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What is the best internet provider in Winston-Salem?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet provider in Winston-Salem. It’s our top pick because the fiber internet provider has the best selection of high-speed plans, including the two fastest plans with speeds of up to 2,000 megabits per second and 5,000 Mbps, and the highest customer satisfaction rating of any major internet provider in Winston-Salem. All fiber plans come with free equipment rental, unlimited data, and no contract requirements.
AT&T Fiber is a top choice for speed and value, but it’s not the cheapest internet provider in Winston-Salem. Kinetic by Windstream has the cheapest plan in the area, with service starting at $40 per month for speeds up to 100 Mbps. That’s not a bad deal, but for $10 more per month, Spectrum offers up to five times the potential download speeds, plus lower equipment costs.
Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet are also good options for cheap internet, especially if you qualify for their mobile bundle discounts. Both services start at $50 per month (before discounts) and include your equipment and unlimited data at no extra charge.
Best internet in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Internet providers in Winston-Salem 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 |
| Kinetic | DSL, fiber optic | $40-$180 | 15-100 Mbps DSL, 100-2,000 Mbps fiber | $10 (optional) | No | No | 6.7 |
| Spectrum Read the full review | Cable | $50-$70 | 500-1,000 Mbps | Free modem, $5 router rental (optional) | No | No | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50 ($30 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 Winston-Salem?
| Plan | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinetic 100 | $40 | 100 Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Spectrum Internet Read the full review | $50 | 500 Mbps | Free modem, $10 router rental (optional) |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($30 with qualifying mobile plans) | 245 Mbps | No |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($35 with qualifying mobile plans) | 300 Mbps | No |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read the full review | $55 | 300 Mbps | No |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
How to Find Online Deals and Promotions in Winston-Salem
The best internet deals and top promotions in Winston-Salem depend on what discounts are available at any given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly check for the latest offers.
Winston-Salem internet providers, such as AT&T Fiber, may offer bonus deals like gift cards or streaming services for a limited time. However, most, including Spectrum and Kinetic, offer the same standard deals year-round.
For a more comprehensive overview of all promotions, check out our guide to the best online deals.
Fastest Internet Plans in Winston-Salem
| Plan | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data limit | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet 5000 Read the full review | $250 | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Kinetic 1 Gig | $70 | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 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) | 1,000 Mbps | 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 Picked the Best Internet Providers in Winston-Salem
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, provider sites, and map information from FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t stop there. We use the FCC website to review our data and make sure we account for every ISP that offers service in an area. We also enter local addresses into provider 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Providers in Winston-Salem
What is the best internet provider in Winston-Salem?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet provider in Winston-Salem. A 100% fiber network capable of delivering the fastest upload and download speeds in Winston-Salem, plus simple terms of service and a record of high customer satisfaction, make AT&T Fiber the best choice for home internet in the area.
Is fiber optic internet available in Winston-Salem?
Yes. About 40% of homes in Winston-Salem are eligible for fiber optic internet, according to the FCC. Fiber optic internet is primarily available in the Buena Vista, Waughtown, Ardmore, and Reynolda Park areas, although fiber service can be found in select neighborhoods in Winston-Salem. AT&T Fiber is the largest fiber optic internet provider in Winston-Salem, while Kinetic has a small fiber presence, primarily in the northwest.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Winston-Salem?
Kinetic has the cheapest internet plan in Winston-Salem, with service starting at $40 per month for speeds up to 100Mbps. However, availability is limited in the area, and a $10 equipment rental fee brings costs in line with other local providers if you choose to rent a Wi-Fi router.
For those who qualify for a mobile bundle discount, T-Mobile Home Internet or Verizon 5G Home Internet may be the least expensive internet option in Winston-Salem. T-Mobile Home Internet is offering qualifying Magenta Max customers $20 off home internet, bringing the monthly cost down to $30. Verizon is taking $15 to $25 off home internet rates for qualifying mobile customers, bringing the monthly price down to $35 to $45.
Which internet provider in Winston-Salem offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest internet plan in Winston-Salem. AT&T Fiber 5000 advertises symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 5,000 Mbps, starting at $250 per month. Other internet providers in Winston-Salem, including Spectrum, Kinetic and Verizon 5G Home Internet, cap out at 1,000 Mbps.
