Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
ALLO and Spectrum should be the first ISPs you check into for home internet in North Platte, but they aren’t the only options available. Rural residents, in particular, may look at ATC Communications or Rise Broadband to get online. CenturyLink covers a lot of the town with its outdated DSL network.
ALLO and Spectrum are North Platte’s fastest providers. ALLO makes a strong case with its fiber network and straightforward plans, while Spectrum competes on affordable introductory pricing. While 5G home internet from Verizon and T-Mobile is spreading across the country, I couldn’t find open slots in North Platte. Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network covers only the southern and eastern reaches of the city, while T-Mobile’s 5G Ultra Capacity network is not yet available in the area. Here’s what you need to know about 5G home internet.
The starting price for home internet in North Platte is $50 or under from most ISPs. Spectrum has wide coverage for its affordable $40-per-month 500Mbps cable plan. ALLO starts at $66 per month for 500Mbps service, but that comes with 500Mbps uploads, while Spectrum’s 500Mbps plan tops out at 20Mbps uploads.
How many members of your household use the internet?
While CenturyLink’s $30 fiber plan is a bargain, there’s very little availability in North Platte. Most CenturyLink customers will be looking at the $55 DSL plans. You’ll be better off with Spectrum’s $40-for-500Mbps plan, at least until the price goes up down the line. If there’s room in your budget, ALLO’s entry-level $66 plan is your best bet for fiber across most of North Platte. That’s a decent value, considering the equally fast uploads.
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | Contract |
---|---|---|---|---|
CenturyLink Fiber Read full review | $30 | 200Mbps | $15 (optional) | None |
Spectrum Read full review | $50 | 500Mbps | Free modem; $5 router | None |
ATC Communications | $40 | 25Mbps | $10 modem rent/$149 purchase | Varies |
Rise Broadband Read full review | $55 | 50Mbps | $10 modem; $7-$25 router (optional) | None |
CenturyLink DSL Read full review | $55 | 100Mbps | $15 (optional) | None |
ALLO | $69 | 500Mbps | None | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Recent Ookla Speedtest data shows North Platte with a median download speed of 211Mbps. That compares well to the US overall median download speed of 306Mbps. North Platte’s healthy internet stats are thanks to ALLO and Spectrum’s speedy offerings. Both providers have gig download speeds available, with ALLO’s fiber service also offering fast uploads.
ALLO is top of the pops when it comes to symmetrical speeds. The ISP’s 1,000Mbps plan is more expensive than the Spectrum equivalent (at least at first), but it’s worth the price for anyone who needs to upload large files. Spectrum comes in cheaper at the gig level. The only other ISP that comes close is CenturyLink’s fiber plans. Lack of availability is the big issue regarding CenturyLink fiber options in North Platte.
Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Contract |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALLO | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $98 | None | None |
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | $70 | None | None |
CenturyLink Fiber Read full review | 940Mbps | 940Mbps | $70 | 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. 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.
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:
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 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 consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, you can visit our page on how we test ISPs.
Picking your North Platte home's best internet provider will depend on your needs. As a fan of fiber, I recommend checking out ALLO. If you're on a tight budget, Spectrum has some affordable deals, but be prepared to negotiate your price once the introductory period is up. If you're in a more rural area where ALLO and Spectrum don't reach, look into CenturyLink DSL, ATC Communications or Rise Broadband to get online.
Is fiber internet available in North Platte?
ALLO has North Platte pretty well covered with fiber. You can expect speeds up to a gigabit with equally fast uploads. CenturyLink offers a tiny oasis of fiber in a small area north of the airport.
Which internet provider in North Platte offers the fastest plan?
ALLO and Spectrum both offer gig-level downloads. ALLO’s fiber network can match that download speed with an equally fast upload speed, while Spectrum’s cable network tops out at 41Mbps uploads.
Is ALLO or Spectrum better in North Platte?
ALLO is North Platte’s primary fiber internet provider. ALLO has symmetrical speeds, a solid customer service reputation and straightforward pricing. If budget is more of a consideration than upload speeds, Spectrum’s two-year introductory deals for new customers can help you get online with good speeds at an affordable price.
Source: cnet.com