Best Internet Providers in Clearwater, Florida
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What is the best ISP in Clearwater?
Clearwater boasts many broadband options for residents, but CNET recommends Spectrum as the best internet service provider for most households. Spectrum has the widest coverage in the area and provides reasonable prices for speeds up to gigabit. If your address can’t be used on the Spectrum network, check out our other top picks, including WOW Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet.
We’ve also found the cheapest and fastest plans in Clearwater to make your shopping experience easier. Frontier Fiber offers the most affordable service in the area, costing only $30 per month for download speeds of up to 200 megabits per second. For speed, Frontier Fiber’s $155 per month plan gives customers symmetrical speeds of up to 5 gigabits per second.
Clearwater ISP Comparison
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Supplier | Internet technologies | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data Limitation | A contract | CNET review result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Border communications | DSL, optical fiber | $30-$130 | 200-5000 Mbps | None | None | None | 6.3 |
Fast systems | Fixed wireless | $79-$99 | 10-25Mbps | None | None | None | N/A |
Spectrum | Cable | $25-$70 | 50-1000 Mbps | Free modem; $5 router (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
T-Mobile Home Internet | Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($40-$50 for eligible mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
Verizon 5G Home Internet | Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 50-250Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
WOW Internet | Cable | $35-$100 | 300-2000 Mbps | $14 (optional) | 1.5-3TB on some plans | None | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of vendor data.
Source: CNET analysis of vendor data.
How to Find Internet Deals and Promotions in Clearwater
The best internet deals and top promotions in Clearwater depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we’re often on the lookout for the latest deals.
Clearwater ISPs like Spectrum may offer lower introductory rates or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many carriers including T-Mobile, Frontier and Verizonmaintain the same standard price throughout the year.
For a more extensive list of promotions, see our guide to the best internet deals.
Fastest internet plans in Clearwater
Supplier | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data Limitation | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frontier Fiber 5 Gig | $130 | 5000 Mbps | 5000 Mbps | None | fiber |
Frontier Fiber 2 Gig | $100 | 2000 Mbps | 2000 Mbps | None | fiber |
WOW internet 2 giga | $95 | 2000 Mbps | 50Mbps | None | Cable |
WOW Internet 1.2 Gig | $100 | 1200 Mbps | 50Mbps | None | Cable |
Frontier Fiber 1 Gig | $60 | 1000 Mbps | 1000 Mbps | None | fiber |
Spectrum Internet Gig | $80 | 1000 Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet | $70 ($45 with eligible mobile plan) | 1000 Mbps | 75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
WOW internet 1 gig | $65 | 1000 Mbps | 50Mbps | 3TB | Cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of vendor 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 include video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more stable connection. Here’s an overview of recommended minimum download speeds for different apps, according to the FCC. Note that these are guidelines only and that 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 really need?.
- 0 to 5 Mbps lets you handle the basics: web surfing, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40 Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should provide a single user with enough bandwidth to meet the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one or two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1000 Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How CNET chose the best ISPs in Clearwater
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest ones smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it is not practical to personally test every ISP in a city. What is our approach? We start by researching pricing, availability, and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission on FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC website to check our data and make sure we’re looking at every ISP that provides service in an area. We also enter local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to gauge how satisfied customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent change; all information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer relatively fast internet access?
- Are customers getting decent value for what they pay?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answer to these questions is often layered and complex, the vendors that come closest to saying yes to all three are the ones we recommend. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also take into account things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively easy. 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 Clearwater FAQ
What is the best ISP in Clearwater?
Is fiber optic internet available in Clearwater?
Frontier Fiber is the largest provider of fiber to Clearwater residents, but select households may be served by Spectrum’s fiber network.
What is the cheapest ISP in Clearwater?
Frontier Fiber offers the cheapest Internet service in Clearwater: $30 per month for speeds up to 200Mbps.
Which ISP in Clearwater offers the fastest plan?
Frontier Fiber’s 5-gigabit plan is the fastest speed offered to households in Clearwater, costing $155 per month for symmetrical speeds and unlimited data.
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