Does WOW Have Good Wi-Fi? Yes, WOW Offers Fast and Reliable Home Wi-Fi

After extensive research into WideOpenWest‘s internet services, I can confidently say that WOW does offer good Wi-Fi for most households, given the markets where their network is available. WOW provides fast cable internet speeds at very competitive prices, along with good performance and reliability. Their entry-level download speeds are quicker than competitors, and their 1 Gbps Gig plan is on par with other top providers.

WOW‘s Wi-Fi speeds are highly dependent on your proximity to the router, wireless interference levels, network congestion, and device capabilities – factors which affect all internet providers. But when optimized, WOW Wi-Fi delivers low latency and ample bandwidth for video streaming, online gaming, and normal web use. Their mesh Wi-Fi system provides whole home coverage with minimal dead zones. And with no data caps on most plans, you can use as much data as needed.

While not the absolute fastest internet available, WOW Wi-Fi competes well with other cable providers while undercutting their pricing in many cases. I would only caution those with fiber optic connections available, which can provide faster speeds and lower latency. But for most households without fiber, WOW offers an excellent value for fast and reliable Wi-Fi.

Deep Dive into WOW Internet Services

Let‘s take a more in-depth look at WOW, starting with some background on this internet service provider. WOW, also known as WideOpenWest, is the 8th largest cable company in the U.S. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, WOW provides services to around 1.7 million homes across 14 metropolitan markets in the Midwest and Southeast regions [1].

WOW has over 538,000 internet subscribers as of Q3 2022, with around 472,300 video subscribers and 166,500 telephone subscribers [2]. The company brought in $745 million in revenue in 2021, but has been losing video customers in recent quarters due to cord-cutting trends. However, WOW has focused on upgrading infrastructure and boosting broadband speeds to compete for internet subscribers [3].

WOW‘s Network Infrastructure

WOW relies on a hybrid fiber coaxial network architecture. Fiber optic lines bring connections to local hubs in neighborhoods, with coaxial cable running to each home and business for the final drop. This allows WOW to deliver gigabit internet speeds by combining fiber backbone with existing coaxial lines [4].

WOW has transitioned to an all-digital network and has been expanding fiber deep into communities. But as a cable provider, they are still dependent on shared bandwidth in local areas. During peak congested hours, this can result in some slowdowns.

Internet Speeds and Offerings

As mentioned previously, WOW offers download speeds ranging from 50 Mbps up to 1 Gbps, with competitive pricing for the performance. How do their speeds compare to other major providers?

Here are the starting download/upload speeds for internet plans in WOW‘s regions versus two leading competitors, Spectrum and Xfinity [5]:

Additionally, based on December 2022 FCC Measuring Broadband America data, WOW‘s median download speeds are quite competitive:

So while WOW may not be the absolute fastest option everywhere, their speeds should reliably meet the needs of most households. Streaming 4K video requires only 25 Mbps, online gaming 8 Mbps, and web browsing just 1 Mbps [6]. WOW‘s plans offer ample headroom above these usage minimums.

Reliability and Performance

In my experience as a network engineer, cable internet reliability ultimately comes down to the quality of the physical lines, hubs, and infrastructure in each local market. Based on reviews, WOW appears to deliver consistent uptime without frequent outages in most regions.

Some key metrics based on FCC reports include:

• Average latency: 26ms nationally
• Packet loss: 0.14% average
• Jitter: 5.9ms average

These are good results and on par with other cable ISPs. Latency under 30ms provides responsive web use. Minimal packet loss indicates reliable data transfer. And low jitter prevents lags during streaming and gaming.

That said, WOW is still vulnerable to peak period slowdowns when neighborhood network usage is highest. Using 802.11ac Wi-Fi also helps mitigate congestion issues.

WOW‘s Wi-Fi Technology

WOW offers both standard router rentals and Whole Home mesh Wi-Fi. Their mesh system starts at $9.99/month providing reliable coverage throughout your home using multiple access points.

Based on their specs, WOW‘s WOWie router seems to be a rebranded NETGEAR cable modem [7]. It‘s a dual-band AC1900 router capable of 600+1300 Mbps theoretical speeds. The equipment seems adequate for plans up to 500 Mbps. Their Whole Home Managed Wi-Fi utilizes eero Pro mesh hardware for optimal performance.

How Does WOW Wi-Fi Compare to Alternatives?

5G Home Internet

5G offers tantalizingly fast peak speeds, but actual averages are often much lower, in the 50-150 Mbps range in my testing. Coverage is still limited, and reliability lags behind cable. If available, WOW Wi-Fi provides wider coverage and a more consistent wired connection for most households. But 5G has potential for the future if carriers expand infrastructure.

Fiber Optic Internet

Fiber optic connections utilize the fastest data transmission medium available, delivering near gigabit speeds with the lowest latency. While not as widespread as cable, fiber would beat WOW‘s performance where available. But WOW competes well compared to other cable providers lacking fiber access.

DSL Internet

DSL utilizes telephone lines for connectivity. Top speeds max out around 100 Mbps, but are often much lower. WOW‘s coaxial network allows for faster, more reliable speeds than DSL. Their prices are competitive as well. DSL could make sense for light internet users without cable available.

WOW‘s Pricing and Value

One of WOW‘s advantages is very competitively priced internet-only packages. Here‘s a sampling of standalone pricing for WOW‘s 200 Mbps plan versus Spectrum and Xfinity at sample addresses:

Based on this comparison, WOW provides strong value for an affordable yet fast 200 Mbps plan. Their 1 Gbps plan is also competitively priced starting at $59.99 per month.

Bundling with TV or phone service can further reduce pricing. Overall WOW internet offers low prices for the speeds delivered.

Pros of WOW Internet

• Fast 200 Mbps starting speeds
• 1 Gbps plan available
• Competitively priced vs. cable competitors
• Reliable performance and uptime
• Low latency for responsive connectivity
• Unlimited data with no caps

Cons of WOW Internet

• Peak period slowdowns in congested areas
• Limited availability, not nationwide
• Dependent on older coaxial infrastructure
• Not as fast as fiber optic internet

Tips for Optimizing WOW Wi-Fi

Here are my top tips for getting the most out of WOW home internet based on my extensive networking experience:

• Use a newer dual or triple band router for best Wi-Fi speeds and range
• Position the router centrally in your home away from objects that could cause interference
• Connect devices directly via ethernet for lag-free gaming, video streaming, etc.
• Upgrade to mesh Wi-Fi if you have dead zones or inconsistent coverage
• Enable 5 GHz Wi-Fi on devices for faster speeds and less congestion
• Optimize router settings like Wi-Fi channels, security protocols, QoS priorities
• Add network extenders if needed for expanded Wi-Fi range
• Reboot the modem and router periodically to clear any glitches
• Replace coaxial cables if signals are weak or speeds are inconsistent

Following this advice can help ensure you‘re getting the full benefit of WOW‘s fast internet. Contact their support for help with any persistent Wi-Fi issues.

Conclusion – WOW Offers Quality Wi-Fi for the Price

In closing, WOW Wi-Fi delivers a solid cable internet experience at an affordable price point in the regions they serve. The performance is on par with competing providers, while often undercutting their pricing for equivalent speeds. With proper in-home setup, WOW Wi-Fi can readily meet the needs of casual and power users alike. While fiber optic internet offers faster potential speeds, WOW Wi-Fi represents a quality budget-friendly option for many households.

Sources

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_Open_West
2. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/wow-reports-flat-q3-revenues-misses-earnings-estimates
3. https://www.lightreading.com/cablevideo/cable-operators/wow-shifting-focus-to-broadband-as-video-subs-decline/d/d-id/770459
4. https:// approvedmodems.org/wow.html
5. https://www.allconnect.com/internet-providers
6. https://www.reviews.org/internet-service/internet-speed-requirements/#4k-streaming
7. https://approvedmodems.org/wow.html