Best Fiber Internet Providers for December 2024
Fiber tops our list of the best internet connection types, so the best fiber internet providers are the best of the best. Here are CNET's picks.
Our Experts
Our picks
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What is the best fiber internet provider?
CNET recommends AT&T Fiber as the best fiber internet service provider overall thanks to its broad fiber-optic coverage, varied plan selection, competitive pricing, favorable service terms and leading customer satisfaction record,
Other top fiber internet providers with decent availability, high speeds and straightforward pricing include Frontier Fiber, Quantum Fiber, Kinetic by Windstream and Verizon Fios. If the big-name providers aren't available, check to see if a regional fiber provider, such as Brightspeed or Ziply Fiber, the fastest ISP nationwide, might offer internet service in your area.
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Best fiber internet providers
AT&T Fiber
Best fiber internet provider
Our take - AT&T has the greatest availability of any fiber provider, extending service to more than 16 million potential customers across 22 states. The provider also is among the cheapest when considering cost per Mbps and hidden fees (there aren't any).
Frontier Fiber
Best cheap fiber internet plan
Our take - Frontier Communications recently expanded its fiber internet coverage to 19 states and then rolled out a new multi-gig service to the entire footprint simultaneously, becoming the first major ISP to do so on such a wide scale.
Verizon Fios
Best signup bonuses with fiber internet
Our take - Verizon Fios is up there with AT&T Fiber and Frontier Fiber in terms of speed, pricing and service terms, but it lacks the same breadth of coverage. Though available to nearly the same number of potential customers as AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios primarily serves the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.
Quantum Fiber
Best price guarantee among fiber providers
Our take - Quantum Fiber has fewer plan options than many fiber providers with only 500Mbps and 940Mbps plans available in most service areas, though select locations may have the choice of faster speeds, up to 8,000Mbps. Regardless of the available speeds, Quantum Fiber offers a price for life guarantee.
Google Fiber
Best fiber provider for gig internet
Our take - If you're interested in gig or multi-gig speeds, Google Fiber is the provider for you. Plans start at gig speed and only go up from there. With such starting speeds, the starting monthly rate is understandably higher than many internet providers ($70 per month).
Kinetic by Windstream
Best rural fiber internet provider
Our take - One disadvantage of fiber internet is that it's typically available only in select neighborhoods of larger cities. If you're living in the suburbs or a rural area, then your best chance to get fiber internet may be Kinetic by Windstream. Roughly a third of Windstream's network — which spans rural and suburban areas across 18 states — is fiber optic.
Ziply Fiber
Fastest fiber internet provider
Our take - Ziply Fiber rolled out a ridiculously fast 50-gig plan across its entire Northwest footprint in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, making it the fastest internet provider nationwide.
Top fiber internet providers compared
Please note that the plans below show each provider's cheapest available tier. The max speed is the top advertised speed for that given plan, but it might not be available in your area. Overall, the best selection for you -- and the most cost-effective plan -- might be a different tier that provides a faster speed at a higher price but a better value. To more fully understand this value-based approach, check out CNET's guide to examining the cost per Mbps.
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Cost per Mbps | Equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altafiber Fioptics 100 | $35 | 100Mbps | 35 cents | $12 (optional) |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review | $55 | 300Mbps | 18 cents | None |
| AT&T Internet Air Read full review | $60 | 225Mbps | 27 cents | None |
| Brightspeed Fiber 200 | $50 | 200Mbps | 25 cents | $15 (optional) |
| Earthlink Fiber 100 Read full review | $60 | 100Mbps | 60 cents | $10-$15 |
| Frontier Fiber 200 Read full review | $30 | 200Mbps | 15 cents | None |
| GoNetspeed 500 | $40 | 500Mbps | 8 cents | None |
| Google Fiber 1 Gig Read full review | $70 | 1,000Mbps | 7 cents | None |
| Kinetic Fiber 300 | $40 | 300Mbps | 13 cents | $11 (optional) |
| Metronet 100 Read full review | $30 | 100Mbps | 30 cents | None |
| Optimum 300 Read full review | $40 | 300Mbps | 13 cents | None |
| Point Broadband Performance Plus | $60 | 300Mbps | 20 cents | $14 (optional) |
| Quantum Fiber 500 | $50 | 500Mbps | 10 cents | None |
| Verizon Fios 300 Read full review | $50 | 300Mbps | 17 cents | None |
| Ziply Fiber 100/100 | $20 | 100Mbps | 20 cents | $12 (optional) |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Fiber internet honorable mentions
- Brightspeed: A relatively new DSL and fiber internet provider, Brightspeed operates networks in many markets in the eastern half of the US that were previously owned by Lumen Technologies (CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber). Fiber service starts at just $49 per month for speeds up to 200Mbps.
- EarthLink: EarthLink makes use of the fiber networks installed by other providers or municipal fiber-optic networks, which means available speeds and service quality can vary widely from one region to the next. In select areas, EarthLink offers fiber service with speeds of up to 1 gigabit for around $100 per month.
- Optimum: Optimum is primarily a cable internet provider, but it does have a growing fiber network, particularly in the greater NYC area. Approximately 2.8 million households are available for fiber service in the area.
- Xfinity: Comcast Xfinity's fiber service is also somewhat limited in availability and offers a max speed of up to 10,000Mbps.
What is fiber internet?
Fiber-optic internet sends data as light signals via thin glass wires either straight to the home, known as FTTH, or to an access point just outside the home, commonly referred to as fiber to the node or fiber to the curb. The technology allows for higher bandwidth and faster data transmission than any other connection type and has the unique capability of delivering symmetrical or near-symmetrical download and upload speeds.
Fiber internet uses a different type of modem than DSL or the DOCSIS equipment used for cable. In fact, fiber technically doesn't use a modem at all but an optical network terminal that performs the same function. To learn more, read our fiber internet explainer.
Why choose fiber internet?
Your internet speeds, reliability and overall experience don't depend solely on the internet provider you choose. The technology it uses to run service to your home makes a big difference as well. Here's why fiber internet stands out as the leading connection type.
- Speed, upload and download. Fiber internet is the fastest internet connection type with speeds up to 1,000Mbps and higher available from nearly every fiber ISP. The technology also has the added benefit of delivering symmetrical (or close) upload speeds. While upload speeds play less of a role in our daily internet use, fast speeds are nice to have when gaming online, uploading posts to social media or taking a video call.
- Reliability. Many fiber ISPs (AT&T Fiber, Frontier Fiber, Quantum Fiber, Verizon Fios included) claim over 99% reliability. A fiber-to-the-home connection also ensures speed consistency and reliability during peak usage times.
- Value. Fiber internet providers have some of the highest-priced plans, but the slower, cheaper plans are often comparable to service from cable or 5G providers. Considering cost per Mbps and the added advantages of a fiber-optic connection, fiber plans often present the best overall value.
What to consider when shopping for fiber internet
Fiber internet is the best type of service for most homes, but there's more to choosing a provider and plan than the connection type. Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for fiber internet service.
Availability. Fiber internet is not available in nearly as many homes as cable, DSL, satellite or even 5G internet. Only around 40% of US households are wired for fiber-optic internet. In most cities, availability can vary from one neighborhood to the next and is even harder to come by in suburban and rural areas.
Speeds. Fiber internet has the fastest upload and download speed potential of any type of internet. Many of the top providers offer speed tiers up to 2,000Mbps (2Gbps), 5Gbps and higher. While the blazing-fast speeds are tempting, they're likely to be faster than your home needs. Check out our guide to finding the right internet speed for help selecting a fiber plan that best meets your needs.
Price. If you're looking for cheap internet, fiber may not be your best option. It's true that fiber internet plans are often the best value, but you may find cheaper options from cable or 5G providers.
A few fiber providers offer plans with starting prices as low as $30 per month, but you're more likely to pay at least $50 per month for fiber internet. Cable internet providers including Cox, Mediacom, Xfinity and others have lower-priced plans in many areas. If you are a T-Mobile Magenta Max or Verizon wireless customer, you could get 5G home internet for the discounted price of $25 to $35 per month.
Bundles. Few fiber providers offer a TV service, meaning you may not be able to bundle internet and TV together with the same provider if you choose a fiber internet service. In the days of streaming and cord-cutting, that may not be a deal-breaker for you, but it's something to keep in mind if shopping for both services.
How we evaluate fiber internet providers
Testing an internet provider the same way CNET tests other products and services is, at best, impractical. Instead, we rely on extensive research of each provider to develop our reviews and recommendations.
When comparing fiber internet providers, availability, speeds and overall value are at the center of our evaluations. We also examine added fees, data caps, contract requirements, customer satisfaction reports and other factors that could affect your quality of service or customer experience.
We refer to the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov for availability data and the type of network a provider uses. We then research a provider's speeds, pricing and service terms through various channels, such as the provider's website and our historical data. When possible, we contact the provider directly to confirm pricing and speed details.
Finally, to develop a more well-rounded perspective of the provider, we consider customer satisfaction reports from the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, as well as customer reviews and complaints from sources such as the Better Business Bureau, Downdetector.com and even Reddit. (Downdetector is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
Before writing our reviews and compiling best lists, we research anything and everything the typical shopper would want to know prior to signing up for home internet service. Read our piece on how we review internet providers to learn more about our review process.
Best fiber internet providers recap
If fiber internet service is available in your area, it's probably worth getting, especially if any of the providers listed above is an option. AT&T is easiest to recommend thanks to its high availability, low costs and favorable service terms, but Verizon Fios is a close second with low pricing, high customer satisfaction and lots of perks for signing up. Google Fiber, Frontier Fiber, Kinetic, Quantum Fiber and Ziply Fiber round out the list of ideal options while providers like EarthLink, Optimum and others are worth a look too, if available in your area.
Fiber internet FAQs
What is the fastest fiber internet?
Ziply Fiber has the fastest speed tier of any major fiber internet provider with max speeds of 50,000Mbps, or 50Gbps. Many other fiber providers top out at 5Gbps, 2Gbps or 1Gbps.
Is fiber internet worth the money?
Starting prices for fiber internet plans typically range from $30 to $50 a month, with gigabit service ranging from $60 to $80 a month. While there are cheaper plans available with cable or 5G internet service in select areas, fiber service is likely to come with better speed and connection quality for the price.
Is fiber the best internet connection type?
Yes. Fiber-optic internet offers speeds and reliability that other internet connection types simply can't, and you can get it for around the same monthly price as cable internet or DSL service. The one drawback is availability: Fiber-optic service is available to only about 43% of US residents, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
Will 5G replace fiber-optic internet?
Not likely. While the potential of 5G home internet is promising, it doesn't currently offer the speed or reliability that comes with a fiber-optic connection. That said, the wireless delivery method and rapidly expanding availability make 5G home internet a viable alternative to fiber internet in areas where fiber connections are not yet available.
When will fiber be available near me?
If fiber hasn't reached your address yet, I'm sorry to say you'll just have to be patient, as providers are actively expanding their fiber networks across the US. You're more likely to see fiber come to your neighborhood if you live in a city or densely populated area, but providers like Windstream and Quantum Fiber show that fiber access in suburban and rural areas is also obtainable. Check out if fiber internet is available in your area.
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