Which is better, Shentel or Foothills Communications?

Foothills Communications is better rated and cheaper to start where you can get it, but Shentel reaches 7.4 times as many people, so at most addresses Shentel is the one on offer (and it is faster). Where both are offered (about 6,563 people), Shentel has the faster top speed for 100% of homes.

FasterShentelTop speed 10,000 Mbps vs 1,000 Mbps; faster for 100% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startFoothills CommunicationsFrom $60.95 a month, vs $85.

Better ratedFoothills Communications4.0 of 5 from 5 reviews, vs 3.5 from 34.

Available to more peopleShentel484,281 people in 4 states, vs 65,498 in 2 states.

Shentel
Price: $85.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 10,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fiber, and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (35)
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Foothills Communications
Price: $60.95 - $130.95 / mo.
Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber
Rating (Reviews): (5)
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Shentel vs. Foothills Communications at a glance

Measure	Shentel	Foothills Communications
Available to	484,281 people in 4 states	65,498 people in 2 states
Main technology	Cable 90%, fiber 28%, DSL 4.2%	Fiber 100%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	10,000 Mbps	1,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	1,200 Mbps down, 50 Mbps up	2,000 Mbps down, 2,000 Mbps up
Starting price	$85 a month	$60.95 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$2,040 (1,200 Mbps plan)	$1,463 (400 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	3.5 of 5 (34 reviews)	4.0 of 5 (5 reviews)
Rated for speed	3.9 of 5	4.6 of 5
Rated for price	3.0 of 5	3.4 of 5
Where both are offered	About 6,563 people (10% of Foothills Communications's area); Shentel is faster for 100% 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 Shentel and Foothills Communications are available

Shentel and Foothills 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.

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, Foothills Communications serves 65,498 residents in 110 cities and 10 counties in 2 states, with a presence in population centers such as Louisa, KY; Salyersville, KY; and Paintsville, KY.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: Shentel coverage map and Foothills Communications coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether Shentel, Foothills Communications or both are offered at your home.

Shentel vs. Foothills Communications Speeds and Technology

Shentel and Foothills Communications 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, Shentel offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,727 Mbps compared to Foothills Communications’s average speed of 1,000 Mbps.

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, Foothills Communications’s top-tier Fiber is available to 100.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Shentel vs. Foothills Communications Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Shentel and Foothills 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.

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. Foothills Communications Customer Ratings and Reviews

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

When comparing customer satisfaction, Shentel earns an overall rating of 3.49 / 5 stars from 35 customer reviews, while Foothills Communications maintains a 4.00 / 5 rating from 5 reviews. Foothills Communications outperforms Shentel by 0.5 points in overall satisfaction. Shentel’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 4.14 / 5 stars, compared to Foothills Communications’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 4.00 / 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.

Shentel vs. Foothills Communications Pros and Cons

Shentel

From 25 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Fast speeds: praised in 11 of 25 written reviews (4 call it slow). "Shentel internet provides fast, reliable internet"
• Helpful customer service: praised in 3 of 25 written reviews. "As many times as I have called Shentel they have been quick, yes"

Cons

• Slow uploads: 50 Mbps up on its 1,200 Mbps plan.

Foothills Communications

Too few written reviews to sum up yet (4); these lines come from our data.

Pros

• Cheaper to start: $60.95 a month, vs $85 from Shentel.
• Rated higher by customers: 4.0 vs 3.5 out of 5.

Cons

Shentel vs. Foothills Communications Top Cities

Shentel serves 571 cities while Foothills Communications is available in 110 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.