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What is the best internet provider in Nashville?
Nashville boasts some of the fastest internet in the country, with Google Fiber offering up to 8,000Mbps speeds. With that in mind, CNET recommends AT&T Fiber as Nashville’s best internet service provider. AT&T’s wide variety of plan options and speeds up to 5,000 megabits per second — 5 gigabits — make it obvious why it is at the top of our evaluations.
Although AT&T Fiber is highly recommended (and for good reason), T-Mobile and Verizon aren’t anything to turn your nose up at, as both offer affordable and solid fixed wireless plans, especially if you bundle them with phone service. For those looking for a cheaper deal, however, Xfinity stands out as the cheapest cable option, starting at just $30 per month for 150Mbps. But, if speed is your priority, Google Fiber’s 8-gigabit connection is awe-inspiring, with the fastest available in select city areas. But before you decide, remember that these high-speed plans may not be accessible in all city regions.
Best internet in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2024
Nashville internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber Read full review |
Fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| AT&T Internet Air Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $60 | 10-100Mbps | None | 1.5TB | None | 7.4 |
| Google Fiber Read full review |
Fiber | $70-$150 | 1,000-8,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50 ($40 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 100-300Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| Xfinity Read full review |
Cable | $30-$95 | 150-2000Mbps | $15 (optional) | 1.2TB on some plans | 1-2 years on some plans | 7 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Nashville
- Google Fiber:Google Fiber is expanding its presence across Nashville, but availability remains limited. Residents of neighborhoods like Edgehill, Melrose and West End may be in luck, and Google just recently arrived in Smyrna in 2023. Customers can sign up for speeds as high as 8,000Mbps.
- Satellite internet: If you’re covered by fiber, cable or fixed wireless, those are likely your first choices for getting connected. If you’re in a remote area around Nashville and don’t have a good ISP option, look into satellite internet service from Starlink, Viasat or Hughesnet.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon’s coverage map shows most of Nashville is blanketed by its 5G Ultra Wideband service that delivers speeds of up to 300Mbps, but your real-world speed will vary. It’s a tough competitor for T-Mobile Home Internet. If you’re a Verizon phone customer, you can bundle your services and get your 5G internet for as low as $35 per month with autopay and select mobile plans. That’s quite a bargain if you’re in a strong service area.
Cheap internet options in Nashville
Nashville can be an affordable place to get hooked up to home internet. The average starting price for the city’s ISPs works out to $51, but Xfinity offers up some bargains and T-Mobile or Verizon customers with select plans can add 5G home internet (where available) for discounted rates.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Nashville?
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Nashville
The best internet deals and top promotions in Nashville depend on what discounts are available during a given period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Nashville internet providers, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including AT&T and Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is Nashville broadband?
Ookla, the provider of the Speedtest.net service, ranks Nashville at number 47 in its ranking of internet speeds for the 100 most populous US cities. The Music City has a median download speed of about 233Mbps and a median upload speed of over 65Mbps. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
Google Fiber reigns as the fastest internet provider in Nashville by a long shot. Its $150-per-month 8-gigabit plan is your fastest residential option, so long as it’s available at your address. Google Fiber’s $125 5-gigabit plan is the next closest competitor.
Fastest internet plans in Nashville
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber 8 Gig Read full review |
$150 | 8,000Mbps | 8,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 5000 Read full review |
$245 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 2000 Read full review |
$145 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Google Fiber 2 Gig Read full review |
$100 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Xfinity Gigabit X2 Read full review |
$95 | 2,000Mbps | 200Mbps | None | Cable |
| Xfinity Gigabit Read full review |
$65 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | 1.2TB | Cable |
| AT&T Fiber 1000 Read full review |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Google Fiber 1 Gig Read full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
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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 video conferencing, 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 Federal Communications Commission. 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 video conferencing.
- 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 video conferencing, streaming and online 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 Nashville
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?
While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, 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 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.
What’s the final word on Nashville internet providers?
Nashville is well covered by ISPs with options ranging from fast fiber to convenient cable to no-fuss 5G. AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber deliver the goods for sheer speed, but availability may be limited. Xfinity covers most of the area but with slower max speeds and a data cap (which you can pay to get around). T-Mobile and Verizon offer 5G home internet, which is easy to set up but may not be open to new customers in some areas. This means you’re likely to find a Nashville ISP that will work for your location, budget and needs.
Internet providers in Nashville FAQs
Which is the cheapest internet provider in Nashville?
There are several ways to get low-cost internet in Nashville. With eligible phone plans, T-Mobile or Verizon mobile customers can get deep discounts on 5G internet. Xfinity’s cable internet plans dip as low as $30 per month, but keep an eye out for introductory deals for new customers.
Which internet provider in Nashville offers the fastest plan?
There’s one clear winner when it comes to speedy internet, and that’s AT&T Fiber. It’s fast, hitting speeds up to 5 gigabits, but it comes at a monthly price of $245. That may be overkill for many people, but it can make sense for gamers or households with multiple people putting a lot of demand on the internet. Google Fiber does offer faster speeds ranging between 5000Mbps and 8000Mbps, but availability remains limited.
Is fiber internet available in Nashville?
AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber both service the Nashville area. Which one you go with may depend on availability at your address. AT&T offers the fastest — and most expensive — plan with a 5-gigabit option for $245. The two providers offer 2-gigabit plans between $100 and $145, putting them in close contention at that lower (but still plenty fast) speed tier.
Is AT&T or Xfinity better?
AT&T and Xfinity have a wide reach across Nashville, but they offer different types of home internet. AT&T’s fiber options reach speeds up to 5,000Mbps, and uploads are as fast as downloads. Xfinity tops out at 2,000Mbps but uploads max out at 200Mbps. If upload speeds concern you, fiber is a smart choice. If you’re on a budget or fiber isn’t available at your address, look into Xfinity’s wide range of plans and introductory deals. Check out CNET’s AT&T versus Xfinity page to see how the two service providers compare.
What is the best internet connection type for Nashville?
A fiber-optic connection — like AT&T Fiber’s, capable of multi-gigabit download speeds — is the gold standard. Fiber availability may be limited to a small percentage of households in the area. Otherwise, a cable internet connection is your best bet. Cable internet can’t match fiber’s speed or reliability, but it’s far more accessible and available to most households in Nashville.
