Best Internet Providers in Buffalo, NY

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Top 10 Buffalo Internet Providers

Buffalo, famously known as the Queen City of New York, is the second-largest city in the state. It is located between the Niagara River and Lake Erie. In the 16th century, French missionaries built their trading post at the banks of the Niagara River. The waterways were used to transport goods from America to Canada. The French called the area "beau fleuve" (a beautiful river). It was the mispronunciation of this word that led to the city’s current name.

Today, Buffalo is home to leading manufacturing and technology industries that collectively contribute more than $3 billion annually to the US economy. The city has a thriving startup ecosystem and companies like Odoo, HiOperator, and ACV continue to expand their workforce and operations in Buffalo, NY. The internet providers in Buffalo, NY, have played a key role in the city’s technological growth. They deliver fast and reliable broadband services for rapid knowledge exchange.

The top 10 internet providers in Buffalo, NY, are mentioned in the table below:


  • Spectrum

    Rating
    Max Speed

    Up to 1 Gbps

    Internet Type

    Hybrid fiber-coaxial

    Starting From

    $49.99/mo

    Spectrum_logo


  • Verizon Fios

    Rating
    Max Speed

    Up to 1 Gbps

    Internet Type

    Fiber

    Starting From

    $24.24/mo

    Verizon Fios_logo

  • HughesNet

    Rating
    Max Speed

    Up to 25 Mbps

    Internet Type

    Satellite

    Starting From

    $59.99/mo

    HughesNet_logo

  • Viasat

    Rating
    Max Speed

    Up to 150 Mbps

    Internet Type

    Satellite

    Starting From

    $64.99/mo

    Viasat_logo


  • T-Mobile Home

    Rating
    Max Speed

    Up to 182 Mbps

    Internet Type

    5G Home

    Starting From

    $50.00/mo

    T-Mobile Home_logo


  • Consolidated Communications

    Rating
    Max Speed

    Up to 50 Mbps

    Internet Type

    Cable and DSL

    Starting From

    $35.00/mo

    Consolidated Communications_logo


  • Ultra Home Internet

    Rating
    Max Speed

    Up to 182 Mbps

    Internet Type

    Fixed Wireless

    Starting From

    $54.99/mo

    Ultra Home Internet_logo



Internet in Buffalo, NY - Quick Facts

Buffalo is one of the cities in Western New York that has remained neglected. The city experiences adverse effects of the digital divide. The US Census Bureau reported that despite being one of the most populous urban centers in the country, 19.8 percent of Buffalonians don't have internet service at home. What's worse is that Buffalo has one of the slowest internet speeds in the USA. The average download speed in Buffalo is 100.1 Mbps which is 19 Mbps less than the national average.

The lack of internet infrastructure impedes the work of internet providers in Buffalo, NY. Many parts of the city lack a copper and DSL cable network. Only 13.67 percent of the city has fiber optic internet coverage and until we bridge that gap, the internet providers in Buffalo, NY, will continue to face challenges in the transmission of high-speed internet.

Buffalo internet providers offer many types of internet services ranging from slow-speed cable internet to ultrafast fiber internet in Buffalo, NY. With so many options to choose from, residents should consider their internet usage and monthly budget to pick the best internet provider in Buffalo, NY.

Below, we have stated some quick facts about the internet in Buffalo, NY, to help you select the best carrier for your home.

Quick Facts About Internet Providers in Buddalo, NY
Average Internet Speed in Buffalo 100.1 Mbps
Best Internet Provider in Buffalo, NY Spectrum
Fastest Internet Provider in Buffalo, NY Spectrum
Cheapest Internet Provider in Buffalo, NY Verizon Fios
Most Widely Available Internet in Buffalo, NY Spectrum
Internet Providers in Buffalo, NY, offering Bundle Deals Spectrum, Verizon, Optimum

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Best Internet Provider in Buffalo, NY

Charter Communications is an American telecommunications company that was founded in 1993. In 2014, the company launched a separate brand for its residential customers across the country. The brand was named Spectrum. Spectrum's portfolio includes services like cable internet, cable TV, home phone lines, mobile connections, and device security. It has just been eight years since its inception but Spectrum's footprint already covers 41 states of the USA. As of today, Spectrum has more than 32 million customers and it is the fifth most popular internet service provider in the country.

Spectrum's wide availability, affordable rates, top-notch customer service, and a long list of benefits make it the best internet provider in Buffalo, NY.


Wide Availability of Spectrum Internet in Buffalo, NY


In 2016, Spectrum bought a large network of cables from the Time Warner Cable Company and started offering its cable TV service and high-speed internet in Buffalo, NY. More than 90 percent of the homes in Buffalo have access to telephones cables and Spectrum used these came coaxial cables to deliver cable TV and internet in Buffalo, NY. Spectrum internet’s availability within the city stands at 98 percent. Even those living in the outskirts of the city can get Spectrum Internet with speeds up to 50 Mbps.


Spectrum Affordable Connectivity Program in Buffalo, NY


The U.S. Federal Government launched the Affordable Connectivity Program in December 2021 to close the digital divide in cities like Buffalo, NY. More than 55,788 residents in Buffalo, NY, are living without internet access at home. It holds them back from progressing in jobs and studies as they don't have the resources to seek information and get the work done. To remedy this problem, Spectrum joined the government-sponsored Affordable Connectivity Program and started offering cost-free internet to eligible households in Buffalo, NY.

Families that meet the eligibility criteria for ACP such as having a household income of 135 percent less than the federal poverty guideline are given a $30 credit every month to pay for their internet bills.

When existing users of Spectrum Internet in Buffalo, NY, apply for the ACP offer, they get 100 Mbps internet with a modem, absolutely free. They can also use this credit to reduce their monthly internet bills and get a $30 discount on their services.

The table below shows the difference in internet prices before and after applying for the Spectrum Affordable Connectivity Program.

Internet Plan Price before ACP Price After ACP Internet Speed Spectrum Mobile Contact Spectrum
Internet 100 $30.00/mo $0.00/mo 100 Mpbs Not included Call 877-410-3834 Now!
Internet $49.99/mo $19.99/mo 300 Mbps included Call 877-410-3834 Now!
Internet Ultra $69.99/mo $39.99/mo 500 Mbps included Call 877-410-3834 Now!
Internet Gig $89.99/mo $59.99/mo 1000 Mbps included Call 877-410-3834 Now!

Spectrum Plans for High-Speed Internet in Buffalo, NY


Spectrum Internet speeds are as good as those offered by fully-fiber optic internet providers in Buffalo, NY. Spectrum’s cheapest internet plan starts at $49.99 per month (for 12 months) and you get maximum download speeds of up to 1000 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) with 99.99 percent consistency throughout Buffalo.

There are three Spectrum Internet® plans, available at affordable rates to all customers in Buffalo. The service includes several perks such as free equipment and a year-long connection to one Spectrum Mobile™ line with unlimited data, calls, and texts to any network in the country.

INTERNET + WIFI + MOBILE


$49.99/mo. For 12 mos.*
  • 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
  • NO Data Caps
  • FREE Advanced WiFi
  • Speeds up to 300 Mbps
  • wireless speeds may vary
  • Unlimited Mobile Line

Call 877-410-3834 Now!

INTERNET ULTRA + WIFI + MOBILE


$69.99/mo. For 12 mos.*
  • 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
  • NO Data Caps
  • FREE Advanced WiFi
  • Speeds up to 500 Mbps
  • wireless speeds may vary
  • Unlimited Mobile Line

Call 877-410-3834 Now!

INTERNET GIG + WIFI + MOBILE


$89.99/mo. For 12 mos.*
  • 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
  • NO Data Caps
  • FREE Advanced WiFi
  • Speeds up to 1 Gbps
  • wireless speeds may vary
  • Unlimited Mobile Line

Call 877-410-3834 Now!

Perks on Spectrum Internet in Buffalo, NY


Spectrum knows how to make its customers feel special. Subscribing to Spectrum Internet service feels like saying "Open Sesame!" All first-time customers of Spectrum Internet in Buffalo, NY, will receive promo rates, discount deals, free giveaways, and fee waivers without the obligation of signing a year-long or two-year-long contract.


Promo Rates for Spectrum Buffalo Customers


Spectrum offers promo rates on all its internet plans for the first year of service. For the first 12 months, the service is offered at discounted rates and users can save up to $30 per month. It means that in one year, you can save up to $180 and enjoy unlimited internet with exciting giveaways.


Fee Waivers for Spectrum Buffalo Customers


New customers of Spectrum Internet in Buffalo, NY, are not charged for internet installation and activation. Other internet providers in Buffalo, NY, ask you to pay $75 to 95 dollars for requesting professional installation at home. And the internet activation fee alone can be as high as $45. Spectrum Internet gives you a self-installation kit for just $24.99 that can be used to set up your internet connection in less than five minutes.

Spectrum has waived the equipment fee for its internet customers. When you subscribe to Spectrum Buffalo, you get a free Spectrum-approved modem. You are also given an advanced WiFi router for a nominal fee of just $5 per month. Other internet providers in Buffalo, NY, will either tell you to purchase your equipment which can cost up to $600 or they will charge you a hefty equipment rental fee of up to $25 per month.

Spectrum is one of the no-contract internet providers in Buffalo, NY. You are not required to sign legal paperwork binding you to the carrier for a year or two. You can cancel the service any time you wish without paying a cancelation fee or fine. Other internet providers in Buffalo, NY, ask their customers to sign a contract to get bonuses and charge them an early termination fee of around $150. In some cases, customers have even paid service cancelation fees as high as $400. But with Spectrum Buffalo, you can rest assured that neither will you have to pay a fine for abrupt termination nor will you be asked to pay a cancellation fee when you decide to end your relationship with Spectrum.


Free Access to Spectrum WiFi Hotspots


With Spectrum's internet service, you can now save your mobile data when on the move. All the users of Spectrum Internet in Buffalo, NY, get the exclusive rights to use Spectrum’s out-of-home WiFi hotspots for free. Spectrum has installed more than 530,000 WiFi hotspots all over the country. While outside, Spectrum customers can connect to these WiFi hotspots using their Spectrum username and password and enjoy free internet service.

Finding a Spectrum WiFi hotspot is now easier than ever before. You can install the My Spectrum App on your mobile device and enable the "receive notifications for WiFi hotspots" mode. Every time you will be in the range of a Spectrum WiFi hotspot, the carrier will send you an alert on your phone and you can connect to the network using your Spectrum account details.


Spectrum One Deal for Internet Users in Buffalo, NY


Spectrum recently rolled out its 3-in-1 value offer for all first-time subscribers of Spectrum Internet service in Buffalo, NY. When new customers subscribe to any one of the three Spectrum Internet® plans, they get one free Spectrum Mobile™ line with unlimited talk time, texts, and data for the first 12 months. Users also get a new, Spectrum-compatible WiFi router that allows them to enjoy all the benefits of the Advanced Home WiFi feature.


Spectrum’s Reliable Customer Service in Buffalo, NY


Spectrum Internet offers on-call account management and technical assistance to its customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The customer service representatives are trained to handle a high volume of calls and troubleshoot problems relating to the service. Spectrum has been given the TMC Internet Telephony 2021 Excellence Award for its high customer satisfaction score.

Spectrum believes in being approachable. The company has taken most of its operations online to make the overall experience of customer service more convenient. Customers can log into their Spectrum accounts via the website or on their My Spectrum App and perform tasks such as payment of bills, switching plans, and purchasing new services without the hassle of visiting the physical Spectrum store.

Spectrum has three physical stores in Buffalo, New York.

  • 355 Chicago Street, Buffalo, NY.
  • 3670 South McKinley Plaza, Buffalo, NY.
  • 2228 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY.

Budget-Friendly Bundle Deals by Spectrum Buffalo


Spectrum has redefined the term “less is more” by offering budget-friendly bundle deals on its internet in Buffalo, NY. As a Spectrum subscriber, you will have the option to select and combine multiple services under one plan. Spectrum is one of the few internet providers in Buffalo, NY, that allows you to customize your bundle deals.

The following bundle options are available for those who wish to combine their cable TV, mobile phone, and home phone service with Spectrum Internet in Buffalo, NY.


Spectrum TV® and Internet Bundles in Buffalo, NY


TV Select + Internet


$109.98/mo. For 12 mos*
  • 125+ Channels
  • Thousands of On Demand choices
  • Stream anywhere with the Spectrum TV® App
  • Speeds up to 300 Mbps
  • Wireless speeds may vary
  • FREE Internet modem
  • No data caps or hidden fees
  • FREE access to Spectrum out-of-home WiFi
  • FREE antivirus software

Call 877-410-3834 Now!

TV Select + Internet Ultra


$129.98/mo. For 12 mos*
  • 125+ Channels
  • Thousands of On Demand choices
  • Stream anywhere with the Spectrum TV® App
  • Speeds up to 500 Mbps
  • Wireless speeds may vary
  • FREE Internet modem
  • No data caps or hidden fees
  • FREE access to Spectrum out-of-home WiFi
  • FREE antivirus software

Call 877-410-3834 Now!

TV Select + Internet Gig


$149.98/mo. For 12 mos*
  • 125+ Channels
  • Thousands of On Demand choices
  • Stream anywhere with the Spectrum TV® App
  • Speeds up to 1 Gbps
  • Wireless speeds may vary
  • FREE Internet modem
  • No data caps or hidden fees
  • FREE access to Spectrum out-of-home WiFi
  • FREE antivirus software

Call 877-410-3834 Now!

Spectrum TV®, Home Phone, and Internet Bundles in Buffalo, NY


TV Select + Internet + Voice

$129.97/mo. For 12 mo.*
  • 125+ Channels
  • Thousands of On Demand choices
  • Stream anywhere with the Spectrum TV® App
  • Speeds up to 300 Mbps
  • Wireless speeds may vary
  • Free internet modem
  • No data caps or hidden fees
  • FREE access to Spectrum out-of-home WiFi
  • FREE antivirus software
  • Home phone with unlimited calling

TV Select + Internet Ultra + Voice

$149.97/mo.* For 12 mo.*
  • 125+ Channels
  • Thousands of On Demand choices
  • Stream anywhere with the Spectrum TV® App
  • Speeds up to 500 Mbps
  • Wireless speeds may vary
  • FREE Internet modem
  • No data caps or hidden fees
  • FREE access to Spectrum out-of-home WiFi
  • FREE antivirus software
  • Home phone with unlimited calling

TV Select + Internet Gig + Voice

$169.97/mo. For 12 mo.*
  • 125+ Channels
  • Thousands of On Demand choices
  • Stream anywhere with the Spectrum TV® App
  • Speeds up to 1 Gbps
  • Wireless speeds may vary
  • FREE Internet modem
  • No data caps or hidden fees
  • FREE access to Spectrum out-of-home WiFi
  • FREE antivirus software
  • Home phone with unlimited calling


By subscribing to one of the Spectrum bundle deals available in Buffalo, NY, you can save yourself from the hassle of paying multiple bills. Spectrum’s holistic and customer-centric approach makes it the best internet provider in Buffalo, NY.

Fastest Internet in Buffalo, NY

Internet speeds depend on the type of internet connection. In the category of terrestrial broadband services, the three types of internet that provide varying internet speeds are;

  • Slow-speed cable and DSL internet
  • Moderate-speed fixed wireless (5G Home) internet
  • Superfast fiber internet

Copper and DSL cables can carry a maximum bandwidth of 100 Mbps. In comparison, fiber-optic cables can carry data signals at 100 Gbps or 100,000 Mbps. As a rule of thumb, fiber internet is 30 times faster than cable and DSL internet connections. Therefore, internet carriers that offer fully-fiber optic broadband service are considered to be the fastest internet providers in Buffalo, NY.

Fiber internet providers in Buffalo are indeed profoundly faster than other internet connection types, but on the downside, they require expensive infrastructural changes. Just one foot of fiber optic cable costs between $8 and $12. It means that installing one mile of fiber optic cable in Buffalo will cost around $60,000.

Moreover, fiber optic cables are made from glass and can break easily. Aerial fiber optic cables are prone to damage from high winds, extreme temperatures, and ice loading. Underground fiber optic cables are frequently damaged by water accumulation, rodent bites, and construction work. The delicate nature of fiber optic cables hikes the maintenance cost of providing fiber internet in Buffalo, NY. The city is already struggling to secure federal funding for its infrastructure development and maintenance. Installing miles of fiber optic cables throughout the city will only add to the financial woes.

The limited capability of fiber internet in Buffalo, NY, has adversely affected the performance of fiber internet providers in Buffalo, NY. EarthLink promises maximum download speeds of up to 5 Gbps to its customers, but in Buffalo, it can only deliver speeds up to 75 Mbps due to a restricted fiber optic cable network. The availability of multi-gigabit speeds is nil in Buffalo and only those who live in downtown Buffalo or the surrounding neighborhoods can get internet speeds up to 940 Mbps.

Verizon Fios is the largest fiber internet provider in Buffalo, NY, in terms of its widespread coverage across the city. It has the potential to offer download speeds up to 2 Gigs but in Buffalo, it can deliver maximum bandwidths up to 940 Mbps.

However, Spectrum found a way to ensure wide coverage of ultrafast speeds throughout the city without relying on fiber optic cables. Spectrum uses a hybrid model of internet transmission and distribution. In the first leg of their journey, the data signals leave the data centers in the form of light photons inside a fiber optic cable. At the end of each fiber optic cable, there is a fiber node and a coaxial cable is attached to this node. The coaxial cables receive the data and convert light photons into electronic signals for distribution over long distances. Some speed is lost along the way but the overall result is that Spectrum can deliver up to 1000 Mbps of download speed (wireless speeds may vary) throughout the city.

Thanks to its unique model of dual-cable internet transmission, Spectrum stands out as the fastest internet provider in Buffalo, NY.


Get a FREE Spectrum Mobile Line with all Spectrum Internet Plans

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Cheapest Internet Provider in Buffalo, NY

Harsh climate conditions for half of the year and years of neglect from the federal and state government have left Buffalo in abject poverty. It is the third-poorest city in the state of New York and the current poverty rate stands at 30.9 percent. It means that one out of every 3.2 residents in Buffalo is living in poverty. We may see some improvement over the years as the Buffalo City government and private companies work in tandem to bridge the digital divide and lower the poverty rate. However, to see the full effects, the internet providers in Buffalo, NY, must lower the cost of their internet plans to make the service affordable for all.

Verizon Fios understands the financial hardships of its customers in Buffalo, NY. It offers the cheapest internet in Buffalo, NY, at fiber internet speeds. Verizon’s Fios fiber internet plans start at $24.99 per month. Verizon offers three plans for low-cost fiber internet in Buffalo, NY.

<
Plan Price Speed Add-Ons Learn More
Fiber 1 $24.99/mo 300 Mbps
  • Router rental included
  • 10-year price lock
  • Free Amazon Echo Dot modem
  • $100 discount on Stream TV
Call 877-412-0748 Now!
Fiber 2 $44.99/mo 500 Mbps
  • Router rental included
  • 10-year price lock
  • Free Amazon Echo Show 5 modem
  • $200 discount on Stream TV
Call 877-412-0748 Now!
Fiber 3 $64.99/mo 1000 Mbps
  • Router rental included
  • 10-year price lock
  • Free Amazon Echo Show 10 modem
  • $300 discount on Stream TV
Call 877-412-0748 Now!

Verizon Fios is the only fiber internet provider in Buffalo, NY, that can deliver gigabit speeds in almost 50 percent of the city. Other fully-fiber internet providers in Buffalo, NY, such as Optimum and Upstream have a combined coverage of just 13.8 percent, and their monthly fee is $5 more than Verizon Fios’.


Verizon Fios vs Spectrum Internet - Pricing in Buffalo, NY


Spectrum and Verizon are the two biggest and most widely available internet providers in Buffalo, NY. Both carriers offer maximum download speeds of 1000 Mbps or 1 Gig but in terms of their monthly fee, Spectrum charges double for the same internet speeds as those offered by Verizon Fios.

Verizon Fios plans are $25 cheaper than the Spectrum Internet® plans for the same speeds. Therefore, Verizon Fios is the cheapest internet provider in Buffalo, NY.

Coverage Area of Internet Providers in Buffalo, NY

Buffalo was built on the banks of the Niagara River and is generally a flat city. One might think that the city’s plains should make excavation work for laying underground internet cables and erecting wireless 5G LTE towers a fairly easy task. But the ground reality is completely different. Throughout the year Buffalo receives a high amount of precipitation from the west and north side. On the north, the city is bordered by Niagara Falls and Niagara River which flows into Lake Ontario. Lake Erie covers the western side of Buffalo.

On average, the city receives 85 inches of snow per year. The national average is 28 inches of snow per year. As a result, Buffalo has won the Golden Snow Globe Award for being the snowiest city in the country. Five months of extremely harsh and wet winters make it difficult to carry out construction work and build and maintain infrastructure. Hence, the citywide availability of fast and affordable internet in Buffalo, NY, continues to be a challenge.

The coverage area of different types of internet connections in Buffalo, NY are as follows:

  • Satellite internet: 100 percent coverage
  • Cable internet: 99 percent coverage
  • Fixed wireless internet: 70 percent coverage
  • DSL internet: 69.77 percent coverage
  • Fiber internet: 13.67 percent coverage
  • Copper internet: 0.03 percent coverage

There are a total of 17 internet providers in Buffalo, NY, and among them:

  • 8 offer fiber internet services
  • 7 offer DSL internet connections
  • 5 offer copper internet connections
  • 4 offer cable internet connections
  • 3 offer fixed wireless services
  • 2 offer satellite internet

In the table below, we have compared the citywide availability of the 10 best internet providers in Buffalo, NY.

Internet Provider Citywide Availability Type of Internet
HughesNet 100% Satellite
Viasat 100% Satellite
Spectrum 98% Hybrid fiber-coaxial cable
Verizon 84.19% DSL
Ultra Home Internet 83.6% Fixed Wireless
Verizon Fios 50.1% Fiber
EarthLink 39% Fixed Wireless, fiber, satellite
T-Mobile Home 37.8% 5G Home
Consolidated Communications 23% DSL
Upstream Network 11% Fiber
Optimum 2.8% Fiber

Final Word


After the Great Depression, many Buffalonians left the city's long, harsh winters in search of warmer weather and greener pastures. Buffalo, the city that once had a declining population is now bustling with economic activity and attracting a large pool of skilled workers for its booming technology sector. In April 2022, the city government secured funding of $100 million to create a tech hub in the western New York region. With such exciting developments on the horizon, the best internet providers in Buffalo, NY, are stepping up to meet the growing demand for affordable and high-speed broadband services.

Call Now To Subscribe To The Best Internet Plans in Buffalo: 877-395-5851

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