Boston Broadband vs. Astound: Fiber vs. Cable

Astound offers genuinely low download prices, and Price for Life is real. But their network is DOCSIS cable, not fiber. That distinction matters more than the sticker price once you look at upload speed.

Questions people actually ask before switching

Is Astound fiber?

In Boston, Astound runs the former RCN network and markets its gigabit product as "Fiber-Powered Gigabit" rather than fiber to the home. Fiber-powered describes the backbone, not the last drop into your unit. Astound publishes no upload speed for its Boston tiers, which is the number that would settle the question.

What is the $14.99 Astound charge?

A one-time activation fee, charged in addition to any installation fee, disclosed in Astound's own plan builder. Professional installation is separately listed at $99.95 regular price, waived with a valid coupon code, and self-installation is free where available.

Does Astound have a data cap?

On the lower tiers, yes. Astound's plan builder discloses 400 GB on the 300 Mbps plan and 1 TB on the 600 Mbps plan, with unlimited data on 1000 Mbps and above. Every Boston Broadband plan is unlimited.

Is Price for Life real?

It is a real product. Astound offers Gig+ price for life after twelve months for an additional $5/mo. It is a price freeze you buy, which is a fairer deal than most cable pricing. Our prices do not have a clock on them to freeze.

How do I switch from Astound to Boston Broadband?

Install first, cancel second. Confirm your Boston Broadband connection works, then call Astound to disconnect and arrange the return of any modem or Wi-Fi equipment. Ask for written confirmation of the disconnect date.

Astound is cheaper. Why would I switch?

If price per advertised megabit is what you are optimizing for, you should not. Their headline offer is cheaper than our gigabit plan. Switch if you upload — video calls, backups, large files, anything hosted at home — because that is the number Astound does not publish and we do.