Mediacom Internet Review

Mediacom is known for its cheap internet plans. But even if it's affordable, is it reliable? Read on for the full review.

Unreliable internet can be hard to deal with, especially if customer service is of no help. What's the point of paying for the internet if you can't use it anyway?

Luckily, you can count on Mediacom for fast internet speeds with affordable plans. It's praised for great customer service, too.

How reliable is it? You'll figure this out and more by the end of the article.

What is Mediacom?

Mediacom is a cable television company founded in 1995. It provides cable TV, internet, and telephone services around the U.S.

It is actually the leading provider of broadband services in Iowa.

Who is mediacom best for?

Mediacom is best for those looking for a reliable internet option and has the budget for extra fees.

Although Mediacom is praised for reliable internet performance, the tiny build-up of fees (like having a technician come to fix something, equipment rental, yearly price increases) adds up to a great expense.

Additionally, Mediacom's customer complaints revolve around paying a bunch of fees and internet outages in some areas.

Pros and Cons

Here are the upsides and downsides of using the service:

Pros

• Unlimited data plans (other plans have data caps)
  
• Offers fast speeds
  
• Affordable plans

Cons

• Term contracts
  
• Slow upload speeds
  
• A bunch of fees `

Mediacom Plans and Pricing

Mediacom offers 6 plans: 2 plans have data caps while the other 4 have unlimited data. Check them out below.

You'll notice that Mediacom offers two 1 Gig plans at different prices. The difference between the two is the upload speeds. More about that later.

Also, while Mediacom offers unlimited internet, you're technically given priority data of 1 TB.

Mediacom Discounted Plan:
If you're on a budget, you can check to see if you qualify for Mediacom's discounted plan:

• Xtream Connect ($28.99 /mo)
  You get up to 100 Mbps download speed and 20 Mbps upload speed. This low-cost broadband plan is only available for qualifying customers. Eligible households that participate in the SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, and other federal programs.^[2]

Mediacom Internet Speeds

Although Mediacom has 6 plans, there are only 5 speeds, since there are two 1 Gig plans.^[2][3]

How to Choose an Internet Speed:
You don't want to overpay for a speed you don't need or suffer through slow Wi-Fi because you need something faster.

So here's a quick guide:

• 100 Mbps
  For those who just plan to do light internet usage like online shopping, banking, smart home tech, or light streaming.

• 250 Mbps
  This is a good speed for online shopping, cell phones, or smart home tech.

• 500 Mbps
  This speed is best for you if you want to use your internet for HD streaming and video conferencing.

• 1 Gig
  This is for heavy internet users who plan to engage in online gaming, heavy file transfers, or content creation. With this speed, you can engage in these activities simultaneously on multiple devices.

• 2 Gig
  This is for really heavy internet users. With speed like this, you can do simultaneous live streaming, online gaming, watching in HD/4k, and having video calls on multiple devices without experiencing buffering issues.

Mediacom Add-ons

Mediacom offers 3 add-ons for your internet plan:

• Xtream WiFi360pro ($10)
  This is a perfect add-on for you if you have wifi dead spots around your house or if you belong to a household that uses multiple devices.

  With this add-on, Mediacom will give you 1 eero device. An eero device works kind of like a wifi extender but it covers more areas (up to 1500 square feet).

  You'll also get eero Secure with this add-on. With eero secure, you get active threat protection as well as parental control features like blocking certain sites.

• Xtream WiFi360pro Plus ($12)
  This is the same as the WiFi360pro add-on but instead of getting just 1 eero device, you'll get 2. You'll also get eero Secure.

• Xtream Assurance ($10)
  This add-on is for lessening expenses when experiencing internet issues. You won't need to pay for Wi-Fi Certification (normally $49) or trip charge (normally $49).

Mediacom Billing Information

Worried about the payments that need to be made? Below you'll find the fees that you might see on the bill.

• Internet plan plus add-ons (starts at $49.99/mo)
  This is how much you pay for your internet plan plus any add-ons (should you choose to purchase any).

• Activation fee (starts at $10)
  This is the fee you pay to activate Mediacom's service. This is a one-time charge to new customers.

• Data overcharge ($10+)
  For Mediacom plans that aren't unlimited, you need to pay a $10 fee for every 50 GB block you exceed the allotted data.

• Government and non-government fees
  These are taxes you have to pay on top of your plan's price. The amount will vary depending on your state laws.

• Equipment fees ($6+ and/or $14/mo)
  Modem rental fee costs $14, while additional WiFi360pro extenders cost $6 each.

• Standard installation fee ($0 to $109.99)
  This is a one-time fee that you pay to get your equipment installed by a Mediacom technician. But Mediacom has a self-installation option at no extra cost.

• Service call one-time fee ($49.00)
  You pay this fee when a technician has to visit your house for work. This could be for adding/relocating an outlet, transferring service locations, reconnecting, upgrading/downgrading services, and picking up equipment.

  You don't need to pay this fee for the initial installation, or if you're covered by the Home Wire Maintenance Plan or Xtream Assurance.

Is Mediacom Worth It?

Mediacom is known for its cheap base plans and reliable connection. It has better reviews than its competitors in terms of reliability and customer service.

Although, there are complaints about internet outages in certain areas and small fees that build up to a hefty price. Not to mention, there are yearly unilateral price increases.

If you don't mind those complaints, then Mediacom can be worth it. Especially if you need affordable internet and good reliability.

Ready to make a purchase? Keep reading to see how.

How to Purchase a Plan

Check first if you're within the service area of Mediacom by inputting your address on their website.

If Mediacom has a plan in your area, you can place your order by calling their hotline at 1-855-633-4226.

How is Mediacom Internet installed?

Mediacom Internet can be installed by a Mediacom technician or you can opt to self-install. If you choose the self-install option, here's how to do it:

1. Establish your connection:
   • Coaxial cable: connect one of the ends to the back of your modem, and the other to the coaxial wall outlet.

   • Power cable: plug one end to the back of your modem, and the other one to the wall outlet.

   • Ethernet cable: connect one end to the back of your computer, then connect the other end to the back of your modem (on the slot that says "Ethernet 1").

2. Wait for your modem to activate.
   
3. On your PC, laptop, or mobile device, a setup wizard will automatically appear. Follow the steps displayed.

Alternatively, you can watch Mediacom's self-installation video.

How to Cancel Your Mediacom Subscription

You can cancel your Mediacom Internet subscription by calling their customer service hotline at 1-855-633-4226. Make sure that you have no outstanding payments that have to be made.

Unfortunately, Mediacom has term contracts of 1, 2, and 3 years. For 2-3-year contracts, you'll need to pay an early termination fee of up to $240. For 1-year contracts, you'll be fined up to $120.^[5]

How to Avoid the Termination Fee:
There are exceptions to paying the termination fee. You can either:

• Call to cancel within 90 days of submitting the user agreement (provided that your account is in good standing).

  Upon request, you'll get a refund of your expenses after you return all equipment in good condition and settle all outstanding balances.

• Inform Mediacom if you're on active duty in the U.S. Military and are relocated to an area where Mediacom does not have any services.

  You'll need to give Mediacom prior written notice of the move (plus any proof asked for), give the equipment back, and pay any outstanding balances.

Mediacom Customer Reviews

Just like other internet providers, Mediacom has mixed customer reviews. But it has better customer reviews compared to competitors. The company is often praised for good customer service.

Check out what Kris had to say about it:

Unfortunately, Mediacom is also heavily criticized for:

• Providing slower speeds than the advertised speed
  
• Frequent internet outages
  
• Unilateral price raise

Here's George's experience with Mediacom:

Mediacom Customer Service

If you're experiencing connection problems or have questions, you can contact Mediacom's support team at 1-855-633-4226.

Alternatively, you can shoot them an email or schedule a call through the website.

How Mediacom Compares

Xfinity vs. Mediacom

Xfinity offers a wider range of plans compared to Mediacom and at cheaper rates at that. Additionally, Xfinity has better customer reviews in terms of internet reliability.

That said, Mediacom beats Xfinity with data caps. Mediacom offers plans with unlimited data while Xfinity maintains a cap at 1.2 TB.

Both internet providers offer some plans with no term contract. So your choice really boils down to affordability or better reliability.

Verizon Fios vs. Mediacom

Compared to Mediacom, Verizon Fios is a more popular name. For good reasons, too. Verizon offers better reliability and customer service compared to Mediacom.

Additionally, if you need high upload speeds, Verizon is the better choice. It offers fiber optic, which has symmetrical upload and download speeds. Mediacom primarily uses cable internet, which has slow upload speeds.

Verizon also doesn't require you to have a term contract, so you won't need to pay early termination fees. This is unless you choose a bundle plan that has a term contract.

That said, Mediacom offers cheaper base plans. So Verizon may only work best for you if you're willing to spend more.

Bottom Line

Mediacom is a great option if you're looking for affordable internet. It's known for cheap plans and good customer service.

But be wary of frequent outages in certain areas. Customers also complain of the unilateral price raises, as well as small fees that add up to a hefty monthly bill.

If you're looking for pretty good reliability and customer service, then definitely check out Mediacom. But if you're on a tight monthly budget and are worried about the common complaints, then it's best to look for other options.

References