300 – 1,000 Mbps | 400 – 2,000 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 10 – 35 Mbps | Call for details |
| Internet Type | Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial | Fiber |
| Data Caps | None | None |
| Bundle Deals | Yes | Yes |
| Contracts | None | None |
| Equipment | WiFi Service: $7.00/mo. | Wireless gateway: 10.99/mo. |
| WiFi Pods: $3.00/mo. per pod | Whole Home WiFi: $15.99/mo. | |
| Professional Installation | $65.00 | NA |
| Service Activation Fee | $30 for Self-Installation | $39.99 for Self-Installation |
| Coverage Area | 41 states | 3 states |
The table above highlights how Spectrum and Altafiber are completely different internet providers. While Spectrum is known for its comprehensive coverage in 41 states and technical support, Altafiber is famous for its personalized service and understanding of local needs.
But is Altafiber more valuable than Spectrum? Let’s compare their standard pricing, additional charges, coverage, and bundles in detail.
Altafiber offers cheaper and faster plans than Spectrum.
Spectrum offers three different asymmetrical internet speeds. The promotional pricing starts from $49.99 per month, with download speeds beginning from 300 Mbps and going up to 1,000 Mbps. All three Spectrum Internet plans include unlimited data, a free modem, antivirus software, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The provider has recently updated its pricing policy on two of its plans. While Spectrum’s entry-level plan has the same 12-month promo period, you can save quite a few dollars with Internet Ultra and Internet Gig because they now come with a 2-year price guarantee.
| Spectrum Internet Plans | |||
| Plans | Starting Price | Max Speed | Type |
| Internet | $49.99/mo.* | Up to 300 Mbps | Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial |
| Internet Ultra | $69.99/mo.** | Up to 500 Mbps | Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial |
| Internet Gig | $79.99/mo.** | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial |
In contrast, Altafiber’s plans are $10 cheaper than Spectrum, with nearly symmetrical upload and download speeds. Unlike Spectrum, you get 4 options for speed with Altafiber. The provider also locks the price on higher-speed plans. However, the price guarantee varies depending on the chosen plan.
All Altafiber plans are contract-free and include unlimited data.
| Altafiber Internet Plans | |||
| Plans | Starting Price | Max Speed | Type |
| Fioptics 400 Mbps Internet | $39.99/mo.* | Up to 400 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fioptics 600 Mbps Internet | $49.99/mo.** | Up to 600 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fioptics 1 GIG Internet | $69.99/mo.*** | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fioptics 2 GIG Internet | $99.99/mo.*** | Up to 2,000 Mbps | Fiber |
Altafiber has fewer additional costs than Spectrum. However, Spectrum is very transparent about its extra charges and includes everything in its rate card.
While all Spectrum Internet plans come with a free modem, you have to pay $7 per month for its WiFi service. For maximum coverage, you can choose Spectrum WiFi pods for an additional fee of $3 per month, per pod.
On the other hand, Altafiber charges a monthly $10.99 fee for its wireless gateway. However, every Altafiber plan is eligible for a Whole Home WiFi upgrade for $15.99 per month. This upgrade includes a WiFi extender and a network management app, making it ideal for large homes.
| Provider | Equipment Fee |
| Spectrum | Modem – Free |
| WiFi service – $7.00/mo. | |
| WiFi Pod – $3.00/mo. per pod | |
| Altafiber | Wireless Gateway – $10.99/mo. |
| Whole Home WiFi – $15.99/mo. |
Spectrum’s Internet service comes with two installation options. You can either book a professional installation for an upfront $65 or set everything up by yourself for half the price. On the other hand, Altafiber charges $40 for activating your service.
| Provider | Installation Fee |
| Spectrum | Primary Installation: $65.00 |
| Self-installation: $30.00 required for service activation | |
| Altafiber | $39.99 for Internet Activation |
The following table highlights the other possible additional charges by both providers.
| Spectrum | Altafiber |
| $4.99 for reconnecting the internet | Late payment: $15.36 |
| $59.00 for an Unreturned Modem | – |
| $76.00 for an Unreturned Wireless Router | – |
| $65.00 for an Unreturned WiFi Pod | – |
| $280.00 for an Unreturned EPON ONU | – |
| Late fee: $8.95 | – |
| $1.99 for additional bill copies | – |
Both Altafiber and Spectrum also allow you to bundle their services. However, Altafiber’s internet and TV packages are more geared towards entertainment lovers, offering a wide variety of networks at cheaper prices.
Spectrum’s Internet and TV packages are pricier than Altafiber’s as they don’t have a bundling discount. You can combine your Spectrum Internet plan with TV Select Signature and watch over 150 networks for a price tag of $114.98 per month.
Spectrum also gives you the choice to bundle its internet service with its Spanish TV plan, giving you access to more than 145 Spanish and English networks. If you want to cut the cord, you can bundle your Spectrum Internet plan with TV Stream.
| Bundles | Starting Price | Internet Speed | TV Channels |
| Spectrum Internet + TV Stream | $89.98/mo. | 300 Mbps | 75+ |
| Spectrum Internet + TV Select Signature | $114.98/mo. | 300 Mbps | 150+ |
| Spectrum Internet + Mi Plan Latino | $89.98/mo. | 300 Mbps | 145+ |
In comparison, Altafiber has several TV plans, giving you a wide variety of channels but at much cheaper prices. The provider offers excellent discounts on all internet and TV bundles, but the most exceptional promotional offer is on its Basic TV plan. You can get this plan for free by bundling it with your Altafiber internet plan.
| Bundles | Starting Price | Internet Speed | TV Channels |
| Fioptics 600 Mbps Internet + Basic TV | $49.99/mo. | 600 Mbps | 55+ |
| Fioptics 600 Mbps Internet + Preferred TV | $79.99/mo. | 600 Mbps | 190+ |
| Fioptics 600 Mbps Internet + Elite TV | $89.99/mo. | 600 Mbps | 305+ |
Spectrum is not a bad option for gaming, but we all know how it can slow down during network congestion. Hence, Altafiber is a better choice for gamers. Its symmetrical speeds, ultra-low latency, and dedicated bandwidth eliminate interruptions and other issues that are common with cable internet service, giving you a consistent gaming experience.
Spectrum has a much more comprehensive network, allowing it to operate in 41 states. Meanwhile, you can find Altafiber in select areas of these 3 states: Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Since the provider is based in Cincinnati, most of its coverage is in and around this city. However, Altafiber also has the best coverage in the following cities of Ohio.
Spectrum’s score is below the industry average in the latest reports of both the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power’s Satisfaction Study. Its poor customer satisfaction ratings are mainly due to inconsistent speeds, frequent outages, and poor communication.
On the other hand, we can only evaluate Altafiber’s customer service through the Better Business Bureau’s score since it is a local internet provider. Based on its responsiveness and the number of resolved complaints, BBB has assigned Altafiber an A+ rating, indicating a high customer satisfaction rate.
| ACSI Rankings | Spectrum | Altafiber | Industry Average |
| 2023 | 64 | N/M | 68 |
| 2022 | 63 | N/M | 64 |
Only one internet service is perfect for your home, and the answer depends on your requirements. Spectrum and Altafiber have their own benefits and drawbacks. While Altafiber is faster and cheaper, its coverage is limited to Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Meanwhile, Spectrum’s Internet plans are pricier than Altafiber, but its wide coverage area makes it the top choice for many Americans.
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