Fayetteville internet providers compared

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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

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Shop Providers

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Shop Providers

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, 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 Fayetteville

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. So 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.

But 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:

1. Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
2. Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
3. 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, though 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.

Internet providers in Fayetteville FAQs

What is the best internet service provider in Fayetteville?

Metronet is Fayetteville’s best internet service provider. It has the largest fiber-optic network, capable of delivering fast, symmetrical upload and download speeds, in the area. Fayetteville’s largest fiber provider also has the cheapest internet plan and the fastest internet speed tier. Service comes with unlimited data, no contract requirements and free equipment rental, though customers should be aware of the unavoidable $12 monthly tech service fee.

Is fiber internet available in Fayetteville?

Yes. Fiber internet is available to around 45% of Fayetteville addresses, according to the most recent FCC data. Serviceability is greatest in the Haymount area and much of southwest Fayetteville. Metronet is the largest fiber internet provider in Fayetteville. Brightspeed also offers fiber internet in select areas after recently acquiring networks from Lumen Technologies (Quantum Fiber).

Who is the cheapest internet provider in Fayetteville?

Metronet has the lowest starting price for internet in Fayetteville at $30 per month for speeds up to 100Mbps. However, a monthly $12 tech service applies to all plans, bringing the monthly cost up to $42. On the other hand, Spectrum offers speeds up to 500Mbps starting at $40 per month with an optional $5 equipment rental fee. So, though Spectrum’s cheapest plan technically has a higher starting price than Metronet’s, Spectrum offers faster download speeds and maybe a slightly cheaper option for those who use their own equipment.

Which internet provider in Fayetteville offers the fastest plan?

While there are some gray areas when comparing the cheapest plans from Metronet and Spectrum, there are none regarding speed. Metronet is the fastest internet provider in Fayetteville, offering symmetrical upload and download speeds starting at $110 per month. Metronet also offers a 2-gig plan starting at $100 monthly. Most other Fayetteville ISPs — Spectrum, Brightspeed and Verizon 5G Home Internet included — max out at around 1,000Mbps.

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