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Spectrum was first introduced to the world after its parent company, Charter, merged with Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks to bring all three companies under the same roof and to increase the level of service more than any one of the individual companies could have provided on their own. Since then, Spectrum has expanded into forty-four states offering coverage to over 100 million Americans. Spectrum continues to expand their coverage areas, attracting more and customers with its easy to understand tiered pricing and historically fast, reliable internet connections.
Charter, Spectrum’s parent company, was founded in 1980 primarily offering home telephone service and television. They eventually entered into the internet market through a strategic partnership with EarthLink, since acquiring and merging with multiple companies over its life cycle. The company we now know as Charter Spectrum came to fruition in 2016 when it merged with Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable, making it the third-largest cable television provider in the nation just behind AT&T and Comcast. It was after this merger that Charter brought all services covered by the three formerly-independent companies under the brand name “Spectrum.” As a condition of this merger, Charter Spectrum agreed to expand its lines to generally underserved areas of New York State with 145,000 new residences to receive service by 2021. Since the merger, Charter has entered into further strategic partnerships with companies like Comcast and Verizon to expand the suite of services it offers as well as expanding its general service area.
Spectrum uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial network to supply its customers with the internet. This was an easy transition for the company to make once they started offering internet, leveraging the massive network they inherited from Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, allowing them to hit the ground running once they entered the market as an internet service provider. Hybrid fiber-coaxial lines are the most common way for most companies to offer internet service due to their relative low cost, especially when compared to fiber. Reaching higher speeds than DSL, a hybrid fiber-coaxial line is able to provide more than fast enough internet for most consumers though still being slower than fiber. With that being said, hybrid fiber-coaxial lines do have their drawbacks. The biggest is shared bandwidth. Total bandwidth is shared among all users on those lines so when there is heavy usage, the end-user is going to receive reduced speeds. However, this usually only happens a portion of the day and even when congested, most receive fast enough speeds to be able to handle anything they’d be looking to do.
Spectrum offers multiple services beyond the internet including cable television and home phone service. They offer multiple different plans, bundles, and prices, allowing for easy navigation and customization for their customers. This is especially important as every household has different needs based on their number of active devices, active users, and budget. Now, this is all based on availability, but generally, there are multiple different options in every market Spectrum serves. Spectrum has created a service that can meet the demands of any budget and any digital lifestyle.
HughesNet currently has the highest coverage area in the nation with all fifty states falling under its service area. One of the two major satellite providers in the nation, HughesNet has focused the core of its business on providing internet to underserved or un-served areas, often rural or small towns. Its recently increased speeds up to 25mbps with the launch of its new Gen 5 satellite, the “EchoStar XIX.” With ninety-eight percent of the country under HughesNet’s coverage area, it’s almost guaranteed that they’ll be an option available to any consumer.
HughesNet uses geosynchronous satellites to provide its customers with broadband internet connections. Since HughesNet was initially founded, it’s launched multiple satellites with its latest launch occurring in 2017 with the “EchoStar XIX,” powering HughesNet’s Gen 5 service. This launch allowed the company to reach broadband levels, increasing speeds to 25 Mbps across the board. It also increased the available bandwidth that HughesNet offered its customers as well as simplifying their pricing structure to a tiered system that was based on available data caps. HughesNet does operate off of priority data caps though its internet can be considered unlimited. At no point does HughesNet charge overage prices or shut the internet off if a customer goes over their “priority data” limit, instead just having to deal with reduced speeds until their next billing cycle. If a customer does need more data before their next billing cycle rolls around, HughesNet has made data tokens available, increasing priority data and increasing available speeds in the process.
HughesNet is a great choice for rural customers as wired connections are often completely unavailable in America’s more remote locations. Satellite internet allows them to access the world wide web at broadband speeds allowing for almost any activity. It does have its drawbacks though. The biggest activities this can be seen in is online gaming and virtual private networks. This is in large part due to the latency, or ping, that satellite internet experiences. The time signals take to transmit from the customer’s dish to the satellite to the receiving and then back again can take anywhere from a half-second to a second. For most activities like browsing the internet or streaming video, this latency is almost entirely imperceivable. For gaming though, that often required split-second reaction times, it is unavoidable. VPNs, in particular, are affected, as well. When using a VPN, download speeds even when within the priority data limit can tank anywhere from fifty to seventy-five percent. This reduction in speeds is not guaranteed with some VPN users not having any issues whatsoever. With that being said, it is something to take into account when considering a satellite internet provider.
For many rural customers, satellite internet is going to be one of the only viable options open to them. That doesn’t make it a lesser product though. When choosing the right package for you, assess your needs, your internet usage, and your budget to choose the package that will leave you satisfied and meet all of your digital requirements.
Though having been around since 1986, ViaSat didn't launch its first internet plans until 2012. ViaSat is a satellite internet service provider with a general focus on serving areas that normally do not have access to a reliable internet connection. Covering 98% of the country and all 50 states, all that is needed to be able to connect is a clear line of sight to the southern sky, a modem, and a satellite dish to send and receive signals. This has helped many of those who would otherwise have to spend thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars, to run a DSL, cable, or fiber line to their home.
ViaSat has continually upgraded its service. When the company first launched, its entire service survived off the back of one satellite, the ViaSat-1. Since then, they've acquired three additional satellites, either through additional launches or acquisitions from other companies to greatly expand its capabilities. The last of these to launch, the ViaSat-2, was said to increase the total bandwidth and network capacity available by 300 Gigabits per second as well as take ViaSat's service internationally. They have plans to increase this further. They've announced three more launches of their newest satellite, the ViaSat-3, that will increase the total bandwidth by a full terabit per second. The first of these is set to launch in 2020 with a second launch planned by 2022.
Offering free standard installation on all orders, ViaSat makes connecting to the internet easier than ever. ViaSat offers multiple different plans that feature different speeds and different levels of priority data. Priority data? I'm sure the question being asked is “Does ViaSat have a data cap?” The answer is a resounding no. Viasat offers unlimited data without charging overage fees or shutting your internet connection off. If one does go over their priority data, then at that point, customers just have to contend with network congestion much like any other internet service provider. If there is no congestion, then speed should be unaffected. This makes ViaSat a perfect option for activities like streaming, checking social media, or visiting a favorite site on the web.
ViaSat is perfect for almost any web-based application. Connecting your smartphone, sharing videos online, and watching your favorite streaming service are perfect fits for ViaSat's network. The only limitations ViaSat has are gaming and Virtual Private Networks(VPN). When it comes to gaming, there should be a half a second to full second lag time when playing online. If you're playing single-player games, this interruption is non-existent and will not interfere with any updates that a game may release after launch. A VPN is another matter. VPNs put a significant strain on any network and satellite networks doubly so. When using a VPN with ViaSat, speeds can be expected to drop anywhere from 50 to 75 percent. That doesn't mean ViaSat is an inferior service though. However, when looking to game or use in-home VPN, it's important to be aware of the technology's limitations so that you can plan accordingly and choose the best service that will fit your needs.
The largest cable and internet provider in the nation, Xfinity holds that title for good reason. Currently found in 40 states and serving over 100 million Americans, Xfinity has cemented itself as a company that can provide fast, reliable connections. First offering internet service in 1996, Xfinity has kept up with the times, constantly updating and upgrading their lines as more and more households are looking to connect to their favorite sites, streaming services, and gaming communities.
When first connecting to the Xfinity network, customers are going to have multiple options to choose from. Firstly, Xfinity does not necessarily lock a prospective customer in a contract. The company offers both contract and non-contract options depending on their needs. With multiple plans available, from basic to lightning-fast speeds, there is an option for every household, every need, and every budget. Each of these is priced differently based on whether or not a contract is opted out of, the type of internet connection, internet speeds, and whether or not the customer decides to bundle the internet with additional Xfinity services.
Xfinity has strived and committed to evolving with the latest technologies. Operating off of a Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial Network, they are able to deliver some of the fastest speeds in the nation. They’ve leveraged their ubiquity to create one of the largest WiFi networks in the nation. For Xfinity subscribers within the “Performance” tier or higher, as long an Xfinity modem and router are within range, they are able to connect almost anywhere. This makes using the internet on the go easier than ever. In addition, Xfinity has recently upgraded its service to meet the increasing demand for smart home integration. Revealing their Xfi experience in 2017, users are now able to connect their smart home devices with Xfinity TV and the Xfinity app to take control of their homes wherever they may go.
Xfinity uses cable lines to provide their customers with internet service. Originally a cable TV provider, Xfinity first used its already considerable network to provide internet to its customers in 1996. At first, they partnered with other companies to provide internet service while they learned the unique challenges that offering the internet posed. By 2002 though, it had moved its nearly one million internet subscribers to their inhouse network and has rapidly grown since then. Today, over 26 million households are receiving Xfinity internet, and that number is only going to continue to grow.
Xfinity has made internet access available to many that would normally not be able to connect. Through their Internet Essentials, Xfinity offers low-cost options to those who qualify for reduced cost or free school lunches. This covers about 2.6 million households nationwide with over 200,000 households taking advantage of the program. This is an important feature as it provides families who would not normally have access to the wider world online. The Internet is no longer a luxury, and Xfinity has done its part to help every American have access to mobile banking, online learning, and social media.
Frontier Communications Corporation is one of the United States’ largest telecommunications providers, delivering internet, phone, and security services to nearly 4 million residences and businesses nationwide. It is also a substantial pay television provider with over 800,000 subscribers in the United States. Employing 22,000 employees in 29 states, Frontier’s mission is to keep people connected to the people, places, and things that matter most to them.
Frontier offers download speeds up to 1000 Mbps in select markets. In areas where Frontier’s FiOS network isn’t available, it offers DSL Broadband and DSL at varying speeds. In contrast to most of its direct competitors, Frontier customers enjoy no data caps on their internet service, which means you’ll never experience any unexpected overage charges on your monthly bill. Frontier also offers symmetrical download and upload speeds, which means you can upload those photos from your family vacation in no time at all.
Residential customers can generally expect to have a one year price lock with no contract required. Frontier Communications offers some of the lowest prices for gigabit speeds in the country, with speeds of up to 500 Mbps going for as little as $40 per month in certain areas. And since there are no data caps on Frontier’s internet service, you’ll never receive an unexpectedly high bill. You have the option to purchase or lease equipment directly from Frontier, which is always under warranty and is supported by Frontier’s 24/7 US-based tech support team. You also have the option to bring your own equipment, but be sure that it is compatible with Frontier internet service and be prepared to troubleshoot any WiFi troubles on your own.
Frontier has three networks in the United States. FiOS by Frontier brings gigabit speeds to your home on its 100% fiber network with matching upload and download speeds. Vantage by Frontier offers speeds up to 115 Mbps, which is plenty fast to stream your favorite shows and movies on multiple devices at the same time. High-Speed Internet is available to those outside of the FiOS and Vantage networks and are able to provide ample speed to do the things you need to do everyday, such as check emails, pay bills, and stay connected to family and friends through social media.
Operating out of 19 states, Suddenlink is a cable and fiber internet provider. Acquired by Altice in 2012, Suddenlink has rapidly grown since that time and has expanded its service from 1.5 million subscribers to a monstrous 4.6 million subscribers. That makes Suddenlink the fourth-largest cable internet provider in the nation. Suddenlink is actively trying to grow that network thus bringing more and more customers under the Suddenlink brand. Offering not only the internet but also cable television and home phone service making it a great choice for any residential consumer. Any entertainment needs a home may have can surely be covered by Suddenlink’s outstanding service.
Suddenlink was created by Cequel III after it had acquired a number of smaller communications and cable networks, originally forming the company under the name Cebridge Communications in 2003. The company continued to purchase different networks, taking on Thompson Cablevision in 2004 and expanding its coverage area into sixteen states. It acquired two more companies, Tele-Media and USA Media Systems, further increasing coverage into twenty-three states. Cebridge Communications continued these acquisitions until the company itself was acquired by Altice in July of 2015. Altice, keeping the Suddenlink brand, and combining it with another company they had acquired, Cablevision, then became the fourth-largest cable company in the nation with over four million customers. As of today, Suddenlink has coverage almost nationwide with nineteen states currently being served with particularly high coverage in areas like Texas, California, and Arizona.
Suddenlink operates off of a mix of cable and fiber lines to provide its customers with service. Most of its signals transmit through fiber lines, eventually transferring over to a cable connection to connect to the residential end-user. This has allowed Suddenlink to take its already substantial cable television network and leverage it to offer internet as well. To further improve speeds, Suddenlink uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial method to deliver speeds that are normally not available. This hybrid fiber-coaxial line can handle far more bandwidth than other forms of internet connections like fixed wireless, satellite, or DSL. Suddenlink is in the process of upgrading many of its markets with a true fiber connection. Fiber coverage is only likely to grow as demand across the nation for the fastest internet speeds possible increases. Though hybrid fiber-coaxial is able to deliver truly incredible speeds, the upgrade to fiber lines will increase available bandwidth not only for download speeds but upload speeds as well.
Suddenlink has a whole suite of products to choose from. With different speeds, prices, and the ability to bundle Suddenlink’s internet service with cable television and home phone service, it gives its customers multiple ways to connect their home. Without being locked into one option per market, Suddenlink subscribers have the ability to choose the best plan that not only fits their digital lifestyle but also their budget. This has become a significant selling point for Suddenlink, especially as consumers are looking to reduce how much they spend on a monthly basis to connect to a fast, reliable network.
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Summary of Fastest Internet Providers in Stratford, CT
Summary of All Internet Providers in Stratford, CT
| Provider | Type | Coverage | Max Speed | Avg Speed | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | | HughesNet | 100.00% | 25 Mbps | 25 Mbps | ||
| 2. | | ViaSat | 100.00% | 100 Mbps | 20 Mbps | ||
| 3. | | Suddenlink | 100.00% | 400 Mbps | 393 Mbps | ||
| 4. | | Frontier | 97.66% | 24 Mbps | 16 Mbps | ||
| 5. | | Spectrum | 7.74% | 300 Mbps | 286 Mbps | ||
| 6. | | Xfinity | 7.04% | 200 Mbps | 178 Mbps | ||
| Data provided by various data sources including the FCC. For more information please view our sources page. | |||||||
Frequently Asked Questions about Stratford, CT.
Which provider offers the best internet service in Stratford, CT?
Spectrum is the best internet provider in Stratford, CT, with download speeds up to 300 Mbps and pricing starting at $40.00.
How many internet providers provide service in Stratford, CT?
There are currently 6 providers that offer internet service in Stratford, CT.
What providers offer internet service in Stratford, CT.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Stratford, CT?
Spectrum is the cheapest internet provider in Stratford, CT, with pricing starting at $40.00.
What provider has the fastest speeds in Stratford, CT?
Suddenlink is the faster internet provider in Stratford, CT, with maximum speeds reaching 400 Mbps and average speeds of 393 Mbps.
Summary of School Districts in Stratford, CT
| District | Grades | Max Speed | Avg Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not Defined | PK - 12 | 400 Mbps | 62 Mbps |
| Bridgeport | PK - 12 | 987 Mbps | 92 Mbps |
| Milford | PK - 12 | 987 Mbps | 88 Mbps |
| Shelton | PK - 12 | 400 Mbps | 61 Mbps |
| Stratford | PK - 12 | 400 Mbps | 90 Mbps |
| Trumbull | PK - 12 | 400 Mbps | 80 Mbps |
| Data provided by various data sources including the FCC. For more information please view our sources page. | |||
Neighborhoods in Stratford, CT
| Neighborhood | Max Speed | Avg Speed |
|---|---|---|
| East End | 400 Mbps | 93 Mbps |
| Mill Hill | 400 Mbps | 85 Mbps |
| Data provided by various data sources including the FCC. For more information please view our sources page. | ||