Best Internet Providers in Abilene, Texas
What is the best internet provider in Abilene?
If you are looking for the best internet provider for most households in Abilene, Optimum is for you. The Federal Communications Commissionreports That said, Optimum serves more than 86% of addresses in the area, meaning the provider’s low prices and reasonably fast speeds are accessible to most people. CNET also recommends checking out Vexus Fiber and Rise Broadband for residential internet if Optimum doesn’t serve your location, or if you’re looking for fiber or fixed wireless connectivity.
Vexus Fiber is Abilene’s cheapest ISP, with a basic plan starting at $30 per month and speeds of up to 150 Mbps. The next best option is Optimum, whose basic plan starts at $40 and offers speeds of up to 300 Mbps, which is a much better deal. The fastest speed available in this West Texas city is 5 gigabit, offered by AT&T Fiber for $255 per month.
Best internet in Abilene in 2024
Abilene Internet Providers Compared
| Supplier | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data limit | Contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Home Internet Read the full review | DSL hybrid | $55 | 10-100 Mbps | No | 1.5 TB | No | 7.4 |
| AT&T Fiber Read the full review | Fiber | $65-$255 | 300-5,000 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| Next link | Fixed wireless connection | $65-$95 | 50-300 Mbps | No | No | 2 years | n/a |
| Optimal Read the full review | Cable | $40-$80 | 300-940 Mbps | No | No | No | 6.2 |
| Broadband Rise Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $45-$55 | 25-50 Mbps | Modem $10; router $5-$15 (optional) | No | None, but required for some promotions | 6.2 |
| Taylor Telecom | DSL/fiber optic | $45-$100 | 100-1,000 Mbps | $12 router (optional) | No | 1-2 years (optional) | n/a |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $65-$75 ($50-$70 for eligible mobile customers) | 72-245 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| Vexus Fiber | Fiber | $30-$90 | 150-2,000 Mbps | $10 (optional) | No | No | n/a |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Abilene?
| Supplier | From monthly price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vexus Internet 150 | $30 | 150 Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Vexus Internet 500 | $40 | 500 Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Optimal 300Mbps Read the full review | $40 | 300 Mbps | No |
| Increase broadband 50 Mbps Read the full review | $45 | 50 Mbps | $5-$15 (optional) |
| Taylor Telecom100 | $50 | 100 Mbps | $12 (optional) |
| AT&T Home Internet Read the full review | $55 | 100 Mbps | No |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | $65 ($50 with a qualifying mobile plan) | 245 Mbps | No |
| AT&T Fiber Read the full review | $65 | 300 Mbps | No |
| Nextlink 50 | $65 | 50 Mbps | No |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
How to Find Online Deals and Promotions in Abilene
The best internet deals and top promotions in Abilene depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly search for the latest offers.
Internet providers in Abilene, such as Optimum, Vexus Fiber, Nextlink, and Rise Broadband, may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, such as AT&T, maintain the same standard prices year-round.
For a more comprehensive overview of all promotions, check out our guide to the best online deals.
Fastest Internet Plans in Abilene
| Supplier | From monthly price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data limit | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber 5000 Read the full review | $255 | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 2000 Read the full review | $155 | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Vexus Internet 2 Gig | $90 | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 1000 Read the full review | $90 | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Taylor Telecom 1 Gig | $100 | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Vexus Internet 1 Gig | $50 | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Optimal 1 Gig Read the full review | $80 | 940 Mbps | 35 Mbps | No | Cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet plans now can handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that’s suitable 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 FCCPlease 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 enough bandwidth for a single user to meet the demands of modern 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 Abilene
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router, or kitchen utensil, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So how do we approach this? We start by examining price, availability, and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the providers’ websites, and map information on 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 also consider real-world speed data from sources such as 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Providers in Abilene
What is the best internet provider in Abilene?
The best internet provider in Abilene is Optimum, as it offers wide availability, affordable prices, and speeds of up to 940 Mbps.
Is fiber optic internet available in Abilene?
More than 83% of households can get access to fiber internet in Abilene. The largest fiber providers in the area are Vexus Fiber and AT&T Fiber, but certain addresses can also be served for fiber under Taylor Telecom.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Abilene?
Vexus Fiber offers the cheapest plan in Abilene with speeds up to 150Mbps. Other affordable options include Optimum, which offers fiber service for $40 for speeds up to 300Mbps.
Which internet provider in Abilene offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber offers 5 gigabit symmetrical speed for $255 per month. This is the fastest service available in Abilene.
