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The very first thing that leaps out at you about Suddenlink web service is the interesting value. In our CNET roundups, my colleagues have tagged Suddenlink because the best gigabit internet deal and in addition the best rural internet speed for the price. With Suddenlink beginning at $30 a month for 300-megabit service, you are going to get a superb value in your web service, at the very least at the beginning.
Added to that, you don’t have any contracts, a money-back assure and, in most markets, no knowledge caps. How will you go unsuitable?
Like
- Quick speeds with very interesting promo pricing
- No knowledge caps or contracts
- 60-day money-back assure
Do not Like
- Steep value enhance after the primary yr
- Buyer satisfaction numbers have steadily declined lately
Alas, it isn’t all roses and sunshine. Regardless of the tough-to-beat intro pricing, Suddenlink suffers from fading buyer satisfaction rankings and a major second-year value enhance. Though most of its footprint has entry to gigabit service, some areas do not see these quick speeds. On prime of that, choose Suddenlink areas have knowledge caps as nicely.
That brings us again to the acquainted mantra you have heard from us again and again concerning web service suppliers — the worth of a supplier usually comes all the way down to what it presents at your particular tackle.
This is the place you may get Suddenlink web
Suddenlink offers dwelling web service to communities in 17 completely different states. The complete record contains:
Arizona | Nevada |
---|---|
Arkansas | New Mexico |
California | North Carolina |
Idaho | Ohio |
Kansas | Oklahoma |
Kentucky | Texas |
Louisiana | Virginia |
Mississippi | West Virginia |
Missouri |
Amongst these states, Suddenlink has its highest focus of service areas inside Texas (over 100 completely different markets), West Virginia (40), Oklahoma (30), Arkansas (29) and Louisiana (28).
Suddenlink is actively attempting to broaden its footprint
Once we reached out to Suddenlink to ask about its cable hybrid community, a spokesperson highlighted dad or mum firm Altice’s dedication to broadening its attain, saying its “constantly in search of strategic methods to broaden our footprint, together with new builds, fiber upgrades… to convey our superior suite of connectivity merchandise to much more clients.”
Additional, Suddenlink at the moment presents its gigabit service to over 80% of properties inside its attain and has the 2021 aim of upgrading as much as 300,000 properties to max obtain speeds of 400 megabits per second and even gigabit speeds the place beforehand the max was 150Mbps.
Suddenlink web plans and pricing
We have listed beneath the plans out there in roughly 80% of Suddenlink’s markets, however speeds will differ by location and a few areas might not provide all 4 choices. In some markets, you will have just one or two plan decisions. This is the overview of what you may generally discover:
Suddenlink web plans
Plan | Max speeds | Beginning month-to-month value (first yr) | Common month-to-month charge (after one yr) | Month-to-month gear prices | Knowledge cap | Contract |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Web 100 | 100Mbps obtain, 5Mbps add | $25 | $90 | $10 (skippable) | None | None |
Web 300 | 200Mbps obtain, 10Mbps add | $30 | $110 | $10 (skippable) | None | None |
Web 500 | 400Mbps obtain, 20Mbps add | $40 | $130 | $10 (skippable) | None | None |
Web 1 Gig | 940Mbps obtain, 35Mbps add | $50 | $140 | $10 (skippable) | None | None |
The beginning value rocks, however a steep enhance looms
There’s little or no to complain about with Suddenlink’s introductory pricing. It is wonderful. Whereas the precise plans and pricing you may get are dependent in your tackle, the promotional offers it presents are extraordinarily aggressive irrespective of the place you reside.
For instance, the $0.13 common price per Mbps for the introductory charges is best than what you may discover with fellow cable suppliers like Spectrum ($0.17), Optimum ($0.21), Xfinity ($0.25), Sparklight ($0.28) and Cox ($0.53). It is even higher than the excellent promo prices for WideOpenWest and the fiber choices from Verizon Fios. Suddenlink is unquestionably a superb worth proper out of the gate.
That mentioned, I can really feel your query coming: So, what is the catch? To be truthful, it is probably not a catch, however a standard ISP follow: Like most web suppliers, Suddenlink bumps up its costs after your first 12 months of service. Not like some suppliers, Suddenlink does not lure you by locking you right into a time period settlement that forces you into a better charge or threatens a serious payment if you happen to break that contract.
A Suddenlink spokesperson instructed CNET that its clients would obtain discover of the brand new charge 30 days earlier than the promo interval’s expiration: “The precise charge change on the finish of the primary 12 months varies relying on product combine and provide, and we additionally present further promotional credit on the finish of the preliminary 12 month interval to attenuate the speed enhance for patrons.”
Extra Suddenlink web charges
Suddenlink’s Wi-Fi gear rental payment for the Altice Gateway is $10 a month, which is a tad decrease than most suppliers. You will discover that almost all ISPs cost round $15 a month for his or her modem/router combo.
Additionally, Suddenlink is fairly happy with its gear — in April 2021, it launched its Good WiFi 6 gateway, which boasts speeds as much as 3 times quicker than earlier routers. It is not out there to all clients however to these on the gigabit plan or the very best pace tier in areas the place the 1 Gig plan is unavailable.
Keep away from the month-to-month rental through the use of your personal gear
Though the $10 month-to-month charge is an inexpensive cost, you may forgo that payment altogether and use your personal gear. Like most ISPs, Suddenlink requests that you simply use a appropriate modem/router machine and advises that you can be ineligible for the sorts of service upgrades and technical help that customers of Suddenlink’s gateway can have.
For the minority of markets with knowledge caps…
As I discussed earlier, over three-quarters of Suddenlink’s service areas are freed from contracts and get limitless knowledge. However in some pockets of its protection map, Suddenlink clients will face knowledge caps. Most frequently, this is applicable to web plans with max obtain speeds between 75Mbps and 200Mbps.
Usually, these knowledge caps might be between 250GB and 350GB. Contemplating the common US family makes use of over 435GB of knowledge per 30 days, in keeping with Open Vault’s broadband insights from the third quarter of 2021, I might say these caps could be a bit of tight for some. For those who exceed them, you may anticipate to be charged $15 for every further 50GB of knowledge used over the restrict.
Suddenlink buyer satisfaction numbers are going the unsuitable means
Again in 2017, Suddenlink earned its highest rating within the American Customer Satisfaction Index survey of ISPs throughout the nation. Suddenlink acquired a buyer satisfaction rating of 66 out of 100, which was two factors increased than the trade common at that time. However since that point, the numbers have been dropping yearly. The truth is, for 2021, Suddenlink notched a 55 out of 100, lifeless final amongst qualifying ISPs within the survey. That is down practically 4% from the earlier yr and a shocking 10 factors beneath the trade common. Is that dangerous? It is actually not good.
Issues went barely higher, comparatively talking, over at J.D. Power, the place Suddenlink escaped the underside spot within the South area. That “honor” went to HughesNet. Nonetheless, Suddenlink’s 621 factors out of a potential 1,000 have been nicely beneath the regional common of 727 and — persevering with the theme from the ACSI report — was beneath the numbers that it earned the yr prior.
When many people are leaning on our dwelling connections far more than we ever have earlier than, it is disheartening to see these numbers trending down for Suddenlink.
Suddenlink offers and promos attempt to sweeten the pot
Maybe in response to these downturns in buyer satisfaction measurements, Suddenlink is attempting to supply extra consumer-friendly practices. At current, Suddenlink has a handful of limited-time presents out there. First, all on-line orders for Web 300 or above obtain a free Wi-Fi Extender, free set up — customary set up sometimes runs $99 — and a $300 Visa Pay as you go Card.
Second, if you join Suddenlink dwelling web service, you may be eligible to obtain one other $100 Visa Pay as you go Card if you happen to add Optimum cellular.
Third, Suddenlink Stream, a brand new 4K streaming machine unveiled in July 2021, could be added for $5 per 30 days for broadband-only clients and is free for Gig Web subscribers.
Lastly, new clients for Web 300 or above will get a number of free months of HBO Max. That is a stable worth of $15 a month. Web 300 clients will get three free months ($45 worth), Web 500 will obtain six free months ($90 worth), and Gig clients will get a full yr of HBO Max totally free ($180 worth).
Let’s sum it up
When it comes all the way down to price — which is usually the underside line for many people — it is laborious to beat the promo costs of Suddenlink. It does an ideal job of providing aggressive pricing for comparatively quick obtain speeds. It additionally boasts low gear charges and a few first rate promo perks. You will additionally must embrace these perks as a result of a value enhance might be coming after one yr and you may additionally should take care of an organization that is nonetheless battling the best way to higher the satisfaction of its clients. Maybe these extra aggressive perks and customer-centric insurance policies will make a distinction down the highway.
Suddenlink dwelling web FAQs
Is Suddenlink the identical firm as Altice?
It’s now. Suddenlink Communications was based as its personal firm in 2003 in St. Louis, Missouri. Altice USA grew to become its dad or mum firm when it acquired Suddenlink in 2015. A yr later, Altice bought Cablevision, which grew to become Optimum. So, Altice USA, by way of the Suddenlink and Optimum manufacturers, delivers broadband service in 21 completely different states.
How do I contact Suddenlink web customer support?
You possibly can contact Suddenlink on-line or by way of its chat operate at its Contact Us page. In case you are new to Suddenlink, it’s also possible to name them at 877-694-9474. Present Suddenlink clients, both in search of technical help or different assist, can name 877-794-2724. Lastly, if it’s good to monitor down a Suddenlink location, yow will discover a listing of Suddenlink stores on-line.
What’s Altice Benefit Web?
Optimum Benefit Web — previously known as Altice Benefit Web — is an inexpensive web service provided to Suddenlink and Optimum clients. Qualifying households have entry to max obtain speeds of 50Mbps for $15 a month. There isn’t any contract required, discounted set up, no knowledge cap and the gateway is included totally free.
Will Suddenlink pay me to modify from one other supplier?
Sure. Suddenlink presents a contract buyout for brand spanking new clients switching from one other ISP. You possibly can rise up to $500 if you happen to terminate your contract with one other supplier.
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