Compare Internet Providers in 70831 Baton Rouge, LA

If you're looking for speedy and flexible internet access in Baton Rouge, your best bet is to go for a fiber internet provider. But if fiber internet isn't available in your area yet, there are other technologies that could work just as well for you. Keep in mind that not everyone requires the market’s fastest internet. Here are the various internet technology options that you can choose from in Baton Rouge.

DSL Internet

DSL internet service makes use of the same copper wiring that telephone landlines use. Compared to dial-up internet, DSL is about ten times faster. While DSL is not as fast as cable or fiber, it can still meet your internet needs if you mostly use email and browse the web. DSL might be a good option if your Baton Rouge neighborhood is not yet equipped with cable or fiber.

Cable Internet

Cable internet has a range of speeds. Recent advances make cable potentially very fast for downloads, reaching up to 200-500 Mbps. The signals for cable internet travel through the same wires as cable TV. Cable is not as fast as the fastest fiber, but will be much faster than DSL. Cable internet is accessible in almost all Baton Rouge households.

Fiber Internet

Fiber services use the newest telecom technology, fiber-optic lines. These lines made of glass send light pulses much faster than cable’s electric signals through copper cables. Fiber internet has a unique benefit of equal upload and download speeds. Before fiber, previous internet technologies had much slower upload speeds than download speeds. Some users might not even notice this, as it doesn't affect many internet activities. But as more people do high-data tasks like real-time gaming or videoconferencing, faster upload speeds have become necessary. However, cable can still frequently supply enough upload speed for most average users.

Satellite Internet

Satellite service can often reach remote areas that don’t have infrastructure for cable or fiber. So if you live on the outskirts of the Atchafalaya Basin, for example, satellite internet may be a good option for you. Satellite internet can be high latency, meaning there might be a slight delay in your signal. The delay is usually not significant enough to affect everyday internet activities like emailing and browsing the web. However, if you're someone who likes to play real-time multiplayer games, then satellite internet won't be a good choice for you. But new technologies like HughesNet Fusion are beginning to offer low-latency satellite service in specific areas of the country.

Overall Best Internet Provider in Baton Rouge

Cox is the best overall provider in Baton Rouge due to its very wide coverage of the city and internet speeds up to 1000 Mbps. Also, the first-tier Cox plan is only $39.99/month for up to 50 Mbps. That makes Cox the lowest-priced option among Baton Rouge internet providers.

Fastest Internet Provider in Baton Rouge

AT&T Fiber offers the fastest internet speed with up to 5000 Mbps. The only downside is that such speed will cost you $180/month. AT&T also offers first-tier fiber plans as low as $55/month, but AT&T Fiber is only available to certain parts of the city. In other areas, AT&T provides DSL, so pay close attention to which type is available at your address. Earthlink also provides fast fiber internet in Baton Rouge.

Most Affordable Internet Provider in Baton Rouge

Cox offers the lowest-priced first-tier internet plan at $39.99/month. If that’s still beyond the reach of your household budget, new federal programs can offer assistance (see FAQs).

How fast should my internet speed be?

The internet speed you need depends on how you use the internet at home. If you mainly use email and do regular web browsing, you'll be alright with a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 3-10 Mbps. However, if you frequently do real-time gaming or videoconferencing for work, you'll require faster internet speeds. The number of devices you have at home can also affect your internet speed. If you have several devices streaming data at the same time, you'll need more internet speed. Test your current internet speed here. If multiple devices in your house will be streaming at the same time, aim for a plan with download speed of at least 50 -100 Mbps.

What internet speed do I need for remote work?

If your job involves uploading big files or doing a lot of videoconferencing, you'll want faster internet speeds. A download speed of 100 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps will usually be good enough for most job needs. However, if your job only involves audio calls or customer service work, you won't need that much speed. Some employers have a minimum speed requirement, but as long as you have broadband speed (25 Mbps according to the FCC), you should be okay. Different jobs have different requirements, so it's best not to order new internet service without knowing what you need.

How fast should my internet be for multiplayer gaming?

Fiber internet is the best internet for real-time gaming because of its fast upload speeds. These speeds can make a significant difference when it comes to split-second gaming reactions. It's also important to have a low-latency connection (below 40 milliseconds) to prevent any screen freezing or glitches. But if you're a gamer who doesn't have fiber access yet, cable internet can often be fast enough as long as the connection has low latency.

How can I get low-cost or free internet in Baton Rouge?

The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers support of $30/month to provide internet access to individuals who qualify. Check here to see if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program. The state of Louisiana ranks #1 in the nation for enrollment in the ACP. If you need immediate internet access, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library provides free computer access and free Wi-Fi, as well as classes in computer literacy.