Lincoln, Nebraska, has one of my favorite city nicknames: Star City. It references the little stars you see on a map indicating a state’s capital. As home to Cornhuskers football, the beautiful Sunken Gardens and a stunning collection of museums, Lincoln is a star.
Surely, residents want fast, reliable internet to go along with the city’s rich cultural, historical, educational and political life. For most, that means choosing between Allo, Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream.
Allo is CNET’s pick for the best internet provider in Lincoln, thanks to its fiber network, availability and straightforward pricing. It has some healthy competition from Spectrum and Windstream, offering tempting promotional prices and gig speeds. Grab yourself a Runza sandwich, and let’s run through the pros and cons of Lincoln’s internet service providers.
Our methodology
Allo
Best internet provider in Lincoln, NE
Product details
Price range $40 – $70 per month Speed range 100 – 1,000Mbps Connection Fiber Key Info Unlimited data, no contracts
Kinetic by Windstream has two flavors of internet in Lincoln: DSL and fiber. This recommendation is for the fiber service, with budget-friendly introductory rates that make for one of the most affordable fiber providers in the nation.
Availability: Windstream’s DSL network reaches far and wide across the greater Lincoln metro area, but the fiber network is more scattered around town. Check your address for availability.
Plans and pricing: If DSL is your only Windstream option, you’ll likely see 50Mbps or 100Mbps for $40 monthly. The ISP’s fiber offering is more desirable with budget-minded intro pricing of $40 per month for 500Mbps or $70 for 1,000Mbps. The catch is that you can expect a price hike after the first year.
Fees and service details: Though future price hikes aren’t great, there’s some good news regarding other terms. Windstream has unlimited data and no contracts. You can rent a combined modem/router for $10 monthly or provide your own equipment.
Price range $30- $70 per month Speed range 100 – 1,000Mbps Connection Cable Key Info Unlimited data, simple pricing, no contracts, modem included, free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots
Spectrum is another big home internet player in Lincoln. The cable provider offers some decent low-cost introductory deals, but be prepared for price hikes down the road. One of its biggest selling points is its reach. If fiber isn’t available to you, then chances are good Spectrum has you covered.
Availability: Spectrum covers much of the same ground as Allo but also includes more neighborhoods around the city’s edges, including out to the west along Denton Road and the Hidden Valley area in the east.
Plans and pricing: Spectrum’s primary plans are $40 per month for 500Mbps or $60 for 1,000Mbps. Those prices are good for two years, after which you can expect a hefty price hike. Spectrum doesn’t always show all its plan options online, so consider giving a call to learn about the full spread for your address, including the possibility of a 300Mbps plan.
Fees and service details: Spectrum includes a modem, has no data cap and doesn’t require a contract. However, you must factor in an additional $5 monthly for your router rental.
Lincoln internet providers compared
Show more (2 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Other available internet providers in Lincoln
Though Allo, Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream are our top three in Lincoln, there are a few other options to consider, especially if you live in a more rural area. Fixed wireless or 5G home internet are alternatives for folks who can’t get fiber or cable or aren’t happy with the options available.
- Nextlink Internet: Nextlink offers a fixed wireless service in Lincoln with no data caps. Prices start at $50 for 25Mbps to $90 for 100Mbps for standard plans. The ISP has enhanced plans in some places, costing $140 for 500Mbps. You can get better pricing by agreeing to a two-year contract rather than going month-to-month. There’s a $250 installation fee, but watch for a free installation deal. The pricing means Nextlink is most likely to be considered by residents who don’t have access to more affordable or faster plans.
- Rise Broadband: Rise is a rural fixed wireless internet specialist with plans starting at $45 per month. Rise offers up to 250Mbps in some areas, but you’ll most likely find speed options between 25-100Mbps around Lincoln. The 100Mbps plan runs $65 per month. There’s a $10 modem rental fee required, so calculate that into your budget. Keep an eye out for a deal that includes unlimited data and free installation. Rise can be a solid option for rural households that don’t have much choice in ISPs and want a more affordable alternative to satellite internet.
- T-Mobile Home Internet: When wired internet options aren’t satisfactory, check into T-Mobile Home Internet. You can get an idea of availability by looking at T-Mobile’s coverage map and looking for the dark-purple areas indicating the ISP’s 5G Ultra Capacity network. There’s pretty solid coverage across Lincoln, but open slots for home internet service may be limited. The price is $50 per month for typical speeds of 72-245Mbps, with no contract or data cap. Equipment is included. Bundling with an eligible phone plan can save $20 off your monthly bill.
- Satellite Internet: Starlink, Viasat or HughesNet all provide satellite internet service, but for a price that’s usually higher than other options. Upfront fees can be hefty, and speeds may be slower than you like. Think of satellite internet as a fallback if you don’t have a more affordable or faster ISP at your location.
Lincoln broadband at a glance
Everyone in Lincoln can access broadband speeds, according to FCC data. To the FCC, that means at least 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload. Fortunately for Lincoln residents, gigabit speeds are widely available through Allo, Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream. There are some good deals, at least when you look at introductory pricing for new customers.
Pricing details on Lincoln home internet service
Low-cost promotional prices from Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream mean you can get online at decent speeds for $40 per month. If you’re looking at Windstream, see if you can access the ISP’s fiber network rather than its DSL network. You’ll also need to figure in a monthly $10 equipment fee or provide your own hardware. Allo’s initial pricing is higher, with a $73-per-month 500Mbps plan, but equipment is included, and the ISP has a strong reputation for customer service.
Cheap internet options in the Lincoln area
Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream lead the price war for Lincoln broadband, with $40-per-month entry-level plans. If you’re looking at Windstream, check if you can get the faster fiber network rather than the outdated DSL. The catch with these ISPs is that your price will increase after your initial promotional period. After that, compare with Allo or be prepared to try to negotiate your way back to a lower fee.
The federal Affordable Connectivity Program is available to qualified low-income households. If you’re struggling to afford internet, then be sure to check into this. It can net you free or cheap internet through a $30 per month subsidy ($75 on tribal lands). Most ISPs participate, and some offer special plans for ACP-qualified customers. Allo, for example, has a special no-cost 100Mbps fiber plan for ACP participants.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Lincoln?
Show more (2 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
How fast is broadband in Lincoln?
Thanks to Allo, Kinetic by Windstream and Spectrum, a good chunk of Lincoln’s population can access gigabit internet. A recent Ookla ranking of internet speeds for the 100 most populated cities in the US placed Lincoln in the second spot, with a median download speed of 267Mbps. Only Raleigh, North Carolina, was faster. Ookla highlighted Allo as Lincoln’s fastest provider, with a median download speed of nearly 308Mbps. Lincoln’s strong showing in the city ranking is a testament to the availability of gig speeds across the area.
Fastest internet providers in Lincoln
The gigabit internet dream is alive and well in Lincoln, but when it comes to equally fast upload speeds, look to Allo or Kinetic by Windstream’s fiber offering. Spectrum’s uploads top out at 35Mbps. You won’t find multi-gigabit offerings, but you can read up on the best multi-gig plans available in other parts of the country.
What are the fastest internet plans in Lincoln?
