What is the best internet provider in Waukesha?
Due to its wide availability, low cost and speeds of up to 1 GB, Spectrum was named the Best Internet Service Provider in Waukesha, Wisconsin by CNET. Spectrum offers simple service details including a free modem and unlimited data on all plans. However, if you’re looking for a fiber optic or fixed wireless connection, AT&T Fiber or T-Mobile Home Internet may be better suited for your broadband needs.
Another benefit Spectrum offers is low introductory pricing. For just $30 per month, customers can get download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second. The cable giant also offers a 300Mbps plan for $40 per month, which costs less per Mbps than the former.
If you need speed in Waukesha, AT&T Fiber is the fastest ISP in the area. AT&T Fiber offers fast 5 GB connections for $225 and 2 GB connections for $125, with balanced download and upload speeds.
CNET recommends the best internet services in Waukesha across multiple categories, considering speed, pricing, customer service and overall value. Our assessment includes reference to a proprietary database built over years of reviewing Internet services. We verify this against provider information by spot-checking service availability at local addresses. We also read the provider’s terms and conditions carefully and call the ISP to verify details if needed.
While we strive to find the most up-to-date, accurate information, there are some limitations to our process that you should be aware of. Pricing and speed figures are variable: Some addresses may qualify for different service levels, and monthly costs may vary even within the same city. The best way to determine your specific options is to plug your address into the provider’s website.
Additionally, the prices, speeds, and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. Based on our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs, these cards show the full range of pricing and speeds from providers across the United States. At the same time, this text is specific to what is available in Waukesha. The prices quoted in this article are from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month – which is standard industry offering. Discounts and promotions may also be available for signing a fixed-term contract or bundling multiple services.
To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.
The Best Internet in Waukesha, WI in 2024
300-1,000 Mbps
$50-$80 per month
What we think – Spectrum offers the broadest coverage in Waukesha, so it’s a possible choice for home broadband no matter where you’re located in this popular Wisconsin town. Customers can choose from four plans: 100Mbps for $30, 300Mbps for $40, 500Mbps for $50 and 1,000Mbps for $60. All plans come with a free modem and unlimited data, so you don’t have to worry about any contracts under Spectrum.
300-1,000 Mbps
$50-$80 per month
300-5,000 Mbps
$55-$250 per month
What we think – The FCC reports that AT&T covers more than 91% of the Waukesha area, but that number includes AT&T’s fiber and DSL networks, which means you may be able to use its DSL service, but not its fiber service. However, if you can get AT&T Fiber, move this provider to the top of your list. Offering symmetrical speeds and bandwidth up to 5,000Mbps, it’s no wonder CNET named it the Best ISP of 2024.
300-5,000 Mbps
$55-$250 per month
fixed wireless
72-245 Mbps
$60 per month
What we think – If you want to bundle mobile and internet services, T-Mobile Home Internet could be the perfect plan. For an all-inclusive price of $60 per month, you can get speeds up to 245Mbps. Plus, there are no data caps, contracts, or device fees, so you can save $20 per month if you’re an eligible mobile subscriber.
fixed wireless
72-245 Mbps
$60 per month
Waukesha Internet Providers Comparison
| provider | Internet technology | monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment cost | data cap | contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AT&T Home Internet |
DSL hybrid | $55 | 10-100Mbps | not any | 1.5TB | not any | 7.4 |
|
AT&T Fiber |
fiber | $55-$225 | 300-5,000Mbps | not any | not any | not any | 7.4 |
| Bertram Internet Corporation | fixed wireless | $60-$250 | 15-100Mbps | not any | Elective | not any | not applicable |
|
spectrum |
cable | $30-$60 | 100-1,000Mbps | Free modem; $7 router | not any | not any | 7.2 |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet |
fixed wireless | $60 ($40 for eligible mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | not any | not any | not any | 7.4 |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet |
fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 50-1,000Mbps | not any | not any | not any | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What are the cheapest internet plans in Waukesha?
| provider | starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Spectrum Internet 100 |
$30 | 100Mbps | $7 (optional) |
|
Spectrum Internet |
$40 | 300Mbps | $7 (optional) |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | not any |
|
AT&T Fiber 300 |
$55 | 300Mbps | not any |
| Bertram 15Mbps | $60 | 15Mbps | not any |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet |
$60 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | not any |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to Find Internet Deals and Promotions in Waukesha
Waukesha’s best internet deals and top promotions depend on the discounts available during the period. Most offers are short-lived, but we’re often on the lookout for the latest deals.
Waukesha internet providers such as Spectrum may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, other companies, such as AT&T and Verizon, use the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of deals, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
Photography: DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images
Fastest Internet Plans in Waukesha
| provider | monthly price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | data cap | Internet technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AT&T Fiber 5000 |
$225 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | not any | fiber |
|
AT&T Fiber 2000 |
$125 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | not any | fiber |
|
AT&T Fiber 1000 |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | not any | fiber |
|
Spectrum Internet Performance |
$60 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | not any | cable |
|
Verizon 5G Home + Internet |
$70 ($45 with eligible mobile plans) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | not any | fixed wireless |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is 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 video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll get a better experience with a stronger connection. Below is an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications according to FCC regulations. Please note that these are guidelines only – Internet speeds, service and performance vary based on connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide on the internet speed you really need.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to handle the basics—browse the Internet, send and receive email, stream low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should provide one user with enough bandwidth to meet the needs of modern remote working, video streaming, and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one or two users to participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming and online gaming simultaneously.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
CNET How to choose the best internet provider in Waukesha
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 specific city. So what is our approach? We first looked at pricing, availability, and speed information, using our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and map information from the Federal Communications Commission’s FCC.gov.
But it didn’t end there. We went to the FCC’s website to check our data and make sure we accounted for every ISP offering service in a certain area. We also enter local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We evaluate customer satisfaction with ISP services by looking at sources such as the US Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power. ISP plans and prices may change frequently; all information provided is accurate as of publication time.
Once we have localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting value for money?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answers to these questions are often layered and complex, we recommend the provider that comes closest to a “yes” on these three questions. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for plans with the lowest monthly fees, although we also consider factors like price increases, equipment fees, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our How We Test ISPs page.
Waukesha Internet Provider FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Waukesha?
Spectrum is Waukesha’s best internet provider, offering simple service details, wide availability, and low prices for residential internet.
Is there fiber optic internet in Waukesha?
What is the cheapest internet provider in Waukesha?
Spectrum Internet 100 is the cheapest service in Waukesha at just $30 per month with speeds up to 100Mbps.
Which internet provider in Waukesha offers the fastest plans?
AT&T Fiber is Waukesha’s fastest provider, offering symmetrical speeds of up to 5,000Mbps for $225 per month.