Metronet Fiber Internet Review 2024

In modern-day America, only 43 percent of households (60 million homes) have access to lightning-fast fiber internet connections. But with the annual fiber expansion standing at 12 percent per year, it is expected that by 2025, more than 50 percent of homes in the USA will be successfully using a fiber internet service. 

Metronet is a blazing-fast fiber internet service in the north-central and mid-western United States. In this detailed ‘Metronet Fiber Internet Review for 2023’, we will discuss what makes Metronet an award-winning fiber internet provider and whether you should consider it as your home internet. 

Metronet Fiber Review

Metronet is the United States’ biggest, independently owned, 100 percent fiber-rich internet service provider that operates in over 250 communities across 16 states. In June 2022, Metronet and Vexus Fiber merged their fiber-optic networks in Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico to offer their customers faster speeds and greater reliability. 

Metronet started in 2005 as a local fiber internet service provider for Greencastle, Indiana. Today, the family-owned business is headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, and serves over 5.1 million customers, primarily in the mid-western region. Metronet provides cutting-edge fiber-optic communications solutions to its residential and business customers. Its services include ultrafast, multi-gigabit fiber internet and fiber phones. Users can bundle the two services under one affordable monthly plan to avail of 17 advanced calling features for as little as $69.95 per month. 

In the last decade, Metronet’s Fiber internet service is drawing parallels with AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber, and Verizon Fios. Metronet’s fiber internet speeds are hitting a 2-gigabit mark on its residential plans which is equal to what Google Fiber and Verizon Fios are offering to their premium customers. In 2020, PCMag recognized Metronet as one of the Top 10 Fastest ISPs in North Central United States. Similarly, Metronet received a notable mention in Broadband Now as one of the Top 3 Fastest Internet Providers and Fastest Fiber Providers in the Nation in 2020. 

Metronet fiber internet’s symmetrical upload and download speeds are offering multi-device connectivity starting at just $40 per month.  

Pros

• 100 percent fiber-rich network
• Up to 2 Gbps internet speeds
• Does not require an annual contract
• The monthly fee includes Wi-Fi router rental
• Offers unlimited data on all its plans
• First-time customers can enjoy free installation
• Symmetrical upload and download speeds
• 24/7 tech support
• Internet and home phone bundles are available
• Fiber internet service is available in 16 states of the USA
• Excellent customer service

Cons

• The fiber internet service is limited to a selected few cities
• Price hikes after the end of the promotional period
• Charges its customers a ‘technology service fee’ on all its plans

Metronet Fiber Optic Internet Plans 

Metronet’s fiber internet service for its residential customers includes four monthly plans offering symmetrical speeds up to 2 gigabits per second (Gbps). All the Metronet plans are run on a 100 percent fiber-rich network that can guarantee superfast, consistent internet speeds with unlimited data. The greatest advantage of choosing Metronet as your primary broadband provider is that you will not experience speed throttling during network congestion. 

Moreover, Metronet Fiber gives all its customers an advanced and compatible Wi-Fi router/ extender for speed optimization. The Wi-Fi router rental is included in the monthly fee. Purchasing an Eero smart mesh Wi-Fi router can cost around $300. Most fiber internet providers separately charge their customers up to $15 per month for leasing the Wi-Fi routers, but with Metronet, you don’t have to worry about these additional charges.  

Metronet is one of the no-contract internet providers. First-time subscribers can enjoy free internet installation and promo rates for 12 months. After 12 months of service, there is a nominal price hike of $10 per month on internet bills. Even with the price increase, Metronet’s fiber internet service is relatively cheaper than its competitors.

Metronet is offering free installation on all its plans until January 31st. After which, users have to pay a technician installation fee of about $25 along with a $9.95 technology service charge. 

Metronet’s entry-level fiber internet plan delivers 100 Mbps of upload and download speeds. For the first 12 months, the plan costs $39.95 per month. The price includes all the equipment costs such as internet installation, activation, modem, and advanced Eero mesh Wi-Fi router. However, the first month’s bill will mention an additional technology service fee of around $9.95 for the professional installation of Metronet Fiber at your address. After the expiry of the promo period, your internet bill will increase by $10 per month, and you will be required to pay a regular rate of $49.95 per month.  

The Fiber- 100 Mbps plan is best for a small family with basic internet usage. You can connect up to 5 devices on the network and enjoy smooth, multi-device streaming and web surfing. Although the low latency rate of Metronet Fiber ranges between 20 ms and 30 ms, the internet speed of 100 Mbps is not ideal for heavy console gaming. 

Initially, Metronet Fiber’s mid-level plan was offering 200 Mbps of internet speeds. But recently, the carrier upgraded these speeds to 500 Mbps to allow better connectivity at the same, affordable rates. Metronet’s 500 Mbps fiber internet plan costs $49.95 per month for the first year of service. In the first year, the promo pricing is coupled with giveaways like free internet installation, activation, and equipment usage. After 12 months, the internet bills are increased to $59.95 per month, and for every additional service, such as equipment repairs and technician visits, or even calls made to tech support, you will be charged an unavoidable fee of $9.95.

The Metronet Fiber- 500 Mbps plan is best suited for a family of more than five people. You can connect up to eight devices on Metronet’s fiber-rich network and watch your favorite moves and shows in HD quality. Metronet subscribers can also use the Fiber- 500 Mbps plan for basic online gaming, frequent video calls, and instant file transfers. 

Metronet Fiber’s 1 Gig plan is one of the most affordable gigabit plans in the country. Starting at just $59.95 per month, the Fiber 1 Gig plan does all the heavy lifting for your broadband connectivity. This is the elite-level plan in many towns and cities across its footprint. This is because 2-gigabit speeds are limited to a few urban centers with more than 60 percent of fiber-optic internet availability. So, in the absence of the Metronet Fiber- 2 Gig plan, gigabit speeds are offered to customers looking for premium service.

The Fiber- 1 Gig plan is perfect for large families and those who are working or studying remotely. The symmetrical 1,000 Mbps internet speeds can easily support multi-device connectivity, HD and UHD quality streaming, and multiplayer gaming. Subscribers of Metronet Fiber- 1 Gig plan have reviewed the gigabit speeds to be best for seamless gaming on Sony PlayStation.

The price of your Metronet Fiber- 1 Gig plan will increase to $69.95 after the first year of service, and you will be charged a regular rate of $89.95 in your third year. 

Metronet recently introduced its 2 Gig plan for residential customers living in the urban centers across its coverage area. The top-tier plan costs $99.95 for the first 12 months, after which the price is increased to $109.95. However, long-term Fiber- 2 Gig plan subscribers will be charged a regular rate of $119.95 per month in the third year of service. First-time customers of the Metronet Fiber- 2 Gig plan are given a complimentary $200 Visa gift card along with an installation fee waiver and a smart home Eero mesh Wi-Fi router.

The Fiber- 2 Gig plan is ideal for those customers who are running a small online business from their homes. The superfast, 2 Gbps upload and download speeds allow heavy file transfers, glitch-free video calling, and multi-device connectivity for up to 20 devices. The ultra-wideband technology of Metronet Fiber- 2 Gig supports lag-free professional gaming, allowing players to live stream their gameplay to a global audience. Hence, it doesn’t come as a surprise that in 2021, PCMag mentioned Metronet Fiber as one of the Top 10 internet providers for gaming.

Metronet Fiber Internet Availability

Metronet is the beloved, family-owned, fiber internet service provider in the mid-west region. Its main coverage areas include 10 states in the north-central region. But as of June 2022, Metronet’s merger with Vexus Fiber has resulted in an expansion, and together, the carriers are offering their lightning-fast fiber internet coverage in 16 states of the USA. 

Metronet’s 100 percent fiber-optic network is most visible in the following states:

• Colorado
• Florida
• Illinois 
• Indiana
• Iowa 
• Kentucky 
• Louisiana 
• Michigan 
• Minnesota 
• Missouri
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Ohio 
• Texas
• Virginia
• Wisconsin 

The top 10 metropolis/ city centers receiving Metronet Fiber’s ultrafast multi-gigabit coverage are as follows:

Metronet Fiber vs. Other Fiber Internet Providers

Metronet Fiber vs. AT&T Fiber 

AT&T Fiber internet is the nation’s No.1 broadband service provider. With speeds as fast as 5 gigabits per second, AT&T promises next-gen digital connectivity to millions of Americans across its 21-state fiber-optic footprint. AT&T is one of the most affordable, fully fiber optic internet providers in the country. Its entry-level plan starts at $55 per month and offers superfast 300 Mbps symmetrical speeds.

The results of Metronet Fiber vs. AT&T Fiber indicate that AT&T is the unmatched winner of multi-gigabit, fiber-optic connectivity in the USA. 

Metronet Fiber vs. Frontier Fiber Internet 

Metronet Fiber is undoubtedly better than Frontier Communications’ fiber internet service. 

Metronet Fiber vs. Kinetic Fiber Internet Service 

Kinetic by Windstream is a fiber-optic internet service that is exclusive to residential customers. Like Frontier Communications, Metronet Fiber and Kinetic’s fiber internet service are quite similar. Both are no-contract services and offer up to 2-gigabit internet speeds on their top-tier plans. Kinetic Internet is available in most of the states where Metronet provides its fiber-optic service, but due to its comparatively poor customer service and slightly higher monthly rates, it is not preferred over Metronet.

Conclusion

To many living in the north-central and mid-western regions of the country, Metronet is like a mom-and-pop store around the corner of the street. Launched by the father and son duo, Al and John Cinelli, Metronet offers the same affection and consideration to its valued customers as any other family-run business in the USA. 

The company delivers state-of-the-art telecommunications services over its 100 percent fiber-rich network at the lowest possible monthly rates. Metronet is one of the few, fully fiber-optic internet providers in the country that absorbs equipment costs (Wi-Fi rental fee) in its monthly service fee. With Metronet Fiber’s ultrafast 2-gig speeds, subscribers can experience UHD streaming and pro gaming like never before.