Looking for the best internet provider in the Sunshine State? Our broadband experts have compiled the best broadband providers in Florida to help you choose the right one for your needs. From DSL to fixed wireless to fiber, Florida’s range of broadband providers can vary dramatically in affordability and speed. The best internet service provider in Florida is AT&T Fiber, thanks to its affordable plans and fast speeds. The plans start at $55 and go up to $245 a month. However, it’s not available at every address in the state.
There are plenty of other solid options if you can’t get AT&T Fiber. Cable provider Xfinity covers large areas of the state, with plans starting at $35 for 150 Mbps a month. DSL specialist Frontier competes in the Tampa area and cable ISP Spectrum has a big presence across the middle of Florida. Rural areas with few other options can look to DSL, satellite, 5G home internet or fixed wireless providers. The goal is to find a reliable internet provider fast enough to handle your streaming, gaming or remote work needs.
Best internet options in Florida
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Satellite internet is good to go almost anywhere, even in remote locations, but you may have other options for your rural home. Chances are you won’t have the luxury of a fiber connection, and even cable can be hard to come by. Regarding wired internet, your best bet may be DSL from ISPs like AT&T Internet or CenturyLink, our choice for the best rural internet provider in the US overall. DSL speeds won’t give you whiplash, but they’ll likely be faster and cheaper than other alternatives.
Fixed wireless is one solution for reaching homes not connected to wired internet. You can check if T-Mobile Home Internet (which has been expanding its reach in rural areas) or Verizon 5G Home Internet happens to service your address. Keep an eye out for smaller, regional providers. Rapid Systems, for example, provides fixed wireless to 11 counties in Florida and services parts of Valrico and Bradenton with plans starting at $49 a month. Open Broadband, a company focused on underserved areas across the southeastern US, covers several Florida counties with plans that start at $50 for 25Mbps.
Florida will soon have more rural internet options thanks to government investments and grants. In June 2023, Comcast announced plans to expand its Xfinity 10G network to 25 rural areas in the state.
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Ookla’s Speedtest data puts Florida in 3rd place in its ranking of regional internet speeds, but that’s not the whole story. If good internet means fast speeds, then the answer is a qualified “yes.” According to the FCC, over 47% of Florida households can pull down speeds of at least 1,000Mbps while over 90% have access to speeds of at least 250Mbps.
Your best bet — if you’re hoping to get hooked up with fiber — is to live in a major metro area. AT&T Fiber offers strong coverage down the eastern coast, but it’s not the only fiber ISP in the state. Also, look out for Hotwire, Quantum Fiber from CenturyLink or Frontier Fiber as possible options depending on where you live.
If you’re fortunate enough to live in an area covered by AT&T Fiber or another fiber provider, that should be your first stop when comparing speeds and prices. AT&T Fiber’s simple pricing and affordable entry-level plan of 300Mbps service for $55 per month make it our most-recommended ISP. If fiber isn’t available, look to cable options like Xfinity, Spectrum or Cox for faster speed than you can get from DSL competitors.
