Updated September 30, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
Astound vs Time dotCom
Astound vs Time dotCom: the differences
| Compare | Time dotCom ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Top download speed (Mbps) | 5,000Higher | 2,000 |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 5,000Higher | 500 |
| Price from | $19.95 | MYR 99 |
| Router | Whole Home WiFi powered by eero included with Gig plans; eero Max 7 with 5 Gig | 2Gbps Wi-Fi 6 router with two Wi-Fi 6 mesh nodes |
| Reference plan prices | 150 Mbps: $19.95/mo, 150 Mbps, no contract; 1 Gig WiFi: $40/mo, 1000 Mbps, no contract; 1.5 Gig WiFi: $60/mo, 1500 Mbps, no contract | Not confirmed |
| Setup fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Mid-contract price rises | Price for Life rate locked while service kept; other promos valid 12 mos then regular rates | Not confirmed |
| Exit fee terms | No cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime | Not confirmed |
| Social tariff | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Address checker | https://www.astound.com/check-for-service/ | Not confirmed |
| FCC broadband label | https://www.astound.com/labels/ | Not confirmed |
| Markets | US | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Astound scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.3.
- Top download speed (Mbps) is higher at Astound: 5,000 vs 2,000.
- Upload speed (Mbps) is higher at Astound: 5,000 vs 500.
- Technology: only Astound offers Cable.
Our verdict on each
Astound
Astound suits US households that want matching download and upload speeds, a low entry price and no contract to be tied into, and the same account can carry mobile lines. Entry pricing starts at $19.95 a month, Gig tiers arrive with Whole Home WiFi included, and the setup fee is $0.
Time dotCom
Time dotCom is a straightforward choice for Malaysian households wanting full fibre and heavy upload without a premium. The plan starts at MYR 99 and reaches 2,000 Mbps download with 500 Mbps upload, though its top speed ranks at 38 of 114.
Score breakdown
| Area | Astound | Time dotCom |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6Entry price of $19.95 a month and a setup fee of $0 put cost near the top of the range. | 9.7HigherEntry price sits at MYR 99, which places the brand at 30 of 95 on price. |
| Offer | 9.3HigherNo cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime, and Whole Home WiFi arrives included with Gig plans. | 8.8Top speed of 2,000 Mbps with 500 Mbps upload, plus a 2Gbps Wi-Fi 6 router with two Wi-Fi 6 mesh nodes supplied with the plan. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.8Operates as TIME dotCom Berhad, headquartered in MY and trading since 1996. |
By the numbers
| Fact | Astound | Time dotCom |
|---|---|---|
| Top download speed (Mbps) | 5,000 | 2,000 |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 5,000 | 500 |
Sources behind this comparison
Astound
- astound.com: 17 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Time dotCom
- en.wikipedia.org: 5 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- lowyat.net: 3 facts, checked September 30, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Astound | Time dotCom |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband providers | 2 of 124 | 39 of 124 |
| Full fibre providers | 2 of 107 | 25 of 107 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Astound | Time dotCom |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Cable, FttpCovers more | Fttp |
| Contract length | 1 | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Radiate HoldCo, LLC d/b/a Astound Broadband | TIME dotCom Berhad |
| Headquarters | United States | Malaysia |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1996 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Mobile plans
| Fact | Astound | Time dotCom |
|---|---|---|
| Seller type | Reseller | Not confirmed |
| SIM-only | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Billing | Rolling | Not confirmed |
| Unlimited plan price | $30 | Not confirmed |
| 5G | Yes | Not confirmed |
| eSIM | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Wi-Fi calling | Yes | Not confirmed |
| EU roaming | Paid | Not confirmed |
| Data rollover | No | Not confirmed |
| Hotspot sharing | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Credit check required | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Multi-line discount | Yes | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Astound | Time dotCom | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top download speed (Mbps) | 5,000highest quarter | 2,000above the median | 1,000 |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 5,000highest quarter | 500below the median | 900 |
| Setup fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
Median across 116 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Astound
Pros
- Download of 5,000 Mbps matches upload of 5,000 Mbps, so sending a large file is as quick as downloading one.
- The setup fee is $0, and it ranks 1 of 86 on that measure, ahead of every other brand compared.
- Service runs on cable and fttp, so one provider can cover a cable street or a fibre to the home street.
Cons
- EU roaming is paid, so European travel is billed separately.
- Data rollover is no, so unused mobile allowance does not carry into the next cycle.
- A credit check is required on the mobile side, which adds a step before a line is active.
Time dotCom
Pros
- Full fibre throughout, with a top download speed of 2,000 Mbps and upload of 500 Mbps
- Entry price of MYR 99 ranks at 30 of 95 compared on price
- Upload speed ranks at 34 of 46, which is strong for a fibre plan
Cons
- Top speed of 2,000 Mbps places the brand at 38 of 114, well behind faster fibre plans
- The same record shows the download ranking trails the price ranking, so entry price is stronger than headline speed
- A single technology, fttp, means no cable, fixed wireless or satellite option for homes that cannot get fibre
Who each suits
Astound
Who it suits
- Households in US whose street already has cable or fibre to the home and who want equal download and upload speeds.
- Families adding mobile lines to the same account, where a multi line discount and rolling billing apply.
- Renters and short-stay households, since No cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want a fibre to the home provider and nothing else, because cable and fttp includes cable while Abissnet and Kinetic list fibre to the home alone.
- Homes a wired network does not reach, where EarthLink adds fttp, 5G and satellite options.
- Travellers who expect European roaming to come included, since EU roaming is paid.
Time dotCom
Who it suits
- Households in Malaysia that can receive full fibre and want upload headroom for large file transfers
- Shared homes and small offices that want mesh nodes included rather than added as extras
- Buyers who weigh entry price first and speed second
Who should look elsewhere
- Homes outside Malaysia, since the brand is headquartered in Malaysia and its plans are priced there
- People wanting the highest headline download speed, where Abissnet is listed at 10,000 Mbps
- Homes that need cable, 5G or satellite as a fallback, where EarthLink runs fttp, 5G and satellite
Country by country
| Country | Astound | Time dotCom |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Astound
How much does Astound broadband cost a month?+
Plans start at $19.95 a month on the entry tier. The listed lineup then steps up through Gig and multi-Gig WiFi plans, and every plan shown is on no-contract terms, so the monthly figure is the whole commitment. Whole Home WiFi is included with Gig plans rather than sold as an extra.
Is there a setup or installation fee with Astound broadband?+
Setup costs $0 to add, and in this comparison the brand ranks 1 of 86 for setup fee, ahead of every other brand measured on that point. Equipment also counts: Whole Home WiFi is supplied with Gig plans, with the top tier hardware paired to the quickest speeds.
Time dotCom
How much does TIME internet cost to get started?+
Plans start at MYR 99. That entry figure puts the brand at 30 of 95 on the site, so it sits in the more affordable part of the market rather than the premium end. Ask for the full plan list at signup, since the headline figure is the cheapest tier.
How fast is the connection, and what about uploads?+
The top of the range reaches 2,000 Mbps download with 500 Mbps upload. Upload is the stronger side of that pair, placing the brand at 34 of 46 on a measure few providers are ranked for. Slower tiers on the same network will sit well below these numbers.
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