Best Internet Providers in Erie, Pennsylvania – CNET

What is the best internet provider in Erie?

Spectrum is the best internet service provider in Erie, Pennsylvania, due to its broad local high-speed coverage and straightforward pricing. The area’s largest cable internet provider, Spectrum covers nearly 95% of Erie households, offering plans with speeds ranging from 300 to 1,000 megabits per second that include free modem rental, unlimited data and no contract requirements.

At $50 a month, Spectrum ties Verizon 5G Home Internet for the cheapest internet in Erie. You’re likely to get a bit more speed and better reliability with Spectrum, but Verizon includes free equipment rental (a $7 monthly value compared to Spectrum) and a potential discount for qualifying Verizon mobile customers. 

T-Mobile Home Internet also offers a mobile bundle discount, although standard pricing is higher, while potential maximum speeds are lower than Verizon 5G Home Internet. Still, the fixed wireless provider has the local availability and customer-friendly service terms to be a practical broadband alternative to Spectrum.

VNET Fiber is the area’s primary fiber provider if you’re looking for fiber-optic connectivity. Availability is limited, but if your address is serviceable, VNET Fiber is perhaps the best choice in Erie for speed, reliability and overall value. VNET Fiber ties Spectrum for the fastest download speeds in Erie, up to 1,000Mbps, but also has the advantage of offering symmetrical upload speeds.

Our methodology

Speed range

300 – 1,000 Mbps

Price range

$50 – $80 per month

Our take – Spectrum has the best wired broadband coverage, by far, in Erie. Aside from availability, Spectrum stands out for its fast speeds, up to 1,000Mbps, and simple service terms that include a free modem rental, unlimited data and no contract requirements.

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Check with Spectrum

Speed range

300 – 1,000 Mbps

Price range

$50 – $80 per month

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Connection

Fixed wireless

Connection

Fixed wireless

Speed range

72 – 245 Mbps

Price range

$60 per month

Our take – While Verizon 5G Home Internet’s advantage is speed, T-Mobile Home Internet is available. More than two-thirds of Erie addresses are serviceable for fixed wireless internet from T-Mobile, according to the Federal Communication Commission. The provider’s single plan offers speeds ranging between 72 to 245Mbps, unlimited data, free equipment rental and no contract requirements, plus a discount for qualifying T-Mobile customers. 

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Check with T-Mobile

Speed range

72 – 245 Mbps

Price range

$60 per month

Product image Product image
Connection

Fiber

Our take – Fiber internet is preferable to other connection types, but availability can be an issue. Per the latest FCC data, VNET Fiber is available to less than a tenth of Erie households, so consider yourself lucky if your address is eligible for service. While slightly more expensive for comparable download speeds, the symmetrical upload speeds and free equipment rental give VNET Fiber an edge over Spectrum.

Connection

Fiber

Erie, Pennsylvania, internet providers compared

Plan Starting price Max download speed Monthly equipment fee Spectrum Internet
Read full review $50 300Mbps $7 (optional) Verizon 5G Home Internet
Read full review $50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) 300Mbps None T-Mobile Home Internet
Read full review $60 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) 245Mbps None VNET Fiber 300 $60 300Mbps None

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

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How to find internet deals and promotions in Erie

The best internet deals and the top promotions in Erie depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers. 

Erie internet providers, such as Spectrum, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many providers, including VNET Fiber and Verizon 5G Home Internet, run the same standard pricing year-round. 

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

Fastest internet plans in Erie

Spectrum is the best internet service provider in Erie. The ISP’s cable network provides the best high-speed coverage in the area, offering speeds of 300, 500 and 1,000Mbps to around 95% of local households. Regardless of the plan you choose, the service comes with free modem rental (renting a router runs $7 a month, but is optional), unlimited data and no contract requirements.

Is fiber internet available in Erie?

Spectrum and Verizon 5G Home Internet share the lowest starting price for internet in Erie at $50 per month. Spectrum presents better availability and maximum speeds (300Mbps compared to a range between 50 and 300Mbps with Verizon), but Verizon offers free equipment rental and a $15 discount on home internet for qualifying mobile customers.

Which internet provider in Erie offers the fastest plan?

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