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Internet providers in Athens, AL
Shop the best Athens internet providers. Compare internet plan pricing and speeds from cable, DSL and fiber-optic providers in your area.
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Athens, AL internet providers
Need help? Call (844) 451-2720
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Jun 1, 2020.
Need help?Athens internet service at a glance
At 100%, broadband coverage in Athens is comparable to the rest of Alabama - 94%, and comparable to broadband coverage across the U.S. - 95%.
The vast majority of those living in the Athens area will have access to cable, which covers 100% of Athens residents. DSL internet is also an option for many, offering service to 98% of the area. Fiber-optic is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 90% of those living in Athens.
There are six internet providers serving the Athens area, and 98.09% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among Athens's six internet providers, prices start at $29.99 and available download speeds reach up to 1,000 Mbps.
Top high-speed internet providers in Athens
The largest internet providers in Athens are AT&T, Spectrum, and Mediacom bringing DSL and cable options to Athens.
DSL internet from AT&T is available to nearly all Athens residents, covering 94% of households. Many will also have the option of cable from Spectrum, which covers 100% of the area. Athens’s third most-available internet provider, Mediacom, offers cable to around 19% of Athens residents.
AT&T DSL internet
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*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of Jun 1, 2020.
DSL from AT&T offers broadband to nearly all households in Athens covering 94% of the area.
DSL internet from AT&T uses telephone lines in Athens to deliver service, which often leads to lower prices and higher availability, though download speeds are likely to be slower than cable or fiber-optic internet.
Internet prices for AT&T start at $30/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in Athens, $42.99.
AT&T customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 100 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.30 per Mbps, about the same as the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Athens, $0.61.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, AT&T offers download speeds up to 75 Mbps and upload speeds up to 20 Mbps in Athens. These download speeds are available to 94% of the area, and are much slower than the average max speeds from all Athens's providers, 442 Mbps.
Spectrum cable internet
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*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of Jun 1, 2020.
Cable from Spectrum offers broadband to all households in Athens covering 100% of the area.
Spectrum’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but Athens residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for Spectrum start at $44.99/mo.*, which is about the same as the average starting price for internet in Athens, $42.99.
Spectrum customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 60 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.75 per Mbps, about the same as the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Athens, $0.61.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Spectrum offers download speeds up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds up to 5 Mbps in Athens. These download speeds are available to 100% of the area, and are much slower than the average max speeds from all Athens's providers, 442 Mbps.
Mediacom cable internet
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*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of Jun 1, 2020.
Cable from Mediacom offers broadband to a limited number of households in Athens covering 19% of the area.
Mediacom’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but Athens residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for Mediacom start at $29.99/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in Athens, $42.99.
Mediacom customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 60 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.50 per Mbps, about the same as the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Athens, $0.61.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Mediacom offers download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 50 Mbps in Athens. These download speeds are available to 19% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Athens's providers, 442 Mbps.
Internet coverage for rural areas
If you live in the heart of Athens, you’ll likely have options from cable, DSL, and fiber-optic internet providers. For those in rural areas or just outside Athens, however, satellite or fixed wireless internet may be the best internet option.
Satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat offers 100% availability in Athens and surrounding areas. HughesNet starting prices are significantly higher than average in Athens at $59.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Viasat starting prices are higher than average in Athens at $50/mo. for speeds up to 12 Mbps. Satellite internet is a less appealing option for many Athens residents, however, as service typically comes with high latency and low data allowances.
Internet provider frequently asked questions
What’s the fastest internet provider in Athens?
AT&T is the fastest internet provider in Athens with download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 7.018% of households in Athens. The next fastest internet provider in Athens is Mediacom, offering download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps to 19% of the area.
What’s the cheapest internet provider in Athens?
Mediacom offers the cheapest internet in Athens with plans starting at $29.99/mo. This is significantly less than the average starting price for internet in Athens, $42.99.
Is fiber internet available in Athens?
WOW is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider in Athens, covering 90% of the city. AT&T also offers fiber internet in Athens and is available to 7.018% of households.
Do I need a phone line for broadband?
The only broadband internet type that requires a phone line is DSL and dial-up, which use phone lines to deliver service. Other internet types, such as cable, fiber-optic and satellite, require no phone line for broadband service.
Why aren’t there more internet options?
According to the FCC, 93% of households have access to three or more providers. In many areas, a cable, DSL, satellite and possibly fiber-optic provider may be available. You are unlikely, however, to find multiple providers of the same internet type, such as two cable providers, in the same location because operating expenses in an area already served by another provider can be too high to be profitable.
What’s the best internet provider in my area?
Fiber internet providers are likely to offer the fastest, most consistent speeds for the money. Cable internet providers can also deliver fast speeds, up to 100 Mbps and higher, but are more vulnerable to slowed speeds during peak usage times. If you’re shopping for cheap internet, a DSL provider may be the best option for your household.
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