staff review

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Researched by

Dave SchaferContributing Writer

Reviewed by

Bri FieldAssigning Editor

Updated 4/4/23

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Reliable, fast internet, but watch for fees

Mediacom offers a decent overall experience, with fast speeds and modern Wi-Fi gear. However, big rate hikes, a hefty installation cost, and lots of small fees bring the rating down.

What we like

Nice selection of plans
Very low initial prices
Solid availability

What we dislike

Contract required
Regular price increases
No unlimited data option

Before digging too deep...

Make sure Mediacom is available in your area.

Savings tip: Mediacom often has sign-up promotions for first-time customers. Call 1-844-716-2788 to ask a rep about current deals and discounts.

Check deals

Our expert assessment

Value

4.0

Excellent initial value, but heavy price hikes hurt the rating

Rating Mediacom’s value requires a long-term mindset. When you first sign up, the prices are extremely low—possibly the best on the market. Some come in at just 20% of the national benchmark, if you opt for paperless billing and autopay (1). However, each year, your cost gradually increases until it reaches a “standard value” (usually after three years). These prices are less exciting: you’ll end up paying roughly double what you initially signed up for. Depending on the length of your contract term, you may be able to jump ship before the price gets too high, but this might be too much effort for some.

Now, to be fair, many internet service providers (ISPs) do this (with a few notable exceptions, like CenturyLink). Mediacom is also pretty transparent about these price hikes and when you can expect them. However, the low starting prices here make the increases feel worse than they are, and that’s not great.

Pricing details vary by location. Visit

Mediacom's website

or call 1-844-716-2788 to speak with a rep.

See pricing

Performance

4.0

Solid performance, but no unlimited data is a bummer

We have no major complaints about Mediacom’s performance. There’s a range of plans available (up to 1 Gbps), so you can find something to suit whatever your needs are. We do have a couple of small gripes, though.

First, there are data caps on all internet plans, with no unlimited data option. The lowest-tier package has a cap of just 350 GB, which is pretty harsh, given the average person uses 536 GB per month (2). The middle-tier internet plans have 1.5 and 3 TB limits, and that's better—this should be plenty for most users and is in line with most other providers that have data caps.

The 1 Gbps plan bumps data caps up to 6 TB, which is effectively unlimited for most use cases, although a household streaming in 4K could theoretically max this one out, too. Going over the cap costs $10 per 50 GB, which, again, is in line with other providers charging overage fees.

Available speeds vary by location. Call 1-844-716-2788 to speak with a Mediacom rep or

go to its website.

Equipment and installation

3.0

Equipment is excellent, but the installation fee is steep

Mediacom offers a home networking combo called Xtream WiFi360pro. It uses a cable modem and eero Pro 6 mesh routers to ensure coverage over your whole house. The cost is $10 per month for a pair of routers, and you can add additional units for $6 each if needed.

Installation is less exciting. A professional installation and an activation fee will cost you around $120 total, and there’s no option to do it yourself. The fees can sometimes be waived with certain promotions—we recommend shopping around for one or asking a sales rep because these are steep.

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Equipment and installation options can vary widely depending on

Mediacom plans

available in your area.

View plans

Customer experience

2.5

Lots of fees add up to a so-so experience

The Mediacom customer experience is decent overall. The provider scores a bit below average on customer satisfaction surveys like the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) (3), but overall, the service itself is fine. Speeds are solid and reliable, the Wi-Fi equipment is good, and the prices are competitive (at least initially).

Our biggest knock against Mediacom is the tremendous amount of small fees the company hits you with. In addition to the equipment and installation fees already mentioned, the company charges one-time fees for activation, early termination of your contract, and “Wi-Fi certification” (whatever that means). There’s a fee every time you have a technician come out for service. All these fees add up and can really sour the experience over time.

Visit Mediacom's website

or call 1-844-716-2788 for more information on contracts and money-back guarantees.

Go to provider

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See if Mediacom services your area.

We stand by the validity of our reviews and are committed to transparency: Our team uses consumer sentiment software to source customer reviews, which are entirely unique to this website. Reviewers attest to being current customers of the providers they review and are not incentivized to speak positively or negatively about their experience. We do not alter the reviews in any way. Learn more about how we source reviews.

Mediacom customer ratings overview

Mediacom

3.2

(18)

5 Star

4 Star

50%

3 Star

22%

2 Star

11%

1 Star

11%

Our reviews come from real customers who weren't incentivized to leave a review. The rating distribution typically shows a range of experiences and opinions that helps you get a sense for the average customer experience, not just extremes.

Top reviews from Mediacom customers

Jasonfrom Burlington, IA

Mediacom Customer for 4+ years

Reviewed on: 4-28-2023

Mediacom internet is a iittle expensive. They are the only provider in the area with broadband speeds. They are reliable.

Kylefrom Coralville, IA

Mediacom Customer for 4+ years

Reviewed on: 3-18-2023

So far my experience with Mediacom has been good. I usually have reliable internet. Occassionally when it goes out, I just have to restart the modem. I think their customer service is not great when I have had to deal with it, but overall I am satisfied.

Francine from Columbus, GA

Mediacom Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 3-17-2023

There are issues that can be resolved when disconnections occur but when contacted Mediacom quickly solve the problem.

Thomasfrom Maquoketa, IA

Mediacom Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 3-12-2023

MediaCom's system works great BUT the price that i pay is HIGH $89.00 month

Garyfrom Bethany Beach, DE

Mediacom Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 3-9-2023

Mediacom is expensive and unreliable

Shandreka from Havana, FL

Mediacom Customer for Less than a year

Reviewed on: 3-7-2023

MediaCom is an ok company. They could be better because they internet always crash. Overall if the service would stay in it would be better.

Karenfrom Willacoochee, GA

Mediacom Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 10-25-2022

My experience with Mediacom has been good and not so good. The internet seems to go off quite a bit which can be very frustrating if I am busy online. The price for the internet service is reasonable which I appreciate. They need to hire more people to fix problems more quickly.

Kristafrom Lyndon, IL

Mediacom Customer for 4+ years

Reviewed on: 10-14-2022

It is really good at using for streaming. The reliability is not that great because it seems like certain times a day it stops or slows down. They are way too expensive. Our bills has gone up considerably.

Geraldfrom Millsboro, DE

Mediacom Customer for 4+ years

Reviewed on: 8-29-2022

MEDIACOM SERVICE IS VERY UNRELIABLE. THE INTERNET, TV AND PHONE ARE INTERMITTENT ALL DAY LONG. IT'S THE WORST SERVICE THAT I HAVE EVER HAD.

Kristi from Webster City , IA

Mediacom Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 8-29-2022

I feel like it cost to much and service goes out alot. They do try to fix problems promptly.

Matoshiafrom Cordele , GA

Mediacom Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 8-29-2022

I love them and speed

Sarahfrom Eldora, IA

Mediacom Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 8-29-2022

Overall good lately we have had to call due to lagging wifi connection and the price is pretty high for the services we receive.

Pamelafrom Brewton , Al

Mediacom Customer for 8+ years

Reviewed on: 8-29-2022

It's a good internet and cable service

Meganfrom Bay Minette , Al

Mediacom Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 6-22-2022

Better options in the area. My area cannot withstand some of the top options that I would happily pay for if it were available in my area.

Anjifrom Havana, FL

Mediacom Customer for 1+ years

Reviewed on: 6-22-2022

They charge alot for service not to work all the time. Customer service is awful and no help at all.

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Endnotes and sources

1. “2022 Urban Rate Survey – Fixed Broadband Service,” FCC. Accessed 15 December 2022.2. "Broadband Insights Report (OVBI)," OpenVault. Accessed 15 December 2022.3. “Internet Service Providers,” American Customer Satisfaction Index. Accessed 15 December 2022.