Spectrum – 2024 Company Review

Fast, reliable home connectivity is a must-have in today’s world. A stable home internet connection is essential for remote work, distance education, pro-gaming, or streaming your favorite shows via the best TV streaming service. When it comes to choosing an internet provider, Spectrum is a popular choice. The company offers fast internet plans you can count on for your whole home.

Spectrum is the consumer branch of Charter Communications, a 30-year-old company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. In 2016, the firm acquired Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, making Spectrum Internet the second-largest internet provider in the United States.

Spectrum – Company Overview

Spectrum Internet is a leading high-speed broadband internet provider with wide availability across the United States. The company sells straightforward internet plans with fast internet speeds, no contracts, and unlimited data.

Pros

• No data caps or annual contracts
• Includes a free modem and antivirus software
• Straightforward pricing with minimal fees

Cons

• Spectrum One prices increase after 12 months
• Poor customer satisfaction
• Ranks below industry standard

Available Speeds: 300 to 1000 Mbps
Price Range: $49.99 to $89.99 per month
Data Cap: None
Contract Required: No
BBB Rating: C-

Along with speedy, reliable cable internet service, Spectrum offers TV, mobile, and home phone plans. Spectrum Internet also advertises great bundling deals that help customers save money.

Many people wonder, is Spectrum internet good? In short, the answer is yes. Spectrum’s internet service is fast and reliable.

Powered by a hybrid fiber-coaxial cable network, Spectrum internet service is capable of delivering speeds up to 1 Gbps – that’s 40 times faster than the minimum speed for broadband internet! The fiber-rich Spectrum network also boasts 99.9% reliability.

What Type of Internet Is Spectrum?

Spectrum’s internet network runs on hybrid fiber-coaxial cable and uses a wired connection. Hybrid fiber-coaxial cable is a blend of copper wiring and fiber optic cables, which use light pulses to transmit data at blazing fast speeds.

This is not the same as 100% fiber internet, also known as fiber optic internet, which is extremely fast and more reliable than cable internet. Although Spectrum is a well known cable internet company, the company is slowly rolling out fiber internet in a few, very limited locations. But, currently, most of their network is made of hybrid fiber-coaxial cable. Most customers connect to Spectrum with a standard coaxial cable.

In addition to high speed internet plans, Spectrum offers TV, mobile, and home phone plans, as well as an array of bundling options to save on two or more Spectrum services.

Where Is Spectrum Internet Available?

Spectrum Internet is available in 82% of the United States, serving 28 million residential customers in 41 U.S. states.

Is Spectrum Internet in my area?

Spectrum Internet offers internet services in portions of all U.S. states except for Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Utah. Unless you live in one of these states, there’s a good chance that you live near the Spectrum coverage map.

However, most internet service providers, including Spectrum, have less coverage in lower-population rural areas. To find out if Spectrum Internet is available in your town, type in your home address to the locator on the Spectrum website.

Spectrum Internet

Spectrum internet plans are transparent and easy to understand. There are no complicated pricing structures, hidden fees, or contracts.

Spectrum Internet Plans & Pricing

Spectrum makes things simple by offering just three basic internet plans based on maximum internet speeds. Every Spectrum internet plan includes unlimited data, a free modem, and free antivirus software. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee on all Spectrum internet plans.

Spectrum Internet (300 Mbps) – from $49.99/mo

The most economical Spectrum internet plan is their 300 Mbps internet speed option. This plan costs $49.99 per month. It is best suited for a single or small household with 1-7 devices.

Internet Ultra (500 Mbps) – from $69.99/mo

The middle-tier Spectrum internet plan is Internet Ultra. This plan costs $69.99 per month and gives customers up to a 500 Mbps download speed. Actual speeds can vary depending on specific equipment, the number of connected devices, and your location. Small to medium households with multiple devices (8-14) can benefit most from this internet option.

Internet Gig – from $89.99/mo

The Internet Gig plan boasts a download speed of up to 1 Gbps. It costs $89.99 per month and is designed to meet the heavy internet usage demands of large households with 14+ connected devices.

Spectrum One – from $49.99/mo

Right now, customers can get Spectrum One – an internet package that includes Spectrum internet, a free year of Spectrum Advanced Wifi, and a free unlimited mobile line – for the same price as one of Spectrum’s internet-only plans. There’s no catch; it’s just a great deal that allows customers to save up to $400 for their first year with Spectrum.

While all Spectrum internet plans include a free modem, there is a $5 per month fee for Advanced WiFi, which is Spectrum’s WiFi router. Customers can skip this fee by bringing their own compatible router.

Installation

Spectrum charges for installation. Customers can select professional installation, for a $59.99 one-time charge. Or, they can opt for a self-installation kit, which costs $24.99.

Spectrum WiFi

When signing up for a Spectrum internet plan, customers can opt for Spectrum Advanced WiFi, which uses WiFi 6 technology. The benefits of Advanced Wifi include optimized routing that always delivers the fastest wireless speeds and enhanced network security with Security Shield.

Spectrum Advanced WiFi is included free for 12 mos with a Spectrum One plan. Otherwise, it costs $5 per month.

Customers who opt for Advanced WiFi can also take advantage of the My Spectrum App. The app gives customers the ability to control and manage their wifi network. It also sends alerts when a new user connects.

For large homes or houses with dead spots, Spectrum also sells WiFi Pods that extend your WiFi range by 800 sq ft per pod. WiFi Pods cost $3 each per month.

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is an ongoing federal program that assists low-income households with high speed internet access. Most internet providers have a partnership with the ACP to provide very cheap monthly internet rates and/or 100% free high speed internet plans for eligible households.

To qualify for the ACP benefit, one or more members of your household must meet at least one of these requirements:

• Qualifies for the Lifeline program, meaning being enrolled in a federal program like SNAP, LIHEAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or Tribal Programs for Residents for Qualifying Tribal Lands
• Income is at or less than 200% of federal poverty guidelines
• Takes part in the free and reduced school lunch or breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision
• Received a Pell Grant for the current year

Spectrum offers a free 100 Mbps internet plan for customers who are accepted into the Affordable Connectivity Program. Or, eligible customers can apply a $30 credit towards any other Spectrum internet plan.

If your household qualifies for the Affordable Connectivity program and you would like to receive discounted rates or free internet with Spectrum, then you will first need to apply for the ACP through the National Verifier. Then, you can either shop online or call Spectrum at 844-815-8926 to select a discounted internet plan. Current customers can call Spectrum to have the ACP credit applied toward their monthly internet bill.

Spectrum Television

Spectrum offers traditional cable TV service and a Xumo stream box, which gives customers the ability to watch live TV, On Demand services, and popular streaming apps all from one place.

There are four Spectrum TV plans to select from: TV Essentials, TV Select Signature, TV Select Plus, or Mi Latino.

TV Essentials – from $24.99/mo

TV Essentials gives customers streaming access to over 65 channels and On Demand services. There is no cable box required with this plan. It costs $24.99 per month.

TV Select Signature – from $59.99/mo

The TV Select Signature plan is Spectrum’s most popular cable TV plan. It costs $59.99 per month and includes over 150 channels, such as ESPN, HGTV, Food Network, Nickelodeon, SYFY, and more.

TV Select Plus – from $69.99/mo

With TV Select Plus, you get all of the channels included with the TV Select Signature plan, plus regional sports networks. This plan is priced at $69.99 per month.

Mi Latino – from $39.99/mo

The Mi Latino plan is Spectrum’s Spanish language cable TV plan. Customers get access to over 145 channels, including 75 Spanish channels like Telemundo, Univision, ESPN Deportes, and HITN.

Add-on Channels

Spectrum customers can customize any of the cable TV plans with add-on channels. There are a wide array of sports channels (like NFL, MLB, NHL, PGA, and college sports channels), international channels, and premium channels (like HBO Max, Showtime, or STARZ) to choose from.

Cloud DVR Plus – from $9.99/mo

Cloud DVR Plus is another add-on service that can be purchased. For $9.99 per month, you can store up to 100 recordings for one year.

Spectrum TV App

The Spectrum TV app allows you to watch live TV channels and view On Demand content from anywhere you have an internet connection. With the app, you can also control your TV and DVR, as well as set parental controls.

Simply download the app for free from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Then you can log in to your Spectrum TV account to start streaming from your mobile device or tablet.

Spectrum One Stream – from $49.99/mo

The Spectrum One Stream bundle adds cable TV services and a free Xumo streaming box to the Spectrum One deal. Customers get one of Spectrum’s three internet plans, free Advanced WiFi for 12 mos, and an unlimited mobile line all for one great price – plus, a Xumo streaming box at no extra cost with the purchase of a cable TV plan.

With Xumo, customers can seamlessly search across all streaming apps and Spectrum TV services without having to switch between services. Top apps and Spectrum TV come pre-installed. Customers can also take advantage of a compatible voice remote to find what they are looking for faster and easier.

Spectrum Announces Value TV Streaming Packages

Update April 24, 2024: Charter Communications recently announced new TV streaming packages for Spectrum internet customers: Spectrum TV Stream and Spectrum Stream Latino.

Spectrum TV Stream – $39.99

Spectrum TV Stream costs $39.99 per month plus applicable taxes. This plan offers customers more than 90 channels, including popular networks from The Walt Disney Company, FOX, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The lineup features CNN, BBC America, FOX News, and the Disney Channel, as well as Spectrum News in certain areas.

Spectrum Stream Latino – $24.99

Spectrum Stream Latino is available for $24.99 per month plus taxes. This plan is designed for Spanish-speaking customers and includes over 45 Spanish-language channels such as Univision, Telemundo, and beIN Sports en Español. Customers can purchase Spectrum Stream Latino on its own or as part of a bundle with Spectrum TV Stream.

Spectrum Mobile

Spectrum offers contractless 5G mobile plans, free of hidden fees or added taxes. All plans include unlimited talk and text. Spectrum Mobile is only available for Spectrum internet customers.

There are three Spectrum mobile plans: By the Gig, Unlimited, or Unlimited Plus.

By the Gig – from $14/mo

With Spectrum Mobile’s By the Gig plan, you pay for the data you use each month. Data can be shared between up to 10 lines. This plan costs $14 per Gig per month. It is best suited for customers who rely mostly on WiFi and use less than 3 GB of cellular data every month. If needed, customers can upgrade to an Unlimited plan at any time.

Unlimited – from $29.99/mo

Spectrum’s Unlimited mobile plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data with speeds up to 30 GB. There are also no fees for data used with your mobile hotspot, which has speeds up to 5 GB. This plan costs $29.99 per month per line.

Unlimited Plus – from $39.99/mo

For $39.99 per month per line, Unlimited Plus gives customers everything included with the Unlimited plan, plus faster full data speeds (up to 50 GB and mobile hotspot data speeds up to 10 GB.) It also delivers HD video streaming and free roaming in Mexico and Canada.

Spectrum Home Phone

Spectrum Voice – from $14.99/mo

Spectrum Voice is Spectrum’s home phone service. For only $14.99 per month, it includes unlimited calling anywhere in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. International calling is available for extra per-minute fees.

Over 28 advanced home phone features are included with Spectrum Voice for no extra cost. Features include forward-selected calls, allowing you to reroute calls from up to 30 contacts to your cell or office phone line, readable voicemail, Caller ID on your Spectrum TV, and more.

Spectrum Bundles & Packages

Spectrum is all about giving customers great value on their internet, TV, mobile, and home phone services. They offer customizable bundle options that allow customers to save money by packaging two or more Spectrum services together.

Spectrum One – from $49.99/mo

Spectrum One is one of their best bundle deals. Starting at $49.99 per month, customers can get 300 Mbps internet, free Advanced WiFi for 12 mos, and an unlimited mobile phone line. There is also a Spectrum One 500 Mbps plan for $69.99 per month, and a 1 Gig plan for $89.99 per month. Just like with internet-only plans, there are no contracts or data caps.

Spectrum One Stream – from $49.99/mo

Spectrum One Stream is another great bundling deal. It includes all of the benefits of Spectrum One, plus a free Xumo streaming box for one year with the purchase of a Spectrum TV plan.

How To Sign Up for Spectrum Internet

New customers can sign up for Spectrum internet online or by phone. To sign up online, start by entering your home address into the Spectrum website. From there, you can view available Spectrum internet, TV, home, and mobile phone plans for your location. You can also customize your Spectrum service with extra equipment, additional services, and add-ons.

Once you have built your Spectrum package, you can check out and pay online. In some locations, self-installation is available. In others, professional installation is required.

If self-installation is an option for your address, you can either purchase a self-install kit at check-out or opt for professional installation. Once you sign up, you can schedule a time for a technician to visit your home and set up your new Spectrum services.

If you need support while signing up or would prefer to do so over the phone, you can call the phone line 1-855-860-9068 to speak with a Spectrum representative, who will guide you through the process.

Contact Information & Tech Support

If you need assistance with your Spectrum internet, TV, or phone service, there are many ways to get the help you need.

Spectrum’s Support page is packed full of useful information about popular topics. This is a great resource for getting quick, thorough answers to any questions about your Spectrum service that you may have.

If answers to your questions cannot be found online, then you can reach Spectrum customer service by either calling or chatting with them. Spectrum offers 24/7 customer support.

You can always access a customer service professional through the live chat option on the Spectrum website.

Or, you can contact Spectrum customer service by dialing the phone number 1-833-949-0036 to speak with an expert directly.

My Spectrum App

The highly-rated My Spectrum app allows customers to get full usage out of their Spectrum account. Through the app, customers can get access to technical support, troubleshoot their services, pay bills, enroll in autopay or paperless billing, view billing statements, connect to Spectrum access points, and more. Customers with Advanced WiFi can set parental controls, protect devices with Security Shield, and set up a Spectrum WiFi profile to get free out-of-home WiFi.

The My Spectrum app is available to download for free from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Simply download it on your device and log in to your Spectrum account to gain access to the app’s full suite of features.

How To Cancel Spectrum Service

Spectrum makes it easy to cancel your service at any time. All of Spectrum’s internet, cable TV, mobile phone, and home phone plans have no contracts, so you are always free to cancel or change services without having to pay any cancellation fees.

To cancel, you must call Spectrum at 1-833-949-0036 or request cancellation from a customer service agent through the website’s live chat feature. Alternatively, you can visit a Spectrum location in person to cancel your services.

If you want to cancel your Spectrum internet, phone, or cable TV plan because you are moving, then you may want to first see if there is an option to transfer your Spectrum services over to your new address. You can call Spectrum at 1-855-363-4902 to inquire about moving transfer services and find out if your current services are available at your new location.

Is Spectrum Right for Me?

With a spectrum of affordable internet plans to choose from, fast internet speeds, and coast-to-coast availability, Spectrum Internet ranks as one of the best cable internet companies. Spectrum’s easy-to-understand internet plans with no contracts and no data cap are quite a bargain. However, it is important to compare Spectrum Internet with other major internet providers in your area to ensure you get the best speeds for your budget.

Spectrum offers great internet deals – especially with their Spectrum One bundle – and their maximum internet speeds are faster than many other cable internet providers. However, they do not offer blazingly fast fiber internet in the vast majority of locations at this time.

Fiber internet is much faster than cable internet when it comes to the fastest download speeds and upload speeds. It’s also more reliable than traditional cable internet. If you are in the market for home internet, then you should choose fiber over cable.

Fiber is truly the future standard of home connectivity; but, it isn’t available everywhere, yet. Most fiber internet providers focus on serving big cities. Outside of major metropolitan areas in the United States, fiber options are sparse. So, if fiber internet is not available where you live right now, Spectrum’s hybrid fiber-coaxial cable internet is a great option for your home.

Selecting the perfect internet service provider for your lifestyle isn’t an easy task. It’s a decision that requires thoughtful consideration and comparison. Fortunately, we have undertaken the necessary research on your behalf to empower you with the information you need to make a well-informed, confident choice.

Be sure to check out our comprehensive cable internet and fiber internet guides to explore the pros and cons of all the best internet providers in your region before settling on the perfect match for your home.