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Our Verdict
Astound Broadband offers a huge range of internet options at prices that many households can afford. You can also bundle your internet with other products, like television and mobile phone service, eliminating a few other bills and calls in the process.
Pros
- Live chat-based customer service
- Broadband speeds of up to 2 gbps in some markets
- Plans starting at $20 in some markets
Cons
- Customers report that telephone customer service can be difficult to reach
- Customers report service has been unreliable in some markets
- Prices subject to change after the initial lock period
4.2
Our star ratings are based on a range of criteria and are determined solely by our editorial team.
Lowest Price Plan Available
$20.00
Customer Rating
Good
Customer Support
Good
Table of Contents
- Astound Broadband at a Glance
- Other Benefits
- Fine Print
- Astound Broadband Pricing
- How Astound Broadband Stacks Up
- Is Astound Broadband Right for You or Your Business?
- Methodology
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There are many options when deciding on whether to have broadband and where to get it from, and this can be a difficult decision. Astound Broadband is one of the best internet providers and a great option for busy people who want an internet connection in their home with very little fuss and bother.
Astound Broadband at a Glance
With a 22-year history of providing internet services to cities across the United States, Astound Broadband has the experience to ensure you have the services and equipment you need. After acquiring Grande Communications, enTouch, RCN and Wave Broadband, Astound Broadband is now available in major metro areas across 11 states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
Plans start at just $20 for very basic internet access and can go up to $80 for its top tier service, the 2 Gbps plan (only available in some areas). Based on the plan you choose, the introductory price is locked for one or two years, and there are never data caps imposed on users.
Other Benefits
Astound is more than just a broadband company, it also offers cable and telephone bundles for users in many markets.
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Fine Print
Although Astound Broadband offers a significant discount on paper, with that comes a lot of fine print. For example, it’s true that there’s no contract, but this can work against you. The moment your package price lock expires, your billing may become dramatically higher. Users report having bills that increased significantly from their intro price billing.
Although Astound contends that these users were told about the price increase ahead of time, it does seem like offering a default ramp-up would be a more customer-friendly practice. Others have reported gaining significant discounts after calling Astound to fight their increase.
Astound Broadband Pricing
Astound Broadband is priced based on the local market and the subsequent broadband speeds available. The typical market has broadband speeds ranging from 300 Mbps to 940 Mbps, which ranges in price from $20 to $65, depending on the market. A more complete picture of pricing is available on the chart below:
| LOCATION | 2000 MBPS | 1200 MBPS | 940 MBPS | 800 MBPS | 600 MBPS | 500 MBPS | 300 MBPS | 100 MBPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sacramento, CA | N/A | $80 | $65 | N/A | N/A | $45 | N/A | $25 |
Washington, DC | N/A | $60 | $50 | N/A | $40 | N/A | $25 | N/A |
Chicago, IL | N/A | $70 | $60 | $50 | $45 | N/A | $25 | N/A |
Evansville, IN | N/A | N/A | $60 | $50 | $45 | N/A | $20 | N/A |
Boston, MA | N/A | $60 | $50 | N/A | $40 | N/A | $25 | N/A |
Austin, TX | N/A | $60 | $50 | N/A | $40 | N/A | $25 | N/A |
How Astound Broadband Stacks Up
| Company | Company - Logo | Lowest Price Plan Available | Customer Rating | Customer Support | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astound |  | $20.00 | Good | Good | - | ||
| CenturyLink |  | $50.00 | Great | Excellent | Learn More | On Century Link's Website | |
| Spectrum by Charter |  | $49.99 | Good | Excellent | Learn More | On Spectrum's Website |
Is Astound Broadband Right for You or Your Business?
Right out of the gate, Astound Broadband has some really amazing base pricing, so if you’re only looking for short term service (two or fewer years), you may do very well with Astound Broadband. It seems to provide a fairly reliable product most of the time, with the vast majority of user complaints surrounding the price changes at the end of their lock in periods.
If you’re willing to fight with the company periodically, you may be able to keep the service longer. Just know that you’ll have to call. Be prepared to cancel at the end of your lock period, and each time that period may be extended. The change in pricing can be dramatic if you neglect this.
Methodology
To determine the best internet providers ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 21 major internet providers, with each provider’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics including:
Plans (37%)
The types of plans an ISP offered garnered the most attention in the ranking. Each ISP had its lowest-priced plan, highest-priced plan, contract requirement, pro installation availability, self-installation options, unlimited data plans and bundle plans availability evaluated on a scale. The lowest and highest-priced plans grabbed the most attention with contract requirements while installation options factored less.
Customer Reviews (18%)
Customer ratings account for 18% of the total best internet providers ranking. Each company’s ratings were evaluated on a variety of platforms like the BBB, Trustpilot, Consumer Affairs and Google. Each review site had a grading weight associated with it and those companies with better BBB ratings and accreditation rated higher than those with lower marks.
Availability (15%)
Nationwide coverage is paramount when it comes to which internet provider is best for you, which is why it accounts for 15% of the ranking. The more states a provider covered, the more points it gained.
Features (14%)
Features took a look at download speeds offered by each ISP. The fastest advertised download speed and the minimum download speeds received a weighted grade while those providers who offer fiber received a boost.
Customer Support Options (12%)
Choosing among the best internet providers involves ensuring that each customer receives the best user experience and can troubleshoot issues with customer support easily, which is why this category makes up 12% of the total ranking. Features like live chat (pre-sale), phone service, knowledge base, community forum and informational blog either gained or lost a company points based on what it offered.
Expert Score (4%)
Companies also benefited from our experts’ analysis for having outstanding service and others lost out due to significant deficiencies, like poor reviews, slow speeds or a lack of services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Astound a reputable company?
Astound has earned some low ratings fromthe Better Business Bureau, indicating that it may offer less than average customer complaint resolution. However, reviews left by customers online complain about changes in price at the end of lockin periods far more often than actual service issues.
Who is Astound Broadband owned by?
Astound Broadband was acquired by Stonepeak Partners in August 2021.
What is the highest Internet speed available through Astound?
Astound offers 2 gbps in limited markets, including California’s Central Coast. Most markets offer 1.2 gbps speeds.
How long has Astound Broadband been around?
Astound Broadband has offered services for over 20 years.
