Our picks
Why we selected these suppliers
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Greatest fiber web supplier total
Greatest low cost fiber web plan
Greatest perks with fiber web
Greatest worth assure amongst fiber suppliers
Greatest fiber supplier for gig and multi-gig web
Greatest fiber supplier for T-Cell prospects
Greatest rural fiber web supplier
Quickest fiber web supplier
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Offers are chosen by the CNET Group commerce crew, and could also be unrelated to this text.
What’s the finest fiber web supplier?
Amongst all of the internet connection types we have examined — we have tried all of them — fiber web all the time comes out on prime. In accordance with a brand new CNET survey, 42% of US adults experienced inconsistent internet speeds and connectivity; fiber web handles such eventualities with ease.
And with regards to which is the easiest, CNET’s decide for the very best fiber web service supplier within the nation is AT&T Fiber. That is because of its consistency, high customer satisfaction ratings and quick symmetrical speeds. AT&T Fiber is a crowd-pleaser and consistently gets top marks in customer satisfaction surveys, possible because of its number of plans, aggressive pricing and customer-friendly service phrases. There’s lots to love — however provided that you will get it at your deal with.
By way of availability, excessive speeds and simple pricing, I would not go on Frontier Fiber, Quantum Fiber, Kinetic by Windstream or Verizon Fios, both. But when these suppliers aren’t out there at your deal with, regional suppliers deserve some love, too. Suppliers like Brightspeed, Metronet or Ziply Fiber — the quickest ISP nationwide — might supply quick internet service in your area.
It is vital to notice that fiber internet is not essentially the most broadly out there internet connection type. In accordance with the newest Federal Communications Fee knowledge, approximately 52% of the US population has access to a fiber connection. Nonetheless, CNET considers fiber the gold commonplace of dwelling web connections and a certain method to future-proof your private home. Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at what the highest fiber ISPs within the nation have to supply.
Greatest fiber web suppliers
300 – 5,000 Mbps
$55 – $250 monthly
Our take – AT&T has the best availability of any fiber supplier, extending service to greater than 16 million potential prospects throughout 22 states. In comparison with different big-name suppliers, AT&T is among the many least expensive when contemplating value per Mbps and there are not any hidden charges. Nonetheless, if all you will get is AT&T’s fastened wi-fi plans, you are higher off wanting into Frontier Fiber and Verizon Fios.
300 – 5,000 Mbps
$55 – $250 monthly
500 – 5,000 Mbps
$50 – $155 monthly
Our take – Frontier Communications not too long ago expanded its fiber web protection to 19 states after which rolled out a brand new multi-gig service to all the footprint concurrently, turning into the primary main ISP to take action on such a large scale.
500 – 5,000 Mbps
$50 – $155 monthly
300 – 2,000 Mbps
$50 – $120 monthly
Our take – Verizon Fios is up there with AT&T Fiber and Frontier Fiber by way of pace, pricing and repair phrases. The most cost effective tier, which begins at simply $50 a month, comes with obtain and add speeds of as much as 300Mbps. The subsequent pace degree — 500Mbps for $75 month-to-month — additionally carries respectable worth, however the gigabit service at $90 is priced the identical or a contact greater than you may discover with different fiber suppliers.
300 – 2,000 Mbps
$50 – $120 monthly
200 – 8,000 Mbps
$45 – $165 monthly
Our take – In case you thought Verizon Fios’s worth lock assure was nice, Quantum Fiber presents a price-for-life assure for all plans. You may select from two primary plans: 500Mbps for $50 month-to-month or 940Mbps for $70 month-to-month. Choose places might have the selection of sooner speeds, together with the three,000Mbps and eight,000Mbps tiers.
200 – 8,000 Mbps
$45 – $165 monthly
1,000 – 8,000 Mbps
$70 – $150 monthly
Our take – In case you’re eyeing gig or multi-gig speeds, GFiber is the supplier for you. Plans begin at gig pace and solely go up from there. With these beginning speeds, the beginning month-to-month fee of $70 is understandably greater than many web suppliers.
1,000 – 8,000 Mbps
$70 – $150 monthly
500 – 2,000 Mbps
$65 – $95 monthly
Our take – T-Cell has been dominating the 5G dwelling web marketplace for the previous few years. Now it’s providing fiber web in additional than 175 cities after its April 2025 acquisition of Lumos Fiber. Relating to pricing, T-Cell Fiber is nearly in step with different fiber suppliers on our listing: $65 a month for 500Mbps, $75 a month for 1-gig and $95 a month for the 2-gig plan.
500 – 2,000 Mbps
$65 – $95 monthly
100 – 1,000 Mbps
$40 – $70 monthly
Our take – Choose neighborhoods in bigger cities usually have fiber web. However in case you’re residing within the suburbs or a rural space, your finest probability to get fiber web is from Kinetic by Windstream. Roughly a 3rd of Windstream’s community — which spans rural and suburban areas throughout 18 states in over 350 communities — is fiber optic.
100 – 1,000 Mbps
$40 – $70 monthly
100 – 50,000 Mbps
$20 – $900 monthly
Our take – Ziply Fiber rolled out a ridiculously quick 50-gig plan throughout its complete Northwest footprint in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, making it the quickest web supplier nationwide.
100 – 50,000 Mbps
$20 – $900 monthly
Prime fiber web suppliers in contrast
Please be aware that the plans under present every supplier’s least expensive out there tier. The max pace is the highest marketed pace for that given plan, however it won’t be out there in your space. Total, the very best choice for you — and essentially the most cost-effective plan — is likely to be a distinct tier that gives a sooner pace at the next worth however a greater worth. To extra absolutely perceive this value-based method, take a look at CNET’s information to examining the cost per Mbps.
| Plan | Beginning worth | Max obtain pace | Value per Mbps | Tools charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altafiber Fioptics 400 | $40 | 400Mbps | 10 cents | $15 (optionally available) |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review |
$55 | 300Mbps | 18 cents | None |
| Brightspeed Fiber 200 | $29 | 200Mbps | 14 cents | None |
| Earthlink Fiber 100 Read full review |
$40 | 100Mbps | 40 cents | None |
| Frontier Fiber 500 Read full review |
$30 | 500Mbps | 6 cents | None |
| GoNetspeed 300 | $60 | 300Mbps | 20 cents | $10 (optionally available) |
| GFiber Core 1 Gig | $70 | 1,000Mbps | 7 cents | None |
| Kinetic Fiber 100 | $25 | 100Mbps | 25 cents | None |
| Metronet 100 Read full review |
$30 | 100Mbps | 30 cents | None |
| Optimum 300 Read full review |
$40 | 300Mbps | 13 cents | None |
| Level Broadband Efficiency Plus | $59 | 300Mbps | 19 cents | None |
| Quantum Fiber 500 | $50 | 500Mbps | 10 cents | None |
| T-Cell Fiber Read full review |
$65 | 500Mbps | 13 cents | None |
| Verizon Fios 300 Read full review |
$50 | 300Mbps | 17 cents | None |
| Ziply Fiber 100/100 | $20 | 100Mbps | 20 cents | $15 (optionally available) |
Present extra (11 objects)
Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier knowledge.
Fiber web honorable mentions
- Brightspeed: A comparatively new DSL and fiber web supplier, Brightspeed operates networks in lots of markets within the jap half of the US that had been beforehand owned by Lumen Applied sciences (CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber). Fiber service begins at simply $30 monthly for speeds as much as 200Mbps. Your gear can be free with the fiber plans.
- Metronet: As one of many largest independently owned fiber web firms, Metronet has a smaller footprint than different fiber suppliers. But it surely nonetheless presents quick speeds for respectable costs. Primarily based in Evansville, Indiana, Metronet is obtainable primarily to cities within the Midwest. Service begins at $30 month-to-month for 100Mbps. Choose areas can see speeds as quick as 2,000 or 5,000Mbps for $80 and $110 monthly, respectively. Final yr, T-Mobile announced plans to purchase Metronet; the FCC has but to approve the sale.
- Optimum: Optimum is primarily a cable web supplier, however it has a rising fiber community, significantly within the Higher NYC area. Roughly 2.8 million households can be found for fiber service there. Optimum presents six plans for homes eligible for fiber, 300-,500-,1-gig, 2-gig, 5-gig, and 8-gig plans, which vary in value from $40 to $280 a month. It is vital to notice that solely choose households might have entry to the multi-gig plans.
What’s fiber web?
Fiber-optic web sends knowledge as gentle indicators through skinny glass wires both straight to the house, referred to as FTTH, or to an entry level simply outdoors the house, generally known as fiber to the node or fiber to the curb. The know-how permits for greater bandwidth and sooner knowledge transmission than every other connection kind and has the distinctive functionality of delivering symmetrical or near-symmetrical obtain and add speeds.
Fiber web makes use of a distinct kind of modem than DSL or the DOCSIS gear used for cable. In reality, fiber technically does not use a modem in any respect however an optical network terminal that performs the identical perform. To study extra, read our fiber internet explainer.
Why select fiber web?
Your web speeds, reliability and total expertise do not rely solely in your web supplier. The know-how your ISP makes use of to run service to your private home makes a giant distinction in what speeds you get. Here is why fiber web stands out because the main connection kind:
- Pace, add and obtain. Fiber web is the quickest web connection kind with speeds as much as 1,000Mbps and better out there from almost each fiber ISP. The know-how additionally has the additional advantage of delivering symmetrical (or almost symmetrical) add speeds. Upload speeds are more important than you think, so quick speeds are good to have when gaming on-line, importing posts to social media, or taking a video name.
- Reliability. Many fiber ISPs (AT&T Fiber, Frontier Fiber, Quantum Fiber, Verizon Fios included) declare over 99% reliability. A fiber-to-the-home connection additionally ensures pace consistency and reliability throughout peak utilization instances.
- Worth. Fiber web suppliers have among the highest-priced plans, however the slower, cheaper plans are sometimes corresponding to service from cable or 5G suppliers. Contemplating cost per Mbps and the added benefits of a fiber-optic connection, fiber plans usually current the very best total worth.
How one can store for fiber web like a professional
Fiber web is the very best kind of service for many houses, however there’s extra to selecting a supplier and plan than the connection kind. Listed below are some suggestions to bear in mind when purchasing for fiber web service.
Availability. Fiber web will not be out there in almost as many houses as cable, DSL, satellite and even 5G internet. Solely round 48% of US households are wired for fiber-optic web. In most cities, availability can differ from one neighborhood to the subsequent and is even more durable to come back by in suburban and rural areas.
Speeds. Fiber web has the quickest add and obtain pace potential of any kind of web. Lots of the prime suppliers supply pace tiers as much as 2,000Mbps (2Gbps), 5Gbps and better. Whereas the blazing-fast speeds are tempting, they’re prone to be sooner than your private home wants. Take a look at our guide to finding the right internet speed for assist deciding on a fiber plan that finest meets your wants.
Value. In case you’re on the lookout for low cost web, fiber might not be your only option. It is true that fiber web plans are sometimes the very best worth, however you might discover cheaper choices from cable or 5G suppliers.
A couple of fiber suppliers supply plans with beginning costs as little as $30 monthly, however you are extra prone to pay a minimum of $50 monthly for fiber web. Cable web suppliers together with Cox, Mediacom, Xfinity and others have lower-priced plans in lots of areas. If you’re a T-Cell Magenta Max or Verizon wi-fi buyer, you can get 5G dwelling web for the discounted worth of $25 to $35 monthly.
Bundles. Should you bundle your internet service? Few fiber suppliers supply a TV service, which means you might not have the ability to bundle internet and TV along with the identical supplier in case you select a fiber web service. Within the days of streaming and cord-cutting, that might not be a deal-breaker for you, however it’s one thing to bear in mind in case you’re purchasing for each providers.
How we consider fiber web suppliers
Testing an web supplier the identical approach CNET exams different services and products is, at finest, impractical. As a substitute, we depend on in depth analysis of every supplier to develop our critiques and proposals.
When evaluating fiber web suppliers, availability, speeds and total worth are on the middle of our evaluations. We additionally study added charges, knowledge caps, contract necessities, buyer satisfaction experiences and different components that would have an effect on your high quality of service or buyer expertise.
We discuss with the Federal Communications Fee at FCC.gov for availability knowledge and the kind of community a supplier makes use of. We then analysis a supplier’s speeds, pricing and repair phrases by varied channels, such because the supplier’s web site and our historic knowledge. When attainable, we contact the supplier straight to substantiate pricing and pace particulars.
Lastly, to develop a extra well-rounded perspective of the supplier, we think about buyer satisfaction experiences from the American Buyer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Energy, in addition to buyer critiques and complaints from sources such because the Higher Enterprise Bureau, Downdetector.com and even Reddit. (Downdetector is owned by the identical mum or dad firm as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
Earlier than writing our critiques and compiling finest lists, we analysis something and every part the standard shopper would wish to know previous to signing up for dwelling web service. Learn our piece on how we review internet providers to study extra about our assessment course of.
Greatest fiber web suppliers recap
If fiber web service is obtainable in your space, it is most likely value getting, particularly if any of the suppliers listed above is an possibility. AT&T is best to suggest because of its excessive availability, low prices and favorable service phrases, however Verizon Fios is a detailed second with low pricing, excessive buyer satisfaction and many perks for signing up. GFiber, Frontier Fiber, Kinetic, Quantum Fiber and Ziply Fiber spherical out the listing of preferrred choices, whereas suppliers like Metronet, Optimum and others are value a glance, too, if out there in your space.
Ziply Fiber has the quickest pace tier of any main fiber web supplier, with max speeds of 50,000Mbps, or 50Gbps. Many different fiber suppliers prime out at 5Gbps, 2Gbps or 1Gbps.
Fiber web will not be low cost. The sooner the speeds, the extra expensive your month-to-month invoice will possible be. Beginning plans with fiber web usually vary from $30 to $50 a month, with gigabit service starting from $60 to $90 a month. Whereas there are cheaper plans out there with cable or 5G web service in choose areas, fiber service is prone to include higher pace and connection high quality for the worth.
Unlikely. Whereas the potential of 5G home internet is promising, it does not presently supply the pace or reliability that comes with a fiber-optic connection. That stated, the wi-fi supply methodology is quickly increasing in availability and becoming a popular option among home internet users. Mobile web and 5G are a viable various in areas the place fiber connections aren’t but out there.
If fiber hasn’t reached your deal with but, I am sorry to say you may simply must be affected person, as suppliers are actively increasing their fiber networks throughout the US. You are extra prone to see fiber come to your neighborhood in case you reside in a metropolis or densely populated space, however suppliers like Windstream and Quantum Fiber present that fiber entry in suburban and rural areas can be obtainable. Check out if fiber internet is available in your area.
Relating to web speeds, fiber web has each different kind of connection beat. Nonetheless, there’s a draw back to fiber connections: They pose a logistical problem to implement. This implies availability is a common issue.
Not like fastened wi-fi and satellite tv for pc web connections, fiber traces run on to your private home, in order that they aren’t usually susceptible to adverse weather. It means you’ll be able to anticipate your community to maintain chugging alongside at its most capability except there’s extreme injury to the community infrastructure or an influence outage in your neighborhood.
