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What is the best internet provider in Syracuse?
Recommended by CNET Verizon Fios as the top internet service provider option in Syracuse. If Verizon Fios is not available at your address, Spectrum another solid option. Spectrum provides fast and reliable internet but has a significant price increase after the first year. Plans start at $40 per month and go up to $70 for the gig plan.
T-Mobile is an additional alternative, with a price lock as long as you stay subscribed, although its wireless connection may be more vulnerable to network congestion compared to Spectrum or Verizon. You can also get a good discount if you pair it with a mobile plan.
Best internet in Syracuse, New York
If Verizon Fios is available in a city, there’s a good chance it’s our top pick for internet there, and Syracuse is no different. Even if you can’t get Verizon at your address, there’s probably at least one good option. According to Federal Communications Commission data100% of households in Syracuse have access to download speeds of 100 megabits per second and 10Mbps upload.
Syracuse internet providers compared
| giver | internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | The monthly cost of equipment | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Read the full review |
Cable | $40-$70 | 500-1,000Mbps | $10 (optional) | nothing | nothing | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 with eligible mobile plans) | 87-415Mbps | nothing | nothing | nothing | 7.4 |
| Verizon Fios Read the full review |
ravelled | $50-$90 (with autopay discount) | 300-940Mbps | nothing | nothing | nothing | 7.6 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible phone plan) | 50-1,000Mbps | nothing | nothing | nothing | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Other available internet providers in Syracuse
Many cities have several local internet providers to consider in addition to nationwide ISPs. Unfortunately, there aren’t many options available in Syracuse. Here’s everything you can get in town:
- Satellite internet: We usually only recommend satellite internet if you can’t get anything, and this rule is true for Syracuse. HughesNet and Viasat both offer service to 100% of the city, but like all satellite providers, they have high prices, low data caps and slow speeds. Starlink faster satellite option, but equipment costs $349 up front and plans start at $120 a month.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Like T-Mobile Home Internet, Verizon is using its 5G network for home internet in Syracuse. You can get speeds of 300/10Mbps for $50 a month or 1,000/50 for $70 in some areas. There are no equipment fees or data caps on any plan.
Cheap internet options in Syracuse
Starting prices for internet in Syracuse average $45 per month, which is slightly higher than nearby Albany ($43). Low-income households in Syracuse also have the option of using Spectrum’s Internet Assistance plan, which will give you 50Mbps for $25 a month.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Syracuse?
| giver | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Read the full review |
$40 ($80 after one year) | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) | nothing |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 318Mbps | nothing | nothing |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 with applicable phone plan) | 300Mbps | nothing | nothing |
| Verizon Fios Read the full review |
$50 | 300Mbps | nothing | nothing |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
How to find Syracuse internet deals and promotions
The best deals on the internet and the top promotions in Syracuse depend on what discounts are available at that time. Most deals don’t last, but we’re always on the lookout for the latest offers.
Syracuse internet providers like Spectrum may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including Verizon Fios and T-Mobile, run the same base price year-round.
For a more extensive list of deals, see our guide to best deals on the internet.
How fast is broadband in Syracuse?
There are three internet plans that offer gig speeds in Syracuse – about average for a city of its size. There aren’t any ultra-fast plans above 1,000Mbps, most households will be fine with the speeds available. Verizon Fios is the only provider offering symmetrical speeds in Syracuse.
Fastest internet plans in Syracuse
| giver | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read the full review |
1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | $70 ($100 after one year) | nothing | nothing |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review |
1,000Mbps | 50Mbps | $70 ($45 with eligible Verizon 5G mobile plans) | nothing | nothing |
| Verizon Fios 1 Gig Read the full review |
940Mbps | 911Mbps | $90 | nothing | nothing |
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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 are looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you will have a better experience with a stronger connection. Here is an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for different applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and internet speed, service and performance will vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide to how much internet speed do you need?
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to deal with the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should provide a user with enough bandwidth to satisfy the needs of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to perform high-bandwidth activities such as videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming simultaneously.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to participate in high-bandwidth activities such as videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming simultaneously.
How CNET picks the best internet providers in Syracuse
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphones, laptop, router or kitchen utensilsit is not practical to personally test every ISP in a city. What is our approach? We started by researching pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission of FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC website to check our data and make sure we consider every ISP that provides service in one area. We also input local addresses into provider websites to find specific options for residents. We looked at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power, to assess how happy customers are with ISP service. ISP plans and prices are subject to constant change; All information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once we have this local information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting decent value for what they paid for?
- Are customers happy with their service?
The answer to those questions is often layered and complicated, but the providers who are closest to “yes” to all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fees, although 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 also consider real world speed data from sources such as Ookla and FCC reports. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
What is the final word on internet providers in Syracuse?
There is a clear winner when it comes to internet in Syracuse. Verizon Fios offers the fastest speeds, the best value and it has the happiest customers. No matter where you live in the country, if Verizon Fios is available, it’s almost always the best option. If you can’t get Fios, Spectrum and T-Mobile are both worthy backup options, but each has significant drawbacks — hefty price increases for Spectrum and low speed for T-Mobile.
Internet providers in Syracuse FAQs
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Syracuse?
Spectrum, T-Mobile, Verizon Fios and Verizon 5G offer plans starting at $50 ($40 at Spectrum today), the cheapest option in Syracuse.
What is the best internet service provider in Syracuse?
Verizon Fios is the best internet provider for most people in Syracuse. It has symmetrical speeds up to 940Mbps, no contract and unlimited data on all plans. T-Mobile Home Internet is another good option, with download speeds of up to 415Mbps and no data caps. Spectrum cable internet plans are available almost anywhere in the city, but you’ll pay a lot once the promotional discounts expire after a year or two.
Is fiber internet available in Syracuse?
Yes, fiber internet is available in Syracuse. Verizon Fios offers fiber internet in the city with no contract or data caps and speeds up to 940/911Mbps.
Which internet provider in Syracuse offers the fastest plan?
The fastest internet plan available in Syracuse is offered by Verizon Fios, with download speeds of 940Mbps and upload speeds of 911Mbps. Spectrum also offers a gigabit internet plan in Syracuse with 1,000/35Mbps speeds.
