✦ Edited and fact-checked by Eric Chiu, our Tech Editor with over ten years of experience covering home and wireless internet technology.
Astound (formerly RCN, Grande, and Wave) has solidified its reputation as the value king of the cable internet and TV world. By ditching the industry-standard contracts and data caps, Astound offers a refreshing alternative to giants like Xfinity and Spectrum.
In our 2026 Customer Satisfaction Survey series, Astound punched above its weight class. In particular, the provider boasted an impressive 81% overall satisfaction rating among cable TV subscribers—a score that would beat out many national providers if Astound had a wider coastal reach.
Plus, Astound’s recent acquisition of GFiber, which has won our Best of the Best award for several years running, gives the service provider a huge arrow in its quiver.
Considering Astound for your home internet, TV, or phone service? Keep on reading to learn more.
Learn about Astound home internet
| Package | Price | Download speeds up to | Upload speeds up to | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
300 Mbps Internet Best for budgets |
$30.00/mo.* | 300 Mbps | 20 Mbps | View Plans for Astound Broadband |
| 600 Mbps Internet | $45.00/mo.* | 600 Mbps | 20 Mbps | View Plans for Astound Broadband |
|
1,000 Mbps Internet Best for speed |
$60.00/mo.* | 1,000 Mbps | 20 Mbps | View Plans for Astound Broadband |
| 1,500 Mbps Internet | $70.00/mo.* | 1,500 Mbps | 20 Mbps | View Plans for Astound Broadband |
| 2,000 Mbps Internet | $90.00/mo.† | 2,000 Mbps | 20 Mbps | View Plans for Astound Broadband |
| 5,000 Mbps Internet | $175.00/mo.† | 5,000 Mbps | 20 Mbps | View Plans for Astound Broadband |
*Data as of time of post. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* Observed speeds may vary | One-time fees extra | Restrictions apply | Not available in all areas | New residential customers only.
† Limited Availability | Observed speeds may vary | One-time fees extra | Restrictions apply | Not available in all areas | New residential customers only.
Astound offers six standalone internet plans designed to undercut the competition on price … at least for the first year.
Astound’s 300 Mbps plan offers plenty of speed for working from home and streaming Netflix on a few devices simultaneously. 600 Mbps offers a solid middle ground for active households, while 1,000 Mbps is competitively priced with Xfinity’s Gigabit plans.
Availability of Astound’s higher-end plans can vary, and we typically recommend them only for power users who need serious multi-gigabit internet performance for work or gaming.
Learn more about Astound internet plans.
Did you know Astound still offers cable TV?
| Plan | Price | Channel count | Key channels | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic TV | $43.72/mo. | 40+ Channels | Local broadcast (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS) | View Plans for Astound Broadband |
| Preferred TV | $125.77/mo. | 220+ Channels | ESPN, Disney, HGTV, Bravo, TNT, AMC | View Plans for Astound Broadband |
*Data as of time of post. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Astound’s TV service is primarily delivered via a TiVo-powered interface. This allows users to integrate their favorite streaming apps directly into their channel guide, creating a seamless experience between live broadcast and on-demand content.
For those who want the full cable experience, the Preferred TV tier is the standard choice, offering a massive library of sports, news, and entertainment. Astound’s TV hardware also supports 4K playback and voice-activated search, making it a high-tech alternative to traditional clunky set-top boxes.
That said, Astound cable TV service is quite a bit more expensive than more modern live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, even if its channel guide and single bill are more streamlined and modern.
Bundle services with Astound Mobile and home phone
| Plan | Price | Key specs and features | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Phone | $14.99/mo. | Unlimited nationwide calling | View Plans for Astound Broadband |
| Astound Mobile By The Gig | $15.00–$20.00/mo. per line | 1.5GB–3GB of monthly data, 5G access, limited HD video streaming | View Plans for Astound Broadband |
| Astound Mobile Unlimited | $30.00–$40.00/mo. per line | Unlimited data, up to HD streaming, nationwide 5G access | View Plans for Astound Broadband |
*Data as of time of post. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
While many are moving to mobile-only, Astound offers a reliable home phone service that is particularly valuable for those in areas with spotty cell reception or for households that want a dedicated emergency line. The service includes standard features like Caller ID, Call Waiting, and 3-Way Calling.
Exclusively available to Astound Internet customers, Astound Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network. It follows the provider’s signature no-contract approach, offering flexible plans that let you pay for exactly what you need. Whether you want a low-cost By the Gig plan or a fully Unlimited option, the service is designed to be a seamless extension of your home internet service.
Astound FAQ
Does Astound require a contract?
No. Astound offers its services on a month-to-month basis, meaning you aren't locked into a long-term commitment.
How reliable is Astound?
Like most regional internet providers, Astound (previously Astound Broadband) generally offers good internet performance and it’s competitively priced compared to other cable internet providers.
What happens to my Astound plan price after 12 months?
Most Astound plans feature a promotional rate for the first year. After 12 months, your bill will increase to the prevailing market rate. We recommend contacting customer service at that time to see if new promotions are available.
Is Astound better than Verizon Fios?
In terms of value, Astound is better. For example, Verizon Fios's gig internet costs $90 per month, while Astound's is just $60 per month. Fiber connections are faster and more reliable than cable, and fiber also has symmetrical download and upload speeds. On that, Verizon Fios wins. But if you don’t care as much about upload speeds, Astound's internet download speeds are the same as Verizon Fios. And you’ll get more than double the TV channels for the same, or possibly better, price.
Is Spectrum better than Astound?
Astound has better internet packages compared to Spectrum, but Spectrum’s TV packages are more affordable than Astound’s.
Is Comcast better than Astound?
For the speeds it offers, Astound (previously Astound Broadband) is a better internet provider than Xfinity, aka Comcast. To put it into perspective: Astound gives you 1000 Mbps for $60.00 per month. Xfinity’s Gigabit plan, on the other hand, is $65.00–$75.00 per month for 1,000 Mbps.
CableTV.com editors created this article using original analysis and proprietary inputs, with AI tools assisting in drafting. The final content was reviewed and edited for accuracy and quality.
