Big news for residents of The Fields—Xfinity is being introduced as a new internet and television provider in our community. For many, this marks the first time in years that there’s a real alternative to AT&T U-Verse, which has long been the default (and only) option for internet and TV services.
Installation work is already underway, and while some details are still being confirmed, it’s believed that Xfinity is building out fiber or hybrid infrastructure throughout the neighborhood. That development brings both opportunity and concerns—especially around service quality, long-term pricing, and how the rollout is being handled.
What We Had: AT&T U-Verse (Now AT&T Fiber)
AT&T’s service has been a staple in The Fields. While the branding has shifted from U-Verse to AT&T Fiber and DirectTV Stream, many residents report solid performance, especially:
- Fast, symmetrical upload and download speeds
- Low latency, essential for remote work and cloud-based tools
- Strong reliability on the fiber line for most users
“U-Verse is gone—it’s just AT&T Fiber with DirectTV Stream now, and it’s been great.”
The New Option: Xfinity
Xfinity’s offerings appear to include high-speed internet, bundled streaming and TV services, and new mesh WiFi systems. Residents have reported seeing promotional bundles that include Netflix, Apple TV, and DVR for competitive prices—at least initially.
Potential Benefits:
- Speeds up to 2 Gbps depending on plan and equipment
- TV and streaming bundles with well-known platforms
- Storm-ready WiFi systems
- Competitive introductory pricing, especially for bundled packages
- Increased competition, which may help keep pricing from both providers in check
Resident Reactions: Strong Opinions, Mixed Experiences
A recent Facebook thread sparked a flood of comments from residents, sharing personal experiences, technical insights, and frustrations. Here’s a breakdown of the key themes:
🔹 Concerns Shared by Residents
- Past experience with Comcast/Xfinity was overwhelmingly negative, including frequent outages, poor customer service, and failing hardware.
- Long-term pricing was a major worry, with some sharing real bills: $160/month for basic services in year one, jumping to $240/year two.
- Service limitations, like streaming restrictions when away from home, were cited as frustrating.
- Concerns about property damage, especially to grass and existing fiber lines during installation, were raised repeatedly.
- Lack of clarity on costs—some questioned who was paying for the infrastructure and what deals were made behind the scenes.
“Forget about watching live sports outside your home with Xfinity—it’s just not going to happen.”
“Who’s fixing all the grass they’re killing?”
“The internet bill keeps going up, so competition is welcome—but not if this costs us more in other ways.”
“Who’s paying for Comcast digging and installing wires in the community?”
🔹 Supportive Feedback and Balanced Views
- Several residents pointed out that Xfinity’s newer home service is not the same as the Comcast business accounts many are familiar with.
- Some noted that streaming and speed are fine for casual users, especially those who don’t need high upload performance.
- There was agreement that introducing competition is healthy, even if many residents plan to stick with AT&T.
“Not to bring them in just because of speeds is dumb. The real win is having a second option.”
“Xfinity worked great for me—I stream 4K Dolby Atmos movies with no issues.”
“I wouldn’t switch—but if it keeps AT&T’s prices stable, it’s worth it.”
A Few Additional Considerations
- AT&T’s fiber upload speeds remain superior and were not a concern among most residents.
- Apple and cloud services often limit upload speeds on their end, so faster internet doesn’t always mean faster transfers.
- Some felt the issue wasn’t the provider—but home equipment like routers and cabling, which can bottleneck performance.
“The problem is not your internet provider. It’s the hardware—get a better system.”
So… Who’s Paying for All This?
One question that remains unanswered is whether Comcast/Xfinity is covering the cost of construction in The Fields or if any portion is being passed to the HOA or homeowners indirectly.
In most cases, providers cover installation in exchange for access to large customer bases, but without transparency on agreements, many residents are left wondering.
Final Thoughts
The arrival of Xfinity in The Fields brings more than just another ISP—it brings new decisions, increased scrutiny, and heightened expectations.
While AT&T Fiber remains a reliable option for many, Xfinity’s entry introduces market pressure that could benefit everyone—if handled transparently and fairly.
What You Can Do
- Compare service plans and read the fine print
- Check with neighbors who’ve switched
- Clarify whether your connection will be coax or fiber
- Document any property damage during installation and report it
- Ask the HOA or board for transparency on any agreements with Comcast/Xfinity
We’ll continue monitoring this topic as installation progresses. If you have insight, experience, or billing info you’d like to share anonymously, reach out. The more we know, the better choices we can make as a community.
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