WOW! Can be classified as a medium sized broadband internet provider offering high-speed internet, along with other services that are delivered on the same network, like digital TV and home phone.
WOW! TV allows consumers to select their preferred channels and packs.
WOW! Home phone offers unlimited nationwide calls. Phone features include voicemail, three-way calling, call waiting, and call blocking.
WOW! Delivers its services primarily on its cable network as currently the reach of its fiber network is limited. Its cable network delivers download speeds that match fiber speeds.
They deliver service by utilizing the cable television lines they are already running to your home. The internet terminates in the modem which acts like a receiver, from which a router can be connected to distribute it further inside the location.
Their fiber network is growing.
WOW! Internet Plans
WOW! offers internet speeds starting as low as 10Mbps and as fast as 1000Mbps.
While its core offering is based on its cable network, WOW! has a growing fiber network which is gradually becoming the network of choice for subscribers with a need for speed.
Wow’s plans are inexpensive, but some require 24-month commitments for best pricing.
WOW Internet 100Mbps
Download Speed: 100 MBPS
Upload Speed: 10 MBPS
Data Limit: No limit
Contract: No contract
Technology: Cable
$29.99/mnth
After 12 months: $39.99 monthly + $ 50 Upfront
WOW Internet 500Mbps
Download Speed: 500 MBPS
Upload Speed: 10 MBPS
Data Limit: No limit
Contract: No contract
Technology: Cable
$54.99/mnth
After 12 months: $79.99 monthly + $ 50 Upfront
WOW Internet 1 Gbps
Download Speed: 1000 MBPS
Upload Speed: 50 MBPS
Data Limit: No limit
Contract: No contract
Technology: Cable
$74.99/mnth
After 12 months: $99.99 monthly + $ 50 Upfront
Modem plus Wi-Fi starts at $14/month
WOW! Uses a device known as the ‘gateway’ router which is a modem and router rolled into one. This can be rented from WOW! This device is thrown in without any extra charge with the Gig plan. You also have the option of getting your own compatible equipment.
Whole-home Wi-Fi – starting at an additional $9.99/mo.
While the ‘gateway’ router will offer a standard coverage, many customers now look for extended coverage that reaches the internet to deeper and further away areas in the house or office. WOW! offers mesh Wi-Fi hardware, that have a wider reach, to boost your connection, starting at $9.99/month. The mesh system operates with extenders, which are an additional $5.99 each per month.
Contracts and variable early termination fees (ETFs)
While most plans do not require a contract, taking out one delivers price benefits. However, cancellation of a contract comes with a hefty ETF, which keeps reducing as time on the contract becomes longer. WOW! also occasionally has 24-month agreements, in which case your price is guaranteed for a longer period of time, but the ETF is higher. In those cases, the ETF is $345, and still decreases by $15 for each completed month of service.
Installation – $50, free with most online orders
Standard installation for WOW! internet comes with a one-time fee of $50, but WOW! is currently offering free, no-contact installation with all online orders.
30 Day Money Back Guarantee
WOW! offers a 30-day money back guarantee when customers terminate the plan within the first 30 days.
Pros
- No data caps – Consumers can browse without watching the data meter and worrying about exceeding the cap as there is no cap.
- Free installation – Usually charged at $50, WOW! Will do a free installation for online orders. And if you call before noon ET, you can get the installation the very next day.
- High customer satisfaction – Bucking the industry trend of low customer satisfaction, WOW! offers award-winning customer service.
- Fastest speeds – With download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps even on their DSL network, WOW! serves internet to you as fast an anyone in the business.
- Customizable Wi-Fi service –Wi-Fi comes built into your WOW! Modem. You can even upgrade to a premium version of Wi-Fi which allows you to add extenders.
- 24×7 technical support – available via phone
Cons
- Only uses cables in most areas – In some areas, WOW! uses a combination of fiber-optic and cable lines to deliver faster speeds. However, in most areas WOW! uses just coaxial cables, which could turn out slower, especially as distance increases.
- Some plans require a two-year contract – While WOW! Plans in general do not require contracts occasionally has 24-month agreements where the early termination fee is as high as $340.
- Limited availability – WOW! Operates in limited areas, despite being the sixth largest provider in the nation. That can create issues in case you are moving. You may need to switch services at such a time.
- Wi-Fi fees can add up – Premium Wi-Fi service will add a fee on top of the modem rental fee, plus an additional fee for each Wi-Fi extender you need.
WOW! Internet Coverage
WOW! provides “high-speed data (“HSD”), cable television (“Video”), Voice over IP-based telephony (“Telephony”) and business-class services to a service area that includes approximately 3.2 million homes and businesses.” Services are delivered across 19 markets via our advanced hybrid fiber-coaxial (“HFC”) cable network. These are:
ALABAMA – Auburn, Dothan, Huntsville, Montgomery Valley
FLORIDA – Panama City, Pinellas
GEORGIA – Augusta, Columbus, Fort Gordon
ILLINOIS – Chicago City, Chicagoland
INDIANA – Evansville
MICHIGAN – Detroit, Mid-Michigan
SOUTH CAROLINA – Charleston
TENNESSEE – Knoxville
The WOW! footprint covers over 300 communities in these states. Their products are available to residential and business services customers. Their services are used by about 850K customers who subscribe to their services.
Frequently Asked Questions
WOW! internet plans start with $29.99 for the lower configurations. In general, you should opt for autopay and paperless billing for optimum pricing. In addition to the plan, there could be other charges you may need to pay. Renting a wireless modem will add $14/month to your bill, however, you can opt to provide your own compatible modem and router to avoid that charge.
WOW! Primarily uses its legacy coaxial cables to bring cable internet to your home. In some areas, WOW! uses a combination of fiber-optic and cable lines to deliver faster speeds. We are investing in growing our fiber network which will reach more and more homes soon.
Many people use a single router that operates from the point it is plugged into the modem. As the distance from the router increases, the signal strength drops. In addition, there could be several ‘dead spots’ in the house where the network does not penetrate through to. Endless rebooting also cannot fix these issues.
WOW! Offers a whole-Home WiFi solution that uses smart devices to envelop your home in fast, reliable WiFi, delivering a consistently strong signal everywhere you need it.
As soon as you have checked that your coaxial cable, power, Ethernet/USB, and modem connections are tight, verify that the modem has power by verifying that the power light is lit up. If not, then verify that the modem is plugged into an active power outlet, try a 2nd power outlet, or bypass the surge protector.
Unplug the modem’s power cord, wait two minutes, then plug it back in. If the lights do not go off when unplugging the modem, it means you have an advanced modem with a battery. Press the “Reset” button on the back of the modem for 5 seconds. Do not hold the “Reset” button for more than 5 seconds as this can cause the wireless settings to be reset to factory defaults.
Wait until the lights on the modem stabilize. For the first several seconds, they will blink and turn on and off. Restart your computer.
If your WOW! Internet connection is still not functioning properly, please contact us.
The main advantage of self-installation is that you can do it as soon as you get the equipment and don’t need to match timings with the professional installer that WOW! might send to your place. The process is quick and simple! The other advantage is that it will cost nothing.
In addition, with a self-install, you will be promoting the safety of all concerned during the times of the pandemic.
Yes. WOW is participating in the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, an initiative to help keep households connected to vital internet services during this time of remote learning, work and health care information.
WOW also offers its own low-cost plan, called Internet for Education, which provides affordable broadband access for qualifying households of K-12 students
