Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How many members of your household use the internet?
Fiber is the top-tier technology when it comes to home internet. As a result, internet providers that traditionally used coaxial cable lines to run service have added fiber connections to their networks.
Your address determines the available connection types and internet providers. ISP search tools, like the one on this page, are a great starting point for finding internet providers in your area, fiber or otherwise.
If you’re setting up internet in a new place, ask your neighbors (posts to Facebook neighborhood groups or Nextdoor are sure to get some responses) about which internet providers they use and why. Or, if you need internet for an apartment, check with the leasing office about available internet options for your home.
Keep in mind that a neighbor’s opinion may be relatively uninformed or biased, and a leasing office may have ulterior motives when recommending an internet provider. Be sure to do your own research when shopping for internet service.
Once you have an idea of the available internet providers in your area, there are a couple of surefire ways to distinguish a fiber provider from a non-fiber provider.
Many ISPs advertise a fiber product right in the name -- AT&T Fiber, Frontier Fiber, Google Fiber, Quantum Fiber and even Verizon Fios indicate fiber service. Others, like Brightspeed or Kinetic, that don’t have fiber specifically in the name, may add fiber to the plan name. Kinetic plans, for example, are either “High-speed internet,” which is a DSL-based service, or “Fiber.”
If the name doesn’t indicate a fiber or non-fiber product, the speeds will. Fiber is the only connection type capable of delivering symmetrical upload and download speeds. So if a plan offers the same (or close) upload and download speeds, it’s likely fiber.
Maximum available speeds may also point to a fiber connection. Cable and fiber are the only connection types that can reach multigigabit speeds, but maximum advertised speeds from cable reach at most 2,000Mbps, or 2 gigabits per second (Cox and Xfinity offer 2,000Mbps in select areas, Astound has a 1,500Mbps plan). Fiber, on the other hand, can reach much faster speeds, up to 5Gbps, 8Gbps or higher.
You can always ask a sales or customer service representative what connection type the internet provider uses.
CNET’s broadband reviews and best lists often involve considering, researching and evaluating several different attributes, from availability and plan selection to service terms and customer satisfaction. To learn more, see our breakdown of how we review internet service providers.
For a list that focuses solely on availability such as the one above, coverage area and total units served are the biggest considerations.
Broadband maps and data from the Federal Communications Commission are our primary sources when determining an internet provider’s availability. Although imperfect, the data gives us a solid understanding of where an internet provider offers service and the connection type, such as fiber, they use.
Using FCC data, we identified fiber internet providers with multi-state availability and coverage of at least 0.3% of households (around 500,000 units) nationwide. Qualifying providers are featured in the best list above.
Why isn't fiber internet available in more areas?
Fiber internet requires a direct fiber-optic line to the home or at least to a nearby hub where a coaxial cable will carry the connection the rest of the way. Fiber-optic cables aren’t cheap, nor is the process of installing them. Read our explainer on fiber internet to uncover more.
Deployment of new fiber lines takes time and typically occurs only in areas with high population density; locations where ISPs have a better chance of seeing a return on their investment.
When will fiber internet come to my area?
According to the FCC, fiber availability is improving, indicating fiber providers are expanding their networks and coverage areas. From December 2022 to December 2023, fiber availability rose from 38% nationwide to around 43%, representing an increase of around 10 million units.
Despite the improving availability, it’s difficult to say when you can expect to see fiber internet in your area. If you’re in a highly populated or growing area, particularly one with a local fiber provider or two, new fiber expansion may include your neighborhood in the near future.
Most fiber providers allow potential customers to sign up to receive notifications when service comes to their area. You may also be able to fill out a service request form to help promote expansion in your area.
Is fiber or 5G internet better?
Fiber internet has a faster speed potential, often with a better speed variety and superior reliability compared to 5G home internet. The only real advantage 5G has over fiber internet is availability, as the wireless delivery method has enabled providers such as T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet to rapidly enter and disrupt the broadband market.
So, 5G is more likely to be available than fiber internet, but if given the choice of the two, I would recommend fiber internet.
Source: cnet.com