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Frontier vs. Northwest Communications

Whether you’re researching Frontier vs. Northwest Communications 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.

Frontier
Price: $44.99 - $134.99 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 7,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (143)

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Northwest Communications
Price: Unavailable, please see site for details
Speed: 100 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber and cable
Rating (Reviews): (0)

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Frontier and Northwest Communications compete directly in approximately 0.07% of their service areas, with Frontier covering 30,614,897 people nationwide and Northwest Communications serving 49,609. Frontier primarily delivers internet through a fiber connection; Northwest Communications specializes in fiber connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of Frontier and Northwest Communications’s availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

Jump to: Availability | Speeds | Plans & Pricing | Customer Reviews | Fees

Frontier vs. Northwest Communications | Pros & Cons

Frontier Logo

Pros:

  • Multi-gig speeds available
  • Up-front month-to-month pricing
  • Wide range of plan options
  • No contracts required

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Early termination fees apply
  • May require credit check for service activation

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Northwest Communications Logo

Pros:

  • Multi-gig speeds available
  • Service available in rural areas
  • Extensive fiber network
  • Supports everyday activities like email and web browsing

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Higher speeds require premium pricing
  • Coverage strength varies within service areas

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Frontier vs. Northwest Communications | Availability

Frontier and Northwest Communications 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 | Northwest Communications Available | No Coverage

Frontier currently offers internet service in 9,825 cities and 833 counties across 26 states, reaching approximately 30,614,897 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Los Angeles, CA; Riverside, CA; and Tampa, FL. By comparison, Northwest Communications serves 49,609 residents in 35 cities and 3 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as Minneapolis, MN; New Richmond, WI; and Somerset, WI.

Frontier has particularly strong coverage nationwide, where they serve 0 cities and 0 zip codes. Their Rural Coverage Ratio of 23 indicates they focuses heavily on urban areas, with limited service available in rural communities..

Northwest Communications is prominent in State with service to 0 cities and 0 zip codes. With a Rural Coverage Ratio of 80, Northwest Communications has a strong emphasis on rural communities, providing extensive coverage in less densely populated areas.

Internet availability can vary significantly even within specific cities and zip codes. For the most accurate information about Frontier and Northwest Communications at your location, use our address search tool:

Frontier vs. Northwest Communications | Speeds & Technology

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

Across their service areas, Frontier primarily delivers internet through fiber, available to 72.5% of their customers. They also offer DSL to 47.1% of their coverage area. Northwest Communications relies on fiber technology, which comprises 95.5% of their network, with cable available in 28.7% of their service locations.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Northwest Communications offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 4,778 Mbps compared to Frontier’s average speed of 4,757 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, Northwest Communications delivers faster speeds in 54.79% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 0.00%, and slower speeds in 45.21%.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Frontier’s premium Fiber service reaches 72.5% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Northwest Communications’s top-tier Fiber is available to 95.5% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Frontier vs. Northwest Communications | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Frontier and Northwest Communications, 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

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Fiber 500$39.99500 Mbps500 MbpsFiber
Fiber 1 Gig$59.991000 Mbps1000 MbpsFiber
Fiber 2 Gig$74.992000 Mbps2000 MbpsFiber
Fiber 5 Gig$99.995000 Mbps5000 MbpsFiber
Fiber 7 Gig$119.997000 Mbps7000 MbpsFiber

Sourced from pricing published on Frontier's official website. 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.

Frontier Plans

Northwest Communications Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
DSL 6 Mbps$34.955 Mbps5 MbpsDSL
DSL 10 Mbps$39.9510 Mbps5 MbpsDSL
DSL 20 Mbps$49.9525 Mbps5 MbpsDSL
Cable 25 Mbps$59.9525 Mbps5 MbpsCable
GigaMax 100$69.95100 Mbps50 MbpsFiber
Cable 50 Mbps$79.9550 Mbps50 MbpsCable
GigaMax 250$89.95250 Mbps100 MbpsFiber
GigaMax 500$109.95500 Mbps200 MbpsFiber
Cable 100 Mbps$119.95100 Mbps10 MbpsCable
GigaMax 1000$149.951000 Mbps400 MbpsFiber
GigaMax 5000$199.955000 Mbps1000 MbpsFiber

Sourced directly from Northwest Communications's FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband label data, last verified June 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.

Northwest Communications Plans

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. Northwest Communications | Customer Ratings & Reviews

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

Frontier Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.75 of 5 stars

(99)

DSL

DSL: 2.62 of 5 stars

(53)

Frontier has an overall rating of 3.36 out of 5, with a total of 152 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Frontier’s ratings, their Fiber service (65% of reviews) averages 3.75 / 5 stars, lower than their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our Frontier Internet Reviews page.

Frontier vs. Northwest Communications | Fees & 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

Northwest Communications Service

Fee

FIBER INSTALL

$300.00

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. Northwest Communications | Top Cities

Frontier serves 9,825 cities while Northwest Communications is available in 35 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

Frontier Cities

Los Angeles, CA
  • Availability: 28.56%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 6,051 Mbps
Riverside, CA
  • Availability: 64.85%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 6,302 Mbps
Tampa, FL
  • Availability: 75.07%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 6,723 Mbps
Dallas, TX
  • Availability: 23.12%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 6,498 Mbps
Hartford, CT
  • Availability: 95.23%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 6,456 Mbps

Overlapping Cities

Minneapolis, MN
  • Frontier Avg. Speed: 1,808 Mbps
  • Northwest Communications Avg. Speed: 4,641 Mbps
New Richmond, WI
  • Frontier Avg. Speed: 4,806 Mbps
  • Northwest Communications Avg. Speed: 4,574 Mbps
Star Prairie, WI
  • Frontier Avg. Speed: 41 Mbps
  • Northwest Communications Avg. Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Somerset, WI
  • Frontier Avg. Speed: 22 Mbps
  • Northwest Communications Avg. Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Huntington, WI
  • Frontier Avg. Speed: 42 Mbps
  • Northwest Communications Avg. Speed: 5,000 Mbps

Northwest Communications Cities

Minneapolis, MN
  • Availability: 0.87%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 4,772 Mbps
New Richmond, WI
  • Availability: 96.49%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 4,579 Mbps
Somerset, WI
  • Availability: 99.18%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Amery, WI
  • Availability: 100.00%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 4,571 Mbps
Houlton, WI
  • Availability: 99.44%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 5,000 Mbps