Internet Types

Fiber Internet: Providers, Speeds & Availability

Fiber internet transmits data as light through glass strands, delivering the fastest and most reliable home internet available — download AND upload speeds up to 10 Gbps. Per FCC data (Dec 2024), fiber now reaches 27,013 of 31,409 U.S. ZIP codes through at least one provider.

Last reviewed: July 2026

What is fiber internet?

Fiber-optic internet is a connection delivered over glass fiber strands using light instead of electrical signals. Because light suffers almost no interference or degradation, fiber delivers symmetrical speeds (uploads as fast as downloads), latency as low as 1–5 ms, and reliability that copper and coaxial networks can’t match. It is the benchmark technology every other internet type is measured against.

How fast is fiber?

Tier	Speed	Best for
Entry fiber	100–300 Mbps symmetrical	Streaming, remote work, most homes
Gigabit	1 Gbps symmetrical	Large households, creators, smart homes
Multi-gig	2–10 Gbps symmetrical	Power users, future-proofing

Providers filing 8–10 Gbps residential fiber with the FCC include Xfinity Fiber, MetroNet, Ziply Fiber, Google Fiber, Optimum Fiber, and Quantum Fiber.

Top fiber providers

AT&T

Plans from $55/mo (checked July 2026)
24,531 ZIP codes · 49 states (FCC)
Up to 5 Gbps · Fiber, Internet Air & DSL

Verizon

Plans from $35/mo (checked July 2026)
22,564 ZIP codes · 50 states (FCC)
Up to 2 Gbps · Fiber & 5G Home

Frontier

Plans from $49.99/mo (checked July 2026)
5,885 ZIP codes · 26 states (FCC)
Up to 7 Gbps · Fiber & DSL

Google Fiber

Plans from $70/mo (checked July 2026)
579 ZIP codes · 18 states (FCC)
Up to 8 Gbps · Fiber Internet

Metronet

Plans from $34.95/mo (checked May 2026)
658 ZIP codes · 21 states (FCC)
Up to 10 Gbps · Fiber Internet

Ziply Fiber

Plans from $20/mo (checked May 2026)
448 ZIP codes · 5 states (FCC)
Up to 10 Gbps · Fiber Internet

Optimum

Plans from $30/mo (checked July 2026)
2,189 ZIP codes · 21 states (FCC)
Up to 8 Gbps · Cable & Fiber

CenturyLink / Quantum Fiber

Plans from $45/mo (checked July 2026)
3,662 ZIP codes · 21 states (FCC)
Up to 8 Gbps · Fiber & DSL

Fiber vs cable: which should you get?

If both serve your address at a similar price, choose fiber. Cable download speeds compete (up to 1–2 Gbps), but cable uploads are typically capped at 35–250 Mbps while fiber uploads match downloads — a decisive difference for video calls, cloud backup, and creators. Fiber also delivers lower latency and holds speed better at peak hours. Cable’s advantage is availability and aggressive first-year promos.

See every fiber internet provider at your address:

Call (855) 643-8023

Frequently asked questions

Is fiber internet available in my area?

Fiber from at least one provider now reaches 27,013 of 31,409 U.S. ZIP codes per FCC Broadband Data Collection filings (Dec 2024) — about 86% of ZIPs, though street-level availability varies within each ZIP. Enter your ZIP code to see the fiber providers at your address.

Is fiber internet worth it?

If fiber serves your address, it is almost always the best value at a given price point: symmetrical speeds, 1–5 ms latency, and no shared-node slowdowns. Entry fiber plans now start as low as $20–$55/mo depending on provider.

What is the fastest fiber internet?

In FCC filings, the fastest residential fiber tiers reach 10 Gbps (Xfinity Fiber, MetroNet, Ziply Fiber in select areas), with 8 Gbps from Google Fiber, Optimum, and Quantum Fiber. Mainstream fiber tops out at 1–5 Gbps in most markets.

Keep reading

Best Internet Providers of 2026 Internet Speed Guide How Much Is Internet?All providers

Coverage statistics: FCC Broadband Data Collection, Dec 2024 vintage (residential filings; ZIP counts reflect at least one provider of this technology per ZIP) — broadbandmap.fcc.gov. Pricing referenced as of July 10, 2026; varies by address.