Grade provides affordable internet service with consistent speeds and high network uptime. The cost per Mbps is relatively low and the pricing is fairly straightforward. Plans don’t require a term contract and there’s often a 2-year price lock, making Grande Internet a reliable ISP for homes and businesses alike.
In 2017, Grande Communications merged with RCN and Wave Broadband to form Astound Broadband. It now operates as “Astound Broadband powered by Grande” in Texas. Grande still upholds the service quality and dependability that customers have come to expect from the widely trusted ISP.
Here, we review Grande Communications and evaluate its internet service as it stands in 2023. Let’s dive right in!
Evaluating Grande Internet in 2023
Astound Broadband powered by Grande competes with Spectrum, CenturyLink, and AT&T in Texas. Among these, Grade is the best-rounded ISP with dependable service at the lowest prices. AT&T is the only other good option for Texans who want fiber internet with speeds higher than 1200 Mbps—and are willing to pay for it. But for the rest of us, Grande Internet remains the first choice.
Speed
Grande Internet features max download speeds from 300 to 1200 Mbps depending on the speed tier. These speeds are on par with some of the fastest cable internet providers in the US. While a 300 Mbps max download speed is quite fast for most modern homes, faster options make it more future-proof.
Grande Internet is powered by fiber but provided to subscribers via cable networks already installed in urban and suburban areas throughout Texas. It currently uses DOCSIS 3.1 for its Gig service. Technological improvements in DOCSIS will allow Grande to add faster speed tiers in the upcoming years.
Reliability
Grande Communications outperforms most other ISPs in terms of reliability in our experience. Subscribers on Reddit also rate Grande Internet consistently high in terms of reliability. The speeds remain fairly consistent throughout the day and outages are uncommon and brief.
Fierce Telecom reports that in an interview, Astound Broadband COO Chris Fenger said that the network operator has implemented a campaign over the years to reduce its number of subscribers per node to around 125. This number is below the industry average, which likely contributes to Grande’s above-average reliability.
Why a low number of subscribers per node matters
In cable networks, the total bandwidth is shared across subscribers connected to a node. When other people in the same service area are consuming more data—such as during peak usage hours from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm—everyone gets a smaller portion of the available bandwidth.
You get slower speeds than your plan allows as a result. Increased network load primarily contributes to inconsistent connectivity and lower speeds during peak hours when you need high speeds the most.
Grande’s low number of subscribers per node means that the total bandwidth is shared among fewer other homes. Each subscriber gets consistent connectivity throughout the day and speeds are less severely affected during peak usage hours.
Pricing
Grande Internet monthly fees are pretty competitive across speed tiers. Prices range from $25 to $60 per month for max speeds ranging from 300 Mbps to 1200 Mbps. The prices are locked for 1 to 2 years depending on the plan. Learn more about Grande Internet below.
Grade’s WiFi service, Enhanced Whole Home WiFi, costs $5 per month for 2 years. It’s powered by eero Mesh WiFi which uses multiple routers to eliminate WiFi dead spots and provides wall-to-wall coverage. At $5 per month, it’s as inexpensive a WiFi service as you’ll find.
What We Like About Grande Internet
Grande Internet is fast, reliable, and reasonably priced compared to alternatives. Here are some other things we particularly like about the service:
No Term Contracts
Even though Grande internet plans have a price lock of up to 2 years, there’s no term contract required. So if later you decide to switch to Spectrum Internet, you won’t have to pay an early termination fee.
Free Max Subscription
If you get Grande Internet Gig or 1.2 Gig, you’re eligible for 12 months of free Max subscription. The subscription will go to the regular subscription rate after the promotional period or if you cancel or downgrade during the promotion period, which is currently $14.99 per month.
Decent Upload Speeds
Astound Grande powered by Grande does offer fiber internet in some areas, but it’s mostly a cable provider—so it doesn’t have symmetrical speeds like AT&T. Still, the upload speeds with Grande Internet are pretty decent compared to other cable providers, thanks to its low number of subscribers per node.
No Data Limits
Unlike AT&T Internet which may have a data cap depending on your plan, Grande Internet is unlimited for all speed tiers. This means there are no data overage fees and no bandwidth throttling when you download too much.
Price Locks
Depending on the plan, the advertised price of internet and WiFi service is locked for 1 to 2 years. The price may increase after that but you can always switch to Spectrum if you decide the service isn’t worth the new price.
Free Installation
To make switching even easier, Astound Broadband powered by Grande includes free installation if you use the coupon “FREE INSTALL.” This offer adds a $79.95 value to all Grande internet plans.
eero Mesh WiFi
Instead of leasing white-label modems and routers, Grande Internet partners with the world’s leading mesh WiFi company to bring customers whole home coverage at affordable rates. eero Mesh WiFi uses multiple routers to cover your entire home from different locations. Just as multiple light sources reduce shadows, multiple “euros” eliminate WiFi dead spots so you get strong signals everywhere.
For new Grande Internet customers, eero Mesh WiFi is available at just $5 per month for 2 years. With the option to cancel at any time, you don’t have to risk anything if you want to see if upgrading to a mesh WiFi system is worth it for your home.
Grande Internet Plans
Astound Broadband powered by Grande has four internet speed tiers. All plans have:
- No term contract and no early termination fee
- No data caps
- Free Installation
- Eligibility for eero Mesh WiFi at $5 a month for 2 years
- No hidden monthly fees
Here are the prices and distinct details of each plan:
- 300 Mbps: This plan costs $25 per month with a 1-year price lock.
- 600 Mbps: This plan costs $40 per month with a 2-year price lock.
- 940 Mbps: This plan costs $50 per month with a 2-year price lock. This plan also includes Max subscription for 12 months.
- 1200 Mbps: This plan costs $60 per month with a 2-year price lock. This plan also includes Max subscription for 12 months.
Grande Communications Service Area
Grande Internet is available in areas in the following cities, sorted in the descending order of population.
- San Antonio
- Austin
- Corpus Christi
- Waco
- Odessa
- Midland
- Temple
- Missouri City
- San Marcos
- Lewisville
The availability of higher speed tiers varies by location. Reach out to Grande customer service for more information.
Conclusion
Grande Communication has been a reputable cable internet provider in Texas for over 2 decades. Now provided by Astound Broadband, Grande Internet has competitively priced high-speed internet plans with no data caps or annual contacts.
Astound Broadband powered by Grande uses fiber and maintains a low number of subscribers per node, allowing it to provide wider bandwidths, higher speed consistency, and greater upload speeds than other cable operators. Unless you specifically want fiber internet, Grande Communication is our most recommended internet provider in Texas.
FAQs
Is Grande Internet Good?
Grande is overall a pretty good ISP. Grande Internet offers high speeds at low monthly rates compared to other ISPs in Texas. The price is locked for 1 to 2 years, all plans have unlimited data, and there are no term contracts. Grande also has generally positive reviews on Reddit for speed consistency and reliability.
Grande’s number of subscribers per node is lower than the industry average, which means the bandwidth is shared across fewer homes and you get more consistent download and upload speeds even during peak usage hours.
How Much Is Grande Internet?
Grande Internet starts at $25 a month (12-month price lock) for a top download speed of 300 Mbps. The 600 Mbps plan costs $40 per month but has a price lock of 24 months, so you get even more value in the long run.
A compatible modem is included for free with all Grande Internet plans, so you can buy your own router and save on rental fees. But Grande’s Enhanced Whole Home WiFi powered by Eero also only costs $5 per month for the first 2 years.
Grande Internet Gig (940 Mbps) and 1.2 Gig (1200 Mbps) plans cost $50 and $60 per month respectively while they also include a free Max subscription for 1 year, currently a $14.99 per month value.
Is Grande Internet available in my area?
Grande Internet is available in cities and suburbs throughout Texas. Higher speeds may not be available in all service areas. Be sure to contact Grande customer service before deciding on a plan.
