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Sparklight house web service score
Execs
- Simple pricing with no contracts or cancellation charges
- 30-day money-back assure gives a possibility to strive the service
- Brings sooner speeds to many communities the place DSL and satellite tv for pc are the one different choices
Cons
- Limitless information accessible, in any other case a comfortable cap on all plans
- Month-to-month worth enhance on all plans after a yr
Sparklight Web overview
You could be much less aware of Sparklight as a result of it was once known as Cable One. The company mum or dad firm remains to be Cable One, however its residential web service was rebranded as Sparklight a couple of years in the past.
Two issues stand out instantly with Sparklight. First, its costs are aggressive amongst web service suppliers and simple to know; there’s little or no nice print surrounding the month-to-month value and information caps. Second, there aren’t any contracts, so you do not have to concern a long-term dedication. There’s loads to love.
Sparklight affords limitless information on all plans, however there’s a comfortable cap included on all tiers. For those who attain a sure threshold, your information might be throttled. Total, Sparklight is a viable cable web supplier and an particularly compelling possibility for those who dwell in a few of the extra rural and suburban areas it providers.
Sparklight Web plans
| Plan | Month-to-month worth | Max speeds | Charges and repair particulars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Join 100 | $40 ($55 after 12 months) | 100Mbps obtain, 20Mbps add | Limitless information (5TB comfortable cap), $13 modem payment and no contracts | |
| Join 300 | $35 ($60 after 12 months) | 300Mbps obtain, 20Mbps add | Limitless information (5TB comfortable cap), no month-to-month gear payment and no contracts | |
| Join 600 | $45 ($70 after 12 months) | 600Mbps obtain, 30Mbps add | Limitless information (5TB comfortable cap), no month-to-month gear payment and no contracts | |
| Join Gig | $60 ($85 after 12 months) | 940Mbps obtain, 50Mbps add | Limitless information (5TB comfortable cap), no month-to-month gear payment and no contracts |
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Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier information
Though Sparklight is not probably the most broadly accessible web supplier, it has vital protection in rural areas throughout the nation and affords a spread of inexpensive plans, making it a strong web possibility. You’ll be able to select between 4 plans with Sparklight. All have limitless information and no contracts, which is a handy plus. The beginning plan features a $13 month-to-month gear payment. In any other case, the modem is included in your month-to-month invoice. Many ISPs enhance the month-to-month charges after a yr of service, and Sparklight is not any exception. Nonetheless, with Sparklight, you possibly can count on strong cable-internet choices and constant speeds.
The entry-level tier options obtain speeds of 100 megabits per second and 20Mbps in add. Different cable suppliers like Cox supply an identical plan however fall behind on add speeds, coming in at solely 10Mbps.
CNET’s choose for Sparklight’s greatest plan is the Join Gig tier as a result of it is probably the most cost-efficient plan for the best speeds. The associated fee per Mbps is available in at a really low cost 6 cents per Mbps (in comparison with 40 cents for the Join 100 plan, 12 cents for the Join 300 and fewer than 7 cents for the Join 600). For context, Spectrum Web’s gig plan begins at $80, or 8 cents per Mbps, however jumps as much as $118 month-to-month after 24 months, bringing the fee per Mbps as much as $1.18 per Mbps after the promotional worth.
What sort of connection does Sparklight have?
Sparklight Web boasts about “fiber-rich” plans all through its website, however do not be fooled. Like different cable web suppliers we have lined, its web infrastructure is a hybrid fiber-coaxial cable connection, not a 100% fiber community.
What does this imply in sensible phrases? Like all cable web hookup, your obtain speeds might be a lot increased than your add speeds. Earlier than the pandemic, most of us gave this little thought, as obtain speeds cowl most of our streaming and browsing wants. After the pandemic hit and extra folks wanted to do work or education at house, add speeds (obligatory for duties like importing giant recordsdata or hopping on video courses and conferences) grew to become extra essential. Zoom requires at the least 3.8Mbps add speeds for 1080p HD high quality video throughout Zoom conferences, so discovering a cable supplier with increased add speeds is beneficial for households the place a number of folks work or do education. If you wish to be taught extra, learn our cable vs. fiber explainer.
An all-fiber plan with symmetrical obtain and add speeds may not be a pipe dream for this ISP, as Sparklight is increasing its fiber footprint in choose areas. In accordance with the newest information from the Federal Communications Fee, only a handful of cities throughout 11 states could also be eligible for Sparklight’s fiber or multi-gig plans. Notably, Sparklight rolled out its 6,000Mbps and three,000Mbps plans in Victoria, Texas, costing $155 and $105 month-to-month for the primary 12 months. In Payson, Arizona, residents can count on symmetrical speeds of as much as 5 gigabits by the summer season of 2025.
The place are you able to get Sparklight house web?
Sparklight’s cable protection spans throughout 21 states within the US.
Sparklight web is accessible in 21 states throughout the nation:
| Alabama | Kansas | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Louisiana | Oklahoma |
| Arkansas | Minnesota | Oregon |
| Idaho | Mississippi | South Dakota |
| Illinois | Missouri | Tennessee |
| Indiana | Nebraska | Texas |
| Iowa | New Mexico | Washington |
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Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier information
Amongst these states, a couple of of Sparklight’s main markets embrace:
- Austin, Texas
- Boise, Idaho
- Brazil, Indiana
- Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Fargo, North Dakota
- Fort Value, Texas
- Gulfport, Mississippi
- Nampa, Idaho
- Rio Rancho, New Mexico
- Shreveport, Louisiana
- Springfield, Missouri
Sparklight charges and repair particulars
Sparklight options 4 plans starting from 100Mbps to 940Mbps with the top-end gigabit plan priced at $60 a month. After 12 months count on that worth to leap to $85 a month. Relying in your chosen plan, count on your month-to-month invoice to extend by $15 to $25 a month after the promo interval ends.
When evaluating Sparklight web add speeds with different cable ISPs, it fares higher than most, with its uploads topping out at 50Mbps on the gigabit plan. The add speeds on related plans from Spectrum and Optimum all max out at 35Mbps. Solely Mediacom and WideOpenWest match Sparklight with prime add speeds of 50Mbps.
Aggressive pricing free from gimmicks
At first, I used to be barely thrown off when inspecting Sparklight’s web costs. It is uncommon to see an ISP with so few bells, whistles, promos and exceptions to decipher. So, for probably the most half, what you see now could be what you will pay for later. Sadly, that form of readability round your web invoice is normally laborious to return by.
Like many ISPs, Sparklight’s promo pricing — a $15 to $25 low cost, lasts for simply 12 months, which is not out of the atypical. Lots of Sparklight’s cable rivals present discounted charges for 2 and even three years. That is true.
While you have a look at the usual fee’s common value per megabits per second (16 cents throughout all 4 plans), Sparklight’s service is extra inexpensive than Optimum’s and Spectrum’s. Solely WOW can boast decrease commonplace charges throughout all plan tiers of the cable suppliers we have reviewed. That is fairly good.
Knowledge caps
In an effort to advertise transparency throughout main ISPs, the FCC is mandating using broadband diet labels. Sadly, one of many first issues I observed is that Sparklight fails to say its information cap on these labels. It is solely within the nice print that you will see that every plan comes with a comfortable cap of 5TB.
Knowledge caps aren’t a obligatory evil. Many ISPs have them, together with Hughesnet, Viasat and cable rivals Cox, Mediacom and Xfinity, however some others don’t. It isn’t a given that you will have to face a knowledge cap simply since you’re a cable web buyer.
Not all information caps are the identical. As you possibly can see within the plans and pricing chart, all plans function a 5TB information cap, which is not unhealthy. Why do I say that? In accordance with OpenVault’s Q1 2024 report, the typical house makes use of roughly 606GB of knowledge per thirty days. Most US households ought to have little downside staying beneath that 5TB restrict.
Oh, and I ought to point out there’s some small print right here, too: you might nonetheless have your pace slowed… however solely after you have hit 5TB of knowledge utilization throughout the month. To place that in perspective, you might stream 4K variations of all 5 Indiana Jones motion pictures, watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy, binge all of the Harry Potter flicks, obtain each Marvel Cinematic Universe entry and geek out on every Star Trek movie (from William Shatner to Chris Pine) and nonetheless be lower than 25% of the way in which to your restrict. I would say that is fairly truthful.
No contracts
The comfortable information caps aren’t a deal-breaker, however it’s kind of of a bummer that Sparklight has them in any respect. Nonetheless, on the constructive facet, Sparklight breaks from a few of its rivals by providing plans with no contracts or time period limits. This implies you are beneath no obligation to stay with a plan that is not working for you, and you do not have to concern any early termination charges for those who resolve to maneuver elsewhere.
One other constructive side that leaps off the web page (and is not at all times widespread amongst ISPs) is Sparklight’s money-back assure for these seeking to bundle their web, which covers the primary 30 days of the brand new service. If Sparklight is not proper on your house, you possibly can request a full refund, together with cash paid for the web service and relevant taxes and charges. That is higher than the 30-day assure provided by WOW, which does not lengthen to taxes and charges.
Extra charges
Wi-Fi One whole-home protection is accessible from Sparklight for $12.50 a month. That is barely cheaper than the standard $14 to $15 a month most ISPs cost to hire their gear. Except the 100Mbps plan, all different prospects have the modem freed from cost. Additionally, as with many different suppliers, prospects can use their very own gear and keep away from this month-to-month cost altogether. The one requirement is that prospects use a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem and consult with Sparklight’s checklist of supported cable modems.
You must also count on a slew of one-time charges that may rack up your invoice within the first month of service. Prospects can count on a one-time set up payment of $90, a one-time activation cost of $30 and a $25 deposit payment.
Self-installation could also be an possibility from Sparklight, nevertheless it’s not accessible in all service areas and relies upon upon a credit score examine. You could bypass the credit score examine if you want, however Sparklight notes you could be charged a better deposit and/or set up payment for skipping it.
Sparklight buyer satisfaction: Blended rankings
J.D. Energy gave Sparklight higher rankings within the South than it bought in 2020, nevertheless it was nonetheless a below-average rating for the area.
Sparklight was not highlighted within the newest J.D. Energy US Residential Web Service Supplier Satisfaction Examine. While you have a look at 2021, Sparklight confirmed up in two of the 4 areas the group tracks. Over within the West, Sparklight scored 700 on a 1,000-point scale. That is a drop from the 730 it earned in 2020 and under the regional common of 710.
On the flip facet, Sparklight did higher within the South area, incomes a 716 rating, which elevated from the previous yr. It was nonetheless under the South’s common rating of 727 and squarely in the midst of the pack amongst 11 ISPs within the space.
The latest ISP report from the American Buyer Satisfaction Index didn’t spotlight Sparklight for a person rating amongst different organizations. Sparklight appeared amongst Ookla’s stats for the primary half of 2024, the place it was the quickest supplier in Boise, Idaho.
What is the backside line on Sparklight?
Sparklight makes a compelling case for being included as one of many prime cable web suppliers within the nation. Fiber will virtually at all times trump cable connections, so for those who dwell in an space like Fort Value, Texas, you would possibly have the ability to discover fiber plans extra to your liking. For purchasers in Ada, Oklahoma, to make use of a smaller market for instance, you will discover Sparklight competing with DSL and satellite tv for pc plans. These are merely no match for what Sparklight can supply for pace and worth.
Sparklight house web FAQs
Is Sparklight the identical as Cable One?
Sure. Cable One is the company mum or dad firm and was initially the identify of the ISP as properly. That modified in 2019 when Cable One introduced it was rebranding its residential web service and TV and cellphone choices to Sparklight.
What sort of connection does Sparklight supply?
Sparklight likes to speak about its “fiber-rich” broadband infrastructure, however most of its connections are hybrid fiber-coaxial cable. This implies you will have asymmetrical obtain and add speeds.
A Sparklight spokesperson mentioned that Sparklight is investing in all-fiber networks. In March, it was introduced that symmetrical fiber broadband choices might be accessible to over 8,500 prospects in Payson, Arizona, by the summer season of 2025.
Is Sparklight collaborating within the FCC’s Reasonably priced Connectivity Program?
The Reasonably priced Connectivity Program resulted in Could 2024. The ACP was a long-term initiative to assist low-income households hook up with essential house broadband. It included a reduction of as much as $30 month-to-month (and as much as $75 in tribal lands) for eligible households. Sparklight did take part in this system. One different is to look into Lifeline, a federal program that gives reductions to low-income households for his or her house broadband or mobile phone plans.
To seek out out what different low-income applications can be found in your space, try our low-income state-by-state information.
