Although fiber-optic Internet happens to be comparatively new technology, it has turned out to be amongst the most popular home Internet connection types at present. As compared to DSL, cable, and other Internet connection types, fiber Internet typically provides faster download and upload speeds as well as superior reliability.
However, not every fiber Internet service happens to be the same. While the majority of the fiber providers will be running fiber-optic cables directly to every home service, the others are going to run fiber to be a main node which will be serving the whole neighborhood. From there, these types of fiber connections will be getting service by means of copper or coaxial cables resulting in the reduction of speeds in the long run.
Apart from connection specifics such as those mentioned above, you will also find that speed tiers, service terms, as well as prices can vary a lot among the providers. For this reason, some providers stay ahead in the competition at present.
Here we have mentioned several of the top fiber Internet service providers of 2021.
1. AT&T Fiber
This particular service provider has the distinction of providing service to over 38,000,000 customers across 21 states. Apart from this, the provider can also boast of having some of the lowest cost when it comes to fiber Internet service plus the most affordable gigabit plan out there.
The AT&T Fiber 1000 plan provides speeds up to 950 Mb per second at only $60 every month. However, not every house will require this kind of speed. AT&T also provides a couple of lower-speed tiers, namely, 100 Mbps starting at $35 every month and 300 Mbps starting $45 every month.
All these plans do not need any contract and come with unlimited data. However, there is one drawback with this plan which is that there is no way to skip the equipment rental charge by making use of your personal router or modem; but it is only $10 every month which is quite low as compared to other providers out there.
2. Verizon Fios
This fiber Internet provider is second only to the previously mentioned AT&T when it comes to pricing, speed, as well as service terms; however it does not have the same width of coverage. Despite the fact that it is obtainable to almost the identical number of prospective customers like AT&T, it serves only the mid-Atlantic as well as Northeast regions.
It is a fact that the services of Verizon Fios should have been available in more locations given that the service is quite awesome, particularly for those individuals who are searching for an affordable fiber connection. The lowest-priced plan, which starts at only $40 every month, features simultaneous download as well as upload speeds of as much as 200 Mbps. The subsequent speed tier is likewise a decent value at $60 every month for as many as 400 Mbps; however, the price of the gigabit service happens to be almost identical or somewhat more per month as compared to the other similar fiber-optic service providers. Although the equipment rental charge is likewise somewhat higher at $14 every month, it can be skipped by purchasing your own router or one from Verizon itself. Moreover, the fee will be ignored by the company in case you subscribe to the Fios Gigabit plan.
3. Frontier FiberOptic
Even though this provider is not as widely accessible as some of the other fiber-optic providers on this particular list, it has expanded its coverage recently to include as many as 19 states. This is one of the most significant improvements for the company given that its service was mainly confined to selected locations of Florida, California, Texas, and Indiana.
Similar to the previous 2 fiber-optic service providers, the plans of Frontier FiberOptic feature unlimited data and do not require any contract. As compared to other providers, the equipment cost will be rolled by this provider into the costing much to the convenience of the consumers.
Being aware of the fact that the plans of this provider will not contain any hidden costs, the plan which happens to be the lowest-priced ($50 every month for 50 Mbps) is somewhat pricey out there. On the other hand, more value is provided by the higher-tiered plans. $60 every month for 500 Mbps as well as $80 every month for gigabit service is competitively priced similar to any other provider.
4. Windstream Kinetic
One notable drawback of this particular service is that it is usually available in selected neighborhoods of the bigger cities. In case you are dwelling in any rural area or the suburbs, then it is highly possible for you to get fiber-optic Internet from this particular service provider.
Windstream Kinetic is considered to be amongst the most competent rural Internet providers which help to provide fast connections to locations which are probably underserved by any fiber Internet provider out there. Apart from this, the pricing of this company is also quite affordable at only $37 every month for speeds of as much as 200 Mbps and the gigabit service which comes at just $67 every month without any contract requirements whatsoever.
5. CenturyLink
Even though the services of Verizon Fios, as well as AT&T Fiber, are obtainable to more individuals, the fiber network of CenturyLink covers more locations and its fiber service spans as many as 25 states. Similar to Windstream, this one likewise operates mainly in rural and suburban locations, providing high-speed connections to those areas which are not getting access whatsoever.
However, one significant drawback regarding this particular fiber-optic service provider is that it provides only one plan option which happens to be the gigabit service. Despite the fact that more options would have been much better, particularly an affordable plan such as what we get from Verizon Fios and AT&T, the gigabit plan of CenturyLink is nevertheless a pretty good deal. In fact, it can be considered to be amongst the most affordable gigabit providers at present at only $65 every month for speeds of as much as 940 Mbps.
