Best Internet Providers in Roanoke, Virginia
What is the best internet provider in Roanoke?
CNET Recommends Cox As the best internet provider for most homes in Roanoke, VA. With extensive coverage and affordable plans starting at just $30 per month, Cox provides reliable wired Internet to nearly every home in the area. It is also related to T-Mobile Home Internet Lowest local starting price. However, Cox’s service comes with some trade-offs, including a 1.25TB monthly data cap on certain plans and slower upload speeds typical of wired connections.
If you’re looking for the fastest internet in Roanoke, Glo Fiber is a strong contender. This local Fiber Optic Supplier Provides symmetrical speeds up to 5,000Mbps, unlimited data. Plans start at $55 per month, with premium options going up to $290.
For a more flexible option, T-Mobile Home Internet offers unlimited data and includes free device rental, saving you $12 to $15 per month compared to Cox or Glo Fiber. Although speeds range from 72 to 245Mbps, it’s a worry-free solution to suit your household needs.
Best Internet in Roanoke, VA
Roanoke, VA Internet Providers Comparison
| provider | Internet technology | monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment cost | data cap | contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Read full review |
cable | $30-$120 | 100-2,000Mbps | $15 (optional) | Some plans are 1.25TB | without any | 6.2 |
| Glo fiber | fiber | $55-$290 | 300-5,000Mbps | $12 (optional) | without any | without any | not applicable |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($40-$50 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 7.4 |
| us mobile phone | fixed wireless | $60 | 25-100Mbps | different | 600GB | without any | not applicable |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Cheap Internet Options in Roanoke
| plan | starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| cox connect assist Read full review |
$30 | 100Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Cox goes faster Read full review |
$50 | 250Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | without any |
| Glo fiber 300 | $55 | 300Mbps | $12 (optional) |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to Find Roanoke Internet Deals and Promotions
Roanoke’s best internet deals and top promotions depend on the discounts available during a specific time. Most deals are short-lived, but we’re often on the lookout for the latest deals.
Roanoke internet providers such as Cox may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many providers, including Glo Fiber and T-Mobile Home Internet, have the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide Best Internet Deals.
The fastest internet plans in Roanoke
| plan | starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Fiber 5Gbps | $290 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | without any | fiber |
| Global Fiber 2.4Gbps | $140 | 2,400Mbps | 2,400Mbps | without any | fiber |
| Cox goes beyond fast Read full review |
$120 | 2,000Mbps | 100Mbps | 1.28TB | cable |
| Global Fiber 1.2Gbps | $85 | 1,200Mbps | 1,200Mbps | without any | fiber |
| Cox walks super fast Read full review |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | 1.28TB | cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is 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 video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll get a better experience with a stronger connection. The recommended minimum download speeds for various applications are outlined below, According to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Please note that these are guidelines only and internet speeds, service and performance vary based on connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide How much internet speed do you really need?.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to handle the basics: browsing the Internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should provide one user with enough bandwidth 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 and online gaming simultaneously.
- 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 Roanoke
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. different from the latest cell phone, laptop, router or kitchen toolsit is impractical to personally test every ISP in a specific city. What is our approach? We started by looking at pricing, availability, and speed information, using our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and map information from the Federal Communications Commission: fcc.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We went to the FCC’s website to check our data and make sure we accounted for every ISP offering service in a certain area. We also enter local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We evaluate customer satisfaction with ISP services 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:
- Does the provider offer reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting value for money?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answers to these questions are often layered and complex, we recommend the provider that comes 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 the following sources: Okla and Federal Communications Commission Report. (Disclosure: Ookla and CNET are owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our processes in more depth, visit our How we test ISPs Page.
FAQs for Internet Providers in Roanoke, VA
What is the best internet service provider in Roanoke?
Cox is the best internet service provider in Roanoke. The cable ISP has some of the best high-speed coverage in the area and a good selection of plans, including plans starting at $30 per month, which is the lowest rate for home internet in the area.
Is there fiber optic internet in Roanoke?
Six in 10 Roanoke households qualify for fiber optic internet, According to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Although fiber service can be found in random neighborhoods in Roanoke, the Raleigh Court, Morningside, and Villa Heights neighborhoods have the highest service availability. Glo Fiber is Roanoke’s largest fiber internet provider, although Cox also has a small fiber presence in the area.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Roanoke?
If you qualify for the plan, Cox offers the cheapest plan in the area at $30 per month with 100Mbps speeds. Beyond that, Cox and T-Mobile Home Internet share the lowest starting prices for home Internet in Roanoke, which is about $50 per month. Cox has slightly faster speeds (up to 250Mbps, compared to T-Mobile’s 72 to 245Mbps), but has a monthly data cap of 1.25TB and a $15 device rental fee. T-Mobile Home Internet has no data caps or device fees, and no fixed price increases, not to mention a $10 discount for qualifying mobile customers.
US Cellular also offers a $60 plan, but with a maximum download speed of 25Mbps, and there are other better, fastest options in Roanoke.
Which internet provider in Roanoke offers the fastest plans?
Local fiber optic ISP Glo Fiber offers Roanoke’s fastest internet plans with speeds of 5, 2.4 and 1.2Gbps starting at $290, $140 and $85 per month respectively. As a 100% fiber service, Glo Fiber offers symmetrical (or close to) upload and download speeds, giving it an edge over local providers Cox and T-Mobile Home Internet.
