Best Internet Providers in Opelika, Alabama
Our Experts
Opelika is often lumped in with nearby Auburn, a city famous for Auburn University and its mighty Tigers, but Opelika has a history and feel all its own. The city has plenty to draw you out, thanks to an active downtown, historic sites, Tiger Town and a burgeoning craft brewing scene. Those perks attract people to Opelika, and residents want fast, reliable internet to keep them connected for work and play.
AT&T Fiber is our choice for the best internet provider in Opelika due to its 5,000Mbps speed tier, which is available in some parts of the city. Fiber provider Point Broadband makes a strong case for consideration as well. Spectrum cable internet, T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet offer affordable alternatives where fiber isn't available. Let's get the ISP train rolling and look at the best internet options for Opelika.
Best internet options in Opelika
Regarding fast internet plans, Opelika is a good place to shop. Much of the city is hooked up for fiber internet, the Cadillac of residential internet services. Both AT&T Fiber and Point Broadband operate in the city, so your choice may come down to availability and price. If you're in a spot with no fiber coverage, check into Spectrum for cable internet, T-Mobile Home Internet or Verizon 5G Home Internet for 5G fixed wireless.
Note: The prices, speeds and features detailed in the article text may differ from those listed in the product detail cards, which represent providers’ national offerings. Your particular internet service options -- including prices and speeds -- depend on your address and may differ from those detailed here.
AT&T Fiber
Best internet provider in Opelika, AL
Our take - AT&T Fiber has some stiff competition from Point Broadband, but AT&T's top speed tier of 5,000Mbps combined with no-fuss pricing makes it our choice for the best internet provider in the city.
Point Broadband
Best regional internet in Opelika, AL
Our take - Point Broadband operates in 10 states and it offers speeds up to 1,000Mbps in Opelika. The biggest challenge with Point is sorting out plan pricing.
T-Mobile Home Internet
Best fixed wireless internet in Opelika, AL
Our take - T-Mobile Home Internet is our top fixed wireless option for Opelika based on availability. Wide coverage and simple pricing make it an easy-to-use alternative to other ISPs, especially if fiber isn't available to you or if you're looking for a budget option. Compare T-Mobile Home Internet with Verizon 5G Home Internet.
All available Opelika residential internet providers
Opelika is a pretty typical market for ISP shoppers. There are several fiber options with AT&T and Point Broadband, a cable option from Spectrum, and fixed wireless from T-Mobile and Verizon. AT&T's slower DSL service also reaches many homes, and satellite internet is a potential alternative for more rural locations in the area.
Top Opelika internet providers
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AT&T Fiber Read full review | Fiber | $55-$180 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
|
AT&T Internet Read full review | DSL | $55 | 768Kbps-100Mbps | None | 1.5TB (no data cap for 100Mbps plan) | None | 7.4 |
| Point Broadband | Fiber | $40-$115 | 200-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | N/A |
|
Spectrum Read full review | Cable | $50-$90 | 300-940Mbps | Free modem; $5 router (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $50 | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $50-$70 | 85-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
- AT&T Internet: AT&T's fiber offering is its premium internet service, but the company also offers DSL connections in places not serviced by fiber. It's a much, much slower option and likely won't be your first choice. The price is $55 with no contract and no equipment fees, but you may find only poky speeds. For example, some addresses in Opelika can only get up to 10Mbps through AT&T's DSL.
- Satellite internet: No fiber? No cable? Is fixed wireless not working out? Satellite internet from Starlink, Viasat or HughesNet is an option for more rural areas that might not have much choice in how to get internet. Frequent RV travelers should also consider Starlink's on-the-go internet plan for staying connected on the road.
- Spectrum: Charter Communications' Spectrum cable internet is widely available across Opelika. It's a strong option if fiber isn't available at your address. Speeds range from 300Mbps ($50 per month) to 940Mbps ($90 per month). You get a free modem, and there are no data caps or contracts.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon tells CNET it has some home internet availability in Opelika. Not every home will be able to sign up just yet, though. You'll have to run your address to find out. Plans run $50-$70. Verizon offers speeds of up to 1,000Mbps in some cities in the US, but Opelika residents will be looking at a max speed of 300Mbps. Combining Verizon's home internet with an eligible phone plan can net you a sweet deal of 50% off your internet bill.
Opelika broadband at a glance
In keeping with Opelika's railroad heritage, let's compare the internet to trains. AT&T's DSL is like an overloaded freight working its way up a steep pass. It'll get there eventually, but it won't go fast. Fixed wireless is like Amtrak. Maybe it'll be timely; maybe it'll be running a little slow. Spectrum's cable offering is like regional passenger rail. Solid, capable and decently fast. Lower-gig tiers of fiber from AT&T and Point Broadband are like express commuter trains: plenty fast enough for most people. Fiber at its speediest (as in AT&T's 5-gig plan) is like a bullet train. Zoom. Which one will you board?
Opelika internet pricing
The average starting price for internet in Opelika is just a hair under $50 per month. Point Broadband's $40-per-month introductory deal for 200Mbps service is the cheapest intro to fiber, but keep an eye on future price hikes. All Opelika ISPs have at least one plan at around the $50 level. AT&T Fiber and Spectrum are on the faster side of that with 300Mbps offerings.
Cheap internet options in the Opelika area
If cost is your top concern, it's hard to beat Verizon's $25 or T-Mobile's $30 special price when you bundle with an eligible phone plan. You can pull down faster speeds from Point, Spectrum and AT&T Fiber for starting prices between $40 and $55. Point has some tempting deals, but watch for price changes.
Low-income households should check into the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. Most eligible homes will qualify for $30 off their internet bill, which can put high-speed internet well within reach.
Cheapest internet plans in Opelika?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Point Broadband | $40 (for 3 months, then $65) | 200Mbps | None | None |
|
Spectrum Read full review | $50 | 300Mbps | Free modem; $5 router (optional) | None |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($25 with eligible mobile plan) | 300Mbps | None | None |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($30 with eligible mobile plan) | 245Mbps | None | None |
|
AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review | $55 | 300Mbps | None | None |
How fast is Opelika broadband service?
According to Ookla, of Speedtest.net fame, Opelika's median download speed for fixed internet is about 197Mbps. AT&T has some of the slowest and fastest internet speeds in Opelika. It's all about technology. AT&T Internet's DSL will likely be too slow, while AT&T Fiber and its max speeds up to 5,000Mbps will keep your online experience peppy. Point Broadband and Spectrum cable both make a case with speeds in the 1,000Mbps range.
Fastest internet providers in Opelika
There's one clear champ in the race to provide the fastest internet service to Opelika, and that's AT&T Fiber's 5,000Mbps plan at the $180-per-month price. That may be overkill for many internet users, but big-time gamers and households with multiple heavy internet users can take advantage of that offering. Just watch out for limited availability in Opelika. Most people who enjoy streaming, browsing, and gaming will do just fine at the 1,000Mbps (1 gigabit) level from AT&T Fiber, Point Broadband or Spectrum.
Fastest internet plans in Opelika
| Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AT&T Fiber 5000 Read full review | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | $180 | None | None |
|
AT&T Fiber 2000 Read full review | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | $110 | None | None |
|
AT&T Fiber 1000 Read full review | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $80 | None | None |
| Point Broadband | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $60 (for first 3 years, then $115) | None | None |
|
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review | 940Mbps | 35Mbps | $90 | None | None |
What's the final word on internet providers in Opelika?
When it comes to the internet in Opelika, it's all about location. Does AT&T Fiber or Point Broadband service your address? Those are good places to start for fast, reliable fiber connections. If fiber isn't available or you don't have that need for speed, chances are good Spectrum has you covered with cable. Finally, don't sleep on T-Mobile Home Internet or Verizon 5G Home Internet. They can be extremely affordable and fast enough for many households in good locations for fixed wireless.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Opelika
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’re considering every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. To evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service, we look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power. 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.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our How We Test ISPs page.
FAQs on internet providers in Opelika
Is fiber internet available in Opelika?
Yes. AT&T Fiber and Point Broadband duke it out for fiber supremacy in Opelika. AT&T offers a top speed of 5,000Mbps in some parts of town, while Point maxes out at 1,000Mbps. The two ISPs are very competitive at the 1,000Mbps level and below. Point's pricing structure isn't the most transparent, however.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Opelika?
It's tough to beat the bundle bargains from fixed wireless ISPs Verizon and T-Mobile. Put home internet together with an eligible phone plan, and you can get online for as low as $25 per month with Verizon and $30 per month with T-Mobile. On the fiber side, Point Broadband offers strong introductory deals as low as $40 ($50 with access fee) per month, while AT&T's 300Mbps tier comes in at $55. That's not bad for fiber. Check into the Affordable Connectivity Program for assistance if you're a low-income household.
Which internet provider in Opelika offers the fastest plan?
When you need internet that runs like an Italian sports car on a track, fiber is the way. The fastest residential plan in Opelika comes from AT&T Fiber, with speeds up to 5,000Mbps for $180 per month. Availability is limited, but residents can also look to gigabit plans from AT&T and Point Broadband. Here's what you need to know about multigigabit internet.
Is AT&T Fiber or Point Broadband better in Opelika?
AT&T Fiber just edged Point Broadband for our choice of the best internet provider in Opelika, but your decision will come down to several factors. If it's 5-gigabit speeds you're looking for, AT&T is the only game in town. Point, however, has wide coverage across Opelika for its gigabit tier. Where Point struggles a bit is with its convoluted pricing. Look carefully to find the best balance of speed and price and check the fine print for future price hikes.
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