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Best Internet Providers in Raleigh, North Carolina – CNET

Posted on July 6, 2023

Best Internet Providers in Raleigh, North Carolina - CNET

AT&T Fiber – Best overall among internet providers in Raleigh
  • Prices from $55 – $180 per month
  • Speeds from 300 – 5,000Mbps
  • Unlimited data
Or call to order: (877) 553-7931
Spectrum – Best availability among internet providers in Raleigh
  • Prices from $50 – $90 per month
  • Speeds from 300 – 940Mbps
  • Unlimited data
Or call to order: (855) 386-4118
Verizon 5G Home Internet – Best fixed wireless among internet providers in Raleigh
  • Prices from $50 – $70 per month
  • Speeds from 85 – 1,000Mbps
  • Unlimited data
Or call to order: (877) 980-9461

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Raleigh, North Carolina, is known for its gorgeous oak trees, giving it its “City of Oaks” nickname, but it also wants to be known as the “Smithsonian of the South” for its art, history and science museums. It’s an anchor of the Research Triangle and a haven for foodies. Add fast fiber internet to the list of perks available to Raleigh residents. No wonder the city often ranks high on “best places to live” lists.

Another list Raleigh is in the habit of ruling is Ookla’s Speedtest.net ranking of internet speeds for the 100 most populated cities in the US. Raleigh currently resides in first place, beating out Irvine, California, Jersey City, New Jersey and San Antonio. Ookla gives a shout-out to Google Fiber as the fastest ISP in the city, but we’re giving AT&T Fiber the nod as the best provider because of its wide coverage area. Fiber isn’t the only option, though. Here’s our guide to the best internet providers in Raleigh.

Best internet providers in the City of Oaks

Raleigh’s reputation for high-speed internet rests on the services of AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber. They have Raleigh and the surrounding communities well covered between the two of them. Spectrum blankets the region with cable internet, overlapping with the fiber providers and filling in areas where fiber doesn’t reach.

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AT&T Fiber

Best overall among internet providers in Raleigh

Or call to order: (877) 553-7931
Product details

Price range $55 – $180 per month Speed range 300 – 5,000Mbps Connection Fiber Highlights Unlimited data, no contracts, equipment included

If there’s room in your budget for fiber internet, go for it. AT&T Fiber delivers speeds up to an impressive 5,000Mbps in parts of Raleigh. While Google Fiber also has a notable presence in the city, AT&T Fiber covers more ground and has a faster top speed, earning it our nod for best ISP.

Availability: There are a few dry spots in the heart of Raleigh, in parts of the Warehouse District and some scattered patches around the city, but AT&T is your best bet for widely available fiber. Some residences will have the option to go with either AT&T or Google. In that case, consider your speed needs and compare prices. 

Plans and pricing: AT&T Fiber’s fastest speed tier of 5,000Mbps for $180 a month will satisfy even the most demanding internet users. If that price tag is too spendy, look to the 300Mbps plan for $55 or one of the intermediate-gig plans like 1,000Mbps for $80 or 2,000Mbps for $110.

Fees and service details: AT&T Fiber often dangles reward cards to sweeten the deal, which already comes with unlimited data. There are no contracts and equipment is included. AT&T also promises no price increase after the first year so that you won’t get an unwelcome jump in your bill down the line.

Read our AT&T Fiber 300 overview.

Or call to order: (877) 553-7931

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Spectrum

Best availability among internet providers in Raleigh

Or call to order: (855) 386-4118
Product details

Price range $50 – $90 per month Speed range 300 – 940Mbps Connection Cable Highlights Unlimited data, simple pricing, no contracts, modem included, free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots

While AT&T and Google reach much of Raleigh with fiber, it’s not everywhere. If you’re in a forgotten pocket, look to Spectrum for cable internet with near-gig speeds. Spectrum offers some affordable plans, but watch for rate increases after one or two years. 

Availability: It’s tough to find a spot in Raleigh that Spectrum’s cable network does not cover. While cable hasn’t kept up with fiber’s speeds, it still takes the crown when it comes to availability. 

Plans and pricing: Hot tip: Call Spectrum to get the skinny on all the plans available for your address. The website may nudge you toward only its most popular options. For Raleigh, that means $40 a month for 500Mbps or $60 a month for up to 940Mbps. Those prices jump to $100 or $120, respectively, after the first two years. Spectrum typically offers slower plans, such as a 300Mbps level and a 30Mbps Internet Assist plan for $20 a month for qualified low-income households. 

Fees and service details: Spectrum’s array of plans requires some scrutiny, but it has no contracts or data caps. A modem is included, and you can rent a router for $5 a month. Watch for special deals, like $50 off your bill, if you order online.

Read our Spectrum Internet review.

Or call to order: (855) 386-4118

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Verizon 5G Home Internet

Best fixed wireless among internet providers in Raleigh

Or call to order: (877) 980-9461
Product details

Price range $50 – $70 per month (50% off for eligible 5G mobile customers) Speed range 85 – 1,000Mbps Connection Fixed wireless Highlights Unlimited data, no contracts, free equipment, 50% discount for qualifying Verizon mobile customers

Verizon and T-Mobile are making a strong argument for fixed wireless internet as an affordable alternative to getting online. The speeds won’t knock your socks off, but bundling your internet with an eligible phone plan makes it easy on your pocketbook. While Verizon offers top speeds of 1,000Mbps in some parts of the country, you can expect to get 85 to 300Mbps in Raleigh.

Availability: As befits a key part of the Research Triangle, Raleigh is well covered by Verizon’s fanciest and fastest 5G Ultra Wideband network. Verizon’s coverage map shows the area blanketed in dark red, with only a few small spots of lighter colors indicating regular 5G or slower 4G LTE networks. Here’s what you need to know about 5G home internet.

Plans and pricing: Verizon offers two pricing tiers. The 5G Home tier runs $50 per month (with autopay) and comes with a two-year price guarantee. The 5G Home Plus plan is $70 (with autopay) and includes a three-year price guarantee and access to Verizon’s cloud storage service. Bundle with an eligible phone plan and take 50% off your monthly home internet bill. 

Fees and service details: No contracts. No data caps. Equipment is included. It’s no sweat to give the service a shot if it’s available at your address and you’re looking for a budget option or an alternative to cable or DSL. Look for special gift card offers when you sign up online.

Verizon 5G Home Internet.

Or call to order: (877) 980-9461

Internet providers in Raleigh overview

Provider Internet technology Monthly price range Speed range Monthly equipment costs Data cap Contract CNET review score
AT&T Fiber Fiber $55-$180 300-5,000Mbps None None None 7.4
AT&T Internet DSL $55 768Kbps-100Mbps None 1.5TB (no data cap for 100Mbps plan) None 7.4
Frontier DSL/fiber $50-$155 10-5,000Mbps None None None 6.3
Google Fiber Fiber $70-$100 1,000-2,000Mbps None None None 7.5
Spectrum Cable $40-$120 300-940Mbps Free modem; $5 router (skippable) None None 7.2
T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed wireless $50 72-245Mbps None None None 7.4
Verizon 5G Home Internet Fixed wireless $50-$70 85-1,000Mbps None None None 7.2
Show more (3 items)

All available Raleigh residential internet providers

Fiber is fantastic and Spectrum is everywhere, but there are a few other ISPs to consider when you’re shopping in Raleigh. T-Mobile, in particular, is worthy of consideration as a no-fuss option with simple pricing and a tempting bundle discount.

  • AT&T Internet: Remember those AT&T Fiber dry spots I mentioned earlier? Those areas may be serviced by AT&T’s outdated DSL network instead. Speeds can vary greatly. You may only get 10Mbps in some areas of Raleigh for the standard price of $55 a month. So basically, this is me saying, please look for a better option. Only go with AT&T DSL if you don’t have faster fiber, cable or fixed wireless available to you.
  • Frontier Internet: Frontier’s DSL network sneaks into Raleigh from the northwest so that you will find it as an option up around Brier Creek and Bethesda and around the Durham area. Speeds, however, can be variable. You may only be able to pull down speeds of 12Mbps, or you may be able to get 25Mbps. The price is $50 a month. Residents of Durham can look for Frontier’s faster fiber offerings, which are much preferable to DSL. Raleigh folks, however, will want to skip the Frontier DSL and opt for Google or AT&T fiber, if available, or Spectrum’s speedier cable plans.
  • Google Fiber: AT&T Fiber’s toughest competitor is Google Fiber, which doesn’t quite match AT&T’s top speed or availability across town. However, it’s worthy of strong consideration if it services your address. While Google Fiber has speeds of up to 5,000Mbps in some areas of the US, you’ll be looking at speeds up to 2,000Mbps in Raleigh. That will cost you $100 a month, or you can get 1,000Mbps service for $70 a month. There are no contracts or data caps, and equipment is included, making it one of the best deals for fast, reliable internet. 
  • T-Mobile Home Internet: Availability of either T-Mobile or Verizon home internet services is a roll of the dice that depends on your address and whether any slots are available. Verizon made our best list thanks to its speeds, but check into T-Mobile if you’re interested in trying fixed wireless internet and Verizon isn’t available. T-Mobile costs $50 a month for typical speeds up to 245Mbps. Equipment is included and there are no data caps. It’s a particularly good deal for T-Mobile phone customers. Bundle an eligible phone plan and get your internet for just $30 a month.
  • Satellite internet:  Starlink, Viasat and HughesNet are competitors in the satellite internet market. They likely won’t be your first choice for getting online unless you’re in a rural area with few options. However, digital nomads with a home base in Raleigh might consider Starlink’s on-the-go plan for staying connected while traveling.
Raleigh city skyline at dusk.

Walter Bibikow/Getty Images

Raleigh internet details at a glance

Raleigh residents are in the enviable position of having two major fiber providers competing for their dollars. It’s hard to go wrong with either AT&T Fiber or Google Fiber, but pricing is a factor that can influence which ISP you go with. It may push you to explore options from Spectrum, Verizon or T-Mobile.

Broadband availability

N/Apeople have access to broadband internet of any type
No provider data available

Source: FCC

Most available internet technology

    Source: FCC

    Pricing details on Raleigh home internet service

    The average starting price for home internet in Raleigh is around $50 a month. It will cost you a little more to get started with fiber. AT&T’s 300Mbps runs $55 a month while Google’s lowest-cost plan is $70 for 1,000Mbps. Look to Spectrum, Verizon and T-Mobile if you’re searching for budget options. 

    Cheap internet options in the Raleigh metro area

    One of the cheapest ways to get online is to bundle Verizon or T-Mobile home internet with an eligible phone plan. That knocks your home internet price down to as low as $25 for Verizon and $30 for T-Mobile. If you’re shopping for Google Fiber, keep an eye out for the ISP’s Neighborhood 100 Meg plan, which is available in some areas. It’s for households with an annual income under $40,000, and it only costs $20 a month. You’ll be asked to confirm your income when you sign up. 

    Low-income households have some good options for getting connected. Your first stop should be checking your federal Affordable Connectivity Program eligibility. Qualified households can get at least $30 off their monthly internet bills. The program can help you get free or cheap internet, and most ISPs participate. For example, Spectrum’s Internet Assist plan for Affordable Connectivity Program participants will get you 30Mbps for $20 a month. 

    What’s the cheapest internet plan in Raleigh?

    Provider Starting price Max download speed Monthly equipment fee Contract
    Spectrum Internet Assist $20 (must meet eligibility requirements) 30Mbps Free modem; $5 router None
    Verizon 5G Home Internet $50 ($25 with eligible mobile plan) 300Mbps None None
    T-Mobile Home Internet $50 ($30 with eligible mobile plan)  245Mbps None None
    Frontier Internet $50 Varies None None
    AT&T Fiber 300 $55 300Mbps None None
    Google Fiber  $70 1,000Mbps None None
    Show more (2 items)

    Here are the internet speeds you can find in Raleigh

    Wanna go fast? AT&T Fiber’s got your back with a 5,000Mbps plan that’s available in Raleigh. That’s in stark contrast to the other end of the speed spectrum. Pokey DSL service in some locations may only reach 10Mbps. But chances are good your Raleigh address qualifies for fiber, or at least Spectrum’s cable offerings that reach up to 940Mbps. 

    Download speeds

    Raleigh – 176 Mbps

    NC – 145 Mbps

    US – 133 Mbps

    Upload speeds

    Raleigh – 95 Mbps

    NC – 51 Mbps

    US – 46 Mbps

    Fastest internet providers in Raleigh

    AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber duke it out for the fastest ISP in Raleigh, but AT&T has an edge with the wide availability of its 5,000Mbps plan. Google Fiber is catching up in some markets but hasn’t yet hit that speed in Raleigh. AT&T’s offering comes with a hefty price tag of $180 a month, which may encourage you to consider a different option, like AT&T’s 2,000Mbps plan for $110 or Google Fiber’s rival 2,000Mbps plan that trims that to $100 monthly. Check out our guide to the best multi-gigabit internet plans.

    What are the fastest internet plans in Raleigh?

    Provider Max download speed Max upload speed Starting price Data cap Contract
    AT&T Fiber 5000 5,000Mbps 5,000Mbps $180 None None
    AT&T Fiber 2000 2,000Mbps 2,000Mbps $110 None None
    Google Fiber 2,000Mbps 2,000Mbps $100 None None
    Google Fiber 1,000Mbps 1,000Mbps $70 None None
    AT&T Fiber 1000 1,000Mbps 1,000Mbps $80 None None
    Spectrum Internet Gig 940 Mbps 35Mbps $90 None None
    Show more (2 items)

    What’s the final word on internet providers in Raleigh?

    In case it’s not obvious already, I’m a fan of fiber. It’s fast. It’s reliable. Upload speeds are just as fast as download speeds. Your decision on whether to go with AT&T Fiber or Google Fiber may be made for you if just one of those ISPs services your address. If both do, consider the price (Google’s plans are a little cheaper) and speed (AT&T tops out at a faster 5,000Mbps). If it comes down to it, Spectrum almost certainly services your Raleigh home, but future price hikes aren’t appealing. I’ve also tested out and been happy with fixed wireless, so don’t sleep on Verizon or T-Mobile as an affordable alternative.

    Locating local internet providers

    Locating local internet providers

    Internet providers in Raleigh FAQs

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    Is fiber internet available in Raleigh?

    Raleigh is fortunate to have two major fiber providers at work in the city. AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber offer simple, no-strings-attached plans and speeds to keep everyone from gamers to remote workers happy.

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    Which internet provider in Raleigh offers the fastest plan?

    AT&T Fiber is the king of the hill for residential internet speeds in Raleigh, with its 5,000Mbps plan for $180 a month. Whether you need all that speed is a question only you can answer. Households with multiple heavy internet users, remote workers that need to upload massive files and serious gamers may be able to justify the expense.

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    Is AT&T Fiber or Google Fiber better in Raleigh?

    Choosing between AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber is a bit of a toss-up. They both earned similar CNET review scores, with AT&T coming in at 7.4 and Google Fiber at 7.5. There are no contracts, equipment fees, or data caps with either one. AT&T offers a more affordable fiber entry point with its 300Mbps plan for $55 a month. That’s a good deal for budget buyers, but Google’s faster plans cost slightly less than the AT&T equivalents. One big point to note is that AT&T hits 5,000Mbps in Raleigh, so power users may be tempted to try that out over Google Fiber. 

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