Where are the best internet providers in Waco?
Looking for the best internet service provider in Waco, Texas? CNET’s broadband experts researched providers in the area to find the plan that best fits your needs. When it comes to fast and reliable internet service in Waco, CNET’s top picks are: spectrum. We offer unlimited data and an affordable first-year price with fast speeds. There are no contractual obligations. The next best are Astound Broadband and Nextlink.
Astound offers Waco’s most affordable broadband, with plans starting at 300 Mbit/s for just $20 per month including equipment. Need speed? AT&T Fiber offers symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gigabits per second. This is the fastest plan in the region.
Best internet in Waco
Waco internet provider comparison
provider | internet technology | Monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment costs | data limit | contract | CNET review score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
amazing broadband Read the full review |
cable | $20-$55 | 300~1,500Mbps | none | none | none | 7 |
AT&T Internet Air Read the full review |
fixed wireless | $60 ($47 with eligible wireless plans) | 75-225Mbps | none | none | none | 7.4 |
AT&T Fiber Read the full review |
fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5,000Mbps | none | none | none | 7.4 |
Next link | fixed wireless | $40-$85 | 50-500Mbps | $8 (optional) | none | 2 years | Not applicable |
spectrum Read the full review |
cable | $25-$70 | 500-1,000Mbps | Free modem. Router rental $10 (optional) | none | none | 7.2 |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
fixed wireless | $50 ($30 for eligible mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | none | none | none | 7.4 |
See more (1 results)
buy provider with my address
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What are the cheapest internet plans in Waco?
provider | Monthly starting price | maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
---|---|---|---|
astondo 300 Read the full review |
$20 | 300Mbps | none |
Spectrum Internet Assist Read the full review |
$25 | 50Mbps | Free modem. Router rental $10 (optional) |
Advantages of spectrum internet Read the full review |
$30 | 100Mbps | Free modem. Router rental $10 (optional) |
astondo 600 Read the full review |
$35 | 600Mbps | none |
Next link | $40 | 50Mbps | $8 (optional) |
astondo 1000 Read the full review |
$45 | 1,000Mbps | none |
Next link | $45 | 100Mbps | $8 (optional) |
Spectrum Internet Premier Read the full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | Free modem. Router rental $10 (optional) |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($30 on eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | none |
AT&T Internet Air Read the full review |
$60 ($47 with eligible wireless plans) | 225Mbps | none |
astondo 1500 Read the full review |
$55 | 1,500Mbps | none |
AT&T Fiber Read the full review |
$55 | 300Mbps | none |
See more (7 results)
buy provider with my address
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to Find Internet Sales and Promotions in Waco
The best internet deals and top promotions in Waco depend on the discounts available during the period. Most sales have a short shelf life, but we check frequently for the latest offers.
Waco internet providers such as Nextlink and Astound Broadband may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many companies, including AT&T and T-Mobile, have the same standard rates throughout the year.
For a more extensive list of promotions, see our guide to the best internet deals.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet connectivity plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that supports video conferencing, streaming video, and gaming, you’ll enjoy a better experience with a more robust connection. Here is an overview of recommended minimum download speeds for various applications. According to the Federal Communications Commission. Please note that these are just guidelines and internet speed, service and performance will vary depending on connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide to the internet speed you actually need.
- At 0-5Mbps, you can tackle basic tasks like browsing the Internet, sending and receiving emails, and streaming low-quality videos.
- 5-40Mbps allows for higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40-100Mbps provides a single user with enough bandwidth to meet the demands of modern work-from-home, video streaming, and online gaming.
- 100-500Mbps allows one or two users to simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- 500-1,000Mbps allows three or more users to participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How CNET chooses the best internet providers in Waco
There are many Internet service providers and they vary by region. Unlike the latest smartphones, laptops, routers, and kitchen tools, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a particular city. So what is our approach? We start by researching pricing, availability, and speed information using our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and mapping information. FCC.gov.
But that’s not the end. We use the FCC’s website to check our data to ensure we account for all ISPs serving a given region. Also, enter your local address on the provider’s website to find specific options for residents. Look at sources like the U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to rate how satisfied your customers are with your ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices may change frequently. All information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once you have this localized information, ask three main questions:
- Does your provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting value for their money?
- Are your customers satisfied with your service?
The answers to these questions are often layered and complex, but the provider that comes closest to a “yes” to all three is recommended. When choosing the cheapest internet service, look for the plan with the lowest monthly fee, taking into account price increases, equipment fees, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively easy. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also consider actual speed data from sources such as: Okura and FCC report. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, the same parent company as CNET.)
To find out more about our process, please visit our How We Test ISPs page.
Waco Internet Provider Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best internet service provider in Waco?
Spectrum is the best internet provider in Waco due to its wide coverage and simple service details. Speeds range from 50Mbps to 1,000Mbps, and unlimited data is included in the monthly fee.
Is fiber internet available in Waco?
yes. However, Waco has only two fiber-optic providers, AT&T Fiber and Pavlov Media, and only half of the area’s households have access to fiber-optic connections. According to the FCC.
Where is the cheapest internet provider in Waco?
The cheapest internet provider in Waco is Astound Broadband. The 300Mbps plan costs just $20 per month.
Which internet provider offers the fastest plans in Waco?
AT&T Fiber offers Waco’s fastest plan at 5,000Mbps for $245. Astound Broadband comes in second with its 1.5Gbps plan and costs $55 per month.