Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other than T-Mobile Home Internet, there are few options for home internet outside of the ones included in the list above. Here’s a brief look at what to expect from other Greensboro ISPs.
How many members of your household use the internet?
T-Mobile Home Internet: Expected speeds range between 72 to 245Mbps. That’s slower than most Greensboro ISPs, but the straightforward pricing -- no equipment rental fees, data caps or contracts -- plus the $10 or $20 discount for T-Mobile voice customers, makes it an option worth considering.
Satellite internet: Yes, satellite internet is the only other option for broadband in Greensboro. While Hughesnet recently increased its speeds, Viasat dropped its data caps and Starlink is showing promise as a high-speed ISP, there are too many better internet options in Greensboro to consider satellite internet.
Greensboro is similar to other major North Carolina cities when it comes to broadband options and available speeds. Most homes will have the choice of two or more wired internet providers. Cable internet from Spectrum is a popular choice, as is fiber internet from Lumos and AT&T.
Nearly 95% of local households are serviceable for internet speeds of 250Mbps down and 25Mbps up, while speeds of 1,000Mbps down and 100Mbps up are available to more than half the city.
The average starting price for home internet in Greensboro is around $49 a month, not including taxes and additional fees. Spectrum has the lowest rate for internet in Greensboro with service starting at $30 for max download speeds of 100Mbps.
Lumos Fiber has the best-priced entry-level plan, offering speeds up to 500Mbps starting at $50 a month.
Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
---|---|---|---|
Spectrum Internet 100 Read full review | $30 | 100Mbps | Free modem, $7 router rental (optional) |
Spectrum Internet Read full review | $40 | 300Mbps | Free modem, $7 router rental (optional) |
Lumos Fiber 500 | $50 | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $55 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $60 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 50-300Mbps | None |
AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review | $65 | 300Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
The best internet deals and the top promotions in Greensboro depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Greensboro internet providers such as Lumos Fiber may offer lower introductory pricing for a limited time. Many, including AT&T Fiber and Spectrum, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Recent Ookla speed test data ranked Greensboro 45th fastest among major US cities with median download speeds of 234Mbps. North Carolina cities of Charlotte, Durham and Raleigh ranked higher (Raleigh ranked number one overall at 290Mbps), but Greensboro’s speed results are still impressive.
Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lumos Fiber 8000 | $240 | 8,000Mbps | 8,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
AT&T Internet 5000 Read full review | $255 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Lumos Fiber 5000 | $180 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
AT&T Internet 2000 Read full review | $155 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Lumos Fiber 2000 | $100 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
AT&T Internet 1000 Read full review | $90 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Lumos Fiber 1000 | $80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review | $60 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review | $80 ($45 with eligible mobile plans) | 85-1,000Mbps | 50-75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also take into account real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Wherever you are or are moving to in Greensboro, Spectrum is likely to be an option. The ISP is a popular choice due to its decent speeds and low introductory pricing, but before you commit to cable internet, check to see if fiber internet is available at your address. Lumos Fiber and AT&T Fiber, while not initially as cheap as Spectrum, offer faster speeds and lower standard pricing.
If you’re looking for an alternative to cable or fiber service, consider wireless internet from Verizon 5G Home Internet or T-Mobile Home Internet. The latter has greater availability in the Greensboro area, but Verizon 5G Home Internet has lower pricing and a faster speed range.
What is the best internet service provider in Greensboro?
AT&T Fiber is Greensboro’s best internet provider for several reasons. As the area’s largest fiber provider, AT&T Fiber offers fast, symmetrical speeds to nearly half of the city’s residences. Service includes free equipment rental, unlimited data and no contract requirements.
Is fiber internet available in Greensboro?
Yes. Approximately 55% of Greensboro households are wired for fiber internet, according to the FCC. Serviceability is greatest in the Westridge Heights, Clinton Hills and Beechcroft communities, although fiber connections are available in random neighborhoods throughout the city. AT&T Fiber is the largest fiber provider in Greensboro, but local provider Lumos Fiber also contributes to the city’s fiber coverage.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Greensboro?
Spectrum has the lowest starting price for home internet in Greensboro at $30 a month for speeds up to 100Mbps. Other Spectrum plans are competitively priced as well and are initially cheaper than other Greensboro ISPs when comparing similar speed tiers. The monthly rate increases significantly after 12 or 24 months of service, making AT&T Fiber and Lumos Fiber the cheaper long-term options.
Which internet provider in Greensboro offers the fastest plan?
Lumos Fiber has the fastest internet plan in Greensboro with symmetrical speeds up to 8,000Mbps (8Gbps) starting at $240 a month. Lumos Fiber and AT&T Fiber also offer 5Gbps, 2Gbps and 1Gbps. Lumos Fiber has slightly lower pricing on its high-speed plans, but AT&T Fiber is more widely available in the Greensboro area.
Source: cnet.com