Consumer Advocacy Editor

Chili Palmer

Chili Palmer covers home tech services, with a special focus on understanding what families need and how they can stay connected on a budget. She handles internet access and affordability, breaking news, mobile services, and consumer trends. Chili’s work as a writer, reporter, and editor has appeared in publications including Telecompetitor, Utah Business, Idaho Business Review, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, and Switchful.com.

Is Astound Down?

by Chili Palmer | Aug 11, 2026 | Brand Guides, Equipment Guides, Internet Outage

Check if you’re in an Astound outage with a live speed test, then fix it fast.

man in front of computer monitor looking frustrated

Is Frontier Internet Down?

by Chili Palmer | Aug 11, 2026 | Brand Guides, Equipment Guides, Internet Outage

Check if you’re in a Frontier Fiber outage with a live speed test, then fix it fast.

birds eye view perspective of a woman sitting in a chair using a laptop while on the phone and using credit card

Best Cheap Internet Plans of 2026

by Chili Palmer | Aug 11, 2026 | Brand Guides, Featured

See plans for as low as $25 per month and get tips for choosing an affordable, reliable plan.

AT&T vs. Optimum: Which Internet Provider Is Best for You?

by Chili Palmer | Aug 10, 2026 | Provider Comparisons (Versus)

Both have insanely fast fiber, but AT&T wins with great ratings and straight pricing.

woman with gray hair using laptop on staircase outdoors with tree branch in the front of screen

You May Not Be Stuck With the Cable Monopoly

by Chili Palmer | Aug 10, 2026 | Internet Buying Guides

Learn why new 5G, fiber, and satellite internet services may mean you aren’t stuck with cable.

Optimum vs. Verizon: Which Internet Provider Is Best for You?

by Chili Palmer and Kevin Parrish | Aug 10, 2026 | Provider Comparisons (Versus)

While Optimum has slightly cheaper plans and better satisfaction from its customers, it ultimately falls short of delivering the same quality and coverage that Verizon Fios plans can. If you’re trying to shave a few bucks a month off your bills, you can pick up Optimum and at worst cancel easily if you don’t like what you get, but we think Verizon Fios is the provider you’ll want to be with for the long haul.