Ziply Fiber Review: Plans, Pricing, Speed and Availability

Ziply Fiber Internet Service Overview

In November 2024, Bell Canada Enterprises revealed its acquisition of Ziply Fiber in a transaction valued at over $3 billion. The purchase is anticipated to conclude by the end of 2025. The implications of this acquisition for Ziply Fiber’s strategies and speed offerings remain uncertain. However, a Ziply Fiber representative informed FASTNET that “With Bell’s partnership, we will be able to broaden our reach further and more rapidly into additional communities.”

If your location only qualifies for Ziply Fiber’s DSL service, exploring alternative providers is advisable if you prioritize consistently high-velocity connections. Conversely, if fiber service is available at your address, you might gain access to their gigabit and multi-gigabit plans, which can reach remarkably swift speeds of up to 50,000 megabits per second in select locations. Beyond speed, several other factors merit consideration before subscribing.

Ziply Fiber possesses a comparatively limited rural service footprint relative to larger internet service providers, with availability extending across portions of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. In 2020, Ziply Fiber procured Frontier Communications’ Northwest division and has since expanded into “100 new markets, with 1,700 miles of new fiber lines,” according to their official website. Further network expansion for Ziply Fiber is anticipated following the acquisition.

Despite being a relative newcomer, Ziply Fiber has swiftly emerged as formidable competition for established internet service providers, presenting some of the most economical introductory prices among all ISPs, coupled with some of the fastest speeds accessible nationwide.

Let’s examine Ziply Fiber’s home internet offerings in greater detail.

Ziply Fiber Internet Plans and Pricing in Oregon

Note: Ziply Fiber pricing can differ based on location. The rates presented in the table correspond to the Oregon market. When assessing Ziply Fiber for your home internet needs, the extensive array of plans and their associated value is immediately apparent. For example, Ziply Fiber presently offers its 100Mbps plan for a starting price of $20 per month for the initial year of service, with a subsequent price adjustment to $50. As highlighted in the table, the available speeds are exceptionally high, featuring a 50,000Mbps tier, positioning Ziply Fiber as one of the most competitively priced and fastest internet service providers encountered.

The sheer variety of plan options renders Ziply Fiber a worthwhile option to explore. Customers can select from seven distinct fiber speed tiers, each providing symmetrical download and upload speeds, a noteworthy benefit of fiber internet technology compared to alternative connection types like cable. Nevertheless, some residences may only be eligible for the DSL plan, which has a maximum speed of 115Mbps. Depending on the available speeds at your specific location, actual speeds may not consistently reach 115Mbps.

Ziply Internet, a service utilizing DSL technology, remains a viable option in rural areas where cable or fiber infrastructure is not accessible. There is a single plan offering — priced at $60 per month for the fastest achievable speeds — thus, the overall value of Ziply Internet will largely hinge on the speeds attainable at your address.

Determining the Optimal Ziply Fiber Plan

Ziply Fiber’s most economical plan promotes maximum speeds of 100Mbps via a fiber connection. This speed is adequate for basic streaming and web browsing on a couple or perhaps three devices, but it might be insufficient for more demanding usage. To provide context, the Federal Communications Commission defines broadband as internet service delivering at least 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload speeds. Ziply Fiber currently offers this speed tier at an affordable rate of $20 per month for the first year of service.

Upgrading to the 300Mbps plan will better support high-definition streaming, online gaming, and remote work across multiple devices concurrently. However, to maximize value, it is advisable to bypass the initial two plans and opt directly for the Gigabit plan.

Ziply Fiber’s Gigabit plan is priced more competitively than many fiber or cable internet providers at $60 per month and delivers considerably greater value compared to the 100/100 and 300/300 plans.

The same principle applies to their 2-Gigabit speed tier. Even after the standard monthly rate takes effect (increasing from $70 to $95 after 12 months), the plan remains more affordable than the cost of a single gigabit plan with many other ISPs. For those residing within a Ziply Fiber service area, this plan would be a highly recommended choice.

Regarding the higher-speed tiers of 5, 10, and 50Gbps, these options are available for users with extreme bandwidth demands but are generally more expensive, and excessive for most households. Consult our guide to determine the appropriate internet speed for your household’s needs.

WiFi, Fees, and Service Terms for Ziply Fiber

Ziply Fiber’s fees and service terms are largely favorable to consumers. WiFi equipment fees are lower than those of numerous providers and include whole-home connectivity, while unlimited data and the absence of contract requirements eliminate concerns about unforeseen charges.

Availability of WiFi 7 Routers and Whole Home WiFi

At $15 per month, Ziply’s equipment rental fee is comparable to most providers and remains optional; customers may utilize their own equipment to avoid the fee. However, Ziply Fiber’s equipment, a WiFi 7 router, represents a leading offering compared to many ISPs. Whole Home WiFi service is incorporated with the rental, including mesh WiFi extenders as necessary to ensure comprehensive home coverage.

Transparent Service Terms and Fees from Ziply Fiber

Most DSL and fiber-optic internet service providers do not impose data caps or contracts, and Ziply Fiber follows this industry standard. Customers can confidently anticipate their initial and ongoing monthly costs with no data restrictions, binding contracts, or credit evaluations. Installation is provided at no additional charge for new subscribers, as is the first month of service.

While many providers offer unlimited data, contract-free service, complimentary installation, and various promotional incentives like gift cards or streaming service subscriptions, Ziply Fiber stands out by delivering straightforward pricing devoid of restrictive contracts or data limitations, which is a substantial advantage.

Ziply Fiber Service Availability

Currently, Ziply Fiber’s DSL and fiber services are limited to four states, specifically within portions of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Approximately 30% of the network infrastructure Ziply Fiber acquired from Frontier Communications consisted of fiber-optic lines. Since then, Ziply Fiber has aggressively expanded its fiber footprint to encompass over 50% of its total service area.

A Ziply Fiber spokesperson conveyed to FASTNET that the company aims to achieve 80% fiber coverage in the near future. Upon reaching 80% fiber penetration, Ziply Fiber will have extended fiber connections to over 1.5 million residents in the Northwest region who lacked such access under Frontier, including numerous individuals in rural communities.

Ziply Fiber’s expansions have encompassed smaller towns like Tekoa, Washington, and Troy, Montana, both with populations under 1,000, alongside more prominent urban centers throughout the Northwest.

Fiber Expansion Benefits DSL Customers

The introduction of fiber-optic service is welcomed news for those who can access it. However, it also presents an indirect benefit for Ziply Internet (DSL) subscribers who cannot.

A Ziply Fiber representative explained to FASTNET that “every customer who transitions from the copper network enhances the capacity, dependability, and actual speed for those who remain. Thus, our objective is to migrate as many customers as possible to fiber as quickly as feasible to improve service for everyone.”

In essence, fiber expansion represents a win-win scenario for Ziply customers, albeit potentially more advantageous for some than others. Regardless, Ziply Fiber appears genuinely committed to enhancing service quality for all within its service territory, which is a positive attribute.

Ziply Fiber Versus Cable Internet Competitors

The comparison thus far has focused on Ziply Fiber against other DSL and fiber-optic providers. However, encountering these providers in the same service areas as Ziply Fiber might be uncommon. It is more probable that you will have a choice between Ziply Fiber and cable internet from providers like Spectrum, Xfinity, or others.

A general guideline is that cable is superior to DSL, and fiber outperforms cable. If Ziply Fiber service is accessible in your locality, it should be prioritized over cable. Conversely, if Ziply Internet is the sole Ziply option, cable should be considered initially, contingent on the available DSL speeds.

Ziply Fiber can achieve gigabit download speeds, as do most major cable internet providers, but fiber-optic connections offer the advantage of symmetrical upload and download speeds. Consequently, Ziply Fiber provides an enhanced connection for remote work and online learning compared to cable. Fiber-optic service also exhibits superior reliability and connection stability than cable.

In terms of pricing, Ziply Fiber plans are generally more affordable than those of most cable providers. Xfinity does present a 150Mbps plan for approximately $20 per month, but customers may need to commit to a one-year contract to secure the lowest rate. Spectrum, on the other hand, features a lower equipment fee than Ziply Fiber, along with unlimited data and contract-free service. Nevertheless, Ziply Fiber offers lower introductory rates, often by $10 to $20, during the first year.

In summary, Ziply Fiber will likely present more economical plan alternatives, quicker upload speeds, and improved reliability compared to cable internet.

Room for Improvement in Ziply Fiber Customer Satisfaction

Ziply Fiber is not independently evaluated in customer satisfaction reports from organizations like the American Customer Satisfaction Index or J.D. Power. Therefore, the Better Business Bureau was consulted to gain insights into customer perceptions of the service.

Ziply Fiber received an “F” rating from the BBB, which warrants contextual understanding. This rating appears linked to the company’s initial phase in 2020, following its acquisition of Frontier’s assets. Upon closer examination, Ziply Fiber’s BBB customer review scores are fairly positive, averaging 4.48 stars out of 5. This indicates that while there is potential for further improvement (as is common with most ISPs), current subscribers generally report a satisfactory service experience.

Summary

Ziply Fiber offers affordable pricing and rapid multi-gigabit speeds, alongside unlimited data and no-contract options. However, its primary limitation is restricted service coverage areas. Ultimately, the key determinant is whether Ziply Fiber’s fiber services are accessible at your specific address.

Regarding Ziply Internet, the DSL service, the value proposition will depend on the actual speeds available at your location. Your DSL service could see enhancements as Ziply’s fiber network expands, yet the most favorable outcome would be the extension of fiber service to your address, eliminating the dependence on DSL altogether.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ziply Fiber (FAQ)