Best Internet Providers in Greensboro, North Carolina
Our Experts
What is the best internet provider in Greensboro?
AT&T Fiber stands out as the best ISP in Greensboro due to its local fiber coverage, fast plans and high customer satisfaction. AT&T Fiber also offers the fastest internet plan in Greensboro, up to 5,000 megabits per second, and free equipment rental, a perk not available from all internet providers in the area.
Fellow fiber internet provider, Lumos Fiber, has the fastest speeds of any major provider in the area, with plans ranging from 500Mbps to 8,000Mbps.
If fiber internet is unavailable at your address, Spectrum is your best bet for wired internet with coverage spanning 92% of Greensboro, according to the Federal Communications Commission. As CNET’s top pick for cable internet, it’s not a bad option to consider, especially if you’re interested in cheap internet. Spectrum internet starts at $30 a month, the cheapest in the area, for speeds up to 100Mbps.
Aside from fiber internet and cable service from Spectrum, fixed wireless internet from Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet is easy to recommend for internet in Greensboro. Both providers include free equipment, unlimited data and no contracts, plus an added discount for qualifying mobile customers.
Our methodology
CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Greensboro across several categories. Our evaluation includes referencing a proprietary database built over years of reviewing internet services. We validate that against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also do a close read of providers' terms and conditions and, when needed, will call ISPs to verify the details.
Despite our efforts to find the most recent and accurate information, our process has some limitations you should know about. Pricing and speed data are variable: certain addresses may qualify for different tiers of service, and monthly costs may vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your particular options is to plug your address into a provider's website.
Also, the prices, speed and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. The cards display the full range of a provider's pricing and speed across the US, according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs, while the text is specific to what’s available in Greensboro. The prices referenced within this article's text come from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month; a standard industry offering. Other discounts and promotions might be available as well, for things like signing a term contract or bundling with multiple services.
To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.
Best internet in Greensboro, North Carolina
Spectrum
Best broadband coverage in Greensboro, NC
Our take - Spectrum doesn’t quite match the speed and value potential of Greensboro’s fiber internet providers, but it does have the advantage of widespread availability throughout the city.
AT&T Fiber
Best internet provider in Greensboro, NC
Our take - AT&T Fiber is about as customer-friendly as it gets with multiple plan options, stable pricing, unlimited data and free equipment. New customers can also take advantage of bonus offers such as free gift cards or contract buyouts when signing up.
Lumos Fiber
Fastest internet in Greensboro, NC
Our take - Lumos Fiber stands out for having the fastest plan in Greensboro, but there's more to the service than speed. Plans are priced competitively, often lower than AT&T Fiber on comparable speed tiers.
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Best fixed wireless internet in Greensboro, NC
Our take - Greensboro is a Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband capable city, meaning many residents will have access to Verizon 5G Home Internet. Speeds range from 50 to 1,000Mbps, so the overall value will depend on the available speeds at your address.
Greensboro internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AT&T Read full review | DSL, fiber | $55 DSL, $55-$225 fiber | 10-100Mbps DSL, 300-5,000Mbps fiber | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Lumos Fiber | Fiber | $40-$240 | 500-8,000Mbps | $10 (optional) | None | None | N/A |
|
Spectrum Read full review | Cable | $30-$60 | 300-1,000Mbps | Free modem, $7 router rental (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $60 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What other internet options are there in Greensboro?
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.
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 broadband at a glance
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.
Internet pricing in Greensboro
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 $40 a month.
What's the cheapest internet plan in Greensboro?
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Spectrum Internet 100 Read full review | $30 | 100Mbps | Free modem, $7 router rental (optional) |
| Lumos Fiber 500 | $40 | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) |
|
Spectrum Internet Read full review | $50 | 300Mbps | Free modem, $7 router rental (optional) |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 50-300Mbps | None |
|
AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review | $55 | 300Mbps | None |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $60 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Greensboro
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.
How fast is Greensboro broadband?
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.
Fastest internet plans in Greensboro
| 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 | $225 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Lumos Fiber 5000 | $180 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
|
AT&T Internet 2000 Read full review | $125 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Lumos Fiber 2000 | $100 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
|
AT&T Internet 1000 Read full review | $80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Lumos Fiber 1000 | $70 | 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 | $70 ($45 with eligible mobile plans) | 85-1,000Mbps | 50-75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
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.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Greensboro
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:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
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.
Internet in Greensboro recap
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.
Internet providers in Greensboro FAQs
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.
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