Best Internet Providers in New Orleans, Lousiana - CNET
The last time I was in New Orleans, I wasn’t thinking about internet service providers. I was too busy eating beignets, riding street cars and ogling Anne Rice’s epic Garden District house. But now I’m immersed in New Orleans ISPs as I seek out the best broadband providers for Big Easy residents. The scene is dominated by cable provider Cox and DSL/fiber provider AT&T. There are a few alternatives, including 5G home internet from Verizon and T-Mobile, but it’s mostly a two-horse race.
AT&T Fiber is CNET’s pick for the best overall internet provider in New Orleans due to straightforward pricing, fast speeds and equally fast uploads. However, it’s not available to every address in the metro area, which is where Cox comes in with its wide coverage. CNET examines customer service, speed, pricing and overall value before recommending the best broadband in your area.
Your ISP choices will vary depending on location, but Cox and AT&T Fiber can deliver gigabit speeds. All prices listed on this page reflect available discounts for setting up paperless billing. If you decide not to go with automatic monthly payments, your price will be higher. Cue up some Louis Armstrong, and let’s look at the best internet providers in New Orleans.
Best internet providers in The Big Easy
I’m fully on the fiber train for home internet, so AT&T Fiber is at the top of my recommended list for New Orleans. If you can’t get fiber at your house, look to Cox’s cable service or 5G home internet from T-Mobile or Verizon.
Note: The prices, speeds and features detailed in the article text may differ from those listed in the product detail cards, which represent providers’ national offerings. Your particular internet service options — including prices and speeds — depend on your address and may differ from those detailed here.
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AT&T Fiber
Best internet provider in New Orleans
Product details
My top recommendation for home internet in New Orleans AT&T Fiber for its straightforward plans and pricing and for fast, asymmetrical speeds. It’s the widest-reaching fiber provider in the city, though it’s not available everywhere.
Availability: AT&T’s fiber network is spread out in a patchwork pattern across the metro area. You’ll find it scattered around the Broadmoor and Mid-City neighborhoods as well as in parts of Metairie, Harahan, Lakeview and Gentilly. There’s less coverage on the eastern edge of the metro area. Ultimately, you’ll need to run your address to check for availability.
Plans and pricing: AT&T Fiber’s starter plan nets you 300Mbps down and up for $55 per month. That’s a pretty good deal for fiber. Need more? The 1-gig plan runs $80 per month, offering good value for the money. On the high end, the 5-gig plan is going for $250, a premium price for a premium service.
Fees and service details: AT&T Fiber is notable for the simple terms of its plans. There are no contracts, data caps or equipment fees. Keep an eye out for reward card offers for ordering online.
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Cox Communications
Best high-speed internet in New Orleans
Product details
You can’t talk about New Orleans internet without talking about Cox. Wide availability is what earns the cable ISP a nod here. Cox primarily operates a cable/fiber hybrid network that’s capable of gig speeds, but doesn’t provide the equally fast upload speeds of a full fiber connection. Cox has a very limited fiber-to-the-premises footprint in New Orleans.
Availability: Cox has the broadest coverage for a wired ISP across New Orleans. If you live in the city, chances are Cox has you covered. Some tiny areas, notably in Elmwood and south of the French Quarter, can get Cox Fiber (fiber-to-the-premises). However, it’s extremely elusive compared to Cox’s standard service, so we’ll focus on the company’s cable offerings.
Plans and pricing: Cox’s plans kick off at $50 per month for 100Mbps downloads.
Cox has been rolling out 2-gig service to some customers for $150 per month, but you’ll likely find your top speed in New Orleans maxes out at the 1-gig level for $110 per month.
Fees and service details: Power users should note Cox’s 1.25TB data cap on most plans. The ISP has been offering a no-contract promotional deal on some plans that includes a combined modem/router. Otherwise, you can rent gear for $14 per month or provide your own.