What is the best internet provider in Macon?
AT&T Fiber is CNET’s top pick for the best internet provider in Macon. With symmetrical upload and download speeds, transparent pricing and high customer satisfaction, this fully fiber network outshines the limited competition in the area.
Macon residents have several alternatives beyond AT&T Fiber, including Cox’s cable internet and wireless options from Verizon 5G Home Internet or T-Mobile Home Internet. Each starts around $50 monthly, but if you qualify for Cox’s Connect Assist plan or have a mobile service from T-Mobile or Verizon, you can get lower pricing.
Looking for performance on a budget? Cox has Macon’s cheapest internet, starting at $30 monthly for eligible households. T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon are right behind at $35, but that’s if you have an eligible mobile plan you can bundle. Speed-wise, T-Mobile delivers between 87 and 415 megabits per second, noticeably slower than the other top internet providers. Verizon reaches up to 1,000Mbps, while both AT&T Fiber and Cox provide multi-gigabit speeds in Macon — Cox tops out at 2,000Mbps, and AT&T Fiber goes up to 5,000Mbps. With Macon’s median internet speed sitting at 271Mbps, according to Ookla’s latest data, you should be able to get high-speed internet in most areas. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
Best internet in Macon, Georgia
Macon internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Read full review |
DSL, fiber | $60 DSL, $55-$245 fiber | 10-100Mbps DSL, 300-5,000Mbps fiber | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Cox Read full review |
Cable | $30-$150 | 100-2,000Mbps | $15 (optional) | 1.25TB | None | 6.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 for eligible customers) | 87-415Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Macon?
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 87-318Mbps | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 50-300Mbps | None |
| Cox ConnectAssist Read full review |
$50 | 100Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review |
$55 | 300Mbps | None |
| AT&T Internet Read full review |
$60 | 10-100Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Macon
The best internet deals and top promotions in Macon depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Macon internet providers, such as Cox, may offer lower introductory pricing for a limited time. Many, including AT&T Fiber, Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Fastest internet plans in Macon
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet 5000 Read full review |
$245 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Internet 2000 Read full review |
$145 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Cox Go Beyond Fast Read full review |
$150 | 2,000Mbps | 100Mbps | 1.25TB | Cable |
| AT&T Internet 1000 Read full review |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Cox Go Super Fast Read full review |
$110 | 1,000Mbps | 100Mbps | 1.25TB | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review |
$70 ($55 with eligible mobile plans) | 85-1,000Mbps | 50-75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s 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 videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle 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 give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Macon
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. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
The answers to those questions are often layered and complex, but the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, 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 take into account 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 Macon FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Macon?
AT&T Fiber is Macon’s top internet service provider. It’s the area’s largest fiber internet provider and offers the fastest upload and download speeds, up to 5,000Mbps. All plans come with free equipment rental and unlimited data, perks that aren’t always included with internet service from Cox, AT&T Fiber’s main competitor in Macon.
Is fiber internet available in Macon?
Yes. Fiber internet is available to approximately 34% of Macon households, according to the FCC. Primary service areas include the Shadowood, Phelps Estates, Silver Pines and Northwoods communities, although fiber connections are available in random neighborhoods throughout Macon. AT&T Fiber is the main fiber internet service provider in Macon.
Which internet provider in Macon offers the cheapest plan?
Cox, T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet have a similar starting monthly price — around $50. But if you qualify for Cox’s ConnectAssist plan or have a qualifying T-Mobile mobile plan, you can get connected for $30 or $35 per month, respectively. Verizon 5G Home Internet also offers a mobile bundle discount, bringing the monthly rate down to $35.
Note: Renting equipment from Cox may add $15 to your monthly bill. In contrast, other Macon ISPs — AT&T, T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet included — do not charge extra for equipment rental.
Which internet provider in Macon offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest speeds in Macon, going up to 5,000Mbps on its $245 per month plan. AT&T Fiber also has the unique advantage of delivering symmetrical upload and download speeds, a benefit typically unavailable from cable or fixed wireless internet providers. Cox offers up to 2,000Mbps speeds for $110 per month while Verizon 5G Home Internet has a max download speeds of 1,000Mbps.
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