Best Internet Providers in Durham, North Carolina
What is the best internet provider in Durham?
CNET Recommends AT&T Fiber as the Best Internet Provider in Durham due to the availability of fiber, the variety of plans and high customer satisfaction. Its ultra-fast plans at reasonable prices make it an obvious choice. Google Fiber is a close second, however, offering even faster plans of up to 8,000 megabits per second. That said, not everyone needs such high speeds.
Frontier Fiber is another great choice for internet in Durham, especially for those who want a fast, affordable internet plan. Frontier Fiber internet starts at $30 per month — the cheapest price for internet in Durham — and comes with symmetrical speeds of up to 200 Mbps. Spectrum and Verizon 5G Home Internet are also top choices for cheap internet, especially the latter if you qualify for the carrier’s mobile bundle discount.
With multiple internet providers serving the Durham area, the best one for your home depends on what is available in your area and what you need. Below are details on the best providers in the area to help you decide.
Best internet in Durham, North Carolina
Durham internet providers compared
| Supplier | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data limit | Contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Read the full review | DSL, fiber optic | $55 DSL, $55-$245 Fiber | 10-100 Mbps DSL, 300-5,000 Mbps fiber | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| Border fiber Read the full review | Fiber | $30-$130 | 200-5,000 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.2 |
| Google Fiber Read the full review | Fiber | $70-$150 | 1,000-8,000 | No | No | No | 7.5 |
| Spectrum Read the full review | Cable | $50-$70 | 500-1,000 Mbps | Free modem, $10 router rental (optional) | No | No | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50 ($40 with qualifying mobile plans) | 72-245 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-1,000 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Durham?
| Plan | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier Fiber 200 Read the full review | $30 | 200 Mbps | No |
| Spectrum Internet Read the full review | $50 | 500 Mbps | Free modem, $10 router rental (optional) |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($35 with qualifying mobile plans) | 50-300 Mbps | No |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read the full review | $55 | 300 Mbps | No |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($40 with qualifying mobile plans) | 72-245 Mbps | No |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Durham
The best internet deals and top promotions in Durham depend on the discounts available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly search for the latest offers.
Durham internet providers, such as AT&T Fiber, may offer gift cards or other sign-up bonuses for a limited time. However, many providers, including Frontier, Google Fiber, and Spectrum, maintain the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more comprehensive overview of all promotions, check out our guide to the best online deals.
Fastest internet plans in Durham
| Plan | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data limit | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber 8 Gig Read the full review | $150 | 8,000 Mbps | 8,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Frontier Fiber 5 Gig Read the full review | $130 | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| AT&T Internet 5000 Read the full review | $245 | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read the full review | $70 | 1,000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review | $70 ($45 with qualifying mobile plans) | 85-1,000 Mbps | 50-75 Mbps | No | Fixed wireless connection |
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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 Durham
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 pricing, availability, and speed information based on our own historical ISP data, the providers’ websites, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But 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 JD 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 it comes to 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Providers in Durham
What is the best internet provider in Durham?
Durham is home to several top-rated internet providers, but AT&T Fiber is arguably the best, with the largest fiber network in the region and a lower starting price than Google Fiber. AT&T Fiber also has higher customer satisfaction ratings than other Durham ISPs, including Google Fiber and Frontier Fiber.
Is fiber optic internet available in Durham?
According to the FCC, fiber optic internet is available to just over half of Durham’s households. Fiber coverage is strongest in the communities of New Hope Valley, Waterford and Keene, although service is available in select neighborhoods throughout Durham.
AT&T is the largest fiber internet provider in Durham, but fiber internet may also be available through Google Fiber or Frontier Fiber, depending on where you live.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Durham?
Frontier Fiber has the lowest monthly rate for home internet in Durham, with service starting at $30 per month for symmetrical speeds up to 200 Mbps.
Which internet provider in Durham offers the fastest plan?
Google Fiber offers the fastest internet plan in Durham with symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 8,000 Mbps. Google Fiber also offers a 5,000 Mbps plan, as do AT&T Fiber and Frontier Fiber, though Google Fiber is cheaper than AT&T and Frontier, starting at $125 per month versus $245 (AT&T) and $130 (Frontier).
