Best Internet Providers in Columbus, Ohio – CNET

Columbus may be home to The Ohio State University, but it’s also the land of several internet service providers that offer a little something for everyone. The bustling city in the center of Ohio is rapidly growing its fiber service, increasing high-speed internet availability. Currently, AT&T offers fiber plans for a reasonable price, making AT&T Fiber the best internet provider in Columbus. However, there’s more than just AT&T.

AT&T offers some of the overall fastest upload speeds across the board, but when it comes to Columbus, it’s neck and neck with Spectrum. Spectrum has the highest median download speed in Ohio’s capital city at 252 megabits per second, and the toss-up is due in part to the fact that many of Columbus’ customers only have access to AT&T’s DSL service and not high-speed fiber. In the end, though, AT&T still comes out on top, with its fan-favorite fiber service outperforming Spectrum’s network. 

Beyond these two ISPs, Columbus residents also have access to satellite internet — great for rural customers — and other popular providers like T-Mobile and Verizon, which offer discounts to their mobile customers.

Ahead, find a full breakdown of ISPs in Columbus to decide which company is best for your speed needs and budget. 

Best internet providers in the Buckeye City

Plenty of solid ISPs are available in Columbus; we rate many of them as good options. These are our absolute top contenders.

Price range $55 – $180 per month Speed range 300 – 5,000Mbps Connection Fiber Highlights Unlimited data, no contracts, equipment included

AT&T is widely available throughout Columbus and is notably reliable for its fiber service’s upload and download speeds. You’ll find fiber and DSL options in the Columbus area.

Availability: Nearly all of Columbus has access to AT&T’s DSL service, though the ISP is deprioritizing this in favor of its AT&T Air fixed wireless option. For some parts of Columbus, especially downtown, you’ll find fiber service, and that availability is increasing.

Plans and pricing: Fiber plans range in download speed from 300Mbps to 5,000Mbps. Prices span from $55 a month to $180 monthly. The 100Mbps DSL plan costs $70 a month.

Fees and service details: There are no contracts, equipment fees or data caps with AT&T Fiber.

Read our AT&T home internet review.

Check AT&T Fiber availability

Price range $50 per month ($30 for eligible T-Mobile Magenta Max customers) Speed range 72 – 245Mbps Connection Fixed wireless Highlights Unlimited data, equipment included, no contracts, no additional fees

T-Mobile is rapidly expanding its coverage and landed in Columbus in early 2022. Though it’s not available everywhere and only offers one plan, it is reasonably priced. Potential customers can check eligibility here.

Availability: T-Mobile’s availability in Columbus is spotty, though it’s billed as widely available. It’s especially available in the city’s outskirts, where people generally don’t have as many ISP options.

Plans and pricing: T-Mobile Home Internet features one plan at $50 a month. Go5G Plus or Magenta Max phone plan customers can get it for $30 monthly, while Go5G, Magenta, or Essentials phone plan customers can get discounted service for $40. Speeds range from 72 to 245Mbps.

Fees and service details: T-Mobile Home Internet boasts no contracts, data caps or fees.

Read our T-Mobile Home Internet review.

Check T-Mobile availability

Price range $50 – $90 per month Speed range 300 – 940Mbps Connection Cable Highlights Unlimited data, simple pricing, no contracts, modem included, free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots

Spectrum offers a wide variety of plans at budget-friendly prices. It’s also widely available throughout the Columbus area.

Availability: Spectrum’s internet service is available pretty much everywhere in Columbus and the surrounding area.

Plans and pricing: Plans range from $30 to $90 per month, with speeds that include 100Mbps to 1Gbps.

Fees and service details: You’ll find no data caps or contracts, though a router will run you an additional $5 monthly. Customers may also see a price hike after the first 12 months of service.

Read our Spectrum home internet review.

Check Spectrum Internet availability

All available Columbus residential internet providers

Beyond our best list, a handful of other ISPs in Columbus have various plans and prices. These include DSL and satellite and speeds up to 5,000Mbps.

• Breezeline: Breezeline’s cable internet is available in about 70% of Columbus, and plans range from $20 to $60 per month and 100 to 1,000Mbps.
• Brightspeed: Brightspeed took over CenturyLink’s network in Columbus. The DSL and fiber service is available in about half of the Columbus area. DSL speeds go up to 100Mbps for $50 a month, while fiber speeds start at 200Mbps for $30 monthly.
• Satellite internet: Residents can access satellite internet through Viasat, Starlink and HughesNet in Columbus. Viasat’s plans start at $65 per month for 25Mbps and go up to $250 for 50Mbps. The recently launched Starlink offers the fastest speeds (up to 250Mbps) for $90 to $120 a month, and HughesNet’s plans start at $50 a month for 25Mbps.
• Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon offers 5G internet service throughout central Columbus. Plans start at $50 a month for 85 to 300Mbps and go up to $70 a month for 300 to 1,000Mbps. Verizon Wireless customers could pay as little as $25 monthly for internet with autopay and select mobile plans.