Breezeline Internet Review: Plans, Pricing, Speed and Availability

Breezeline internet review

If you’re unfamiliar with the name “Breezeline,” perhaps “Atlantic Broadband” rings a bell. Parent company Cogeco has overseen operations of the cable and fiber networks since 2012, but the brand change from Atlantic Broadband to Breezeline came around a decade later in 2022.

Name aside, the mostly cable, partly fiber internet service provider serves parts of 12 states from Ohio to the East Coast. The ISP stands out for low introductory pricing and a decent plan selection, although I’ll say there’s room for faster speed tiers on the fiber side of the service.

As a Breezeline customer, data caps and contracts won’t hold you back, nor will equipment fees, at least for the first year. After that, a higher-than-most rental fee may apply. Later, in month 25 of service, you’ll see a steeper rate increase that more than doubles the monthly price.

What else is there to know about Breezeline before signing up? You’ll find details on plans and pricing, service terms, availability and more below.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Breezeline’s introductory rates are as low as you’ll find from any ISP. Actually, they are lower than most, with service starting at $20 a month and gig speeds available for only $50 monthly. The low pricing doesn’t last forever, as monthly rates more than double after the second year of service.

Pricing is lower than many cable and fiber ISPs, at least for the first two years, Breezeline speeds are on par with or slower than most. Breezeline’s lowest speed tier, 100Mbps, offers less speed than entry-level plans from many other providers, and the slow upload speeds mean it technically doesn’t qualify as “broadband.” 

Breezeline does offer a gigabit speed tier, but many cable providers — including Astound, Cox, Xfinity and WOW — include an above-gig plan in select areas. As for Breezeline’s fiber service, I would like to see a multi-gigabit plan or two. Nearly all major fiber ISPs offer 2 and 5Gbps plans or higher.

Breezeline equipment fees, data caps and contracts

Regardless of the available connection type or plan you choose, equipment rental is included at no extra cost for the first year. After the first year, renting your router will add $18 to your monthly bill. Additional Wi-Fi pods, if needed for whole-home coverage, are available for an additional $5.

The rental fee is higher than most ISPs, but Breezeline’s cable customers can use their own compatible equipment and skip the fee. Are you on Breezeline’s fiber network? Sorry, but equipment rental, including the eventual fee, is required.

Other than the equipment fee, you won’t have to worry about much else adding to your bill. Breezeline offers unlimited data with all plans and there are no contracts.

Breezeline internet availability

Breezeline is the eighth largest cable internet provider nationwide, with coverage in 12 states. Availability is largely limited to the East Coast between Maryland and New Hampshire, but parts of South Carolina and Ohio are also serviceable for Breezeline. 

Notable Breezeline service areas include towns along the Chesapeake Bay and:

Breezeline primarily employs a cable or cable/fiber hybrid network to deliver service. Fiber-to-home connections are available in select areas, but availability is much more limited.

How does Breezeline compare?

If Breezeline is available in your area, it’s possible that other internet providers are also an option at your address. Here’s a look at how Breezeline compares to other ISPs and connection types.

Breezeline versus other cable and fiber providers

Compared to other cable and fiber ISPs, Breezeline generally has cheaper pricing, at least until the standard pricing goes into effect after two years. The price hike, which more than doubles the introductory rate, is steeper than most ISPs, bringing Breezeline’s pricing more in line with competing providers.

Breezeline’s speeds and plan selection is comparable to other cable providers, but slower than you’ll find from most fiber ISPs.

Breezeline versus 5G home internet

Speeds can vary with wireless internet providers such as T-Mobile Home Internet, Verizon 5G Home Internet and AT&T Air, so the comparisons to Breezeline will depend on the available speeds in your area. T-Mobile Home Internet and AT&T Air advertise max speeds below 300Mbps, so if you’re looking for faster speeds, Breezeline is the better choice, while Verizon 5G Home Internet delivers up to 1,000Mbps in select areas.

Breezeline could be the cheaper option until the equipment fees and standard pricing begin. The previously mentioned 5G home internet providers have no equipment rental fees or set price increases, which could make them the cheaper long-term internet option. 

Breezeline versus DSL or satellite

A cable or fiber connection like you get with Breezeline will outperform and out-value a DSL or satellite connection all day, every day. Starlink has indicated it could offer speeds up to 2Gbps at some point. For now, Breezeline is the obvious choice over DSL or satellite internet.

Breezeline customer satisfaction

One common source we use at CNET to evaluate customer satisfaction, American Customer Satisfaction Index, does not specifically list Breezeline. J.D. Power did include Breezeline in its 2024 report, and the results were not good.

Breezeline had the worst score in the East region (the only region Breezeline offers service) with a score of 431 out of 1,000. That’s nearly 100 points below the region average (528), and it’s a full 40 points below the next-lowest ISP, Optimum — an internet provider we have frequently called out for having low customer satisfaction.

The low score is certainly cause for concern. User-generated content, from Reddit, the Better Business Bureau and Downdetector, indicates that service outages are a potential issue to be aware of with Breezeline, and may be partly to blame for the low customer satisfaction. (Downdetector is owned by the same company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

On the brighter side, Breezeline has maintained an A-plus rating with the BBB, an accolade some ISPs cannot claim. Additionally, Breezeline’s BBB customer review score is 1.08 out of 5. That’s admittedly and awfully low, but it’s actually in line with, or higher than, other major ISPs. Frontier, for example, has a 1.05 review score and A rating while Xfinity came in at 1.07. Spectrum fared marginally better at 1.09 but has an A-minus rating.

Breezeline review recap

Breezeline’s low pricing, decent speed selection and simple service terms make Breezeline worth considering for home internet, with a few caveats. The monthly rate is set to double in price after two years, equipment rental will cost you $18 a month after the first year (optional for cable service, mandatory with fiber) and users have reported reliability issues.

Breezeline FAQs