Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Most internet options in Lakeland start at around $45 a month for standard service. The cheapest internet plan is Spectrum's $30-a-month plan for 100Mbps. For more speed, you can bump that up for just $10 more for the 300Mbps plan. While these prices might seem promising, watch out for a price jump after the promo period ends. After 12 months, expect the rate of the 100Mbps plan to double to $85 a month. If available at your address, a fixed wireless connection might be a solid alternative. Verizon 5G Home Internet offers a $50-a-month plan for 100Mbps.
Provider | Starting monthly price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
---|---|---|---|
Spectrum Internet 100 Read full review | $30 | 100Mbps | Free modem; $7 router (optional) |
Spectrum Internet 300 Read full review | $40 | 300Mbps | Free modem; $7 router (optional) |
Frontier Fiber 500 Read full review | $45 ($60 after 12 months) | 500Mbps | None |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) | 100Mbps | None |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $60 ($40 with eligible mobile plan) | 245Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How many members of your household use the internet?
The best internet deals and top promotions in Lakeland depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Lakeland internet providers, such as Spectrum and Mediacom, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, such as Frontier and Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
In the latest Ookla speed test data, Lakeland came in with a fixed median download speed of 320Mbps. That's much better than how Florida did overall as a state, at 273Mbps. Nearby city Tampa performed below Lakeland, coming in at just 246Mbps. Winter Haven tops out at 336Mbps.
Provider | Starting monthly price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frontier Fiber 5 Gig Read full review | $130 ($140 after 12 months) | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Frontier Fiber 2 Gig Read full review | $100 ($110 after 12 months) | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Frontier Fiber 1 Gig Read full review | $65 ($80 after 12 months) | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review | $60 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
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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 publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When 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 consider 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.
Whether you're looking for the cheapest or fastest internet, it will all come down to what's available at your address. Luckily, Lakeland is home to different types of broadband options, from cable widely being serviceable throughout the city to fiber-optic connections that could get you blazing fast multi-gigabit speeds. Fixed wireless connections could also be a safe bet for your household if you want reasonable prices and speeds.
What is the best internet service provider in Lakeland?
Spectrum is Lakeland's best internet service provider, thanks to its wide coverage map and simple service details. Spectrum provides cable internet coverage to 92% of Lakeland addresses, per the latest data from the FCC. Spectrum also offers speeds up to 1,000Mbps and prices starting at $30 per month.
Is fiber internet available in Lakeland?
Fiber connectivity is available to roughly 34% of Lakeland households, with Frontier Fiber taking the lead as the largest fiber provider in the area. While many customers might be stuck with Frontier's DSL packages, its fiber connection is only accessible to 29% of Lakeland households. If it's accessible to your address, some customers may see speeds of up to 5 gigabits.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Lakeland?
Spectrum Internet's $30-a-month plan is the cheapest service in Lakeland. Watch out for a price hike after the promo period ends in the second year; the starting price could double depending on your chosen plan. Another cheap internet option is Verizon 5G Home Internet, which offers a $50-a-month plan for 100Mbps, which could be reduced to $35 monthly if you also have an eligible mobile plan.
Which internet provider in Lakeland offers the fastest plan?
Frontier Fiber offers two of the fastest plans in Lakeland: 5,000Mbps for $130 and 2,000Mbps for $100. After 12 months, the monthly rate can increase by $10. All plans include equipment and unlimited data.
Source: cnet.com