Best Internet Providers in Juneau, Alaska
Our Experts
What is the best internet provider in Juneau?
GCI is the best internet provider in Juneau, with speeds up to 2,500Mbps and prices starting at $85 per month. It’s the only wired connection in the city, making it less susceptible to weather outages than other providers, but you’ll have to deal with data caps on most plans.
If you want lower prices (and higher data caps), the cheapest internet in Juneau is SnowCloud, which offers plans starting at $65 per month for 100Mbps speeds. Satellite internet from Starlink is another decent option, but you’ll have to buy the equipment upfront for a hefty $599 fee.
Our methodology
CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Juneau across a number of 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 Juneau. 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 Juneau, Alaska
GCI
Best internet provider in Juneau
Our take - GCI was CNET’s pick for the best internet provider in Alaska, and it was an easy choice for Juneau, as well. It’s the only ISP in the city that offers a wired connection -- the rest are fixed wireless, DSL or satellite. GCI’s cable internet is the fastest in Juneau by a mile, and it’s less prone to weather disruptions and network congestion than other ISPs in the area. I don’t like its stingy data caps, and you’ll still pay more than you would in the lower 48, but at least you’ll get fast speeds for that price.
SnowCloud
Cheapest internet in Juneau
Our take - Internet is expensive in Alaska no matter which provider you choose, but SnowCloud is the cheapest option overall -- especially when you take into account that it doesn’t charge for equipment. It uses a fixed wireless network, which can be less reliable than wired connections you’d get through a provider like GCI, but its speeds are decent and the data caps are more generous than other ISPs in the city.
Starlink
Best satellite internet in Juneau
Our take - I usually only recommend satellite internet as a last resort, but Starlink’s satellite service is one of the better options available in Juneau. You’ll get speeds up to 250Mbps, and data is technically unlimited, although your traffic may be deprioritized to make room for Priority Data subscribers.
Juneau internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Communications | DSL | $85-$100 | 10-75Mbps | None | None | None | NA |
| GCI | Cable | $85-$185 | 250-2,500Mbps | None | 250GB-Unlimited | None | NA |
|
HughesNet Read full review | Satellite | $50-$150 | 15-50Mbps | $14 per month | 15-200GB | Two years | 5.7 |
| SnowCloud | Fixed wireless | $65-$95 | 100Mbps | None | 500-2,000GB | None | NA |
|
Starlink Read full review | Satellite | $90 | 25-220Mbps | $599 upfront | None | None | NA |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Other available internet providers in Juneau
- Alaska Communications: While it technically offers fiber service at a handful of addresses in Juneau, Alaska Communications is primarily a DSL provider. Speeds depend on your specific address, but the highest I saw was 75Mbps for $100 a month. In most areas, you’ll be looking at 15-30Mbps for $95 -- an extremely high price for such low speeds. That said, Alaska Communications is one of the few ISPs in Juneau that includes unlimited data with all its plans, so it’s worth a look.
- HughesNet: Along with Starlink, HughesNet is your other option for satellite internet in Juneau. You won’t have to pay a huge upfront equipment cost -- HughesNet charges $14 monthly for equipment -- but it’s significantly worse in every other area. Speeds range from 15Mbps to 50Mbps, but the more concerning issue for most people is the data caps. Prices start at $50 for 15GB and go all the way up to $150 for 200GB. After you hit these limits, HughesNet slows your speed to 1 to 3Mbps for the remainder of the month, making things like streaming TV or videoconferencing unfeasible.
Cheap internet options in Juneau
There aren’t many truly “cheap” internet options in Juneau. The lowest starting price comes from HughesNet, which offers two plans for $50 a month (in the first year, at least), but adds an extra $14 for equipment. SnowCloud is the cheaper all-in provider, with plans starting at $65 for 100Mbps speeds and no equipment fees.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Juneau?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HughesNet 15 GB Read full review | $50 | 15Mbps | $14 |
|
HughesNet 50 GB Read full review | $50 ($75 after one year) | 25Mbps | $14 |
| SnowCloud | $65 | 100Mbps | None |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
How to find internet deals and promotions in Juneau
The best internet deals and the top promotions in Juneau depend on what discounts are available during that time period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Juneau internet providers such as GCI may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including SnowCloud, Starlink and Alaska Communications, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of deals, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is Juneau broadband?
Internet in Juneau is extremely slow compared to cities in the lower 48, but it stacks up well compared to other cities in Alaska. 97% of Juneau residents have access to 250/25Mbps speeds, compared to just 64% statewide. That’s entirely thanks to GCI; it’s the fastest provider in the state, and it’s available virtually everywhere in Juneau.
Fastest internet plans in Juneau
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCI red Unlimited | $185 | 2,500Mbps | 75Mbps | Unlimited | Cable |
| GCI Fastest | $160 | 1,000Mbps | 40Mbps | 1,000GB | Cable |
| GCI Faster | $110 | 500Mbps | 20Mbps | 600GB | Cable |
| GCI Fast | $85 | 250Mbps | 10Mbps | 250GB | Cable |
|
Starlink Read full review | $90 | 220Mbps | 20Mbps | Unlimited | Satellite |
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, 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 engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming. simultaneously.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming simultaneously.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Juneau
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. So 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.
But 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, though 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.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Juneau?
Compared to the country as a whole, the internet landscape in Juneau leaves a lot to be desired. But that’s apples to oranges -- by Alaska’s standards, Juneau fares pretty well. The best internet provider for most people is GCI, which is the only wired connection in the city. It’s the fastest internet in Juneau by far, but it’s on the expensive side, and you’ll have to deal with data caps on most plans. If you’re looking for cheap internet in Juneau, SnowCloud is your best bet, with plans starting at just $65. Satellite internet from Starlink is another option for reasonably fast speeds, but it requires a $599 equipment purchase upfront.
Internet providers in Juneau FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Juneau?
GCI is the best internet service provider in Juneau, with plans starting at $85 per month for 250Mbps speeds. With the exception of the $185 plan, all GCI plans come with a monthly data cap.
Is fiber internet available in Juneau?
Fiber internet is available to less than 1% of Juneau, according to FCC data. This is offered through Alaska Communications, which has introduced fiber service to a handful of streets in the city.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Juneau?
SnowCloud is the cheapest internet provider in Juneau, with plans starting at $65 per month for 100Mbps speeds. HughesNet also offers satellite service starting at $50 per month for 15Mbps, but equipment costs an extra $14 monthly, and it requires a two-year commitment.
Which internet provider in Juneau offers the fastest plan?
GCI offers the fastest internet plan in Juneau, with 2,500Mbps speeds available for $185 per month.
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