Which is better, Frontier or HBC Internet?

HBC Internet is faster where you can get it, but Frontier reaches 103 times as many people, so at most addresses Frontier is the one on offer (and it is cheaper to start). Where both are offered (about 28,261 people), HBC Internet has the faster top speed for 73% of homes.

FasterHBC InternetFaster for 73% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startFrontierFrom $44.99 a month, vs $62.99.

Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (172 and 1).

Available to more peopleFrontier30.4 million people in 26 states, vs 294,998 in 2 states.

Frontier
Price: $44.99 - $124.99 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 7,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (165)
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HBC Internet
Price: $62.99 - $139.99 / mo.
Speed: 100 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless, fiber, and cable
Rating (Reviews): (1)
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Frontier vs. HBC Internet at a glance

Measure	Frontier	HBC Internet
Available to	30.4 million people in 26 states	294,998 people in 2 states
Main technology	Fiber 77%, DSL 46%	Fixed wireless 69%, fiber 34%, cable 9.9%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	7,000 Mbps	5,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	7,000 Mbps down, 7,000 Mbps up	5,000 Mbps down, 5,000 Mbps up
Starting price	$44.99 a month	$62.99 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$1,080 (500 Mbps plan)	$1,512 (200 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	3.4 of 5 (172 reviews)	5.0 of 5 (1 reviews)
Rated for speed	3.6 of 5	4.0 of 5
Rated for price	3.3 of 5	4.0 of 5
Where both are offered	About 28,261 people (9.6% of HBC Internet's area); HBC Internet is faster for 73% of them

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where Frontier and HBC Internet are available

Frontier and HBC Internet have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Frontier currently offers internet service in 9,909 cities and 843 counties across 26 states, reaching approximately 31,112,669 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Los Angeles, CA; Riverside, CA; and Tampa, FL. By comparison, HBC Internet serves 304,391 residents in 156 cities and 14 counties in 2 states, with a presence in population centers such as Rochester, MN; Minneapolis, MN; and Winona, MN.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: Frontier coverage map and HBC Internet coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether Frontier, HBC Internet or both are offered at your home.

Frontier vs. HBC Internet Speeds and Technology

Frontier and HBC Internet utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Frontier offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 5,021 Mbps compared to HBC Internet’s average speed of 1,763 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Frontier’s premium Fiber service reaches 75.8% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, HBC Internet’s top-tier Fiber is available to 33.1% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Frontier vs. HBC Internet Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Frontier and HBC Internet, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

Frontier vs. HBC Internet Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate Frontier and HBC Internet based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, Frontier earns an overall rating of 3.33 / 5 stars from 177 customer reviews, while HBC Internet maintains a 5.00 / 5 rating from 1 reviews. HBC Internet outperforms Frontier by 1.7 points in overall satisfaction. Frontier’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.65 / 5 stars, compared to HBC Internet’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 5.00 / 5 stars.

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

Frontier vs. HBC Internet Pros and Cons

Frontier

From 113 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Reliable connection: praised in 38 of 113 written reviews (24 report outages). "Very reliable internet which is great"
• Fast speeds: praised in 35 of 113 written reviews (27 call it slow). "fast internet is in every corner of the house"
• Good value: praised in 21 of 113 written reviews (17 call it overpriced). "It is also very affordable"

Cons

• Poor customer service: a complaint in 30 of 113 written reviews (20 praise the service). "Customer service not the best"
• Bills that go up: a complaint in 19 of 113 written reviews. "then it goes up to 80 for the second year and 100 after that"
• Equipment problems: a complaint in 6 of 113 written reviews (3 praise the equipment). "the Wi-Fi is quite weak, and sometimes isn't detected by our devices"

HBC Internet

Too few written reviews to sum up yet (1); these lines come from our data.

Pros

• Faster where both are offered: the faster top speed for 73% of those homes.

Cons

Frontier vs. HBC Internet Top Cities

Frontier serves 9,909 cities while HBC Internet is available in 156 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.