Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Although Allo, Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream are our top three in Lincoln, there are a few other options to consider, especially if you live in a more rural area. Fixed wireless or 5G home internet are alternatives for folks who can’t get fiber or cable or aren’t happy with the options available.
Everyone in Lincoln can access broadband speeds, according to FCC data. To the FCC, that means at least 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload. Fortunately for Lincoln residents, gigabit speeds are widely available through Allo, Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream. There are some good deals, at least when you look at introductory pricing for new customers.
Low-cost promotional prices from Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream mean you can get online at decent speeds for $40 per month. If you’re looking at Windstream, see if you can access the ISP’s fiber network rather than its DSL network. You’ll also need to figure in a monthly $10 equipment fee or provide your own hardware. Allo’s initial pricing is higher, with a $76-per-month 500Mbps plan, but equipment is included, and the ISP has a strong reputation for customer service.
How many members of your household use the internet?
Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream lead the price war for Lincoln broadband, with $40-per-month entry-level plans. If you’re looking at Windstream, check if you can get a faster fiber network rather than the outdated DSL. The catch with these ISPs is that your price will increase after your initial promotional period. After that, compare with Allo or be prepared to try to negotiate your way back to a lower fee.
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | Contract |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kinetic by Windstream DSL | $40 | 300Mbps | $10 (optional) | None |
Kinetic by Windstream Fiber | $70 | 1000Mbps | $10 (optional) | None |
Spectrum Read full review | $40 | 300Mbps | Free modem; $7 router | None |
Rise Broadband Read full review | $45 | 50Mbps | $10 modem; $7-$25 router (optional) | None |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $60 ($40 with eligible cellphone bundle) | 245Mbps | None | None |
Allo | $76 | 500Mbps | None | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Thanks to Allo, Kinetic by Windstream and Spectrum, a good chunk of Lincoln’s population can access gigabit internet. A recent Ookla ranking of internet speeds for the 100 most populated cities in the US placed Lincoln in the eighth spot, with a median download speed of 269Mbps. Only Raleigh, North Carolina, was faster. Ookla highlighted Allo as Lincoln’s fastest provider, with a median download speed of nearly 308Mbps. Lincoln’s strong showing in the city ranking is a testament to the availability of gig speeds across the area.
The gigabit internet dream is alive and well in Lincoln, but when it comes to equally fast upload speeds, look to Allo or Kinetic by Windstream’s fiber offering. Spectrum’s uploads top out at 35Mbps. You won’t find multi-gigabit offerings, but you can read up on the best multi-gig plans available in other parts of the country.
Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Contract |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kinetic by Windstream | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $70 | None | None |
Allo | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $105 | None | None |
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | $60 | None | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it's impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. So what's our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and speed information that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
We then 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:
Although the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers that 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, you can visit our how we test ISPs page.
I’m always a champion of fiber internet, so I recommend prioritizing Allo's or Kinetic by Windstream’s fiber plans when shopping for home internet in Lincoln. Spectrum has wide availability and affordable introductory prices but slower uploads. T-Mobile Home Internet is a no-fuss alternative for anyone dissatisfied with the wired options.
Is fiber internet available in Lincoln?
Allo and Kinetic by Windstream offer fiber plans in Lincoln with speed tiers of 500Mbps or 1,000Mbps. Windstream has budget-friendly introductory deals, while Allo covers a lot of ground across the metro area.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Lincoln?
When bundling with an eligible phone plan, T-Mobile phone customers can get home internet for just $40 per month. Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream have $40-per-month deals for new customers, but be sure to account for equipment costs if you rent a modem or router.
Which internet provider in Lincoln offers the fastest plan?
There’s a three-way tie at the 1,000Mbps level between Allo fiber, Kinetic by Windstream fiber and Spectrum. The two fiber ISPs offer equally fast uploads, while Spectrum uploads top out at 35Mbps.
Source: cnet.com