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What is the best internet provider in Columbus?
AT&T offers fast fiber subscriptions at a reasonable price, which makes AT&T Fiber the best internet provider in Columbus. AT&T Fiber offers the fastest speeds across the board: 5 gigabit for $245 and 2 gigabit for $145 per month. It may not be available at all addresses in the Columbus area. Spectrum, T-Mobile, and Verizon are also solid choices for home broadband, depending on which ISP is available where you are.
T-Mobile and Verizon are also solid choices for home broadband, depending on which ISP is available in your location and your budget. For the lowest rates, check out Breezeline Base, which costs $20 per month for a 100 megabits per second connection. T-Mobile and Verizon also offer some of the cheapest plans in Columbus, as both carriers offer discounts to qualifying mobile customers.
Best Internet in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus internet providers compared
| Supplier | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data limit | Contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber Read the full review | Fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5,000 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| AT&T Internet Aviation Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $55 | 40-140 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| Breeze line | Cable/Fiber Optic | $20-$60 | 100-1,000 Mbps | Free for 2 years, then $15 (optional) | No | No | n/a |
| Clear speed | DSL/Fiber optic | $50-$59 | 20-940 Mbps | $15 | 1TB | No | n/a |
| Spectrum Read the full review | Cable | $25-$60 | 50-1,000 Mbps | Free modem; $7 router (optional) | No | No | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50-$70 ($40-$50 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) | 72-245 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 50-1,000 Mbps (varies by location) | No | No | No | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
Other available internet providers in Columbus
- Breeze line: Breezeline’s cable internet is available in approximately 70% of Columbus and plans range from $20 per month for 100 Mbps to $50 per month for 1,000 Mbps.
- Clear speed: Brightspeed acquired CenturyLink’s network in Columbus. Its DSL and fiber service is available in about half of the Columbus area. Speeds start at 100 Mbps for $50 per month and go up to 940 Mbps for $59.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon offers 5G internet service throughout central Columbus. Plans start at $60 per month for 50 to 300 Mbps and go up to $80 per month for 300 to 1,000 Mbps. Additionally, Verizon mobile customers can pay as little as $35 per month for internet with autopay and select mobile plans.
Cheap Internet Options in Columbus
The cheapest plan you’re likely to find in Columbus is Breezeline’s Base plan for $20 per month. This isn’t available in all areas of the city. Another good deal is Verizon 5G Home Internet for $50 per month. Why? Qualifying Verizon mobile customers can get a $15 per month discount, bringing the monthly total down to just $35.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Columbus?
| Supplier | Starting price | Maximum download speeds | Monthly equipment costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breezeline base | $20 | 100 Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Spectrum Internet Read the full review | $25 | 50 Mbps | $7 (optional) |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | $60 ($35 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 300 Mbps | No |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read the full review | $55 | 300 Mbps | No |
| AT&T Internet Aviation Read the full review | $55 | 40 Mbps | No |
| Brightspeed Internet | $50 | 100 Mbps | No |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($40 for eligible mobile customers) | 245 Mbps | No |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Columbus
The best internet deals and top promotions in Columbus depend on what discounts are available at any given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly check for the latest offers.
Columbus ISPs, such as Spectrum and T-Mobile, may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including AT&T, Breezeline, and Verizon, maintain the same standard prices year-round.
For a more comprehensive overview of all promotions, check out our guide to the best online deals.
How fast is the broadband internet in Columbus?
Speeds range from a very modest 3Mbps to 5,000Mbps in Columbus, though not everyone will have access to these numbers. Many plans sit in the 100-300Mbps range, with faster speeds available as well.
AT&T offers the fastest internet plans in Columbus. The company offers fiber options with multi-gigabit plans including 2,000 Mbps and 5,000 Mbps.
Fastest internet plans in Columbus
| Supplier | Starting price | Maximum download speeds | Maximum upload speeds | Data limit | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber 5000 Read the full review | $245 | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 2000 Read the full review | $145 | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 1000 Read the full review | $80 | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Breezeline GigaFast | $60 | 1,000 Mbps | 50 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read the full review | $80 | 1,000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review | $80 ($45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 1,000 Mbps | 75 Mbps | No | Fixed wireless connection |
| Brightspeed Fiber | €59 | 940 Mbps | 940 Mbps | No | Fiber |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet plans can handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that’s good for video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s a look at the recommended minimum download speeds for different applications, according to the Federal Communications CommissionPlease note that these are guidelines only and that Internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, check out our guide to how much internet speed you really need.
- With 0 to 5 Mbps you can perform basic tasks: surfing the web, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality videos.
- 5 to 40 Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should provide sufficient bandwidth for teleworking, video streaming, and online gaming.
- With 100 to 500 Mbps, one or two users can simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- With 500 to 1,000 Mbps, three or more users can participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How CNET Chose the Best Internet Providers in Columbus
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router, or kitchen utensil, it’s impractical to personally test every Internet service provider in a given city. So how do we do it? To start, we use a proprietary price, availability, and speed database based on our own historical ISP data, partner data, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
And it doesn’t stop there: We go to the FCC website to check our data and make sure we account for every ISP that offers service in an area. We also enter local addresses into carrier websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power to evaluate how satisfied customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and pricing are subject to frequent change; all information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask ourselves three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get value for their money?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answers to these questions are often multi-layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” to all three questions are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fees, though we also consider things like price increases, equipment costs, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds, and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla And FCC Reports.
If you would like to take a more detailed look at our process, please visit our How We Test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Columbus?
AT&T fiber plans are the best option in Columbus, but they are not available to all homes. There are plenty of other reliable, affordable, and fast plans. Whether you need satellite or cable, fiber or DSL, there are several options, some starting at $20 a month.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Providers in Columbus
Is fiber optic internet available in Columbus?
Fiber optic internet is available through AT&T, Breezeline, and Brightspeed. While none of these fiber networks are widely available, you can find fiber access in about 20% of the Columbus area.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Columbus?
Breezeline offers a $20 monthly plan, which is the cheapest in Columbus. Customers may be able to save the most money through Verizon or T-Mobile if they are already mobile customers. Both ISPs offer deals to eligible mobile customers who use internet service. You can check your eligibility at Verizon or T-Mobile by entering your address.
Which internet provider in Columbus offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber offers a 5-gigabit plan for $245 per month. You can also find AT&T Fiber 2000 and AT&T Fiber 1000 plans that are fast enough for most. Those plans cost $145 and $80 per month, respectively.
Is AT&T or Spectrum better?
