MetroNet’s fiber internet has no data caps or contracts, but it does have rapidly increasing prices
An Honest Metronet Review: Is It Worth It? | Reviews.org
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Looking for a fiber internet connection with flexible contracts in the Midwest, South, or Eastern Coast? MetroNet could be your perfect match.
Just know that your prices will frequently increase—and that it’s not clear what you’re getting customer servicewise.
If you're looking to save a few bucks on your internet service (well, who isn't?), you can get 100 Mbps MetroNet internet and Whole-Home Wi-Fi for $53.22 per month.
MetroNet prices and plans
Like many internet providers, MetroNet uses promotional pricing. That means that the price you sign up for isn’t actually the price you’ll pay during most of your internet service.
Even with promotional pricing, MetroNet doesn't have the cheapest internet starting prices. The 100Mbps Internet plan in particular charges a disproportionately high amount of money. You pay $0.40 per Mbps while some fiber plans charge as little as $0.08. And that’s before the one-year price hikes!
The 500Mbps plan starter price is definitely the better deal: around $0.10 per Mbps.
MetroNet also has some added fees. The technology service fee covers equipment rental and any technician visits during your service period. You’ll also pay $10 more a month if you want a static IP address.
According to MetroNet, “A static IP address is useful if you
- Host a website from home
- Have a file server in your network
- Use networked printers
- Forward ports to a specific device
- Run a print server
- Use a remote access program
Because a static IP address never changes, other devices always know exactly how to contact a device that uses one.”
MetroNet also advertises a monthly fee for “WholeHome Wi-Fi.” The website says, MetroNet “WholeHome Wi-Fi blankets your entire home with consistent reliable signal strength.”
It makes us a little uneasy that you apparently have to pay extra for a consistent, reliable Wi-Fi signal throughout your whole home. Isn’t that what you’re signing up for with any internet service provider? But maybe paying extra is a way to guarantee you won’t have outages or slowdowns.
We suggest discussing with MetroNet to understand precisely what you're getting before you buy MetroNet WholeHome Wi-Fi.
MetroNet internet prices after 6 months or more
If you go with MetroNet, you may see price hikes at 6 or 12 years (depending on the plan). MetroNet used to have multiple price hikes per plan but has thankfully restructured its price increases.
With the 100Mbps Internet plan, you’ll start off paying $29.95 for 100 Mbps. After 12 months, you’ll pay $39.95 each month.
With the 500Mbps plan, at 24 months your payments will jump up from $49.95 each month to $59.95.
With the 1 GB plan, the same $10 increase applies, meaning your price will go from $59.95 a month to $69.95 a month after six months. And If you get the 1 GB plan with Whole Home Wi-Fi, you’ll see a $10 increase at 24 months.
So be wary because if money is tight, your internet could quickly go from affordable to astronomical. But there’s some good news—you can cut costs by bundling. MetroNet also offers home phone service. If you’re interested in MetroNet internet and are also looking for a new phone provider, this might be the perfect fit.
If you’re stuck in a contract, MetroNet can help bail you out. Switch your service and MetroNet promises to buy out your current contract, at least up to $150.
Because MetroNet doesn’t have contracts, you can cancel at any time, including before a price hike. Just know that cancellation might take a hot minute because MetroNet customer support will try to convince you to stay.
We also don’t necessarily recommend installing MetroNet with the intention of canceling a year or two in. Some MetroNet reviews with Consumer Affairs, the BBB, and Yelp suggest that the fiber cable installation process is cumbersome, and it’s probably not worth it if you cancel six months down the line. Just some food for thought.
Where is MetroNet available?
MetroNet is mainly available in the Midwest, but it’s slowly spreading to the South and East. If Laura Ingalls Wilder ever lived in your state, you have a good chance of getting MetroNet.
Or, to be more precise, MetroNet’s currently available in:
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Texas
- Wisconsin
How does MetroNet compare to other fiber internet providers?
Compared to other fiber providers, MetroNet doesn’t look great. It starts off pretty expensive, and its prices only go up. It’s also not widely available and doesn’t offer anything that gives it a competitive edge.
*Promotional pricing
Most fiber competitors offer more Mbps and unlimited data caps for lower prices than MetroNet. Most also don’t use promotional prices and are available in more areas.
The most comparable provider to MetroNet is Astound Broadband, which also uses promotional prices and has a starter plan priced similarly to the MetroNet 100 Mb Internet plan. But Astound is only available in Texas, giving MetroNet a slight edge.
In fact, a lot of areas don’t have many fiber options. If MetroNet is your only fiber offering available, we think it could be worth it until another competitor comes to town.
This is the best MetroNet deal out there right now—it saves you about $14 a month for six months. And you get those blazing fast gig speeds with 105+ channels and home phone service too.
MetroNet internet speed and data
MetroNet offers high-speed internet with all its plans. However, you may not always get the advertised speed. Before getting MetroNet, it’s probably wise to check with existing customers in your area to see if they’re reaching their MetroNet internet plan’s full capacity.
Most users aren’t as concerned with upload speeds as with download speeds. But if you’re into live streaming or need to upload large files to websites, you’ll appreciate having upload speeds just as fast as your download speeds—otherwise known as symmetrical speeds.
Data caps
MetroNet internet has no data caps! You can use as much data as you want—the trick is just getting your internet to go fast enough for long enough to really enjoy this perk.
MetroNet contracts, equipment, and fees
With MetroNet, you won’t have a contract, and MetroNet provides the equipment. You’ll pay at least one monthly fee, though.
Equipment
MetroNet offers you all the equipment you need, and technicians professionally install your router, set-top box, fiber cable, etc. To fully complete the installation, technicians will likely need access to both inside and outside your home.
You technically aren’t getting free equipment—the technology service fee also acts as a rental fee. But it’s nice not to go out and personally select or install the Wi-Fi equipment yourself.
Installation
According to Metronet, installation takes two to four hours. An adult needs to be there during the installation, whether that’s you, a spouse, your 19-year-old living with you during college, whomever.
Service fees
MetroNet has several potential fees on top of your regular monthly payment.
- Technology service fee: $9.95/mo. for your equipment and any technician visits you might require. This fee is mandatory.
- Static IP address fee: $10.00/mo. if you don’t want a dynamic (changing) IP address. This fee is optional.
- WholeHome Wi-Fi fee: Starts at $9.95/mo. if you want WholeHome Wi-Fi. This fee is also optional.
MetroNet customer service
The last time we reviewed MetroNet, we noted that MetroNet (as part of the category “All Others”) scored 62 out of 100. That’s a solid D. Excitingly, that score is now up to 66. That may not sound like a lot, but it’s a big improvement in American Customer Satisfaction Index terms.
But there are still folks who aren’t satisfied with MetroNet. From the reviews we’ve seen, it seems it’s a matter of inconsistent customer service. We’ve seen people super pumped about MetroNet’s technicians, installations, speed, and customer support representatives—but we’ve also seen people who felt let down by their experiences with MetroNet.
If you’re thinking about MetroNet but aren’t sure if the customer service will work for you, the MetroNet Reddit sub is a great way to dive into both the negative and the positive.
If you do move forward with MetroNet, the customer service number is 1-877-407-3224. You can also reach MetroNet representatives through their live chat or through email (customer_service@metronetinc.com).
Recap: Is MetroNet good?
We won't say MetroNet is the very best fiber provider out there, but it may be the best choice for you if you're in an area it services.
- Prices and plans: MetroNet is pretty expensive for what the plans offer, and its prices keep going up after promotions are over.
- Speed: MetroNet offers high speed with every plan, although you’ll max out at 1 GB.
- Data caps: There are no data caps with MetroNet, so you don’t have to worry about overage charges.
- Contracts, equipment, and fees: MetroNet has no contracts and offers equipment but has a few fees.
- Customer service: MetroNet customer service is inconsistent both by anecdotal evidence and ACSI ratings.
If you’re still not sure about taking the MetroNet plunge, you may want to look at our Best Internet Service Providers piece to see some other options.
Methodology
As we dug into MetroNet internet, we considered the following:
- Prices and plans
- Speed
- Data caps
- Contracts, equipment, and fees
- Customer service
- Availability
We looked at MetroNet’s website and tons of customer reviews as well as the ACSI’s ratings.
One of the reasons why MetroNet isn’t a top provider for us is price. MetroNet charges a lot for what it offers, and you can get better deals with its competitors, especially Verizon Fios.
Another big MetroNet issue is its limited availability. Although its reach is expanding, MetroNet’s available in just a handful of states. And looking at current MetroNet areas, it’s hard to say where it will be available next. It’s almost as if MetroNet determines its expansion areas by throwing darts at a map.