What is the best internet provider in Elmira?
After reviewing and testing the available broadband providers, CNET has picked Spectrum as the best internet service provider in Elmira. According to the latest data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the provider is widely available, reaching over 92% of households in the city. While there are fiber providers around, Spectrum still comes out on top, particularly if we consider that the provider offers the fastest average download speeds in the country. This far surpasses other providers like Xfinity, Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.
Residents looking for more affordable plans should consider investing in Zeta Broadband. The provider offers fixed wireless plans in the city, including a $35 monthly plan with 7Mbps per second download speed. For $5 less, Spectrum provides 100Mbps, but be aware that Spectrum often raises its prices after a year or two.
If you’re looking for the fastest speeds possible and money is no obstacle, then you should go for the only regional fiber provider in the area: Empire Access. It offers speeds of 2,000Mbps for $100 monthly, which again isn’t all that cheap at first glance, but the cost per Mbps works out to a cheap 5 cents per Mbps which isn’t so bad.
Elmira internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empire Access | Fiber | $50-$100 | 500-2,000Mbps | $5 router rental fee | None | None | N/A |
| Spectrum Read full review |
Cable | $30-$70 | 100-1,000Mbps | Modem free; $10 for router (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($40-$50 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 |
| Zeta Broadband, Inc. | Fixed wireless | $35-$100 | 7-100Mbps | None | None | None | N/A |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Elmira?
How to find internet deals and promotions in Elmira?
The best internet deals and top promotions in Elmira depend on what discounts are available during a given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Elmira internet providers, such as Spectrum and Verizon, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, including Empire Access and Zeta Broadband, Inc., 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 Elmira
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 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 Elmira
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 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 answer to those questions is often layered and complex, but the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When 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 consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Elmira FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Elmira?
Is fiber internet available in Elmira?
What’s the cheapest internet provider in Elmira?
Spectrum’s $30-a-month plan for 100Mbps is the cheapest option in the area, but since your monthly bill will increase after a year or two, you may be better off looking into fixed wireless providers like Verizon and T-Mobile.
Which internet provider in Elmira offers the fastest plan?
Empire Access has the fastest plan in the area for symmetrical download and upload speeds of 2,000Mbps. Customers can also access its gigabit plan but that tops out at 940Mbps only.
