Every city and town in the country has a handful of reliable internet providers. Some offer affordable broadband internet plans, while others have launched faster fiber packages for an additional price. So when you decide to pick an internet provider, it boils down to your usage patterns and budget. If you have selected the type of internet speed you need, check out these top broadband and fiber plans for your home.

Broadband internet plans
If you’re interested in cost-effective broadband plans, here are the top options to consider:

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
If you pick T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, you can access typical download speeds between 33-182 Mbps. These speeds are sufficient for streaming video, working from home, and surfing the web. The T-Mobile Home Internet plan is available for just $50 a month with AutoPay enabled. However, you could get it for $40 if you are a Go5G, Magenta®, or essentials phone plan customer, with additional benefits like Apple TV+ for six months. Moreover, the Go5G Plus or Magenta® MAX phone plan customers who add home internet could pay as low as $30/month with added benefits like Netflix™ and Apple TV+. Each plan includes benefits such as a 5G Gateway device included, free 2-day shipping, and T-Mobile Tuesday perks.

Spectrum Internet®
Spectrum Internet is one of the best high-speed internet providers of 2023. When you sign up for their services, you can enjoy the services for over 12 months with speeds starting from 300 Mbps for about $50/month. You could also pick their Internet Ultra (500 Mbps) package for $70/month or the Internet Gig (1 Gbps) for $90/month for 12 months. The brand’s broadband internet plans include free advanced WiFi and a free unlimited mobile line with Spectrum One. These plans and features make the brand one of the most affordable and reliable internet service providers in the country.

Xfinity
Some of the most popular plans from Xfinity start at $30/month for 12 months with speeds up to 75 Mbps (Connect package). While you could go for the brand’s router starting at an additional $15 a month, Xfinity also lets you use your device to access the internet. If you pick their Connect More plan, it will cost $35/month for 24 months. You could also opt for the Gigabit package (1 Gbps) at $75/month for 24 months with a 2-year contract. These deals include Xfinity’s router – xFi Gateway. You could also get additional benefits with the router, such as unlimited data and a free upgrade after three years, if you pick the xFi Complete deal for an added $10.

Fiber internet plans
Here are the top fiber providers to consider for whopping fast internet speeds.

AT&T Fiber
One of the best high-speed fiber internet providers of 2023 is AT&T. The prices start at $55/month, plus taxes for up to 300 Mbps. You could also pick faster fiber speeds ranging from 500 Mbps to 5 Gbps for prices between $65/month to $180/month, plus taxes. AT&T Fiber also includes a reward card between $100 to $150 based on your chosen internet plan. The brand also assures equal upload and download speeds, unlimited data, no annual contracts, and equipment fees included in their packages. AT&T also offers ActiveArmorSM internet security – a built-in protective feature with 24/7 proactive network security for wireless and internet at home and work. It also includes free in-app security features such as managing who is using the Wi-Fi® network.

Verizon Fios
Verizon offers some of the fastest fiber internet plans in the market. You can purchase Verizon’s Fios Home Internet plans starting from $50/month on AutoPay for speeds up to 300 Mbps. You could bring the price down to about $25/month with an existing mobile plan and AutoPay. Verizon also offers 500 Mbps and 1 Gbps plans for about $45/month and $65/month (with an existing mobile plan and AutoPay enabled). The internet service provider also offers other perks if you subscribe to the plan online, including a $50 Verizon gift card with the 300 Mbps and 500 Mbps packages. The 1 Gig plan comes with a $100 gift card. Furthermore, other benefits of the 1 Gbps plan include an Xbox Series S Console or a $200 Home Depot Gift Card. You can find all the details on Verizon’s website.

Frontier Fiber
Frontier Fiber offers a range of internet packages you can choose from based on your usage. If you are a heavy user of the web, watch loads of content, or even game online, you should consider going for their Fiber 1 Gig, Fiber 2 Gig, or Fiber 5 Gig plans. These are available at about $70, $100, and $155, respectively. However, if your usage is casual or professional web surfing, and even if you watch content in 4k, their Fiber 500 plan for just $50 could be the ideal choice. Each of the plans from Frontier also comes with a router. Frontier Fiber also offers unlimited data to their customers with no caps or overage charges. You could save $10 on your monthly bill when you sign up for and maintain AutoPay.

Internet connectivity has become the need of the hour. In fact, many consider it a basic necessity that is instrumental in shaping a child’s education and outlook. The federal government recognizes this importance and has introduced discounted credit programs to help cut down the ownership cost of an Internet connection. On that note, here are some useful tips and the best Internet providers that offer student Wi-Fi deals at affordable prices.

Key features to consider while comparing student Wi-Fi plans
Here are the key benefits and features to compare:

• Compare benefits
  Students cannot afford expensive subscriptions, so they should compare telecommunication services that partner with federal government programs to provide high-speed Internet. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is one of the best benefits for students coming from low-income households, currently offering credit for Internet plans.
• Check connection speed
  In today’s day and age of high-fiber-speed Internet connectivity, don’t settle for anything less than 30 Mbps for a basic connection. This is the necessary bandwidth to comfortably connect multiple devices and configure online sessions or lectures in decent streaming quality. If higher bandwidth plans qualify for the subsidy, then you don’t have to worry about bandwidth.
• Consider bundles
  Some service providers also offer bundles applicable to discounted student Wi-Fi plans. These bundles combine Internet and TV streaming services for a single price. So, opt for such plans if the provider offers these additional benefits at no extra charge. However, note that only a few discounted student Wi-Fi plans support bundles as part of the Internet benefit program.

Featured service providers for student Wi-Fi plans
These are the top services that partner with federal programs to offer affordable connectivity solutions:

• Xfinity student Wi-Fi plans
  Xfinity is one of the preferred providers, offering a wide range of Internet plans that students can subscribe to. Xfinity’s reliable connection ensures better bandwidth, allowing you to connect multiple devices and not worry about latency or lag issues. Moreover, the DIY starter kit is easy to install and configure. But the service is mainly preferred by students, owing to Xfinty’s Internet Essentials program, which features two plans priced at $9.95 per month and $29.95 per month, respectively. Get 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps to 20 Mbps upload speed with these basic but effective Internet plans. The plan also includes all the accessories and tools for installation without any contractual obligations or lock-in periods. Xfinity partners with colleges and universities to make these discounted plans worth buying. Alternatively, you can check out slightly premium off-campus plans starting at $55 per month that offer multiple services for Internet and streaming under one bundle.
• Cox Communications
  Cox Connect2Compete is a special-access, affordable Internet assistance program that helps students avail themselves of high latency data with no speed restrictions up to 100 Mbps over a secure server. The connection is priced at just $9.95 per month and includes the modem and EasyConnect self-installation kit. This plan is only available to families of students who are currently receiving benefits under the federal government’s K12 Online Public School Programs. Students can connect to attend classes and virtual sessions with uninterrupted and reliable internet connectivity. Most importantly, no term contracts or agreements specify a lock-in period for the subscription. But there is a data cap of 1.25TB on a single connection for the 100 Mbps plan. However, this data cap is rarely breached, so this is a good deal for young children and teenagers in high school.
• Spectrum
  One of the key highlights of Spectrum’s services is the Internet Assist program for low-income households. Working professionals and students alike can easily qualify for discounted Internet plans with 30 Mbps speed on a low-bandwidth server. With the connection, you also get the modem and accessories necessary completely free of charge. And to secure the connection, you will get an antivirus and Internet security suite that comes preinstalled with the kit. So, all told, for $19.99 per month, this is a deal that should not be overlooked. Alternatively, Spectrum also features the Internet 100 plan, in which students and eligible low-income households can avail themselves of reimbursements for existing high-speed plans. The offer applies to Spectrum’s plans ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, with a maximum credit of $30 per month over the plan subscription. So, for the basic plan that costs $29.95 per month, pre-qualified applicants can utilize the credit and avail of free Internet with no data cap, speed, or bandwidth restrictions.
• AT&T Internet plans
  AT&T also partners with the federal program, offering affordable Internet connectivity with credit lines up to $30 per month available on all eligible ACP Internet plans. Some of the key highlights include a minimum speed of 100 Mbps, unlimited connectivity, no installation fees, no contact, and no initial deposit. Even the basic equipment used to activate the Internet connection is included in the subscription at no cost. Students can also choose a DSL or fiber connection, depending on the selected plan. Note that the Affordable Connectivity Program benefit can only be used if household income is 200% or below the set limit, according to the federal poverty guidelines. In addition, any family member is already enrolled for qualifying federal assistance. These rules and guidelines will vary from state to state.

Apart from these featured providers, you can check out services like Frontier, Optimum, Mediacom, T-Mobile, and Verizon FIOS. You can avail yourself of discounts on student Wi-Fi plans in the range of $10 to $20 per month, depending on the provider, available plans, and location.