The benefits of fiber optics are numerous, especially for commercial and residential consumers. Connectivity provided via fiber-optic links, is more stable and robust. Fiber optics improve internet speeds on both ends of the spectrum, making it easier and faster to download and upload huge files.
The quality of fiber internet is strongly influenced by the construction procedure that permits it to reach you, which is entirely determined by the provider. It’s more common for modern service providers to use fiber networks than older ones.
What matters is the overall network architecture and the data transfer mechanisms, not just the components that plug into your home. From AT&T to Ziply Internet plans, you can enjoy amazing fiber-optic speeds at amazing rates.
If you’re in the market for a better fiber internet service in the U.S. in 2023, we’ve assembled the top five providers to get you started.
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AT&T
More than 16 million potential consumers in 21 states have access to AT&T’s service, making it the most widely available fiber provider. When considering the provider’s new multi-gig packages, it has some of the most competitive pricing on fiber internet access.
AT&T’s Internet 5000 plan is hard to pass up at 4 cents-per-Mbps for speeds up to 5,000 megabits per second, but not every home needs that much bandwidth. The service costs $180 per month. All of their services, from their entry-level 300 Mbps package all the way up to our multi-gigabit service, have unlimited data and no minimum contract duration.
AT&T has received good customer satisfaction scores in recent years due to its fast speeds, comparatively affordable prices, and customer-friendly service terms.
Verizon Fios
Verizon Fios is almost as fast, cheaper, and better in terms of service as AT&T, but it doesn’t have nearly as much coverage. Verizon Fios, unlike AT&T Fiber, focuses on the mid-Atlantic and Northeast rather than the rest of the country.
If you’re lucky enough to reside in a Verizon Fios coverage region, you probably won’t find a cheaper alternative to their fiber internet service.
The basic Fios internet service costs just $49.99 per month and offers download and upload speeds of up to 300 Mbps simultaneously. The next speed tier, up to 500 Mbps, is $69.99 per month, which is also a good deal, but the gigabit service, at $89.99 per month, is priced about the same as other fiber providers.
Any Fios package you choose will come with freebies like streaming services and equipment.
Xfinity
Comcast Xfinity comes in at number three on our list of the best fiber internet providers due to its inexpensive price plans and great customer satisfaction. The cheapest plan is priced at $20, while the most expensive one is astronomically priced at $80.
There are bundle options available, including TV, phone, and home security services. Starting at 50 Mbps, download speeds can reach 3,000 Mbps.
There is no phone assistance, but there is a live chatbot and expert staff that may even set up your system for free, depending on your plan. The fact that Comcast Xfinity is accessible in so many areas is an added bonus.
Ziply Internet
If only for the enticingly low starting rate, Ziply Internet, specifically Ziply Fiber should be on your shortlist. If you go with a more affordable package, you should expect speeds of 50 or 200 Mbps.
Not bad, but slower than the speeds offered by several other fiber providers’ basic and middle-tier packages. If you need more bandwidth, you’ll have to upgrade to the more expensive but still reasonably priced Fiber Gig plan.
With the release of its 5 Gig plan, Ziply Fiber has effectively become the fastest major ISP in its Northwest Territory of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
The need for faster internet connections has increased as the use of the internet for streaming media, online gaming, and distance education has become increasingly widespread. Even so, 10 Gbps is far more than the typical home needs. Ziply Fiber provides additional speed tiers, for those that need them, ranging from 50 Mbps all the way up to 5,000 Mbps.
CenturyLink
As was previously said, the availability of fiber internet varies greatly by region; occasionally, you have to make do with what you can get. The fiber internet connection offered by CenturyLink, is available in places across the United States, from Orlando, Florida, to Spokane, Washington, filling gaps left by other providers.
CenturyLink provides three different fiber internet plans, the most affordable of which is the 940 Mbps plan for $70 per month. That’s a fantastic price when compared to the $100 monthly cost of gigabit plans from some other providers.
If CenturyLink is your sole option for fiber-optic internet, you shouldn’t feel too awful about it. It didn’t win first place here, but it still provides the lightning-fast downloads and rock-solid uptime that fiber internet is known for.
All in All
Increased internet bandwidth is a necessity for modern houses. The COVID-19 pandemic hastened the trend to remote work, and surveys suggest that people are streaming more video than ever before rather than watching traditional television.
High bandwidth and low latency are essential for gaming. Traditional means, such as cable, are either at their limits or close to reaching their limits when it comes to serving ultra-high internet speeds.
This is why many ISPs are switching to fiber to increase download speeds for their customers. For a long time, fiber-optic connections were reserved for a privileged few.
After reading this, you should have a better idea of which of the five best fiber internet providers of 2023 is available in your location and can fulfill your needs.