Best Internet Providers in Syracuse, New York
What is the best internet provider in Syracuse?
Shopping for internet in Syracuse starts with a simple question: Can you get Verizon Fios at your address? If you can, your search is over — CNET’s pick for best overall internet provider is Verizon Fios. If you can’t get it, don’t worry, because there are some other solid (but flawed) options. Spectrum offers fast, reliable internet, but prices go up significantly after a year. T-Mobile locks in its price as long as you keep service, but its wireless is more susceptible to network congestion than either Spectrum or Verizon.
Best internet in Syracuse, New York
If Verizon Fios is available, chances are it’s our top pick for internet in that city, and Syracuse is no exception. Even if you can’t get Verizon at your address, you probably have at least one good option. According to FCC data100% of households in the city have access to download speeds of 100 megabits per second and 10 Mbps upload.
Internet providers in Syracuse compared
| Supplier | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data limit | Contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Read the full review |
Cable | $50-$70 | 500-1,000 Mbps | $10 (optional) | No | No | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless connection | $50-$70 ($40-$50 with qualifying mobile plans) | 72-245 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| Verizon Fio’s Read the full review |
Fiber | $50-$90 | 300-940 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.6 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless connection | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with a suitable phone plan) | 50-1,000 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data
Other available internet providers in Syracuse
Many cities have a few local internet providers to consider in addition to the national ISPs. Unfortunately, there aren’t many other options available in Syracuse. Here’s everything else you can get in the city:
- Satellite internet: We generally only recommend satellite internet if you can’t get anything else, and that rule applies to Syracuse. HughesNet and Viasat both offer service to 100% of the city, but like all satellite providers, they have high prices, low data limits, and slow speeds. Starlink is a faster satellite option, but the equipment costs $599 up front and plans start at $120 per month.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Like T-Mobile Home Internet, Verizon is using its 5G network for home internet in Syracuse. You can get speeds of 300/10 Mbps for $50 a month or 1,000/50 for $70 in some areas. There are no equipment fees or data caps on either plan.
Cheap Internet Options in Syracuse
Starting prices for internet in Syracuse average $45 per month, slightly higher than nearby Albany ($43). Low-income households in Syracuse also have the option of Spectrum’s Internet Assist plan, which gives you 50 Mbps for $25 per month.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Syracuse?
| Supplier | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment costs | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Read the full review |
$50 ($80 after one or two years) | 500 Mbps | $10 (optional) | No |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($40 with qualifying mobile plans) | 245 Mbps | No | No |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible phone plan) | 300 Mbps | No | No |
| Verizon Fio’s Read the full review |
$50 | 300 Mbps | No | No |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data
How to find internet deals and promotions in Syracuse
The best internet deals and top promotions in Syracuse depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly search for the latest offers.
Syracuse internet providers like Spectrum may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, many providers, including Verizon Fios and T-Mobile, maintain the same standard prices year-round.
For a more comprehensive overview of all offers, please consult our guide to the best online deals.
How fast is the broadband internet in Syracuse?
There are three internet plans that offer giga-speeds in Syracuse — about average for a city of its size. While there are no ultra-fast plans above 1,000 Mbps, most households will be fine with the available speeds. That said, Verizon Fios is the only provider that offers symmetrical speeds in Syracuse.
Fastest Internet Plans in Syracuse
| Supplier | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Starting price | Data limit | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read the full review |
1,000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | $70 ($100 after one year) | No | No |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review |
1,000 Mbps | 50 Mbps | $70 ($45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) | No | No |
| Verizon Fios 1 Gig Read the full review |
940 Mbps | 880 Mbps | $90 | No | No |
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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 to 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 simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as videoconferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
How CNET Chose the Best Internet Providers in Syracuse
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.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Syracuse?
There’s a clear winner when it comes to internet in Syracuse. Verizon Fios offers the fastest speeds, the best value, and has the happiest customers. No matter where you live in the country, if Verizon Fios is available, it’s almost always the best choice. If you can’t get Fios, Spectrum and T-Mobile are both worthy backup options, but they both have notable drawbacks: steep price increases for Spectrum and slower speeds for T-Mobile.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Providers in Syracuse
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Syracuse?
Spectrum, T-Mobile, Verizon Fios and Verizon 5G offer plans starting at $50, the cheapest options in Syracuse.
What is the best internet provider in Syracuse?
Verizon Fios is the best internet provider for most people in Syracuse. It has symmetrical speeds of up to 940 Mbps, no contracts, and unlimited data on all plans. T-Mobile Home Internet is another good option, with download speeds of up to 245 Mbps and no data caps. Spectrum’s cable internet plans are available almost everywhere in the city, but you’ll end up paying a lot when the promotional discounts expire after a year or two.
Is fiber optic internet available in Syracuse?
Yes, fiber optic internet is available in Syracuse. Verizon Fios offers fiber optic internet in the city with no contracts or data caps and speeds up to 940/880Mbps.
Which internet provider in Syracuse offers the fastest plan?
The fastest internet plan available in Syracuse is offered by Verizon Fios, with download speeds of 940 Mbps and upload speeds of 880 Mbps. Spectrum also offers a gigabit internet plan in Syracuse with speeds of 1,000/35 Mbps.
