What are the best internet providers in Wake Forest?
CNET’s most recommended Internet service providers in Wake Forest are:
- spectrum: Best Internet Providers in Wake Forest
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Best Fixed Wireless Internet in Wake Forest
- tin fiber: Best Fiber ISP in Wake Forest
Brightspeed and AT&T Fiber are also good choices for fiber internet in Wake Forest, but their local availability is much more limited than Ting Fiber. Read below to learn more about Wake Forest’s internet providers, including the cheapest and fastest plans available.
Wake Forest, NC Internet Provider Comparison
| provider | internet technology | Monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment costs | data limit | contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber Read the full review |
fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5,000Mbps | none | none | none | 7.4 |
| bright speed | DSL, fiber | $49-$75 | 10-100Mbps DSL, 200-1,000Mbps Fiber | none | none | none | 6.6 |
| spectrum Read the full review |
cable | $30-$70 | 100～1,000Mbps | Free modem, $10 router (optional) | none | none | 7.2 |
| tin fiber | fiber | $89 | 1,000Mbps | $11 (optional) | none | none | Not applicable |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
fixed wireless | $50 to $70 ($35 to $55 on eligible mobile plans) | 87-415Mbps | none | none | none | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
fixed wireless | $50 to $70 ($35 to $45 on eligible mobile plans) | 50～1,000Mbps | none | none | none | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What are the cheapest internet plans in Wake Forest?
| plan | starting price | maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advantages of spectrum internet Read the full review |
$30 | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Brightspeed Fiber 200 | $49 | 200Mbps | none |
| Spectrum Internet Premier Read the full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 on eligible mobile plans) | 318Mbps | none |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 on eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | none |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read the full review |
$55 | 300Mbps | none |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Fastest Internet Plans in Wake Forest
| plan | starting price | maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | data limit | connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet 5000 Read the full review |
$245 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | none | fiber |
| AT&T Internet 2000 Read the full review |
$145 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | none | fiber |
| AT&T Internet 1000 Read the full review |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | none | fiber |
| brightspeed fiber 1 giga | $75 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | none | fiber |
| spectrum internet gig Read the full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | none | cable |
| Ting Fiber Gigabit | $89 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | none | fiber |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review |
$70 ($45 on eligible mobile plans) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | none | fixed wireless |
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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 FCC. 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 enough bandwidth for a single user 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 Wake Forest, North Carolina
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. What is our approach? We start by researching pricing, availability, and speed information using our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission . FCC.gov.
This is not the end. We go to the FCC’s website and review the data to ensure we consider all ISPs serving the area. 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 gauge 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 hierarchical 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 costs, contracts, etc. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively easy. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider actual speed data from sources such as: Okura and FCC report. (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.
Internet Providers in Wake Forest, North Carolina Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best internet service provider in Wake Forest?
Spectrum is Wake Forest’s premier internet service provider. This cable internet provider has the best broadband coverage in Wake Forest, reaching approximately 93% of local households. According to the FCC. In addition to high availability, Spectrum offers fast speeds at a low price, even after standard pricing takes effect after one year.
Is fiber internet available in Wake Forest?
According to the latest information, FCC dataFiber internet is available in approximately 70% of Wake Forest. Ting Fiber is Wake Forest’s most widely used fiber ISP, but Brightspeed and AT&T Fiber also offer fiber connectivity in parts of the city.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Wake Forest?
Spectrum’s 100Mbps Internet Advantage plan has the lowest starting rate for internet in Wake Forest at $30 per month. Brightspeed, T-Mobile Home Internet, and Verizon 5G Home Internet aren’t far behind, with services starting at around $50 per month. Renting a router with Spectrum adds $10 to your bill, but Brightspeed, T-Mobile Home Internet, and Verizon 5G Home Internet include equipment rental at no additional charge. However, it’s also important to note that Spectrum has higher rate increases than other budget ISPs in Wake Forest, as the price of standalone Internet service increases by at least $20 after the first year.
Which internet provider offers the fastest plans in Wake Forest?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest internet plans in Wake Forest, with maximum symmetrical speeds of 5,000 Mbps, or 5 gigabits per second. Wake Forest has very limited AT&T fiber availability. Wake Forest’s other high-speed providers, including Brightspeed, Spectrum, and Ting Fiber, offer download speeds up to 1,000Mbps. Additionally, Verizon 5G Home Internet advertises speeds ranging from 85 to 1,000 Mbps, but actual speeds will vary based on location and network congestion.
