Mediacom Xtream home internet rating
How we calculated our rating
- Provides services to over 1,500 communities in 22 states
- Great additional hardware available to rent at a fair price
- Significant price jump for the gigabit plan after a year
- Data caps are too tight with the cheapest plans, and there's no limit to the number of overage charges you can rack up
- Poor value relative to other cable internet providers
Mediacom Xtream internet review
Although Mediacom has a sizable footprint and improved speed offerings, you'll get a better deal from the provider's 1-gig plan, if that's how much speed you're looking for. You may find better service from other midsize providers like Optimum and WideOpenWest if you have those options. If Mediacom is your only option over DSL or satellite offerings, here are some things to consider before signing up.
Mediacom is the US's fifth-largest cable internet service provider, available predominantly in the Midwest and Southwest across 22 states. Xtream, Mediacom's home internet service, competes with the likes of Astound, Cox, Spectrum and Xfinity for internet customers.
Mediacom continues to compete against larger internet service providers, announcing the launch of Mediacom Mobile in July 2024. This mobile virtual network uses Verizon cell towers to offer phone service for an additional $15 to $40 per month in rural areas. In May, Mediacom announced higher speed tiers and higher data caps to provide more consistent speeds to its customers in rural areas. Additionally, Mediacom replaced its Connect2Complete Plus plan with Xtream Connect, an affordable broadband option for families participating in the National School Lunch Program or other federal programs.
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While this is all evidence of growth, Xtream is far from perfect. Mediacom enforces price increases on its plans after the first year or two of service. Additionally, Mediacom consistently ranks poorly in customer service surveys. In the latest J.D. Power customer satisfaction index, Mediacom ranked at the bottom for the North Central region and the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index data tells a similar story.
If you're considering this cable internet provider, here's everything you need to know.
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Mediacom Xtream internet plans
| Plan | Monthly price | Max speeds | Fees and service details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtream Connect | $15 | 100Mbps download, 20Mbps upload | $15 monthly equipment (optional), 1TB data cap and no contracts | |
| Internet 300 | $50 ($65 after 12 months) | 300Mbps download, 20Mbps upload | $15 monthly equipment (optional), no data cap and no contracts | |
| 1 Gig Unlimited | $65 ($110 after 24 months) | 1,000Mbps download, 50Mbps upload | $15 monthly equipment (optional), no data cap and no contracts |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Mediacom's Xtream internet offerings are simple and relatively straightforward, with two plans and a low-cost internet option. With plans that offer upload speeds up to 50Mbps, Xtream tops Spectrum's 35Mbps. Mediacom recently rolled out its 2,000Mbps tier, though most customers will only have access to Xtream's 1,000Mbps plan as the fastest speed. Mediacom now offers unlimited data to all plans except for Xtream Connect.
Mediacom uses promo pricing, so the cost of the Internet 300 plan will increase by $15 after one year, while the gig plan will increase by $45 after two years. The exception is the Xtream Connect plan, which sticks to a standard rate of $15 per month (if you use your own modem) or $29 monthly if you decide to lease a modem with Mediacom.
The price increase means the gigabit plan goes from a cost-per-Mbps of 6 cents during your first year to 11 cents after 24 months. On top of that, Mediacom's Xtream internet plans come with additional monthly fees, but we'll discuss those later.
The pricing is roughly on par with Mediacom's biggest rivals in the cable category. It varies by region, but Xfinity's gigabit plan goes from 7 cents per Mbps in year 1 to 10 cents after year 2. Meanwhile, gigabit service from Cox rings at around 12 cents per Mbps after the one-year promo rates expire. The other midsize cable providers of note, Optimum and WideOpenWest, offer gigabit plans at better prices than Mediacom, with Optimum and WOW's gigabit plan coming in at around $70 per month after the promo rate expires. That's 7 cents per Mbps and a superb value for a regular price for cable internet.
Meanwhile, Mediacom's Internet 300 plan runs at 17 cents per Mbps, which is a little on the pricier side. That cost jumps to 22 cents per Mbps after the first year of service. Compared to Spectrum, which offers 500Mbps for $50 monthly or 10 cents per Mbps, Mediacom has some catching up to do to keep its prices competitive.
Admittedly, you can't really comparison-shop between cable providers since you're usually limited to what provider offers service in your area. Still, after looking at the numbers, it's clear that while Mediacom's 1-gig plan is on par with similar plans, its Internet 300 plan runs on the higher side.
If it were my provider, I'd be prepared to point out the gulfs in pricing with its competitors when I would inevitably call to try to negotiate a better deal.
Where can you get Mediacom Xtream internet?
Mediacom's internet coverage extends across 22 states.
As a mid-size provider with a sizable network, Mediacom's home internet service is available to 1,500 communities nationwide. Coverage includes 22 states, primarily in the Midwest and concentrated in Iowa and northern Indiana, but it also has availability in a smattering of regions in the Gulf Coast, the Eastern Seaboard, California and Arizona.
Major metro areas in that coverage map include:
- Columbus, Georgia
- Davenport, Iowa
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Duluth, Minnesota
- Huntsville, Alabama
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Pensacola, Florida
- Springfield, Missouri
You'll also find Mediacom's Xtream internet services across a wide range of rural pockets near places like Apache Junction, Arizona; Clearlake, California; Decatur, Indiana; Elizabeth City, North Carolina; and Murray, Kentucky.
What kind of internet connection does Mediacom Xtream offer?
According to the founder, chairman and CEO of Mediacom, Rocco B. Commisso, the company's mission is to "Deliver faster internet speeds, build larger fiber networks and offer superior products and services at an affordable price."
It's surprising for an internet provider known for its cable internet offerings to mention fiber in a mission statement. Mediacom's internet infrastructure consists almost entirely of cable connections, offering about 2.126% of unit coverage, per the latest data from the Federal Communications Commission. Its fiber network covers just 0.005% of unit coverage.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, Mediacom's internet infrastructure consists almost entirely of cable hookups.
"Across all areas, network engineers and their tech teams have been adding nodes, building out more fiber and expanding capacity," a Mediacom spokesperson explained when CNET asked about the company's plans for fiber. That's more about bolstering the existing cable connections than establishing new, dedicated fiber connections. Still, Mediacom adds that genuine fiber-to-the-home hookups are in the works "for some projects that build to new communities."
Mediacom's fiber expansion over the years has brought faster speeds to select markets. Just recently, the company announced that Nebo, Kentucky, residents will have access to symmetrical speeds of up to 10,000Mbps or 10Gbps. Back in September, the company also announced that it had expanded its fiber network to over 250 homes in Grand Ridge, Illinois. Moreover, residents in LaSalle County can access download speeds of up to 2 gigabits per second for a promotional price of $85 (which jumps to $160 after one year).
At any rate, as a cable internet provider, Mediacom impresses customers by offering gigabit download speeds as high as 1,000Mbps (1Gbps), much faster than you can expect from DSL providers, satellite or fixed wireless internet. Unlike fiber, your upload speeds will be much, much slower with a cable connection, which will be noticeable when you're trying to upload large files to the web or join a high-res video call. Mediacom is one pace ahead of competing cable providers by offering upload speeds of 50Mbps and 100Mbps for its 1-gig and 2-gig plans; Spectrum and Xfinity have some catching up to do in that regard.
Does Mediacom have data caps, contracts or hidden fees?
Mediacom's broadband labels for each internet plan.
Mediacom's service comes without data caps, contracts and hidden fees -- besides the cost of equipment rental. Let's take a closer look at those plan details.
Breaking down Mediacom’s installation fee and optional equipment costs
Let's get into the fine print with an Xtream internet plan. It's a big plus that Mediacom doesn't tie you down to a contract with any of its plans, so you don't have to worry about early termination fees. There is an installation fee of $75 plus a $20 activation charge when you start service. Mediacom often waives the installation fee during promotional periods, but don't be surprised if you find you'll have to pay $95 up-front when you start service.
Xtream home internet also requires a compatible DOCSIS 3.1 modem. Mediacom will happily lease you a modem/router gateway for $15 per month, but you can skip that fee if you already have one of your own.
Mediacom also supplies a Wi-Fi extender (specifically, the WiFi360 Pro) with two Eero Wi-Fi units for one year and a Xumo Stream Box for free to all internet customers, which can give you access to streaming apps like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Max plus Peacock for free for six months. Just watch out -- if you don't want the Xumo box go ahead and take it off your first bill, otherwise you'll be charged a one-time fee of $15 for not activating it within 30 days.
If you live in a large home and need additional Eero extenders, you can add them for an additional $5 per month. Read CNET's top picks on the best Wi-Fi extenders.
Customers are also subject to late fees of $10, though that fee differs for customers from California ($6.25), Apache Junction, Arizona ($4.15), and Nogales, Arizona ($6.50).
Mediacom recently did away with data caps on its main internet offerings, but if you're signing up for Xtream Connect, you'll have to contend with a 1TB data cap. That's still quite generous and should be enough data for the average household, as data usage averages 590GB for the average household, according to OpenVault.
Just keep in mind, Mediacom will charge you $10 for every 50GB block of data used over the cap -- and unlike most providers that enforce data caps, I see nothing in the fine print that limits the total amount in penalties you can rack up in a given month.
Mediacom's customer satisfaction leaves a lot to be desired
Mediacom's Xtream ranked at the bottom of J.D. Power's 2024 ISP customer satisfaction survey for the North Central region.
Organizations that track customer satisfaction metrics tend to agree that Mediacom is below average in the internet provider category. That's certainly the case with J.D. Power, which tracks customer satisfaction across four regions in the US. According to the latest J.D. Power Survey, Mediacom scored 465 points (out of 1,000) in the North Central division. That earned it a last-place finish, 56 points below the region average of 521.
Meanwhile, the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index data tells a similar story. Mediacom scored 61 points out of 100, a four-point drop from 2023. With its current score, Mediacom falls behind the average of an industry that struggles with low numbers as a whole.
What's the bottom line on Mediacom?
Mediacom's Xtream home internet is a valid option for a fast connection at home, but the plans don't offer value that's as good as what you'll get from fiber or other cable providers across the country, and you'll have to put up with a price increase for most plans after the promo period is up. You can trim down your monthly bill by using your own equipment, and Mediacom tends to waive its installation fee, but otherwise, there's not much to get excited about here.
Still, Mediacom offers gigabit speeds in many markets that don't have an abundance of other options -- and its cable plans are worth it over the likes of DSL, satellite or fixed wireless. You have to take the good with the bad with any ISP, and Mediacom is no different. It's just a shame that the plans don't come at a better value.
Mediacom Xtream internet FAQs
Does Mediacom's Xtream internet plans come with unlimited data?
It depends on the plan that you choose. Most of Mediacom's Xtream internet plans will come with a data cap that ranges from 400GB to 2TB. The exception is the gigabit plan, which offers unlimited data. Otherwise, the three plans will come with data caps, and exceeding your monthly data limit will result in reduced upload speeds or paying data overage fees. You can be charged $10 for every 50B block of data.
Is Mediacom Xtream internet service cheap?
Mediacom Xtream Internet offers a $20-per-month plan for 250Mbps in the first year. Like many cable providers, once the promo period ends, its rate can increase starting at $50 per month in the second year. If your household participates in qualifying programs like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI, you can get Xtream Connect. It offers 100Mbps of cable internet a month for just $19, including the cost of the modem rental. You can skip the modem fee by using your own, too, which will bring your monthly total down to $15.
Is Mediacom Xtream internet fast?
It depends on what's available at your address. For the most part, customers have access to Mediacom's Xtream internet gigabit plan, which features 1,000Mbps download speeds and 50Mbps upload speeds. Unlike Spectrum's gigabit plan, Xtream internet has faster upload speeds, topping Spectrum's 35Mbps. Select markets may have access to Mediacom's 2-gigabit plan or faster speeds from its fiber network.
Does Mediacom Xtream internet offer fiber?
Yes, but its fiber network is very limited at present. Just recently, the company announced that residents of Nebo, Kentucky, can see speeds of up to 10,000Mbps through its fiber-powered new 10G platform technology. Additionally, in September, Mediacom made strides in continuing its fiber expansion to residents in Grand Ridge, Illinois. According to the latest data from the FCC, its fiber-optic connections reach only 0.005% of households nationwide.
