Verizon Fios vs. Charter Spectrum – An In-Depth Analysis

In-Depth Review Of Verizon Fios And Its Rival Charter Spectrum

Verizon Fios and Spectrum (formerly known as Time Warner Cable) are some of the most popular choices when it comes to Internet packages. Of course, they both have some pros and cons, depending on your budget and needs and you’ll have to weigh both to make the right decision. Before we dive in, it is essential to keep in mind that since Charter Communications have purchased Time Warner, the merger may affect the speed, price as well as the quality of service. Also, the internet is not the only thing to factor in, as both firms provide additional services such as TV and phone, usually for a bargain.

An Overview of Verizon Fios

This is a provider of Fiber Internet, phone and TV services. They offer excellent speeds and own one of the biggest pure fiber infrastructure and network in the industry.

Due to their reliable connectivity, Verizon is recommended for gamers, techies, and home offices. We recommend this network for anyone who considers themselves a ‘tech guru’. Fiber is the ultimate when it comes to internet connectivity and simply cannot be matched by cable in terms of latency and speeds. For an in-depth Review of Verizon Fios see our guide on all the details you need to know

An Overview of Spectrum

This one provides fiber internet, broadband cable, TV, and phone services for both residential and commercial settings. Charter Communications acquired Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable in 2016, which enabled them to expand their network, making them one of the largest in the country.

Spectrum is ideal for TV fans and frugal shoppers. Yes, they can’t beat Verizon when it comes to internet speeds, but for the average user, a rate of at least 75Mbps for downloads and uploads is even more than enough.

Spectrum has some great TV and value packages that make it something to consider regardless of the lower internet speeds. If you are looking to bundle their services for an excellent deal or are living somewhere temporary and need the flexibility of monthly payments, then Charter Spectrum might be perfect for you.

Verizon’s Fios Technology

Fios provides Internet, phone and TV services using Fiber to The Home Network. Verizon was one of the first large firms to launch a fiber optic network. They may have sold some parts of their networks, but they are still available in numerous states. Here at MydealsClub, we offer a full range of all the latest Deals From Verizon for both new and existing customers to save on any new plan or subscription.

Unlike hybrid networks, Fiber to The Home transfers data over next-gen fiber cables all the way to your residence. The most significant downside with Fiber to The Home Networks is that they cost the providers substantially more to lay upfront. This could be due to the high cost of fiber optic cables as well as the quality of work required to install that cable. Verizon has also recently announced it would upgrade its network to a Verizon 5G Plan with gigabit speeds unrivaled by the others in the market.

Spectrum’s Technology

Charter Spectrum also provides Internet, phone, and TV services to their subscribers, but unlike Fios, they utilize a hybrid fiber coaxial network.

Hybrid Fiber Coaxial(HFC) is a broadband network that utilizes fiber cables as the backbone but uses coaxial wires (which are slower) to link consumer residences with the local optical node. The role of this node is to change optical signals into electric ones, which are usually transported through cable TV networks. A single node may serve anywhere between 50 to 2000 homes in a region.

Verizon Fios or Charter Spectrum: The Cost of Installation & Setup Times

• Verizon Fios

Fios is a beast in most of its rankings, but they have a less overall client gratification in terms of their installation procedures. A handful of customers have had problems with installation costs, but these are usually waived upon request.

• Charter Spectrum

Charter Spectrum’s setup and installation times can be unsatisfactory, but the company offsets this by having a low cost of installation. There have been a number of complaints regarding the technician missing their scheduled visits, but the firm gives $20 credits for confirmed misses.

Verizon Fios and Charter Spectrum Customer Service Ratings

Well personally I prefer smaller companies when it comes to customer service and that’s due to the familiar adage of merely being a number in a big machine and this is where Charter and Verizon have both let the public down in the past , however since merging with Time Warner Cable last year Spectrum has got markedly better. So basing this on reputation alone Verizon comes out on top and Charter has a long-standing reputation for providing a bad customer experience, having said that they have improved their game immensely since the rebrand of Spectrum.

When it comes to customer service, Verizon is the winner in comparison with Spectrum. In fact, Fios is among the highest ranking plans today for client service fulfillment. It is ideally number 1 on ACSIs TV service subscription list. Their customer service web page contains an array of tools like areas to request support tickets, track service requests and even find more about their other services.

Spectrum’s rank has risen a bit, and that’s because the firm has prioritized in offering high-quality support service to their clients. When I compare Spectrum to Fios customer service I would have to say Verizon overall stands out as being head and shoulders ahead.

Verizon Fios Compared To Charter’s Spectrum Contract Length

You would assume that spectrum’s pricing would be more straightforward, mainly because there is only one internet package to chose from. However, the advertised price does not reveal everything. Their website lists the internet plan price at $29.99, but if you pay attention to the fine print, you will discover that that price point is only reasonable if you bundle the internet with phone and TV services. That is not to say it is a bad deal, but it is not the broadband internet only price. Two additional things I like about fios that Spectrum does not do is that they offer Deals for Existing Customers  and Verizon Offers a Prepay Option

Compare Verizon Fios and Charter Spectrum at a Glance

Which Network Provider is Better?

Charter spectrum offers more affordable plans, covers more areas and has more HD channels. The provider’s performance has increased substantially in the past couple of years, rising after a weak track record for customer service and a reputation-damaging money scandal. It is now one of the most significant broadband and TV companies in the United States, and they are proud to offer cost-effective packages for those who want fast and affordable internet.

However, if you are looking for faster speeds, then Fios is undoubtedly the ideal choice. With Verizon Fios’ 100Mbps up/down package, you can download a 1-hour HD video of around 4GB in less than 7 minutes. Use spectrum’s network for the same, and you will have to wait for 50 minutes. That is almost ten times slower. All networks are not created equal but do not fall into the claims made by broadband companies.

Conclusion In The Debate

It is easy to see why Fios is our preferred pick for Internet and Television. Using a fiber optic network not only gives them the edge concerning speed but it also allows them to offer an unmatched channel selection in HD and 4K. They also have a custom TV option where you only pay for the channels you watch and additional value in packages that bundle internet with TV and phone services. So there you have it, in this debate, we think that Verizon Fios comes out on top overall and with the bundled packages like triple play and double play fios that’s where we would spend our own money.

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