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What is the best internet provider in Tennessee?
CNET’s choice for Tennessee’s best internet service provider is AT&T Fiber, which offers 300Mbps speeds for as low as $55 a month. Faster AT&T plans offer maximum download speeds of 5,000Mbps (5 gigabits per second), making for the fastest speeds you’ll find from any major ISP in the Volunteer State.
Tennessee is a great place for internet speeds, ranking eighth in the United States for median speeds. You can find everything from super-fast gigabit internet to budget-friendly basic options. If you’re on the hunt for the best internet service provider in Tennessee, you’re in the right spot.
If AT&T isn’t for you, there are plenty of other internet providers in Tennessee — with varying pricing, speeds, and availability depending on your residential location. On the cheaper side, Xfinity‘s Connect plan comes with download speeds of up to 150Mbps, starting at just $30 monthly. Elsewhere, WideOpenWest (WOW) also has a $30 plan with speeds of up to 300Mbps if you’re lucky enough to reside in the catchment area.
So whether you’re looking for the cheapest internet, the fastest plan or just an all-around service to fit your needs and your budget, you’ll find a rundown of the best internet providers in Tennessee and what makes them stand out.
Top Tennessee internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Read full review |
DSL, fiber | $55-$245 | 75-225Mbps DSL, 300-5,000Mbps fiber | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Brightspeed | DSL, fiber | $39-$69 | 15-100Mbps DSL, 200-2,000Mbps fiber | $15 | None | None | N/A |
| Frontier Read full review |
DSL, fiber | $45 | Varies DSL, 30Mbps fiber | None | None | None | 6.3 |
| Google Fiber Read full review |
Fiber | $70-$150 | 1,000-8,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.5 |
| Spectrum Read full review |
Cable | $50-$70 | 500-1,000Mbps | Free modem; $10 router rental (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($40-$50 with eligible mobile plans) | 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) | 70-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| WideOpenWest | Cable | $30-$95 | 300-1,200Mbps | $10 (optional) | Varies, 1.5TB to unlimited | None | 7.2 |
| Xfinity Read full review |
Cable | $30-$95 | 150-1,200Mbps | $15 (optional) | 1.25TB or unlimited | 1 or 2 years (optional) | 7 |
Show more (4 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Tennessee
- AT&T Internet: AT&T’s copper-based (DSL) side has a larger coverage area than AT&T Fiber, but you’ll probably want to explore other options as service starts at $60 per month for the fastest speeds available, typically only around 75 to 225Mbps.
- Brightspeed: After taking over operations from Lumen (CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber) in Tennessee, Brightspeed has continued offering DSL and fiber internet, mostly in the eastern part of the state around Johnson City. As with AT&T and other DSL/fiber providers, I’d recommend checking out the fiber service but passing on the DSL if possible.
- Frontier: Again, pass on the DSL if possible, but check out Frontier Fiber where available (mostly around Cookeville). The speeds, pricing and service terms are as good as any, but availability in Tennessee is highly limited.
- Google Fiber: Finally, a fiber-only provider. If you want gigabit internet, Google Fiber is the way to go.
- WideOpenWest: Also known as WOW, WideOpenWest is a cable provider with speeds and pricing to rival any. However, availability in Tennessee leaves something to be desired, as the Knoxville area is the only presence WOW has in the state.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon’s home internet service doesn’t have the same broad coverage as T-Mobile, but it does offer faster speeds and two plan options: 50 to 300Mbps starting at $50 per month and 85 to 1,000Mbps starting at $70 per month. Qualifying Verizon mobile customers can receive a discount on home internet service.
- Satellite internet: Some parts of Tennessee will not have any practical home internet options other than satellite. Hughesnet and Viasat are the obvious options for satellite internet. Yet, Starlink and its fleet of low-orbiting satellites may be the best choice for speed, latency and data from a satellite provider.
Tennessee internet options by city
It’s hard to cover the internet options of an entire state like Tennessee while giving individual cities the in-depth attention they deserve. That’s why we’ve also put together lists of the best internet providers in cities across the US, including those in Tennessee. If you don’t find your hometown below, check back later. We’re working to add more every day.
Cheap internet options in Tennessee
Xfinity and WOW have plans starting at $30 per month, the cheapest of any major provider in Tennessee. Other providers, such as Spectrum, AT&T and Frontier, may have a higher starting price but come with more speed than the cheapest plans from Xfinity or WOW.
When shopping for cheap internet in Tennessee, keep in mind that equipment fees and service terms like data caps (and overage fees) can add to the total cost of internet. Also, be aware of price increases — when they will happen and by how much.
Cheapest internet plans in Tennessee
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| WOW Internet 300 Read full review |
$30 | 300Mbps | None |
| Xfinity Connect Read full review |
$30 | 150Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Xfinity Connect More Read full review |
$45 | 300Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Spectrum Internet Read full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | Free modem; $10 router rental (optional) |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | None |
| Frontier Fiber 30 Read full review |
$45 | 30Mbps | None |
| Brightspeed Internet | $39 | 200Mbps | None |
| Brightspeed Internet | $49 | 500Mbps | None |
| AT&T Internet 300 Read full review |
$55 | 300Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Tennessee
The best internet deals and the top promotions in Tennessee depend on what discounts are available when you’re looking. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Tennessee internet providers, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including AT&T Fiber, Spectrum and Google Fiber, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is Tennessee broadband?
According to Ookla speed test data (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis), Tennessee reaches median download speeds of 230Mbps — noticeably higher than the national average — while comparison site BroadbandNow reports that 94.7% of people in the state are able to access speeds of 100Mbps and above.
Nashville was listed as the fastest city in the state with median download speeds of 233Mbps, although Memphis also made the top 100 list with speeds of 184Mbps.
The speed test results are averages, and many factors can affect the results. While speeds around 218Mbps are suitable for most households and internet activities, many may prefer faster speeds. Here’s a look at the fastest internet plans from the top ISPs in Tennessee.
Fastest internet plans in Tennessee
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber 8Gbps Read full review |
$150 | 8,000Mbps | 8,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 5000 Read full review |
$245 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Google Fiber 5Gbps Read full review |
$125 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Brightspeed Fiber | $69 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Google Fiber 2Gbps Read full review |
$100 | 2,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 2000 Read full review |
$145 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review |
$95 | 1,200Mbps | 35Mbps | 1.25TB or none | Cable |
| WOW Internet 1.2 Gig Read full review |
$95 | 1,200Mbps | 50Mbps | None | Cable |
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review |
$70 ($45 with eligible mobile plans) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
| Brightspeed Fiber | $49 | 940Mbps | 940Mbps | None | Fiber |
Show more (6 items)
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 user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Tennessee
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. 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.
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.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Tennessee?
Depending on where you live in Tennessee, multiple options may be available for home internet. AT&T Fiber would be my first choice for home internet in Tennessee, but Xfinity, Spectrum and T-Mobile are also top ISPs in their own ways.
Others, such as Brightspeed, Google Fiber and Frontier may better suit your needs, although availability is highly limited in the state.
Internet providers in Tennessee FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Tennessee?
AT&T Fiber has the best plan selection, including the fastest speed tier, of any major provider in the state. Service also comes with free equipment, unlimited data, no contacts and no set price increase after 12 months — individual perks that aren’t uncommon, but less often, you’ll get all that from the same ISP.
Is fiber internet available in Tennessee?
Yes. Roughly half of Tennessee households are wired for fiber internet service. AT&T is Tennessee’s largest fiber internet provider, although Brightspeed, Frontier, Google Fiber and others also offer fiber internet in parts of the state.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Tennessee?
Xfinity and WOW have the cheapest starting price for internet in Tennessee ($30 per month). WOW offers more speed (300Mbps compared to 150Mbps with Xfinity), but Xfinity’s plan is much more widely available to Tennessee residents.
What internet provider in Tennessee offers the fastest plan?
Chattanooga-based ISP EBP has the fastest residential speed tier in Tennessee at 25Gbps. Among major ISPs, AT&T has the fastest plans in the state, offering maximum download and upload speeds of 5,000Mbps starting at $245 per month, respectively. While Google Fiber has rolled out a faster plan, 8Gbps, in select areas.
