As an experienced technology analyst here in our state, I‘ve helped thousands of Buckeyes compare internet providers to find the best service and value. High-speed broadband internet has become essential for work, school, entertainment and managing our homes – not to mention keeping up with family and friends!
Having access to fast, reliable and fairly-priced home internet service can make a huge difference in terms of taking advantage of all the opportunities connected living enables these days across Ohio.
In this guide, I‘ll provide everything you need to evaluate the major internet providers available in different areas of Ohio. I‘ll also give recommendations based on your usage needs and budget. My goal is to save you headaches and ensure you get connected with the right plan!
First, a quick history of how Ohio has gotten online
It may be hard to imagine in today‘s always-connected world, but consumer internet access only emerged in Ohio during the early 1990s through slow dial-up connections. Broadband cable and DSL allowed faster speeds starting after 2000. Fiber optics brought next-gen gigabit speeds to some Ohio cities like Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland just over the past decade.
As you can see in the following chart, broadband internet adoption has risen rapidly in Ohio, though we still lag the U.S. average a bit:
| Year | Ohio Broadband Adoption | U.S. Broadband Adoption |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 20% | 21% |
| 2010 | 60% | 65% |
| 2020 | 82% | 87% |
Recent major infrastructure investments along with state and federal funding support have helped connect more Ohio homes and businesses with faster speeds:
- 2016 – AT&T announces statewide Ohio fiber network expansion ($1 billion)
- 2019 – Ohio passes legislation creating $2 billion broadband expansion fund
- 2021 – CenturyLink completes fiber buildout in Dayton area ($12 million)
Today, over 96% of Ohio households have access to cable, DSL or fiber-based broadband delivering speeds of 25 Mbps or greater. This allows Ohioans to work remotely, access educational opportunities, utilize telehealth services and much more!
Let‘s now explore your provider options across Ohio…
Overview of today‘s major internet service providers
Depending on exactly where you live in Ohio, you likely have a choice between several large internet providers delivering service over either traditional cable TV lines, telephone company (telco) DSL networks or fiber optic cabling:
This map provides an overview of which providers offer broadband internet in different areas of Ohio, though you should always verify availability for your specific address.
Cable internet providers
Services like Spectrum, WOW! and Armstrong provide cable internet service, capable of delivering faster download speeds than DSL networks. They operate hybrid fiber-coaxial networks using fiber backbones with copper cable to homes and businesses.
Benefits
- Top download speeds up to 1 Gbps
- More consistent speeds during peak usage
Drawbacks
- Slower upload speeds
- Can have issues in bad weather
Telco/DSL providers
AT&T, CenturyLink and Windstream offer internet over traditional telephone networks, utilizing DSL technology. Where phone infrastructure is new, they sometimes provide fiber optic service as well.
Benefits
- Wide availability including rural areas
- Bundles with phone service
Drawbacks
- Speeds much slower than cable
- Distance limits max speeds
Fiber optic providers
Fiber networks from operators like AT&T, CenturyLink and WOW! use flexible glass cabling to deliver America‘s fastest internet speeds. But fiber availability is still limited in Ohio.
Benefits
- Blazing fast gigabit speeds
- Future-proof capacity
Drawbacks
- Still limited availability
- Can be costly to install
Bundling options for TV, home phone and even mobile can provide more value when getting internet service from providers like Spectrum, AT&T and Windstream.
Business-class internet services also exist from many ISPs with service level guarantees and boosted reliability versus residential tiers – often for a hefty premium.
Now, let‘s explore the internet packages and pricing landscape across providers in Ohio so you know what budget to plan for…
Comparing internet plans and pricing from Ohio providers
| Provider | Max Download Speed | Starting Monthly Price | Data Caps? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | 940 Mbps | $49.99 | Yes |
| AT&T Fiber | 1Gbps | $55 | No |
| CenturyLink | 940 Mbps | $50 | Yes |
| WOW! | 1Gbps | $47.99 | No |
| Windstream | 100 Mbps | $46.99 | No |
This table summarizes the range of max download speeds and monthly pricing for basic plans across ISPs in Ohio, along with whether data caps apply.
Of course, costs and available speeds will vary across these provider‘s service areas – for example WOW!‘s 1 Gbps fiber isn‘t available statewide yet. Bundling packages and business class tiers also impact pricing.
Here is a sampling of specific packages from major Ohio internet providers and what they cost monthly:
Spectrum
- 100 Mbps – $74.98/mo (12 mo intro rate)
- 200 Mbps – $94.98/mo (12 mo intro rate)
- 940 Mbps – $199.99/mo
AT&T
- 100 Mbps DSL – $55/mo
- 300 Mbps Fiber – $60/mo (12 mo intro rate)
- 1Gbps Fiber – $80/mo (12 mo intro rate)
CenturyLink
- 20 Mbps DSL – $50/mo
- 100 Mbps Fiber – $65/mo
- 940 Mbps Fiber – $85/mo
WOW!
- 100 Mbps Cable – $47.99/mo (12 mo intro rate)
- 500 Mbps Fiber – $82.95/mo
You‘ll note most providers offer tempting introductory prices for the first 12 months to new subscribers – so the regular monthly rates will be important to factor in long term costs once any promo expires.
Also watch out for extra fees like:
- Equipment rental ($10/mo)
- Activation/installation charges ($99+)
- Early termination fees ($100+)
Bundling in TV or phone can provide welcome savings too – Spectrum offers Triple Play packages including home phone, TV, and internet bundled from around $150/month depending on your speed tier.
Now, let‘s examine your more limited but still important options for reliable internet access in rural areas of Ohio…
Understanding rural internet provider options
While over 96% of households in Ohio‘s metro areas have access to broadband, only 80% of rural Ohio residents currently get a high-speed internet connection.
For many rural areas, DSL internet from providers like Windstream, Frontier or CenturyLink is likely the only viable wired broadband option on aging telephone infrastructure – generally offering slower 10-25 Mbps speeds.
Some rural electric co-ops however have begun building modern fiber optics capable of gigabit speeds with help from state and federal grant programs. I‘ll share more details below on these expansion efforts.
Satellite internet from HughesNet or Viasat can provide rural homes another option, with speeds generally 25-50 Mbps. But data usage caps and latency issues make satellite less ideal for streaming or gaming.
Regional fixed wireless ISPs using radio towers make up another access option in rural Ohio, typically topping out below 30 Mbps speeds but without data caps at least.
Below I‘ve compiled some of the current options improving rural internet access in Ohio:
Co-op Fiber Networks
- Firelands Electric Cooperative: Up to 1 Gbps fiber powered by $29M state grant
- Consolidated Electric Cooperative: Building high speed fiber across 10 counties
Expanding DSL and Fixed Wireless
- Hill Country: Regional provider upgrading Ohio rural infrastructure
- WISPs: Dozens of wireless ISPs serving rural areas
Satellite Broadband
- Viasat: 50 Mbps service with unlimited off-peak data
The state of Ohio has committed over $233 million in grant funding as of 2022 to help upgrade broadband infrastructure across unserved and underserved areas of Ohio. I expect ongoing state and federal support to drive better rural access over time through programs like these.
Now, what does the future likely hold for advancing internet access across Ohio?
What‘s next for improving internet connectivity across Ohio?
With increased demand for faster, more reliable internet to power remote work, telehealth, education and more – providers continue evolving infrastructure across Ohio:
Fiber network expansion: Operators like AT&T, CenturyLink, Spectrum and WOW! actively building out high speed fiber in metro areas with plans to reach more homes each year. AT&T has stated for example they hope to deploy fiber offering speeds up to 5-10 Gbps to 3 million more Ohio locations by 2030 based on friendly regulatory conditions.
5G rollout: While still early days, next generation wireless 5G promises another option for home internet access competitive with cable and fiber for some use cases, delivering >100 Mbps speeds. 5G home internet plans are now available in limited Ohio areas.
Rural access: Expanding broadband infrastructure across unserved rural areas remains a priority for federal and state leaders. New Ohio law established a $2 billion broadband development fund fueling public-private partnerships to help connect the state‘s remaining homes over the next 5+ years.
Affordability: Government subsidies like the new federal Affordable Connectivity Program provide up to $30 discounts for low income households struggling to pay for essential internet access during difficult times. Some Ohio providers also offer discounted internet plans for those eligible.
Competition: The presence of multiple broadband provider options in a region typically leads to falling prices over time. For example, areas with both cable and fiber see the fastest speed options while enjoying the lowest costs thanks to rivalry between providers – so expanding consumer choices is key!
The bottom line is Ohio internet infrastructure and affordability should continue improving in coming years thanks to market competition, new technologies like 5G, sustained government funding commitments and a focus by providers on reaching more homes with faster service.
Now, let‘s move on to key factors to consider when comparing plan options and choosing the best Ohio internet provider for your situation and location…
How to pick the right Ohio internet provider and plan
As we‘ve covered, Ohio residents have a number of broadband internet options with varying availability depending on your address. By considering the following criteria, you can determine the right provider and service plan to meet your household‘s needs:
1. Check availability – Visit provider sites and enter your zip code and address to see if their network reaches your home and available speeds in your area before comparing plans in depth.
2. Understand speed needs – Consider how many people/devices connect at once and what you use the internet for. For light use by 1-2 folks, 25 Mbps often suffices. Families or work from home require 200+ Mbps – or up to 1 Gbps for advanced applications.
3. Compare all costs – Look beyond just the monthly price to activation fees, equipment rentals, data overage charges, early termination fees – and potential bundle savings. Ask about promotions or affordable programs if eligible.
4. Research reliability & support – Check FCC complaint data, consumer satisfaction surveys and neighborhood social networks like Nextdoor to gauge the dependability and service quality of Ohio providers you‘re considering for peace of mind.
By weighing these factors carefully, I‘m confident we can determine the provider and plan delivering the ideal mix of value, speed and customer service to meet your unique household connectivity needs. I‘m happy to answer any other questions that come up as you evaluate options and make this important home technology choice for your address.
Just let me know how else I can help explain Ohio internet plans or clarify anything covered here! I want to make sure you get the fastest, most reliable service at the best available price.
