Metronet Web Overview: Plans, Pricing, Velocity and Availability

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Metronet web evaluate

Going with a smaller, independently-owned regional web supplier can include settling for increased costs, however that is not essentially the case with Metronet. Primarily based out of Evansville, Indiana, the 100% fiber supplier delivers first rate speeds for the cash and has maintained that worth through the years.

Two years in the past, Metronet introduced a merger with Vexus Fiber, a Texas-based web service supplier, that expanded the supplier’s protection base to over 250 communities. Six months later, it introduced a rebrand with a brand new tagline: “You’ll love your web with Metronet.”

Metronet began as a family-run enterprise and is now the nation’s largest independently owned fiber-optic ISP. The corporate is now led by CEO and president Dave Heimbach, who was appointed in October 2023. Most not too long ago, Metronet introduced that it had entered a three way partnership settlement with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and T-Cell, promoting its residential fiber operations to T-Cell.

Metronet earns excessive marks for its dedication to fiber broadband. We have famous quite a few instances in our CNET ISP critiques that it is onerous to beat the efficiency of a fiber-to-the-home web connection. It is extra dependable than cable, satellite tv for pc, DSL or 5G residence web, and it is the one one that may declare symmetrical obtain and add speeds.

Metronet has been dedicated to rolling out 100% FTTH networks from its beginnings in central Indiana. That makes it a supplier value listening to. As is commonly the case with ISPs, there are some things value contemplating. Relating to Metronet, that features an extra month-to-month payment for some plans, however we’ll get to that in due time. Let’s discover extra.

Metronet web plans and pricing

Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier knowledge.

Metronet presents 5 totally different velocity tiers, that are all fairly easy. As a result of its community is 100% fiber-optic, it presents symmetrical megabits-per-second obtain and add speeds throughout all plans. What you may pay for every of these plans is not fairly so easy, as some tiers don’t embody gear. Metronet does ease the ache by nixing time period agreements and offering limitless knowledge. Be careful for a hike in costs after the promo interval ends. Your month-to-month invoice can enhance by $10 after the primary 12 months and steadily enhance after that.

The entry-level tier options symmetrical speeds of 100 megabits per second, which is not tremendous speedy however it does meet the Federal Communications Fee’s new benchmark for broadband speeds. For comparability, ISPs like AT&T, Google Fiber and Frontier supply fiber plans that begin from 200Mbps to 1,000Mbps.

Our high choose is Metronet’s gigabit plan as a result of it presents wonderful worth and will present loads of velocity for many households. The value per Mbps for the 1 Gig tier may be very low-cost: 5 cents in comparison with 30 cents for the 100Mbps plan and eight cents for the 500Mbps plan. Whereas the 5 Gig plan would possibly, on the floor, appear a greater deal, it is greater than double the associated fee and carries an extra $15 month-to-month cost for renting gear. Most households merely do not want that a lot velocity.

The place are you able to get Metronet Web?

Metronet’s headquarters are in Indiana, however its footprint extends past the Hoosier state. As of this writing, Metronet Web is accessible to over 250 communities in 16 states:

Most Metronet service areas inside these states are smaller cities and cities. A few of the bigger metropolitan areas lined embody Aurora, Illinois; Des Moines, Iowa; Lansing, Michigan; Lexington, Kentucky; Rochester, Minnesota and Tallahassee, Florida.

After we final reviewed Metronet, it provided no velocity tiers above one gig. With the roll-out of its multi-gig plans, prospects can now entry 2-gigabit and 5-gigabit speeds. Whereas they don’t seem to be obtainable to all Metronet prospects, listed below are the cities the place you possibly can enroll. 

The corporate’s fiber footprint is continually increasing, so you possibly can examine the Metronet protection map for extra particulars.

Plans and pricing for Metronet

Like different ISPs, Metronet’s promotional pricing is first rate and lasts for a 12 months. It is value noting that these costs will maintain growing after 12 months with out a fastened charge till the third 12 months of service. In addition to that, its velocity tiers will get the job finished, however they are not excessively showy. 

For instance, concerning the promo costs, the associated fee per Mbps for Metronet’s fiber gigabit plan is 5 cents, which is an honest deal. That is higher than the gigabit plans provided by AT&T (8 cents), Spectrum (8 cents) and Frontier (6 cents), all of that are opponents in a number of Metronet service areas. It is also a contact higher than the gig charge of Google Fiber (7 cents), which is a Metronet competitor within the Des Moines market.

The typical value per Mbps for the promo costs of all 5 plans is roughly 10 cents. Whereas that is higher than the promo prices for a few of its cable opponents, like Xfinity, it falls wanting the common value for another fiber suppliers we have reviewed: Frontier (6 cents) and Google Fiber (5 cents). One of many major causes? With most add and obtain speeds of 100Mbps, Metronet’s beginning tier is slower than many different suppliers’ opening choices. As an illustration, Quantum Fiber’s lowest fiber possibility is 500Mbps, AT&T and Verizon Fios begin at 300Mbps, and Frontier’s opening salvo is 500Mbps. So, whereas Metronet prospects get an honest bang for his or her buck with the gigabit plan, you will not discover the identical worth with its most cost-effective tier. 

Metronet fares just a little higher while you evaluate its common charges to these of its opponents. Total, Metronet’s commonplace charges after a 12 months roll up at a mean value per Mbps of 13 cents, which continues to be in the course of the pack — AT&T, CenturyLink, Google Fiber and Verizon Fios retain their spectacular costs per Mbps as a result of they do not do promo pricing — however finally ends up cheaper in the long term than Spectrum (20 cents) and even Ziply Fiber (18 cents), which had a greater promo charge however ranges out after a 12 months.

Service phrases for Metronet Web

Metronet’s month-to-month pricing is truthful, however it additionally consists of some customer-friendly approaches that not all ISPs embrace, together with no-term agreements (or the tough early termination charges that include them). Let’s study Metronet’s service phrases a bit extra to understand higher what you may be paying. 

Extra charges

Nearly all ISPs cost an set up payment while you first join web service, so it is no shock to search out that right here. Normally, that cost ranges between $50 and $99, relying on the supplier. Metronet falls in the course of the size because it expenses a $75 set up payment upon signing up for service. Which is fairly tame in comparison with what most different ISPs will invoice for a similar service. Let’s discuss an unavoidable cost we do not usually see.

Tech Guarantee payment

The one a part of Metronet service that’s exterior the norm amongst ISPs is what it calls a “Tech Guarantee payment.” Here is what it’s: It is a necessary month-to-month cost of virtually $13 on high of your common month-to-month charge. Metronet says on its web site, “Tech Guarantee covers any service calls or repairs to all Metronet-owned gear.” In different phrases, it is primarily ISP insurance coverage that covers the client for any points which may come up. 

That is fantastic in principle, however it provides $156 a 12 months to your web invoice, which is critical. I see the worth of not worrying concerning the further prices of any wanted home calls or gear fixes, however as an web expertise, fiber is the sturdiest and least finicky broadband connection. So (fingers crossed), you should not have to fret about your web continuously. I would favor to see that be an non-compulsory value for the buyer. 

No gear charges

Metronet would not cost an extra gear payment for a few of its plans — a wi-fi router is included in your month-to-month invoice. The exception is the 5-gigabit plan, which expenses $15 for the premium router, however you possibly can skip this payment through the use of your individual. Comparatively, fiber suppliers like AT&T Fiber, Frontier Fiber, Google Fiber and Verizon Fios additionally embody the router leases of their month-to-month prices, however it’s not at all times a given — Ziply Fiber expenses for its gear leases.

In case your family wants further assist with Wi-Fi, Metronet presents a wi-fi extender rental (what it calls its WholeHome WiFi) for an extra $10 a month. It isn’t a prerequisite, so not all properties might want to add this value, however you ought to be conscious of it nonetheless. Metronet at present presents a promo that features this extender without charge within the first 12 months for its 500Mbps, 1-and-2 gigabit plans.

No knowledge caps

Like many fiber suppliers, Metronet doesn’t implement knowledge caps on any of its plans. Meaning you do not have to fret a couple of throttled reference to slower speeds when you hit a sure threshold. It additionally means you do not have to worry looming overage expenses in the event you exceed an information cap. Once more, that is not unusual amongst fiber suppliers. It is nonetheless value calling out, primarily for the reason that Metronet protection map consists of areas lined by cable and satellite tv for pc web suppliers, a lot of whom implement month-to-month knowledge limits. 

Perks and promos

Lastly, the place some ISPs attempt to lure new subscribers by providing a trial subscription to a streaming service like Disney Plus, HBO Max or Paramount Plus, Metronet permits its prospects to earn vital account credit. Metronet’s referral program promotion encourages you to refer family and friends to the service. This implies you possibly can earn a $50 account credit score for every particular person you get to enroll utilizing your distinctive referral hyperlink. There isn’t a restrict to the variety of credit you possibly can earn. This rivals the aggressive referral program we have seen from Nomad Web.

Metronet prospects who join the 1-gig and 2-gig plans can also be eligible for a limited-time $100 reward card.

Metronet Web vs. the competitors: Buyer satisfaction scores are extra hit than miss 

No ISP emerges unscathed relating to buyer satisfaction numbers. The American Buyer Satisfaction Index — which we often use to assist gauge how suppliers fare with US subscribers — notes that the web trade commonly ranks on the backside amongst all tracked classes. 

Since Metronet did not earn a person rating rating throughout the newest ACSI or the J.D. Energy US Residential Web Service Supplier Satisfaction for 2023 (on account of its measurement), we leaned on the Higher Enterprise Bureau. Metronet earned a mean rating of 1.08 out of 5 factors, which initially did not appear all that nice. It nabbed an A plus score, and its numbers had been higher than the scores of rival suppliers like Frontier (1.05), Viasat (1.03) and Hughesnet (1.04). Comparatively talking, it did OK there.

Metronet additionally did nicely on the 2023 Ookla velocity check report. Per Ookla, Metronet crossed the end line because the quickest ISP in Iowa, coming in with a median obtain velocity of 266Mbps.

The underside line on Metronet Web

You may’t go unsuitable with an FTTH connection. Its reliability and the symmetrical speeds it presents are at present unparalleled in broadband. Metronet’s dedication to constructing 100% fiber-optic networks is each admirable and forward-looking (or future-proof, as they are saying). Its plan pricing is kind of affordable, particularly contemplating its protection map performs in areas the place cable and satellite tv for pc companies have beforehand reigned. Whereas I might like to see the Tech Guarantee Program payment grow to be an non-compulsory cost somewhat than a compulsory one, I give Metronet props for skipping a number of the different further expenses — just like the gear rental on most of its plans. It needs to be close to the highest of your listing in the event you fall beneath the Metronet protection map. 

Metronet Web FAQs