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Local vs National

Swell vs Frontier

Both offer fiber, but the experience couldn't be more different. Local support, guaranteed pricing, and brand-new infrastructure vs a national corporation with mixed reviews.

4.9 vs 2.8

Local Support

Swell provides direct access to local technicians who live in your community. Frontier routes calls through national support centers, resulting in longer wait times and lower satisfaction scores.

$75/mo, always

Price for Life

Frontier's $49.99 intro price increases after 12 months. Swell locks your rate for life -- no surprises on your bill, ever. You'll never have to call to negotiate your rate.

2023-2025 build

All-New Infrastructure

Swell's network is built entirely from scratch with the latest fiber technology. Frontier's infrastructure varies by area -- some neighborhoods have modern fiber, others still run on decades-old copper.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Local fiber vs national provider -- the full breakdown

Feature
Swell
Frontier
Technology
100% Fiber Optic (new-build 2023-2025)
Fiber in some areas, DSL/copper in others
Download Speed
Up to 5 Gbps
Up to 5 Gbps (fiber areas only)
Upload Speed
Up to 5 Gbps (symmetrical)
Up to 5 Gbps (fiber) / 1 Mbps (DSL)
Starting Price
$75/mo (1 Gbps)
$49.99/mo* (*500 Mbps, intro rate for 12 months)
Price Guarantee
Price for life -- your rate never changes
Price increases after 12-month promo
Data Caps
None
None
Contract
No contract required
No contract (but promo pricing requires 12 months)
Router
Free Wi-Fi 7 router included
$10/mo rental or bring your own
Installation
Free professional installation
$0-$99 depending on promotion
Customer Satisfaction
4.9/5 stars
2.8/5 (ACSI)
Support
Local team in your community
National call center
Company Type
Local, independent
National corporation (NASDAQ: FYBR)
Network Age
Brand new fiber (2023-2025)
Mix of new fiber and legacy copper

The Real Cost Over 2 Years

Frontier's low intro price hides the true cost

Swell Internet (1 Gbps)
$1,800
$75/mo for 24 months
Free Wi-Fi 7 router
Free installation
Price never changes
Frontier Fiber (500 Mbps)
$2,040
$49.99/mo for 12 months, then ~$74.99
+ $10/mo router rental
$0-$99 installation
Price increases after year 1

Over 2 years, Frontier's 500 Mbps plan costs $240 more than Swell's 1 Gbps plan -- and you get half the speed and older Wi-Fi technology.

Why Local Service Matters

The difference between a neighbor and a call center

Real People You Can Talk To

When you call Swell support, you reach technicians who live in your area and know your community. Frontier's national call center model means longer hold times, support staff unfamiliar with your local infrastructure, and a 2.8/5 ACSI customer satisfaction rating. Swell's local team achieves 4.9/5.

Same-Day Service, Not Same-Week

Because Swell's team is local, on-site service happens the same day or next day in most cases. Frontier schedules technician visits through regional dispatch, which often means waiting 3-5 business days for a service call. When your internet is down, every day matters.

Guaranteed Fiber, Not a Gamble

Swell is 100% fiber in every neighborhood we serve -- no exceptions. When you sign up with Frontier, your actual service depends on your specific address. Many Frontier customers discover they can only get DSL (up to 25 Mbps) because fiber hasn't been built on their street yet.

Transparent Pricing, No Games

Swell locks your rate for life with no promotional gimmicks. Frontier leads with a low intro price that expires after 12 months, then bills go up. Many customers report unexpected charges for equipment rental, technician visits, and price increases they didn't anticipate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Swell vs Frontier -- what you need to know

Is Swell better than Frontier?
Both Swell and Frontier offer fiber internet, but the experience is very different. Swell provides a price-for-life guarantee (your rate never increases), a free Wi-Fi 7 router, and local support with 4.9/5 customer satisfaction. Frontier's promo pricing expires after 12 months, charges $10/month for router rental, and has a 2.8/5 ACSI satisfaction rating.
How do Swell speeds compare to Frontier?
Where Frontier has deployed fiber, both providers offer comparable download speeds (up to 5 Gbps). However, many Frontier addresses are still served by DSL with speeds as low as 6-25 Mbps. Swell is 100% fiber in every area we serve -- every customer gets true fiber-to-the-home with symmetrical upload and download speeds.
Is Swell cheaper than Frontier?
Frontier's introductory price starts at $49.99/month for 500 Mbps, but increases after 12 months. Plus Frontier charges $10/month for their router. Swell starts at $75/month for 1 Gbps with a free Wi-Fi 7 router and your price never increases. Over 2 years, Swell costs less while delivering faster speeds and better equipment.
Can I switch from Frontier to Swell?
Yes! Switching from Frontier to Swell is straightforward. We provide free professional installation (typically 1-2 hours) and set up your Wi-Fi 7 router at no charge. You can cancel Frontier once your Swell service is active. There are no contracts with Swell, so there's zero risk in trying us out.
Does Frontier have fiber in my area?
Frontier's fiber availability varies significantly by address. Many neighborhoods still have only DSL service. Swell, on the other hand, is 100% fiber everywhere we operate. We're currently available in Oceanside CA, Kenosha WI, Farmington Hills MI, and Rockford IL. Check your address on our availability page to see if Swell fiber is live at your location.
What makes Swell different from Frontier if both have fiber?
Even where both offer fiber, the experience differs substantially. Swell is a local company with local technicians, a price-for-life guarantee, free Wi-Fi 7 routers, and 4.9/5 customer satisfaction. Frontier is a publicly traded national corporation (NASDAQ: FYBR) with national call centers, promotional pricing that increases, and a 2.8/5 ACSI rating. Swell invests in your community; Frontier reports to Wall Street.

Experience True Local Fiber

Check if Swell fiber is available at your address. Local support, price-for-life guarantee, and a free Wi-Fi 7 router.