Frontier vs. Mercury Broadband
Which is better where you live? Coverage, speed, price and customer ratings, side by side
Check which is available at your address
Whether you’re researching Frontier vs. Mercury Broadband internet service at your current address, comparing internet options for potential locations, or just researching alternatives, this detailed comparison will help you understand which provider best suits you.
Which is better, Frontier or Mercury Broadband?
Frontier is faster, cheaper to start and available to more people. Where both are offered (about 591,086 people), Frontier has the faster top speed for 65% of homes.
| Frontier |
|---|
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| Price: $44.99 - $124.99 / mo. |
| Speed: 10 - 7,000 Mbps |
| Internet Type: Fiber and DSL |
Rating (Reviews): (165) |
| Mercury Broadband |
|---|
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| Price: $69.00 - $240.00 / mo. |
| Speed: 150 - 5,000 Mbps |
| Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber |
Rating (Reviews): (4) |
Frontier vs. Mercury Broadband at a glance
| Measure | ||
|---|---|---|
| Available to | 30.4 million people in 26 states | 2.8 million people in 5 states |
| Main technology | Fiber 77%, DSL 46% | Fixed wireless 99%, fiber 2.2% |
| 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 | $69 a month |
| Cheapest plan, first 2 years | $1,080 (500 Mbps plan) | $1,656 (100 Mbps plan) |
| Customer rating | 3.4 of 5 (172 reviews) | 2.8 of 5 (4 reviews) |
| Rated for speed | 3.6 of 5 | 2.2 of 5 |
| Rated for price | 3.3 of 5 | 3.2 of 5 |
| Where both are offered | About 591,086 people (21% of Mercury Broadband's area); Frontier is faster for 65% of them, the same top speed for 0.9% | |
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 Mercury Broadband are available
Frontier and Mercury Broadband 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.
Both Providers Available | Frontier Available | Mercury Broadband Available | No Coverage
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.
Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether Frontier, Mercury Broadband or both are offered at your home.
Frontier vs. Mercury Broadband Speeds and Technology
Frontier and Mercury Broadband 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 Mercury Broadband’s average speed of 258 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, Mercury Broadband’s top-tier Fiber is available to 2.2% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.
Frontier vs. Mercury Broadband Plans and Prices
Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Frontier and Mercury Broadband, 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.
Frontier Internet Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Monthly Price | Typical Download Speed | Typical Upload Speed | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber 500 | $44.99 | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 1 Gig | $64.99 | 1000 Mbps | 1000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 2 Gig | $79.99 | 2000 Mbps | 2000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 5 Gig | $104.99 | 5000 Mbps | 5000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 7 Gig | $124.99 | 7000 Mbps | 7000 Mbps | Fiber |
Sourced from pricing published on Frontier's official website, last verified September 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.
Mercury Broadband Internet Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Monthly Price | Typical Download Speed | Typical Upload Speed | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Fiber | $69.00 | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | Fiber |
| Enhanced Fiber | $89.00 | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
| Gigabit Fiber | $99.00 | 1000 Mbps | 1000 Mbps | Fiber |
| 2 Gig Fiber | $135.00 | 2000 Mbps | 2000 Mbps | Fiber |
| 5 Gig Fiber | $240.00 | 5000 Mbps | 5000 Mbps | Fiber |
Compiled from current advertised pricing across industry sources, last verified June 2026. Typical speeds shown are the advertised tier speeds. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.
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. Mercury Broadband Customer Ratings and Reviews
Compare how real customers rate Frontier and Mercury Broadband based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.
Frontier vs. Mercury Broadband Fees and Details
Beyond advertised monthly rates, additional fees and service details significantly impact your total internet costs. The tables below outline equipment charges, installation fees, contract terms, data caps, and other important factors to consider when comparing these providers. Understanding these details helps you avoid unexpected costs and choose the plan that offers the best overall value.
Frontier Service
Fee
Not Provided by Frontier
Mercury Broadband Service
Fee
Not Provided by Mercury Broadband
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. Mercury Broadband 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"
Mercury Broadband
Too few written reviews to sum up yet (3); these lines come from our data.
Pros
Cons
Frontier vs. Mercury Broadband Top Cities
Frontier serves 9,909 cities while Mercury Broadband is available in 1,146 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.
Frontier Cities
- Availability: 28.72%
- Avg. Download Speed: 6,120 Mbps
- Availability: 65.18%
- Avg. Download Speed: 6,428 Mbps
- Availability: 75.82%
- Avg. Download Speed: 6,820 Mbps
- Availability: 23.31%
- Avg. Download Speed: 6,698 Mbps
- Availability: 95.42%
- Avg. Download Speed: 6,585 Mbps
Overlapping Cities
- Frontier Avg. Speed: 6,522 Mbps
- Mercury Broadband Avg. Speed: 150 Mbps
- Frontier Avg. Speed: 1,280 Mbps
- Mercury Broadband Avg. Speed: 756 Mbps
- Frontier Avg. Speed: 6,269 Mbps
- Mercury Broadband Avg. Speed: 150 Mbps
- Frontier Avg. Speed: 6,708 Mbps
- Mercury Broadband Avg. Speed: 150 Mbps
- Frontier Avg. Speed: 4,416 Mbps
- Mercury Broadband Avg. Speed: 650 Mbps
Mercury Broadband Cities
- Availability: 8.25%
- Avg. Download Speed: 150 Mbps
- Availability: 3.43%
- Avg. Download Speed: 636 Mbps
- Availability: 82.95%
- Avg. Download Speed: 150 Mbps
- Availability: 4.81%
- Avg. Download Speed: 205 Mbps
- Availability: 97.50%
- Avg. Download Speed: 150 Mbps

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