The Best Internet Provider in Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina’s capital, is affectionately called « Soda City » or simply « Cola. » For those looking to stay indoors to beat the famously hot weather with a chilled drink and Netflix, two questions come to mind: Do Columbia’s internet speeds measure up? And, which internet provider tops the list for the city?
Good news: Columbia residents can enjoy median download speeds exceeding 200 megabits per second, according to data from Ookla. Even better, AT&T Fiber is available in Columbia, making it our top choice for the best internet provider in Soda City.
Why We Recommend AT&T Fiber for Columbia Residents
AT&T Fiber offers impressive speeds that match those of Spectrum, Columbia’s other major internet provider, based on Ookla’s data. In addition to these two major ISPs, some Columbia residents can access 5G home internet options from Verizon and T-Mobile. For those seeking top speeds, AT&T Fiber’s multigig plans reach up to 5,000Mbps.
Affordable Options for Columbia’s Internet Needs
If affordability is a priority, Spectrum offers the city’s cheapest option with its 300Mbps plan for just $40 per month.
Columbia web suppliers in contrast
| Supplier | Web expertise | Month-to-month value vary | Velocity vary | Month-to-month tools prices | Information cap | Contract | CNET overview rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| CarolinaConnect Cooperative, Inc. | Fiber | $50-$90 | 350-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | N/A |
| Hughesnet | Satellite tv for pc | $50-$95 | 50-100Mbps | $15 or $300 to $450 one-time buy | 100-200GB | 2 years | 6 |
| Spectrum | Cable | $50-$90 | 300-1,000Mbps | Modem free; $7 for router (elective) | None | None | 7.2 |
| T-Cellular Dwelling Web | Mounted wi-fi | $60-$70 ($40-$50 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max cell clients) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Dwelling Web | Mounted Wi-fi | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible cell clients) | 100-300Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| Viasat | Satellite tv for pc | $120 | 25-150Mbps | $15 or $250 one-time buy | Limitless (850GB smooth cap) | None | 6.1 |
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Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier information
Other Internet Providers Available in Columbia
While most of Columbia has access to AT&T Fiber or Spectrum cable internet, some neighborhoods also have options like T-Mobile and Verizon’s 5G services, as well as regional providers ispMint and EIN. Here are additional choices for internet providers in Columbia:
EarthLink
EarthLink connects customers through other networks, offering speeds from 100Mbps up to 5,000Mbps. Plans range in price from $60 to $190 per month.
EIN
This Kansas-based ISP provides DSL plans in parts of Columbia, starting at $88 per month for 6Mbps download speeds, with options up to 5,000Mbps.
ispMint
A veteran-owned provider, ispMint mainly serves rural customers. Its $199 plan offers speeds between 15 and 50Mbps. Customers need to purchase a $299 system or pay $30 monthly to lease it.
HughesNet
HughesNet offers satellite internet with speeds of 50Mbps starting at $50 per month, along with a two-year contract and equipment fees. Columbia residents also have access to Fusion plans, a mix of satellite and wireless home internet.
T-Mobile Home Internet
T-Mobile’s 5G home internet offers speeds between 72 and 245Mbps for $60 per month. Customers with Go5G Plus or Magenta Max phone plans get a $20 monthly discount, lowering the cost to $40.
Viasat
Viasat provides speeds up to 150Mbps for $120 per month. While unlimited data is available, a monthly cap of 850GB applies.
Low cost web choices in Columbia
You possibly can count on to spend round $51 per 30 days to connect with the web in Columbia. If you’d like extra pace, there are various choices. That is excellent news for individuals who wish to beat the town’s well-known warmth by staying indoors.
The most affordable web belongs to Spectrum’s $40-per-month plan for obtain speeds of 300Mbps. Nonetheless, for these on the lookout for low cost web choices in Columbia, there aren’t many. Most plans begin round $50 per 30 days. Nonetheless, eligible cell clients with Verizon and T-Cellular can obtain discounted charges.
What is the most cost-effective web plan in Columbia?
| Supplier | Beginning value | Max obtain pace | Month-to-month tools charge | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | $40 | 300Mbps | Modem free; $7 for router (elective) | None |
| Verizon 5G Dwelling Web | $50 ($35 with eligible cellphone plan) | 100Mbps | None | None |
| AT&T Fiber 300 | $55 | 300Mbps | None | None |
| T-Cellular Dwelling Web | $60 ($40 with eligible cellphone plan) | 245Mbps | None | None |
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Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier information
How to Discover Internet Deals and Promotions in Columbia
Finding the best internet deals and promotions in Columbia depends on the latest available discounts. Many deals are short-lived, so it’s essential to stay updated on current offers. Major providers like Spectrum and Verizon sometimes offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, others, such as AT&T and T-Mobile, tend to maintain consistent pricing throughout the year.
For a more detailed list of current promotions, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How Fast is Broadband in Columbia?
According to recent Ookla speed test data, Columbia residents enjoy a median download speed of 230Mbps. Gig-plus options are available from AT&T, Spectrum, and local ISP CarolinaConnect Cooperative. Among these, AT&T Fiber offers the fastest connection, with download and upload speeds reaching up to 5,000Mbps.
Quickest web plans in Columbia
| Supplier | Max obtain pace | Max add pace | Beginning value | Information cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber 5000 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | $245 | None | None |
| AT&T Fiber 2000 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | $145 | None | None |
| AT&T Fiber 1000 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $80 | None | None |
| CarolinaConnect 1000 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $90 | None | None |
| Spectrum Web Gig | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | $60 | None | None |
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Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier information
What’s a great web pace?
Most web connection plans can now deal with primary productiveness and communication duties. Should you’re on the lookout for an web plan that may accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you may have a greater expertise with a extra sturdy connection. This is an summary of the really helpful minimal obtain speeds for numerous functions, based on the FCC. Observe that these are solely pointers — and that web pace, service and efficiency range by connection sort, supplier and deal with.
For extra info, check with our information on how a lot web pace you really want.
- 0 to 5Mbps means that you can deal with the fundamentals — looking the web, sending and receiving electronic mail, streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps provides you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps ought to give one consumer adequate bandwidth to fulfill the calls for of recent telecommuting, video streaming and on-line gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps permits one to 2 customers to concurrently have interaction in high-bandwidth actions like videoconferencing, streaming and on-line gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps permits three or extra customers to have interaction in high-bandwidth actions on the identical time.
How CNET selected the very best web suppliers in Columbia
Web service suppliers are quite a few and regional. In contrast to the newest smartphone, laptop computer, router or kitchen instrument, it is impractical to personally take a look at each ISP in a given metropolis. So what’s our strategy? We begin by researching the pricing, availability and pace info drawing on our personal historic ISP information, the supplier websites and mapping info from the Federal Communications Fee at FCC.gov.
However it doesn’t finish there. We go to the FCC’s web site to examine our information and guarantee we’re contemplating each ISP that gives service in an space. We additionally enter native addresses on supplier web sites to search out particular choices for residents. To guage how pleased clients are with an ISP’s service, we have a look at sources together with the American Buyer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Energy. ISP plans and costs are topic to frequent modifications; all info offered is correct as of the time of publication.
As soon as we’ve this localized info, we ask three most important questions:
- Does the supplier provide entry to moderately quick web speeds?
- Do clients get first rate worth for what they’re paying?
- Are clients pleased with their service?
Whereas the solutions to these questions are sometimes layered and sophisticated, the suppliers that come closest to « sure » on all three are those we advocate.
To discover our course of in additional depth, go to our How We Take a look at ISPs web page.
What is the closing phrase on web suppliers in Columbia?
Most Columbia residents shall be nicely served by Spectrum’s cable connection which is broadly obtainable within the metropolis. Some Cola residents have entry to 5G residence web from T-Cellular or Verizon — every makes for a great possibility for present clients of their wi-fi companies as a result of deep month-to-month reductions they provide. AT&T Fiber’s protection is proscribed within the metropolis, but when your deal with is serviceable, I’d put it on the high of your listing.
Web suppliers in Columbia FAQs
Which is the very best web service supplier in Columbia, SC?
With its excessive marks on buyer satisfaction surveys and number of choices by way of value and pace — CNET calls it a « terrific worth » — AT&T’s fiber web would be the best option for many Columbia residents.
Ought to I select AT&T or Spectrum?
Most Columbia residents can have entry to web choices from Spectrum, whereas, fiber protection from AT&T is proscribed. For a full breakdown of the variations between AT&T and Spectrum, take a look at our information that pits them towards one another. However the TL;DR is that since Cola can get on AT&T’s fiber plans, these are the higher choices.
