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Strong Points
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Competitive introductory price
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No data caps, no contracts
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equipment included
Cons
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Significant price increase after promotional period ends
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Cable internet customers have slow upload speeds
Most people living in the Carolinas have cable internet provided by two providers: Spectrum and Comporium. Each Internet service provider has its own region, so it’s possible that only one of these providers will serve your location. However, while Spectrum offers nationwide service, Comporium is limited to North Carolina and South Carolina.
Still, Comporium’s lightning-fast connectivity and various tiers make it a top choice for the service. Many NC and SC addresses have access to Comporium’s cable plans with download speeds from 100 Mbit/s up to 1,000 Mbps. Select households may also be able to take advantage of Comporium’s fiber network with symmetrical speeds of up to 5,000Mbps. Comporium expanded its fiber service to more rural areas of South Carolina in late 2022, “providing internet speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second to customers in the area,” according to the company.
If you have access to Comporium’s fiber internet, it’s an attractive option with symmetrical speeds, unlimited data, and free equipment on all plans. Additionally, the two highest tiers (2Gbps and 5Gbps) do not have introductory pricing. This means your bill will not increase after the promotional period ends.
As a South Carolina resident myself, Comporium is one of the few ISPs available in my area, and I’m pretty happy with the bandwidth I get for the price I pay each month.
So how does this local provider rank in terms of speed, affordability, and overall value? Let’s dive in.
Comporium is a broadband, television, and mobile provider serving select addresses in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Combined internet available
Comporium only serves addresses in North Carolina and South Carolina and has no plans to expand beyond these two states in the future.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, Comporium is available in nearly 8% of South Carolina homes and also serves homes in Lancaster, York, Fort Mill, Indian Land and Rock Hill. Comporium is also available to many residents of Lexington, Wagner, Ridge Springs, and Chesney.
Comporium is not recognized as one of the top 10 internet providers in North Carolina. Some households near Charlotte, Pineville, Waxhaw, Lake Wylie and Brevard may be eligible for service, but you will need to enter your details on Comporium’s website to confirm.
Comporium covers DSL, cable, and fiber in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Compare internet speeds and prices
Comporium offers several different speed tiers, but it’s important to know whether you’re eligible for cable or fiber service. These plans and prices are relatively similar, but Comporium’s fiber network offers symmetrical download and upload speeds and up to 5,000 Mbps of bandwidth (compared to 1,000 Mbps for cable service).
However, beware of price hikes after the promotional period ends. Most of these introductory prices are valid for 12 months, but Comporium’s lowest tier (100Mbps) is only valid for 3 months.
If you want to avoid bill increases, Comporium’s fiber 2 Gigabit and 5 Gigabit connections come with flat-rate pricing. These rates are also quite competitive. AT&T Fiber’s 5 Gigabit plan costs $225 per month, but you can get the same symmetrical speeds for $135.
We’ve compiled all the details to help you compare Comporium plans and prices. Here are the details:
Comporium cable plans
| plan | maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Monthly costs start | Regular monthly cost | contract | data limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mandatory internet | 100Mbps | 5Mbps | $40 | $50 | none | none |
| standard internet | 400Mbps | 10Mbps | $50 | $79 | none | none |
| ultra internet | 600Mbps | 20Mbps | $60 | $89 | none | none |
| zipstream internet | 1,000Mbps | 50Mbps | $76 | $105 | none | none |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Comporium Fiber Plans
| plan | maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Monthly costs start | Regular monthly cost | contract | data limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mandatory internet | 100Mbps | 100Mbps | $30 | $50 | none | none |
| standard internet | 400Mbps | 400Mbps | $50 | $79 | none | none |
| ultra internet | 600Mbps | 600Mbps | $60 | $89 | none | none |
| zipstream internet | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $76 | $105 | none | none |
| zipstream 2 gig | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | $120 | $120 | none | none |
| zipstream 5 giga | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | $135 | $135 | none | none |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Component equipment, fees, and service details
Unlike Cox Communications and Xfinity, Comporium doesn’t enforce data caps or contracts. And this ISP doesn’t hesitate to let its customers know that. While many smaller local providers tend to embed their service details within their websites, Comporium ensures that all information is provided to you as soon as you enter your address.
Download and upload speeds, regular monthly fees, and additional charges are listed directly on Comporium’s website.
Unlimited data means no overage charges, so you can stream, browse, and game to your heart’s content. Additionally, Comporium does not limit your bandwidth or intentionally slow your connection when it reaches a certain threshold.
Additional costs to consider
Comporium’s cable or fiber plans do not charge modem rental fees. Equipment is included in the monthly service fee. However, if you want to extend Wi-Fi to every corner of your home, you can rent his whole-house Wi-Fi system for an additional $10 per month through Comporium.
It’s also free to install (which is pretty unusual for most broadband providers), but there’s a $50 activation fee at the time of purchase.
What do customers think about Comporium?
Comporium is too small a provider to earn individual rankings in The American Satisfaction Index or JD Power’s Broadband Satisfaction Survey, but like the rest of the broadband industry, it misses out on the Better Business Bureau’s site. Continuing.
The average score is 1.31 out of 5, and Comporium has received 38 complaints in the past three years. Although Comporium appears to have resolved many of these complaints and has a “B” rating and certification, it continues to lag behind other ISPs such as Spectrum and AT&T (both rated “A”). I’m taking it.
Reddit discussions about Comporium’s service also hint at some issues, including constant crashes and high prices. A small number of users mentioned switching providers, citing better cost and speed between T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet.
Personally, I’ve been using Comporium’s cable service for over 7 months and have had no issues. I live in an apartment complex, so the network can get congested and Wi-Fi slow during peak usage periods, but I haven’t noticed a dramatic difference in my connection.
Essentials of Comporium Internet Services
While we tend to recommend fiber providers over others, Comporium’s competitive rates and high-speed plans make it an attractive choice for home broadband. In addition to satellite providers such as Hughesnet, Viasat, and Starlink, Comporium is also one of the only ISPs serving rural areas in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Of course, if you can take advantage of Comporium’s fiber network, its symmetrical speeds make such a steep price increase (almost) worth it. Plus, Comporium offers unlimited data, free equipment, and no early termination fees, so you’ll never run into any unexpected charges.
Frequently asked questions about Component Internet
Comporium was originally known as Rock Hill Telephone Company and was sold in early 1912 to E.L. and Mary Sanders Barnes. Today, Comporium is family-owned and operated by EL and Mary’s descendants.
Which is better: Comporium or Spectrum?
Ultimately, which provider is best depends on what’s available at your address. Many homes will only receive Comporium or Spectrum service, but not both. If both ISPs serve your location, you should consider your speed needs and the details of each provider’s service before committing to one or the other.
Does Comporium offer any deals or promotions when you sign up?
Unfortunately, Comporium doesn’t offer any perks other than free installation when you sign up for residential broadband.
How fast is Comporium’s fiber network?
If you have access to a fiber connection with Comporium, you can reach symmetrical speeds of up to 5 Gigabits (or 5,000 Mbps), including unlimited data and equipment.
