How to Cancel Your Frontier Internet Service: Step-by-Step
Have you grown dissatisfied with the frontier internet speeds in your area? Or maybe you found a great deal with another internet service provider and want to make the switch? If you’ve decided it’s time to cancel your frontier service, this straightforward guide will walk you through everything you need to know – no headaches required!
Canceling your frontier service is a quick process when you follow these steps: call their customer service line, clearly request cancellation, return any rented equipment within 30 days, then pay final bill including $9.99 cancellation fee.
Below we’ll cover all the details around canceling frontier, from reasons why you may want to switch providers, fees to expect, contract considerations, equipment return, and more. Let’s get into it!
When Should You Consider Canceling Your Frontier Internet Service?
There’s typically no long term contract or commitment required for frontier internet service. So what would prompt you to pick up the phone and cancel? Here are some of the most common scenarios:
You’re Moving to An Area Not Served by Frontier
Frontier offers internet service to over 25 states, but they certainly don’t have nationwide coverage. If you’re relocating, even just across town, first check to see if frontier internet is available at your new address.
You can verify availability by entering your address here. If frontier can’t provide service where you’re moving, you’ll need to cancel your frontier plan and sign up with a new provider available in that area.
You’re Unhappy With Slow Internet Speeds from Frontier
A common pain point with frontier internet is slower than advertised speeds, especially if you live in a more rural location. The company utilizes older DSL networks in many regions, which simply can’t achieve the same level of performance as cable or fiber optics.
If you pay for blazing fast 500 Mbps service but consistently test below 100 Mbps, it may be grounds for switching providers. Just be sure the new ISP utilizes modern infrastructure that can actually deliver better speeds to your address.
You Found a Better Internet Deal Elsewhere
Perhaps you scored a great promotional offer from a competitor like Verizon Fios, Spectrum, or your local provider. If the cost savings or inclusions are significantly better, cancelling frontier for cheaper or faster internet is a no-brainer!
Be sure to factor in potential contract requirements and any activation/equipment fees from the new provider. And check what happens once promotional pricing expires – sometimes your bill shoots up after the first 12 months.
Can You Cancel Frontier Internet Service Online?
Unlike signing up for new service, frontier unfortunately does not allow customers to cancel frontier or downgrade plans through their website or mobile app.
The only supported way to cancel frontier internet is by phone. This gives their customer retention team an opportunity to make offers that convince you to stay. But more on that later!
Before you call, take a few minutes to gather important details about your frontier account:
- Account Number – Printed on all paper statements and available in your online account dashboard
- Home Phone Number – The contact number associated with your frontier plan
- Service Address – The physical location where your internet service is active
Having this information on hand helps verify your identity and speeds up the cancellation process once connected with a frontier representative.
Next let’s walk through exactly what to expect when calling to cancel your frontier internet.
Step-by-Step Guide to Canceling Frontier Service Over the Phone
Ready to pull the plug on frontier for good? Here is the play-by-play for successfully terminating your account:
Step 1: Call Frontier Customer Service at 855-981-4544
This phone number connects you directly to the company’s customer solutions team.
Let them know right away that you’re calling to cancel your frontier service. That immediately escalates your call to the retention department rather than general billing/account support.
Step 2: Clearly Specify You Want to Cancel Frontier
Once connected, the frontier agent will start by asking some variation of:
“I see you’re calling to cancel today. May I ask what prompted you to consider leaving frontier?”
This is your cue to firmly state the reason – for example, that you’re moving or signed up for faster internet with another provider.
Providing a brief explanation often moves the process along faster. But don’t feel pressured to justify your decision if you’d rather not get into specifics.
Step 3: Answer Any Questions to Verify Account Ownership
For identity confirmation, you may need to share:
- The last 4 digits of the account holder’s Social Security Number
- Recent service or billing addresses
- Additional contact numbers/email on file
Have this handy just in case.
Step 4: Confirm Cancellation Date and Fees
The agent will formally submit your frontier cancellation request and confirm your:
- Exact service cancellation date
- Applicable cancellation fee(s) or remaining bill total
- Date any prepaid service extends through (if cancelling mid-billing cycle)
Important: Get the representative’s name and a ticket confirmation number documenting your call. This is your proof if any issues arise later on.
What Fees or Charges Apply When Canceling Frontier?
Canceling your ISP typically involves early termination fees if under contract or at least a standard account closure fee. What can you expect from Frontier?
$9.99 Frontier Cancellation Fee
For most customers, frontier tacks on a $9.99 cancellation charge to your final bill. This usually appears as a line item called “residential broadband processing fee”.
As long as you fully pay off your remaining service balance, that $9.99 fee is the only standard charge frontier imposes when closing an account.
Early Termination Fees if Under Contract
Do still have an active 1-2 year service agreement with frontier? Then canceling before your contract end date means you’ll owe an early termination fee, usually between $200-$400.
Thankfully early commitments are rare these days. But double check your account documents or call support to see if any termination charges apply in your situation.
No Fee If Canceling Within 30 Days
On the bright side, frontier does NOT charge a cancellation or termination fee if you decide to cancel your frontier service during the first 30 days.
Their “Worry-Free Guarantee” allows new customers to back out within the first month with no penalties or fees.
So if you are still within that 1 month trial period, canceling frontier is quick and free!
How Do You Return Frontier Equipment After Cancelling Service?
Did you rent any modems, routers, or other hardware from frontier? You typically need to return internet devices when closing an account to avoid additional fees.
Frontier does NOT handle returns in person. There’s no dropping equipment off at a local store after cancellation.
Frontier Ships You Pre-paid UPS Return Labels
The company instead sends UPS return shipping labels with your final bill or shortly after cancelling service.
You then just box up frontier devices and drop off at any UPS location or schedule a free at-home pickup. This helps document returned items and when frontier received them.
Equipment MUST Be Returned Within 30 Days!
Important: Any frontier rented equipment must be shipped back through UPS within 30 days of your cancellation date.
Missing this return deadline results in various equipment replacement fees around $100-$200 per unreturned item.
So don’t delay once those UPS labels arrive! Print them out, pack up all frontier hardware, and get it shipped back on time. Their 1 month equipment policy is quite firm.
What If I’m Just Moving – Can I Transfer My Frontier Service?
Switching frontier service addresses is certainly better than outright canceling your account if that works for your situation.
Thankfully transferring existing frontier internet is straightforward for qualifying customers that are moving within the provider’s regional service footprints.
Check If Frontier Services Your New Address
Your first step is to verify frontier availability at your new home or apartment.
As long as they can deliver service to the new location, you can seamlessly move your frontier plan without the hassle of starting completely over.
No Need to Change Account Number When Moving Service
If frontier supports your new address, call their customer service team at 855-981-4544 and explain you just need to transfer your frontier internet.
Unlike signing up brand new, you get to keep the same account number and login credentials. Frontier also usually waives any activation or install fees when switching a current customer’s service location.
Transferring service this way avoids new deposits, contracts, or temporary service interruptions. It’s really the same plan just with updated location details.
Can I Temporarily Pause My Frontier Internet Service?
If completely canceling seems too drastic but you need to press pause on frontier for a bit, another option is temporarily suspending your account.
Just bear in mind only certain customers actually qualify for frontier’s service suspension program. Usually if you have at least 12 consecutive on-time payments.
Frontier Pause Options: 1-9 Months
Eligible subscribers can request to suspend their frontier bill and services for any period from 1-9 months. During that time you pay reduced fees around $2-$10 monthly rather than your normal cost.
Pausing service makes sense if you’ll be out of town for an extended time. Snowbird customers especially take advantage of seasonal suspension policies with ISPs rather than canceling outright each year.
Call to Check If You Can Pause Frontier Services
Unfortunately frontier does not publish clear eligibility details for pausing service online.
You need to call their support line for a representative to review your account tenure/standing and confirm if temporary suspension is allowed in your case.
If you do qualify to halt services, be explicit in stating how many months you intend to pause service for when scheduling the requested date ranges.
What About Contract Buyouts From Your New Provider?
We touched on expensive early termination fees if you cancel frontier while still under an active service contract.
Thankfully many competing ISPs now offer contract buyout offers – where they’ll reimburse you for those lingering ETFs, typically up to $500.
Research Buyout Deals and Switch Providers in One Swoop
For example, say you found an incredible 2-year price guarantee from Verizon Fios. But canceling frontier internet means you’d owe $500 in early termination charges still.
Verizon Fios would then credit your first 1-2 billing statements $300 to offset those frontier fees. Enabling you to make the switch quickly and without extra penalties.
Just be sure to confirm the precise buyout terms whenever considering such promotions. And try to avoid getting locked into yet another lengthy contract if possible!
Key Takeaways – Canceling Frontier Internet Service
Canceling your home internet service can feel intimidating. Hopefully outlining what to expect from Frontier specifically gives you confidence to switch providers hassle-free.
Here are the key steps to remember when canceling your Frontier internet service:
- Call 855-981-4544 to request cancellation over phone
- Specify cancellation reason and date when prompted
- Receive confirmation number documenting your call
- Pay final bill including $9.99 account closure fee
- Return any rented equipment through UPS within 30 days
- Check for contract buyout deals from your new internet provider
We also covered related aspects like transferring your frontier service when moving versus fully canceling and restarting. As well as exploring options to temporarily suspend frontier service if that meets your needs.
Ready to upgrade to faster, more reliable internet? Be sure to explore all providers available at your address and see how their speeds and prices compare. Moving on from lackluster frontier internet opens the door to plans truly meeting your household’s connectivity needs.
