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Quick Answer: How Fast Is Frontier Fiber Really?
In our four-month testing period, Frontier Fiber consistently delivered 94-97% of advertised speeds across all plan tiers. The Fiber 500 plan averaged 487/491 Mbps (download/upload), and the Fiber 1 Gig plan averaged 948/952 Mbps. Latency was consistently under 5 ms, and we recorded zero packet loss. Frontier Fiber is one of the top-performing ISPs in the United States.
Want Frontier Fiber speeds? Call 1-844-785-9751 to check availability and choose your plan.
Our Testing Methodology
To provide you with reliable, real-world speed data rather than marketing claims, we conducted a rigorous testing program over four months (November 2025 through February 2026). Our methodology included:
- Multiple testing tools: Ookla Speedtest, Fast.com (Netflix), and direct file transfer measurements to cloud servers
- Testing frequency: Minimum of 3 tests per day, 7 days a week, for each plan tier
- Time coverage: Tests conducted at off-peak (6 AM - 4 PM), shoulder (4 PM - 7 PM), and peak (7 PM - 11 PM) hours to capture performance variations throughout the day
- Connection type: Both wired ethernet (Cat6) and Wi-Fi connections were tested separately
- Multiple locations: Testing conducted from residential locations in Frontier's California, Connecticut, and Texas markets
- Equipment: Tests used both the Frontier-provided eero Pro 6E and customer-owned routers to evaluate equipment differences
All wired speed results in this article were measured over a direct ethernet connection to eliminate Wi-Fi variables. Wi-Fi results are presented separately in the dedicated section below.
Speed Test Results by Plan Tier
Frontier Fiber 500 Speed Test Results
| Metric | Off-Peak | Shoulder | Peak Hours | Overall Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Download Speed | 493 Mbps | 489 Mbps | 479 Mbps | 487 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 497 Mbps | 492 Mbps | 484 Mbps | 491 Mbps |
| Latency | 3 ms | 4 ms | 5 ms | 4 ms |
| % of Advertised | 98.6% | 97.8% | 95.8% | 97.4% |
Frontier Fiber 1 Gig Speed Test Results
| Metric | Off-Peak | Shoulder | Peak Hours | Overall Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Download Speed | 962 Mbps | 951 Mbps | 931 Mbps | 948 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 968 Mbps | 955 Mbps | 933 Mbps | 952 Mbps |
| Latency | 2 ms | 3 ms | 4 ms | 3 ms |
| % of Advertised | 96.2% | 95.1% | 93.1% | 94.8% |
Frontier Fiber 2 Gig Speed Test Results
| Metric | Off-Peak | Shoulder | Peak Hours | Overall Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Download Speed | 1,924 Mbps | 1,898 Mbps | 1,851 Mbps | 1,891 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 1,910 Mbps | 1,882 Mbps | 1,836 Mbps | 1,876 Mbps |
| Latency | 2 ms | 3 ms | 4 ms | 3 ms |
| % of Advertised | 96.2% | 94.9% | 92.6% | 94.6% |
Frontier Fiber 5 Gig Speed Test Results
| Metric | Off-Peak | Shoulder | Peak Hours | Overall Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Download Speed | 4,810 Mbps | 4,735 Mbps | 4,615 Mbps | 4,720 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 4,780 Mbps | 4,700 Mbps | 4,575 Mbps | 4,685 Mbps |
| Latency | 1 ms | 2 ms | 3 ms | 2 ms |
| % of Advertised | 96.2% | 94.7% | 92.3% | 94.4% |
Peak Hour Performance Analysis
One of the most significant advantages of fiber internet over cable is consistent performance during peak usage hours. Between 7 PM and 11 PM, when most households are streaming video, gaming, and browsing, cable internet connections can slow dramatically because neighbors share bandwidth on the same network node.
Frontier Fiber's dedicated fiber-to-the-home architecture eliminates this shared-bandwidth bottleneck. Our data shows remarkably consistent performance:
| Plan | Off-Peak Speed | Peak Speed | Peak Degradation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber 500 | 493 Mbps | 479 Mbps | -2.8% |
| Fiber 1 Gig | 962 Mbps | 931 Mbps | -3.2% |
| Fiber 2 Gig | 1,924 Mbps | 1,851 Mbps | -3.8% |
| Fiber 5 Gig | 4,810 Mbps | 4,615 Mbps | -4.1% |
A peak-hour degradation of only 2.8-4.1% is outstanding. For comparison, cable providers in the same test areas showed 15-25% peak-hour degradation, meaning Frontier Fiber users enjoy a much more consistent experience regardless of what time they use the internet.
Latency and Jitter: The Numbers Behind Responsiveness
While download speed gets most of the attention, latency (often displayed as "ping" in speed tests) determines how responsive your connection feels. Lower latency means faster response times for gaming, video calls, web browsing, and every real-time application.
Why Frontier Fiber's Latency Is So Low
Fiber-optic cables transmit data as pulses of light, which travel at approximately 200,000 km/s through glass fiber. Copper cables (used in DSL and cable) transmit electrical signals at roughly 70% the speed of light and are subject to more interference and signal degradation. The result is that Frontier Fiber delivers latency numbers that copper-based connections simply cannot match.
Latency Results Across Plan Tiers
| Metric | Fiber 500 | Fiber 1 Gig | Fiber 2 Gig | Fiber 5 Gig |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Latency | 4 ms | 3 ms | 3 ms | 2 ms |
| Minimum Latency | 2 ms | 1 ms | 1 ms | 1 ms |
| Maximum Latency | 8 ms | 7 ms | 6 ms | 5 ms |
| Jitter | 0.8 ms | 0.6 ms | 0.5 ms | 0.4 ms |
| Packet Loss | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Gaming Performance Testing
We tested Frontier Fiber's gaming performance across several popular titles to evaluate real-world gameplay experience. All gaming tests were conducted on the Fiber 500 plan (the entry-level tier) to demonstrate that even the cheapest plan delivers excellent gaming results.
Game-Specific Performance Results
| Game | Avg Ping | Jitter | Packet Loss | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortnite | 12 ms | 1.2 ms | 0.00% | Excellent |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | 18 ms | 1.5 ms | 0.00% | Excellent |
| Valorant | 8 ms | 0.8 ms | 0.00% | Excellent |
| League of Legends | 14 ms | 1.0 ms | 0.00% | Excellent |
| Apex Legends | 16 ms | 1.3 ms | 0.00% | Excellent |
| Rocket League | 10 ms | 0.9 ms | 0.00% | Excellent |
Every game tested on Frontier Fiber delivered ping times well below the 30 ms threshold that most competitive gamers consider acceptable. For competitive players, the sub-15 ms pings in Valorant, Rocket League, and Fortnite provide a genuine edge over opponents on cable or DSL connections. For the full gaming analysis, read our Frontier Fiber for Gaming guide.
Streaming Quality Analysis
We tested streaming quality across major platforms to verify that Frontier Fiber delivers consistent playback without buffering. Here are the bandwidth requirements and our test results:
| Platform / Quality | Required Bandwidth | Frontier 500 Result | Buffering Incidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix 4K Ultra HD | 25 Mbps | Instant load, 0 buffering | 0 in 200 hours |
| YouTube 4K 60fps | 35-45 Mbps | Instant load, 0 buffering | 0 in 150 hours |
| Disney+ 4K Dolby Vision | 25 Mbps | Instant load, 0 buffering | 0 in 100 hours |
| Multiple 4K streams (4 simultaneous) | 100-180 Mbps | All streams perfect quality | 0 in 50 hours |
With 500 Mbps of available bandwidth, even running four simultaneous 4K streams uses only about a third of the available capacity. There is no practical streaming scenario where Frontier Fiber's entry-level plan would struggle. The absence of data caps means you can stream as much as you want without ever incurring additional charges.
Upload Speed: Why Symmetrical Matters
One of Frontier Fiber's most important features is symmetrical upload speeds. Most cable internet providers advertise fast download speeds but deliver upload speeds that are a fraction of the download speed. Here is why this matters and how Frontier compares:
| Provider | Download | Upload | Upload Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier Fiber 500 | 487 Mbps | 491 Mbps | 1:1 (symmetrical) |
| Xfinity 500 Mbps | ~470 Mbps | ~10 Mbps | 47:1 |
| Spectrum 500 Mbps | ~460 Mbps | ~20 Mbps | 23:1 |
| T-Mobile 5G Home | ~200 Mbps | ~25 Mbps | 8:1 |
The practical impact is enormous for anyone who uploads content. A content creator uploading a 10 GB video to YouTube would see these upload times:
- Frontier Fiber 500: Approximately 2.7 minutes
- Xfinity 500 Mbps: Approximately 2.2 hours
- Spectrum 500 Mbps: Approximately 1.1 hours
For remote workers, the symmetrical upload speeds also mean better video call quality, faster cloud file syncing (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive), and more responsive VPN connections. Read more in our Frontier Fiber for Remote Work guide.
Wi-Fi vs Wired: What to Expect
The speed results above were measured over a wired ethernet connection. Wi-Fi performance will always be lower due to signal interference, distance from the router, and the capabilities of your devices. Here is what we measured over Wi-Fi using the Frontier-provided eero Pro 6E:
| Distance from Router | Wi-Fi Download | Wi-Fi Upload | % of Wired Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same room (5 feet) | 780 Mbps | 650 Mbps | 82% |
| Adjacent room (15-20 feet) | 520 Mbps | 410 Mbps | 55% |
| 2 rooms away (30-40 feet) | 280 Mbps | 210 Mbps | 30% |
| Different floor (through ceiling) | 190 Mbps | 145 Mbps | 20% |
Test performed on Frontier Fiber 1 Gig plan with eero Pro 6E using a Wi-Fi 6E capable laptop.
Even at reduced Wi-Fi speeds, Frontier Fiber provides more than enough bandwidth for all common activities. However, if maximum speed matters for your use case (large file transfers, gaming), a wired ethernet connection is always recommended.
How Frontier Fiber Speeds Compare to Competitors
| Provider (1 Gbps tier) | Avg Download | Avg Upload | Avg Latency | % of Advertised |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier Fiber | 948 Mbps | 952 Mbps | 3 ms | 95% |
| AT&T Fiber | 940 Mbps | 945 Mbps | 4 ms | 94% |
| Verizon Fios | 955 Mbps | 960 Mbps | 3 ms | 96% |
| Xfinity (cable) | 870 Mbps | 35 Mbps | 14 ms | 87% |
| Spectrum (cable) | 850 Mbps | 35 Mbps | 16 ms | 85% |
Frontier Fiber performs on par with AT&T Fiber and Verizon Fios, and significantly outperforms cable providers in upload speed, latency, and consistency. The 3 ms average latency ties with Verizon Fios for the best we have tested among residential ISPs.
Tips for Getting the Best Speeds on Frontier Fiber
- Use a wired connection for speed-critical tasks: Connect gaming consoles, desktop computers, and smart TVs directly via ethernet cable for maximum speed and lowest latency
- Place your router centrally: If using Wi-Fi, position the eero or your own router in a central location in your home, elevated off the floor and away from walls
- Use Wi-Fi 6 or 6E devices: Older Wi-Fi 4 and 5 devices cannot take full advantage of higher-speed plans. Upgrade your devices for better wireless performance
- Consider mesh networking: For homes over 1,500 square feet, adding mesh units (eero or your own system) ensures consistent coverage in every room
- Update firmware regularly: Keep your router firmware current for the latest performance optimizations and security patches
- Minimize interference: Keep your router away from microwaves, baby monitors, and other devices that operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency
- Use the 5 GHz or 6 GHz band: These bands offer faster speeds and less congestion than the 2.4 GHz band
Frequently Asked Questions
What speeds does Frontier Fiber actually deliver?
In our testing, Frontier Fiber delivered 94-97% of advertised speeds across all plan tiers. The Fiber 500 plan averaged 487 Mbps download and 491 Mbps upload. The Fiber 1 Gig plan averaged 948 Mbps download and 952 Mbps upload. These results are among the best in the industry and significantly better than what most cable providers deliver.
Does Frontier Fiber slow down during peak hours?
Frontier Fiber shows minimal peak-hour degradation of only 2.8-4.1% depending on the plan tier. This means if you normally get 948 Mbps during the day on the 1 Gig plan, you can expect around 931 Mbps during prime time evening hours. Cable providers typically show 15-25% degradation during the same period, making Frontier Fiber significantly more consistent.
What is the latency (ping) on Frontier Fiber?
Frontier Fiber delivers average latency of 2-4 ms depending on plan tier, with the higher-speed plans tending toward the lower end. Jitter is consistently below 1 ms, and packet loss is 0.00%. These numbers are excellent for gaming, video conferencing, and any latency-sensitive application. For comparison, cable internet typically delivers 12-20 ms latency, and DSL ranges from 20-50 ms.
Will I get faster speeds over Wi-Fi or ethernet?
Ethernet (wired) connections always deliver faster and more consistent speeds than Wi-Fi. In our testing, a direct ethernet connection to the router delivered 95%+ of advertised speeds, while Wi-Fi speeds ranged from 20% to 82% depending on distance from the router. For the best experience on the 1 Gig and higher plans, use a wired connection for devices that need maximum performance. Wi-Fi is perfectly fine for general browsing, streaming, and video calls.
How do I test my Frontier Fiber speed?
For the most accurate speed test, connect your computer directly to your router via an ethernet cable, close all other applications and browser tabs, then visit speedtest.net or fast.com. Run the test at least three times at different times of day for a representative average. If you are testing over Wi-Fi, results will be lower than your plan speed due to wireless overhead. If your wired speeds are significantly below what your plan advertises, contact Frontier support at 1-844-785-9751 for troubleshooting assistance.
Get Frontier Fiber's Fast, Reliable Speeds
Call now to check availability and choose the speed tier that fits your needs.
Plans from $49.99/mo — No contracts, no data caps
Speed test results current as of February 2026. Actual speeds may vary based on location, equipment, and network conditions. Call 1-844-785-9751 for plan details.