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What is the best internet provider in Louisiana?
AT&T Fiber is CNET’s top pick for the best internet service provider in Louisiana. It’s the best choice for most households, thanks to its wide availability and some of the fastest speeds you can get in Louisiana. It delivers speeds of up to 5,000 megabits per second, so if you want the fastest internet around, AT&T Fiber is your best bet. If you live in an area not covered by AT&T, Spectrum and Xfinity are solid backup options.
If you’re looking for the cheapest internet plan in the state, Xfinity’s 150Mbps plan for $30 monthly is a good deal. You might also want to consider Optimum’s $40 plan, which provides 300Mbps speeds, because it offers superior value.
Best internet in Louisiana in 2024
Louisiana internet providers compared
| 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-$245 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| AT&T Internet Air Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $60 | 75-225Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Cox Read full review |
Cable | $30-$150 | 100-1,000Mbps | $15 (optional) | 1.25TB or unlimited | None | 6.2 |
| Optimum Read full review |
Cable | $40-$80 ($70-$110 after 12 months) | 300-1000Mbps | None | None | None | 6.2 |
| Spectrum Read full review |
Cable | $30-$70 | 100-1,000Mbps | Modem included, $10 router rental (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($40-$50 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) | 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) | 50-300Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| Xfinity Read full review |
Cable | $30-$95 | 150-1,200Mbps | $15 gateway rental on some plans (optional) | 1.2TB | 1-2 years on some | 7 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Rural internet options in Louisiana
- ArkLaNet:Fixed wireless ISP ArkLaNet covers northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas. There’s a $89-a-month residential speed tier of 20Mbps down and 3Mbps, which doesn’t quite meet the FCC standard for broadband (at least 25Mbps down). There’s a $199 installation fee but your equipment is included in the monthly fee. The expense and speed mean this option is aimed squarely at rural homes only serviced by satellite or fixed wireless. Here’s how fixed wireless stacks up against other types of internet connections.
- AT&T Home Internet: AT&T no longer offers its older DSL plans to new customers. However, AT&T’s Internet Air, a fixed wireless connection, might be available in some areas. There’s only one $60-per-month plan that tops out at 225Mbps in download speeds and 30Mbps in upload.
- Cajun Broadband: Cajun’s service area is focused on rural south-central Louisiana. The ISP started as a fixed wireless provider and now focuses on fiber. Prices range from $59 a month for 25Mbps service up to $175 a month for 500Mbps. Speeds are symmetrical. The router costs $9.50 a month, and there are no contracts.
- Faster Cajun Networks: Faster Cajun covers areas in and around Jeff Davis Parish with fixed wireless service. Plan prices and speeds vary with location. In Lake Arthur, the 15Mbps plan is $45 a month, while the top-end 45Mbps plan is $75. Outside Lake Arthur, the rural plans start at $50 a month for 10Mbps and top out at $92.50 for 50Mbps. There are no contracts or data caps.
- Satellite internet: Starlink, Hughesnet and Viasat provide satellite internet services focusing on rural homes with few other options. Internet speeds can be slow, and plans tend to be expensive. Compare with fixed wireless options, if any are available at your address.
- Sparklight: Cable internet provider Sparklight covers areas in and around Shreveport and Monroe. It reaches out into rural spots and may be the only wired option for some locations. Plans range from 300 to 940Mbps, with pricing from $60 to $80. A 100Mbps plan will run you $40 a month. There are no contracts, but a soft cap of 5TB applies to all plans; otherwise unlimited data is available.
- Volt Broadband: Some areas outside of Monroe are serviceable for this fiber internet provider. The ISP is based in Rayville. Plans start at $60 a month for 100Mbps service and top out at 1,000Mbps for $80 monthly. There are no data caps, contracts or equipment fees.
Internet breakdown by city in Louisiana
It’s hard to cover the broadband options of an entire state and give individual cities the attention they deserve. That’s why we also compile lists of the best internet providers in cities across the US, including those in Louisiana. We tackle details such as internet connection types, maximum speeds and cheapest providers. If you don’t find the city you’re looking for below, check back later. We’re working to add more locations every week.
Cheap internet options in Louisiana
Louisiana’s many cable ISPs offer some of the lowest introductory rates in the state. The two things to watch out for are equipment costs and rate hikes after the intro period is up. Xfinity’s 150Mbps plan is just $30 a month for the first year and you can sidestep the $15 monthly equipment fee by using your own equipment. For just $10 more, Optimum’s $40-a-month 300Mbps plan comes with the equipment included. Verizon and T-Mobile phone customers can look into bundling with an eligible phone plan to save on the monthly home internet price.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Louisiana?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | $30 | 150Mbps | $15 gateway rental (optional) |
| Optimum Read full review |
$40 ($70 after 12 months) | 300Mbps | None |
| Spectrum Read full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | Modem included, $10 router rental (optional) |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 100Mbps | None |
| AT&T Fiber Read full review |
$55 | 300Mbps | None |
| AT&T Internet Air Read full review |
$60 | 225Mbps | None |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Louisiana
The best internet deals and top promotions in Louisiana depend on what discounts are available during a given period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Louisiana internet providers, such as Optimum, Cox or Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Other providers, including AT&T Fiber, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
How fast is Louisiana broadband?
Recent Ookla data places Louisiana in the middle of the pack for US internet state speeds, with a median download speed of 198Mbps. Most cities are covered by cable internet with gig speeds available. Fiber, the Cadillac of home internet, is only available to roughly 33% of residents in the state, according to FCC estimates. It’s great if you can get it. Regarding fast plans, it’s tough to top AT&T Fiber’s 5,000Mbps speed tier. If blazing symmetrical speeds are a must-have for you, then make sure you land within the coverage area for AT&T Fiber.
Fastest internet plans in Louisiana
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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 person sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two people to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more people to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Louisiana
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. What’s our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary pricing, availability and speed database that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data 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 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 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 consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, you can visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Louisiana?
Your first stop for internet shopping in Louisiana should be to check in with AT&T Fiber. It’s not the cheapest around, but the plan terms are simple, and it’s fast up and down. No fiber? No problem. The state’s many cable providers come next. You can still get gig download speeds, but scrutinize the plan terms and be ready to deal with eventual price hikes. T-Mobile and Verizon phone customers looking for a bargain should check into 5G home internet, but speeds can be variable and availability limited.
Internet providers in Louisiana FAQs
What is the cheapest internet provider in Louisiana?
Xfinity checks in with the cheapest plan in Louisiana at $30 a month for 150Mbps service. You’ll need to provide your own equipment or pay a $15 monthly rental, making this plan less of a bargain. Most cable providers in Louisiana have low-cost introductory deals, at least in the first year.
Which internet provider in Louisiana offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber takes the top spot with Louisiana’s fastest widely available plan. The 5,000Mbps plan runs $245 a month and is one of the few multigig options in the state.
Is fiber internet available in Louisiana?
AT&T Fiber is the biggest provider of residential fiber internet in the state. Speeds top out at 5,000Mbps.
What internet provider has the best coverage in Louisiana?
The FCC National Broadband map shows AT&T reaches 54% of homes in the Bayou State. That figure includes DSL service alongside fiber. T-Mobile also has significant coverage, although home internet slots may not always be open, even within the company’s 5G Ultra Capacity zones.
