Compare Internet Providers in 33611 Tampa, FL

Find Tampa Internet Providers with the Best Deals

If you’re from Tampa, you know that being in the top 20 metro areas in the U.S. for population has its advantages! We have scores of major attractions and entertainments, including Busch Gardens, the breathtaking Florida Aquarium, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Our waterfront restaurants are just part of our vivid nightlife. And with tech startups booming, it’s no surprise that our digital culture is really strong too. That’s great news for you if you’re trying to find the best internet providers in Tampa. This guide will help you find the best Tampa internet providers. You can use all the detailed information on this page to compare their internet plans, including pricing and internet speeds. First, you’ll need to know what kind of internet technology is best for your household’s needs. Whether you live in Ybor City, South Tampa, Channelside, Westshore, Hyde Park, Davis Islands, or Seminole Heights, you will have choices from among the top internet providers in Tampa. The type of internet you choose will determine your internet speed.

Types of Internet Services in Tampa

You may be wondering how much internet speed you actually need. With speeds of up to 5000 Mbps available in some areas of Tampa, how much of that bandwidth is useful for your internet activities? The quick answer:  if you mostly use email and browse social media, you won’t need extremely high internet speeds. But if you have a large household full of gamers or Ultra HD video streamers, you’re going to want more bandwidth. Here's a quick overview of the types of internet service in Tampa:

Fiber Internet

Fiber internet is the newest, fastest technology from Tampa internet providers. Your fiber internet will be faster than other types of internet because you’ll have symmetrical upload and download speeds. All older internet technologies have upload speeds that are much slower than their download speeds. Fiber’s fast upload speeds and low latency make it ideal for real-time gaming, uploading large files or videoconferencing. Fiber internet providers in Tampa currently serve over 90% of resident households. Tampa has very impressive fiber infrastructure compared to most American cities.

DSL Internet

Frequently the oldest technology available, DSL uses copper telephone cable to transmit your internet signals. DSL is very slow compared to cable internet or fiber internet. Some companies now use a technology called IPBB to deliver faster DSL. But on the whole, DSL would not be your first choice if you have other options.

Cable Internet

Cable internet travels along the same coaxial cables used for cable television. Cable internet providers usually send data at much higher speeds than most DSL. More advanced infrastructure now allows cable to even approach some of the download speeds of fiber, at approximately 1000 Mbps. Just be aware that the upload speeds for cable are slower than fiber’s symmetrical speeds. But upload speeds for cable internet will be just fine for many users. One drawback of cable Internet is that your internet may slow down during peak hours. But in recent years, many cable internet providers have built extra nodes to avoid network congestion.

Satellite Internet

If you don’t have cable or fiber wiring, satellite service will cover your home. Satellite internet is available to 100% of Tampa-area households with a clear view of the southern sky. At the same time though, cable and fiber are also widely available. For most Tampa residents, satellite internet will not be your first choice. Satellite internet signals must travel so far through space that they develop a small delay called latency. You won’t notice latency if you’re mainly interested in email and web browsing. But satellite is not recommended for HD video streaming on multiple devices or real-time gaming. In addition, satellite providers will have monthly data allowances. If you exceed your data allowance, your internet will slow down.

Top Internet Providers in Tampa

Now you know types of service are available from internet providers in Tampa, FL. You’ll be able to  better decide which internet plans are best in your specific Tampa neighborhood. You can compare internet plans for speed, price and reliability. For these factors, let's look at which companies stand out as the best Tampa internet providers.

Overall Best Internet Provider in Tampa

To pick the best overall home internet provider in Tampa, we considered internet speed, coverage, and affordability. Frontier Fiber comes out on top. They have superior coverage compared to most city fiber providers, with service available to over 94% of households. Frontier’s fastest plan offers speeds of up to 5000 Mbps, but their first-tier plan is very affordable at $49.99/month for up to 500 Mbps.

Fastest Internet Provider in Tampa

Frontier Fiber is the fastest internet provider, with up to 5000 Mbps and equal download and upload speeds. But for most users, Spectrum cable would be just as good with its download speeds up to 940 Mbps and almost 100% coverage of Tampa. Earthlink Fiber also provides fast, symmetrical speeds up to 700 Mbps.

Most Affordable Internet Provider in Tampa

Frontier Fiber is currently the most affordable of Tampa internet providers with its $49.99/month plan offering up to 500 Mbps.

Best Satellite Internet Provider in Tampa

HughesNet is your best choice for satellite internet if you don’t have wired cable or fiber options. HughesNet offers consistent speeds of 25 Mbps download speed/3 Mbps upload speed, which meets the FCC definition of high-speed internet. HughesNet is also rolling out HughesNet Fusion in select areas as the first  low-latency satellite internet service.

FAQs: Internet Choices in Tampa

How do I choose my internet speed?

To choose your internet speed, you’ll need to answer these questions. How many users will want to be on the internet at once in your home? And what internet activities will they be doing?  For just one or two people checking email and enjoying basic browsing, you need 10-25 Mbps download speed. If multiple people want to pursue gaming, video chats, or HD movies, your ideal speed would be at least 50-150 Mbps. Your top choice might be a fiber provider with low latency and high upload speeds. But cable internet can also perform well for many high-data internet activities.. If you don’t know your current internet speed, you can test it here.

What internet speed should I get to work from home?

Remote workers should look for at least 25 Mbps download speed/3 Mbps upload speed. If you often upload large files such as videos or graphics, choose an upload speed of at least 10-12 Mbps. If multiple people work from home, you will probably want at least 50-100 Mbps download speed.

What internet speed is best for streaming?

At least 50 Mbps will give you the best HD streaming experience. For streaming Ultra HD video on multiple devices, you’ll do best with at least 150 Mbps download speed.

What internet speed is best for gaming?

Real-time gamers with other internet users in the home should seek download speeds of at least 100-150 Mbps. But gamers also need adequate upload speed. Fiber will give you equal download and upload speeds, but cable can also provide a good gaming experience. Check to be sure your cable provider offers high speed and low latency.

Is there a financial assistance program for internet access in Tampa?

Everybody needs high-speed internet to have full access to opportunity in today’s digital world. Many jobs and educational programs are now available online. Fortunately, Tampa area leadership has a plan to expand internet access in Hillsborough County. Even in a city like Tampa with good internet infrastructure, many residents can’t afford home internet. In 2022, the federal government announced the Affordable Connectivity Program. Qualified households can receive a $30 subsidy for internet access through the ACP. You can also apply here on the federal ACP site. If you need immediate, free internet access, the Hillsborough County Public Library System provides access along with free Wi-Fi and printing and copying capacity.