Cary (NC) Best Internet Provider

What is the best internet provider in Cary?

AT&T Fiber Is the best internet service provider in Cali. While AT&T Fiber isn’t the fastest or cheapest ISP in Cardiff, it offers a range of plans suitable for just about any home, each including device rental and unlimited data at no additional cost. AT&T Fiber ranked No. 1 in customer satisfaction in 2023 in the U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index.

Google Fiber is another top contender for high-speed internet in Cary, offering speeds from 1,000 megabits per second to 8,000 Mbps, the fastest in the region. The provider also leads in customer satisfaction, with JD Power recently ranking Google Fiber No. 1 in the South region. However, not everyone needs gigabit internet, and other Cali internet providers offer cheaper but still fast plans.

Spectrum offers the cheapest internet plans in Cardiff, starting at $30 per month, with download speeds up to 100Mbps. Verizon 5G Home Network offers similar top speeds for $50 per month, but qualifying Verizon mobile customers can get a $15 discount on their home network charges. T-Mobile Home Internet also offers fixed wireless Internet in Cary, but the top speed is lower than Verizon and the price is higher than Verizon.

Best Internet in Cary, NC

Source: CNET analysis of provider profiles.

Source: CNET analysis of provider profiles.

How to find online deals and promotions on Cali

The best online deals and top promotions in Cardiff depend on the discounts available during that time period. Most offers are short-lived, but we’re often on the lookout for the latest deals.

Cary network providers (such as Spectrum) may offer lower promotional prices or other incentives for a limited time. However, many services, including AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber, and Verizon 5G Home Internet, have the same standard pricing year-round.

For a more extensive list of deals, check out our guide to the best internet deals.

Source: CNET analysis of provider profiles.

What is a good internet speed?

Most Internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for a network plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll get a better experience with a stronger connection. Below is an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications according to FCC regulations. Please note that these are guidelines only – Internet speeds, service and performance vary based on connection type, provider and address.

For more information, see our guide on the internet speed you really need.

• 0 to 5Mbps lets you handle the basics—browse the Internet, send and receive email, and stream low-quality video.
• 5 to 40Mbps provides you with higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
• 40 to 100Mbps should provide enough bandwidth for one user to meet the needs of modern remote working, video streaming, and online gaming.
• 100 to 500Mbps allows one or two users to participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming media, and online gaming at the same time.
• 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.

CNET How to Choose the Best Internet Provider in Cary, NC

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 is our approach? We first researched pricing, availability, and speed information based on our own historical ISP data, provider websites, and map information from the Federal Communications Commission’s FCC.gov.

But it didn’t end there. We visited the FCC’s website to check our data and make sure we accounted for every ISP serving an area. We will also enter your local address on the provider website to find specific options for residents. We evaluate customer satisfaction with ISP service by looking at sources such as the US Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power. ISP plans and prices may change frequently; all information provided is accurate as of publication time.

Once we have localized information, we ask three main questions:

1. Does the provider offer reasonably fast internet speeds?
2. Are customers getting value for money?
3. Are customers satisfied with their service?

While the answers to these questions are often layered and complex, we recommend the providers who come closest to a “yes” on these three questions. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the plan with the lowest monthly fee, although we also consider factors like price increases, equipment costs, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. 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 to Test ISPs page.

FAQs for Internet Providers in Cary, NC