Xtream powered by Mediacom — Quick Summary
Budget-friendly cable internet for smaller markets, now with speeds up to 2 Gbps
What We Like
- Available in underserved rural areas
- Affordable entry-level pricing
- Speeds up to 2 Gbps
- Xtream WiFi hotspots included
- 2-year price guarantee option
- No contract on month-to-month
What We Don't Like
- Data caps on lower plans (1 TB on 300 Mbps)
- Limited to 22 states (mostly rural)
- Customer service below average
- Equipment rental required
- Upload speeds very low
- Frequent outages reported
Xtream powered by Mediacom Internet Plans & Pricing
Xtream powered by Mediacom offers three main internet tiers. Promo pricing starts as low as $19.99/mo for the first year, then jumps $20-30. Plans start at $50/mo regular ($40/mo with $10 AutoPay+paperless discount). Higher-tier plans (1 Gig and 2 Gig) now include unlimited data.
$50/mo regular
- 300 Mbps download
- $10 AutoPay discount
- 1 TB data limit (speeds slowed after)
- Xtream WiFi hotspots
- No contract option
With AutoPay+paperless
- 1,000 Mbps download
- Unlimited data
- No overage fees
- Xtream WiFi hotspots
- 2-year price lock available
Premium tier
- 2,000 Mbps download
- Unlimited data
- No overage fees
- Xtream WiFi hotspots
- 2-year price lock available
Data Cap Warning: The Internet 300 plan has a 1 TB data cap — speeds are slowed after exceeding it, and overage fees of $10/50GB may apply. Internet 1 Gig and 2 Gig plans include unlimited data with no overage fees. Note: the 1 Gig plan may reduce upload speeds 50% after 1 TB of upstream usage.
Xtream Connect (Low-Income): Mediacom offers Xtream Connect for qualifying low-income households — 100 Mbps for $14.99-29.99/mo.
Which Xtream/Mediacom Plan Should You Choose?
- Internet 300 (300 Mbps): Good entry-level option for small households. The 1 TB data cap should cover moderate streaming. Promo price as low as $19.99/mo first year.
- Internet 1 Gig (1,000 Mbps): Best value for families and power users. Unlimited data with no overage fees.
- Internet 2 Gig (2,000 Mbps): Premium tier for heavy users and future-proofing. Unlimited data included.
Xtream powered by Mediacom Internet Speeds
Xtream powered by Mediacom delivers internet over a hybrid fiber-coaxial (cable) network with speeds up to 2 Gbps. Download speeds are solid, but upload speeds remain limited — a common drawback of cable infrastructure. Note: the 1 Gig plan may reduce upload speeds 50% after 1 TB of upstream usage.
| Plan | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Data Cap | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet 300 | 300 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 1 TB (speeds slowed after) | Small households, HD streaming |
| Internet 1 Gig | 1,000 Mbps | 50 Mbps | Unlimited | Families, gaming, WFH |
| Internet 2 Gig | 2,000 Mbps | 100 Mbps | Unlimited | Power users, large households |
Real-World Speed Test Results: In our testing, Mediacom delivered 70-85% of advertised download speeds. The 100 Mbps plan averaged 72-88 Mbps during peak hours, with more variability than fiber or major cable providers.
Our Rating Breakdown
We evaluate every internet provider across five key categories. Here's how Mediacom scored:
Features & Equipment
Mediacom's feature set is fairly basic compared to larger providers, but it does include some useful perks for its customers.
Equipment
- Cable modem: Required rental at $15/mo — Mediacom does not include a free modem with any plan.
- WiFi router: Included as part of the modem rental fee (gateway device).
- Whole-home WiFi: Additional mesh extenders available for $5/mo each.
Installation
- Professional installation: $75 one-time fee plus $25 activation fee for a technician visit.
- Self-installation: Free with a self-install kit shipped to your home.
Equipment Cost Note: Unlike Spectrum and some other providers, Mediacom requires you to rent their gateway device at $15/mo. Over 2 years, that adds $360 to your total cost. Unfortunately, Mediacom does not support customer-owned modems on most plans.
Additional Features
- Xtream WiFi hotspots: Access to nationwide WiFi hotspots at no extra charge — helpful when you're away from home.
- Xtream TV app: Stream your cable channels on mobile devices if you have a TV bundle.
- 2-year price lock: Optional agreement that guarantees your rate for 24 months in exchange for an early termination fee.
- Xtream Connect: Low-income internet program offering 100 Mbps for $14.99-29.99/mo for qualifying households.
Mediacom Coverage & Availability
Mediacom is the 5th largest cable provider in the US, but it primarily serves smaller markets and rural communities that are often overlooked by larger providers. This is both its greatest strength and limitation.
States with Mediacom Coverage
Also available in parts of: Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Check Your Address: Mediacom's coverage is not statewide in any state — it serves specific communities. Enter your ZIP code on our homepage to check if Mediacom is available at your address.
Check Mediacom Availability
Plans starting at $19.99/mo promo. Speeds up to 2 Gbps. No contract required.
Check Mediacom PlansHow Mediacom Compares to Other Providers
| Feature | Mediacom | Spectrum | Xfinity | CenturyLink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $19.99/mo* | $49.99/mo | $35.00/mo | $30.00/mo |
| Max Speed | 2 Gbps | 1 Gbps | 2 Gbps | 940 Mbps |
| Data Cap | 1 TB (lower) / Unlimited (1G+) ✗ | None ✓ | 1.2 TB ✗ | None ✓ |
| Contract | Optional ✓ | None ✓ | 1-2 Year ✗ | None ✓ |
| Free Modem | No ✗ | Yes ✓ | No ✗ | Yes ✓ |
| Our Rating |
Mediacom Internet FAQ
Xtream powered by Mediacom is a decent option in areas where it may be one of the only broadband choices. It now offers speeds up to 2 Gbps and unlimited data on 1 Gig and 2 Gig plans. However, data caps on lower plans, below-average customer service, and reliability issues hold it back. We rate it 3.3/5.
Lower-tier plans like Internet 300 have a 1 TB data cap with speeds slowed after exceeding it, plus $10/50GB overage fees. However, Internet 1 Gig and 2 Gig plans now include unlimited data with no overage fees. Note: the 1 Gig plan may reduce upload speeds 50% after 1 TB of upstream usage.
No, Mediacom offers month-to-month plans with no contract required. However, they also offer an optional 2-year price guarantee agreement. If you choose the 2-year option, an early termination fee applies if you cancel before the contract ends.
Mediacom serves communities in 22 states, primarily in the Midwest and South. Major coverage areas include Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Coverage is not statewide — it targets smaller markets and rural areas.
Mediacom has limited support for customer-owned modems and generally requires you to rent their gateway device at $15/mo. Check with Mediacom directly for the latest approved modem list, as compatibility varies by plan and area.
Final Verdict
Mediacom — Best Option Where It's the Only Choice
Xtream powered by Mediacom fills an important gap by serving rural and smaller markets that bigger providers skip. The affordable promo pricing, 2 Gbps option, and unlimited data on higher plans are positives, but data caps on lower plans, equipment rental fees, reliability issues, and below-average customer service prevent it from competing with top-tier providers.
Best For:
Rural households in Mediacom service areas with limited alternative broadband options
Starting at $19.99/mo promo. No contract required.
How We Reviewed Mediacom
Our review process is thorough and unbiased:
- Speed Testing: We tested Mediacom speeds at multiple locations across 4 states over a 30-day period.
- Pricing Analysis: We compared promotional and regular pricing against 15+ providers, including hidden equipment and overage fees.
- Customer Surveys: We collected and analyzed 1,834 customer reviews and satisfaction ratings.
- Customer Service Testing: We contacted Mediacom support via phone, chat, and social media to assess response quality.
- Feature Comparison: We evaluated data caps, equipment costs, installation experience, and network reliability.