Comporium Home Internet: prices, speeds and availability compared

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Positives

• Competitive introductory prices
• No data limits, no contracts
• Equipment included

Disadvantages

• Steep price increases after the promotional period ends
• Slow upload speeds for cable internet customers

Comporium is a regional internet provider that fills the broadband gaps in many areas where Spectrum does not reach in the Carolinas. Many NC and SC addresses will have access to Comporium’s cable plans, ranging in download speed from 100 megabits per second to 1,000 Mbps.

Select households may also be able to use Comporium’s fiber optic network, which offers symmetrical speeds of up to 5,000 Mbps. In late 2022, Comporium expanded its fiber offering to more rural parts of South Carolina, allowing “customers in that area have access to internet speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second,” the company said.

If you’re suitable for Comporium’s fiber optic internet, this is an attractive option: symmetrical speeds, unlimited data and free equipment with all plans. Additionally, the two highest tiers (2Gbps and 5Gbps) have no introductory pricing, meaning your bill won’t increase after the promotional period ends.

Being from South Carolina myself, Comporium is one of the few ISPs available in my location, and I’m quite pleased with the service I get for the price I pay each month.

How does this local provider rate in terms of speed, affordability and overall value? Let’s dive in.

Comporium Internet Availability

Comporium serves select areas in North and South Carolina, with no immediate plans to expand beyond these two states.

According to the US Federal Communications CommissionComporium is available to nearly 8% of homes in South Carolina, serving those in Lancaster, York, Fort Mill, Indian Land and Rock Hill. Comporium is also available to many residents of Lexington, Wagener, Ridge Spring and Chesnee.

In North CarolinaComporium is not recognized as one of the top 10 internet providers. Select households near Charlotte, Pineville, Waxhaw, Lake Wylie and Brevard may be reachable, but you will need to enter your information at The Comporium website check.

Comporium internet speeds and prices

Comporium offers a number of different speed levels, but it is important to know whether you qualify for the cable or fiber offer. While the plans and prices are relatively the same, Comporium’s fiber optic network comes with symmetrical download and upload speeds and bandwidth of up to 5,000 Mbps – compared to the cable service’s 1,000 Mbps.

But watch out for a price increase after the promotional period ends. Most of these introductory prices are good for twelve months, but Comporium’s lowest tier (100 Mbps) only lasts three months.

If you want to avoid a bill increase, Comporium’s 2-gigabit and 5-gigabit fiber optic connections come with a fixed rate. Those rates are also quite competitive. The same symmetrical speeds are available for $135, compared to the $245 monthly rate for AT&T Fiber’s 5 gigabit plan.

We’ve gathered all the details to help you compare Comporium plans and prices. Here are the details.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Comporium equipment, costs and service details

Unlike Cox Communications and Xfinity, Comporium doesn’t enforce data caps or contracts — and this ISP isn’t shy about letting customers know. Many small and local providers tend to hide service details on their websites, but Comporium ensures that all information is provided once you enter your address.

Unlimited data means no extra costs, so you can stream, browse or game to your heart’s content. Comporium also won’t throttle your bandwidth or intentionally slow down your connection once you reach a certain threshold.

Additional costs to consider

There are no modem rental fees charged for any Comporium cable or fiber subscription: equipment is included in the monthly service fee. But if you want to extend your Wi-Fi to all corners of your home, you can rent a whole-house Wi-Fi system through Comporium for $10 per month.

Installation is also free (which is quite unusual for most broadband providers), but a $50 activation fee is required upon purchase.

What do customers think of Comporium?

Comporium is too small a provider to earn an individual ranking on the American Satisfaction Index or J.D. Power’s Broadband Satisfaction Survey, but like the rest of the broadband industry, it continues to miss the mark in the marketplace. Better business agency‘s site.

With an average score of 1.31 out of 5, Comporium has received 38 complaints over the past three years. Comporium appears to be addressing many of these complaints, giving it a “B” rating and accreditation, but it continues to lag behind other ISPs like Spectrum and AT&T (both rated “A”).

A Reddit discussion about Comporium’s services also indicates some problems, including constant crashes and high prices. A few users mention that they have switched carriers altogether, saying that T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet offer better costs and speeds.

Personally, I have had Comporium’s cable service for over seven months and have had no problems. Living in an apartment complex, I deal with a lot of network congestion and slow WiFi during peak hours, but I haven’t noticed a drastic difference in my connectivity.

The most important thing in Comporium Internet service

While we tend to recommend fiber providers above all others, Comporium’s competitive rates and fast plans make it an attractive choice for residential broadband. In addition to satellite providers like Hughesnet, Viasat and Starlink, Comporium is also one of the few ISPs serving rural areas of North and South Carolina.

Of course, if you can use Comporium’s fiber optic network, the symmetrical speeds make those steep price increases (almost) worth it. Plus, you won’t have to face unexpected costs as Comporium comes with unlimited data, free equipment, and no early termination fees.

Frequently asked questions about Comporium internet