In a Nutshell
pros
- Covers 90% of rural communities
- 14-day money-back guarantee
- No contracts—sign up and cancel any time
cons
- Only 1 plan to choose from
- Exact service map not available
Zoom Broadband at a Glance
Best for (families, students, businesses, etc.): Rural users
Starting Price: $139 per month
Connection Type (Cable, DSL, etc): LTE
Download Speeds: 8 Mbps
Coverage (# of states available): Georgia, Kansas, Texas, Tennessee
Money-Back Guarantee?: 14-day
What Services and Features Does Zoom Broadband Offer
Zoom Broadband offers high-speed LTE internet to rural communities in Georgia, Kansas, Texas, and Tennessee. LTE is a wireless technology, meaning your connection through Zoom Broadband is delivered through cellphone towers, in exactly the same way as the internet connection on most smartphones.
While slower than a wired connection, LTE has the advantage of being available anywhere cell towers are present. For Zoom Broadband, this translates to roughly 90% coverage of the states in which it operates. It is a good solution for rural users who don’t have access to a wired connection.
Prices, Plans, and Value for Money
Zoom has only 1 plan available, at $139.99 per month plus taxes. This includes 400 GB data per month and download speeds (up to) 8 Mbps (although streaming data, like videos and music, may be throttled during hours of peak activity).
There is also a one-time $149.00 + tax fee for the modem.
Late payments (5 days or more) are charged at $25. If your service is disconnected, a $50 reconnection fee may apply.
Zoom doesn’t offer refunds, but if you cancel your subscription, you may still use the service until the end of the payment period in question.
Ease of Use, Hardware, and Setup
Upon subscription and payment of the one-time fee, a modem will be delivered to your house. Most LTE routers are easy to set up and come pre-configured for WiFi. Generally, you’ll be provided with a username and password as well as a SIM card, which may already be in the device. Simply follow the written instructions from Zoom Broadband to get set up. You may also call for assistance.
Zoom Broadband Security
Zoom Broadband doesn’t provide any information about its security features on its website, so you’ll have to ask the service rep you’ll speak to when signing up for the company\s service.
Zoom Broadband Performance
Zoom offers internet speeds up to 8Mbps. This is significantly slower than most wired high-speed internet but is still sufficient for surfing the internet, checking and sending email, and even streaming music and movies (although Zoom recommends reducing streaming quality to ensure best performance).
Speeds will vary based on your distance to the nearest tower and its congestion (how many people are connected at one time). Streaming data, like Netflix or Hulu, may be deprioritized (i.e., throttled or otherwise slowed down) during periods of peak activity.
Zoom can’t guarantee usability to an exact location or address, so you’ll want to take advantage of the free 14-day trial to test out the connection. The company claims 90% serviceability, which means that most rural areas receive good connectivity.
Connections are limited to 400GB per month. That works out to about 700 hours of streaming video at Standard Definition—so plenty for most people. You should have no trouble surfing the internet, watching movies, sending emails with attachments, and more. However, it is not suitable for downloading or sharing very large files or gaming online.
Zoom Broadband Customer Service
Zoom’s website has a very small FAQ section that speaks to the service. For more information and help, you can also contact customer service during business hours at 903 702 5858.
FAQ
Is Zoom available in my area?
Zoom offers services in Georgia, Kansas, Texas, Tennessee and covers approximately 90% of rural areas; to check if it works in your area, contact sales or simply order and return within 14 days for a full refund.
Are there any contracts?
No, Zoom is offered free of contracts. You may cancel your service at any time.
Is 400 GB enough bandwidth?
For most users, yes, it is sufficient for one month. You can stream video and music, send and receive email with attachments, shop and bank online, and more. It is not suitable for gaming or downloading large files.
Bottom Line
Zoom Broadband offers high-speed LTE internet to rural regions in Georgia, Kansas, Texas, and Tennessee. The service costs $139/mo plus taxes and is available with no contract—cancel any time. There’s also a 14-day money-back guarantee. At 8 Mbps, it is about on-par with other LTE providers and speeds are sufficient for most everyday internet use, including streaming music and video.