What is the best internet provider in Allentown?
With excellent fiber coverage, fast speeds, favorable service conditions and long price guarantees, Verizon Fios is the best Internet service provider in Allentown.. The 100% fiber provider offers symmetrical (or close to) upload and download speeds ranging from 300 to 2,300 MB per second, the fastest internet speeds available in Allentown. Current services include free equipment rental, unlimited data, and a 5-year price guarantee.
Verizon Fios is not the cheapest ISP in Allentown. Astound, a cable internet provider, offers some of the cheapest plans in Allentown. The service starts at $20 per month and offers speeds of up to 300 Mbps. Although the provider's low prices are attractive, they are only good for two years, after which monthly fees can increase by $100 or more.
Fellow cable provider Service Electric Cable Television offers more reliability, but slightly more expensive pricing, with plans ranging from 100 to 1,000 Mbps starting at $48 to $147 per month. SECTV costs more from the start, but there are no drastic price increases planned, so it could be a better deal going forward.
If you like not being surprised by your bill, T-Mobile Home Internet is another ISP worth considering in Allentown. Although maximum speeds aren't as fast as other popular broadband options in the area, contract-free internet service comes with free equipment rental, unlimited data, a unique price guarantee, and discounts for eligible T-Mobile voice customers.
Best Internet in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Compare Internet Providers in Allentown, PA
producer | internet technology | Monthly price range | speed range | monthly equipment cost | data limit | contract | CNET Review Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
amazing broadband |
cable/fiber | $20-$55 | 300-1,500Mbps | doesn't exist | doesn't exist | doesn't exist | 7 |
SECTV | cable | $48-$147 | 100~1,000Mbps | $11 (optional) | doesn't exist | doesn't exist | Not applicable |
T-Mobile Home Internet |
fixed wireless | $50 ($40-$50 for eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | doesn't exist | doesn't exist | doesn't exist | 7.4 |
Verizon 5G Home Internet |
fixed wireless | $60-$80 ($35-$45 with eligible mobile plan) | 50~1,000Mbps | doesn't exist | doesn't exist | doesn't exist | 7.2 |
Verizon Fios |
fiber | $50-$110 | 300-2,300Mbps | doesn't exist | doesn't exist | doesn't exist | 7.6 |
Store provider at my address
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Allentown?
plan | starting price | maximum download speed | monthly equipment cost |
---|---|---|---|
surprise 300 |
$20 | 300Mbps | doesn't exist |
surprise 600 |
$35 | 600Mbps | doesn't exist |
SECTV100 | $48 | 100Mbps | $11 (optional) |
Verizon 5G Home Internet |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) | 300Mbps | doesn't exist |
Verizon Fios 300 |
$50 | 300Mbps | doesn't exist |
T-Mobile Home Internet |
$50 ($40-$50 for eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | doesn't exist |
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Store provider at my address
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
![Street scene in downtown Allentown, Pennsylvania](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/a2094cc1610ff7d0eb22ecd1d402312091b66294/hub/2024/04/17/18bba476-123a-42e9-980b-d86697e1fe2e/gettyimages-1141416005.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
How to Find Internet Deals and Promotions in Allentown
The best internet deals and best promotions in Allentown depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-term, but we often look for the latest offers.
Allentown internet providers like Astound and T-Mobile Home Internet may offer lower introductory prices or other incentives for a limited time. Many companies, including Verizon Fios and Service Electric, operate the same standard prices all year long.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
Fastest Internet Plans in Allentown
plan | starting price | maximum download speed | maximum upload speed | data limit | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Verizon Fios 2 Performance |
$110 | 2,300Mbps | 2,300Mbps | doesn't exist | fiber |
surprise 1500 |
$55 | 1,500Mbps | 50 Mbps cable, 1,500 Mbps fiber | doesn't exist | cable, fiber |
surprise 1000 |
$45 | 1,000Mbps | 50 Mbps cable, 1,000 Mbps fiber | doesn't exist | cable, fiber |
SECTV 1 Performance | $147 | 1,000Mbps | 40Mbps | doesn't exist | cable |
Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet |
$60 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | doesn't exist | fixed wireless |
Verizon Fios 1 Performance |
$90 | 940Mbps | 880Mbps | doesn't exist | fiber |
View more (1 item)
Store provider at my address
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is the best internet speed?
Most Internet connectivity plans can now handle basic productivity and communications tasks. Whether you're looking for an Internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, video streaming, or gaming, a stronger connection will give you a better experience. According to the Federal Communications Commission, here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications: These are guidelines only and internet speed, service and performance will vary depending on your connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide to how much internet speed you actually need.
- 0 to 5 Mbps allows you to perform basic tasks such as browsing the Internet, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40 Mbps provides high-quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should provide one user with enough bandwidth to meet the needs of modern telecommuting, video streaming, and online gaming.
- 100 to 500 Mbps allows one to two users to participate simultaneously in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000 Mbps allows three or more users to participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How CNET Picks the Best Internet Providers in Allentown, PA
Internet service providers vary and are local. Unlike your latest smartphone, laptop, router, or kitchen gadget, it's unrealistic to test every ISP in a particular city yourself. What is our approach? We research pricing, availability and speed information, based on provider site and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov, and historical ISP data.
It doesn't end here. We go to the FCC website to check the data and make sure it takes into account all ISPs that offer service in your area. We also enter local addresses into provider websites to find specific options for our residents. We research sources such as the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to assess how satisfied customers are with their ISP services. ISP plans and prices may change frequently. All information provided was accurate at the time of publication.
Once you have localized information, ask three key questions:
- Does your provider provide access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting good value for the money they pay?
- Are your customers satisfied with the service?
The answers to these questions are often layered and complex, but the provider that comes closest to saying “yes” to all three is the one we recommend. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the plan with the lowest monthly fee, although we also consider price increases, equipment costs, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider actual speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore the process in more detail, visit our How to Test Your ISP page.
Internet Providers in Allentown, PA, FAQs
What is the best Internet service provider in Allentown?
Verizon Fios is the best Internet service provider in Allentown due to its extensive fiber coverage, fast upload and download speeds, simple pricing, and high customer satisfaction record.
Verizon Fios, the region's largest fiber provider, offers plans ranging from 300 to 2,300 Mbps, including equipment rental and unlimited data at no additional cost. Thanks to its fast speeds and customer-friendly service terms, Verizon Fios has earned high customer satisfaction scores from the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power.
Is fiber optic internet available in Allentown?
Fiber-optic internet is available in about 70% of Allentown households, or about 37,800 residential addresses, according to the latest FCC data. Serviceability is highest in Center City, East Allentown, and the West End, but fiber internet can be found throughout the city. Verizon Fios is the largest fiber internet provider in Allentown, and Astound also offers fiber internet and cable services.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Allentown?
Astound offers the cheapest rates for similar rates in Allentown. The service costs $20 per month for speeds up to 300 Mbps. That's $30 cheaper than the same download speeds from Verizon Fios. Other Astound plans – 600Mbps, 1,000Mbps and 1,500Mbps – are also competitively priced. 1,000 Mbps plans start at $45 per month, which is half the price of Verizon Fios' gig service ($90).
With Astound, equipment is included at no additional cost, but network and maintenance costs add up to $13 to your monthly bill. Once your initial rate expires after two years, your home Internet bill can increase significantly (up to $100 or more), so be sure to monitor your monthly bills.
Which internet provider in Allentown offers the fastest plans?
Verizon Fios offers the fastest internet plans in Allentown, starting at $110 per month and up to 2,300 Mbps. As a 100% fiber provider, Verizon Fios has the advantage of offering symmetrical (or close to) upload and download speeds.
Astound offers a 1,500 Mbps plan in Allentown for a low starting rate of $55 per month, but if you don't have fiber service at home, your maximum upload speed will be much lower, around 50 Mbps.