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Shentel vs. Citizens Telephone Cooperative

Whether you’re researching Shentel vs. Citizens Telephone Cooperative 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.

Shentel
Price: $85.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 10,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fiber, and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (33)

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Citizens Telephone Cooperative
Price: $69.95 - $169.95 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 2,500 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber, DSL, and cable
Rating (Reviews): (0)

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Shentel and Citizens Telephone Cooperative compete directly in approximately 1.39% of their service areas, with Shentel covering 495,665 people nationwide and Citizens Telephone Cooperative serving 61,392. Shentel primarily delivers internet through a cable connection; Citizens Telephone Cooperative specializes in fiber connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of Shentel and Citizens Telephone Cooperative’s availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

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

Shentel vs. Citizens Telephone Cooperative | Pros & Cons

Shentel Logo

Pros:

  • Gigabit speeds available
  • Service available in rural areas
  • Up-front month-to-month pricing
  • No contracts required

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Limited plan variety
  • Customers report dissatisfaction with pricing

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Citizens Telephone Cooperative Logo

Pros:

  • Fast upload speeds
  • Service available in rural areas
  • Extensive fiber network
  • Works with smart home devices

Cons:

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

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Shentel vs. Citizens Telephone Cooperative | Availability

Shentel and Citizens Telephone Cooperative 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 | Shentel Available | Citizens Telephone Cooperative Available | No Coverage

Shentel currently offers internet service in 571 cities and 62 counties across 4 states, reaching approximately 495,665 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Christiansburg, VA; Forest, VA; and Radford, VA. By comparison, Citizens Telephone Cooperative serves 61,392 residents in 97 cities and 20 counties in 3 states, with a presence in population centers such as Floyd, VA; Vienna, GA; and Max Meadows, VA.

Shentel has particularly strong coverage the South Atlantic, where they serve 571 cities and 313 zip codes. Their Rural Coverage Ratio of 69 indicates they offers a balanced distribution of coverage across urban and rural areas..

Citizens Telephone Cooperative is prominent in the South Atlantic with service to 97 cities and 59 zip codes. With a Rural Coverage Ratio of 90, Citizens Telephone Cooperative 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 Shentel and Citizens Telephone Cooperative at your location, use our address search tool:

Shentel vs. Citizens Telephone Cooperative | Speeds & Technology

Shentel and Citizens Telephone Cooperative utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

Across their service areas, Shentel primarily delivers internet through cable, available to 0.0% of their customers. They also offer fiber to less than 1% of their coverage area. Citizens Telephone Cooperative relies on fiber technology, which comprises 0.0% of their network, with DSL available in less than 1% of their service locations.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Shentel offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,727 Mbps compared to Citizens Telephone Cooperative’s average speed of 998 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, Shentel delivers faster speeds in 78.39% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 21.61%, and slower speeds in 0.00%.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Shentel’s premium Fiber service reaches 27.1% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Citizens Telephone Cooperative’s top-tier Fiber is available to 81.6% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Shentel vs. Citizens Telephone Cooperative | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Shentel and Citizens Telephone Cooperative, 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.

Shentel Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
1.2 Gig Internet$85.001200 Mbps50 MbpsCable

Sourced directly from Shentel'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.

Shentel Plans

Citizens Telephone Cooperative Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
CitiZip Unlimited 100$69.95100 Mbps100 MbpsFiber
CitiZip Unlimited 250$99.95250 Mbps250 MbpsFiber
CitiZip Unlimited 500$129.95500 Mbps500 MbpsFiber
CitiZip Unlimited Gigabit$169.951000 Mbps1000 MbpsFiber

Sourced from pricing published on Citizens Telephone Cooperative's official website, 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.

Citizens Telephone Cooperative 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.

Shentel vs. Citizens Telephone Cooperative | Customer Ratings & Reviews

Compare how real customers rate Shentel and Citizens Telephone Cooperative based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

Shentel Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 4.33 of 5 stars

(6)

Cable

Cable: 3.25 of 5 stars

(24)

DSL

DSL: 3.75 of 5 stars

(4)

Shentel has an overall rating of 3.50 out of 5, with a total of 34 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Shentel’s ratings, their Cable service (71% of reviews) averages 3.25 / 5 stars, higher 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 Shentel Internet Reviews page.

Shentel vs. Citizens Telephone Cooperative | 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.

Shentel Service

Fee

No additional fees listed

Citizens Telephone Cooperative Service

Fee

Not Provided by Citizens Telephone Cooperative

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.

Shentel vs. Citizens Telephone Cooperative | Top Cities

Shentel serves 571 cities while Citizens Telephone Cooperative is available in 97 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

Shentel Cities

Christiansburg, VA
  • Availability: 93.09%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 2,253 Mbps
Forest, VA
  • Availability: 98.68%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,986 Mbps
Radford, VA
  • Availability: 91.16%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 3,951 Mbps
Lynchburg, VA
  • Availability: 17.85%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,680 Mbps
Rocky Mount, VA
  • Availability: 95.83%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,970 Mbps

Overlapping Cities

Christiansburg, VA
  • Shentel Avg. Speed: 2,253 Mbps
  • Citizens Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Wytheville, VA
  • Shentel Avg. Speed: 2,211 Mbps
  • Citizens Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Blacksburg, VA
  • Shentel Avg. Speed: 2,000 Mbps
  • Citizens Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Max Meadows, VA
  • Shentel Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
  • Citizens Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 931 Mbps
Fairlawn, VA
  • Shentel Avg. Speed: 3,564 Mbps
  • Citizens Telephone Cooperative Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps

Citizens Telephone Cooperative Cities

Floyd, VA
  • Availability: 99.16%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Vienna, GA
  • Availability: 95.47%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 831 Mbps
Max Meadows, VA
  • Availability: 84.55%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 592 Mbps
New Auburn, WI
  • Availability: 86.60%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 2,500 Mbps
Willis, VA
  • Availability: 100.00%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps