
Tallahassee, Florida’s vibrant capital, is home to over 200,000 residents, including a significant student population from Florida State University and Florida A&M University. With a thriving economy and a median household income of approximately $49,077, reliable internet is crucial for remote work, online learning, streaming, gaming, and community engagement. Fortunately, Tallahassee boasts 100% high-speed internet coverage, offering residents a variety of providers, including cable, fiber, satellite, and 5G options. This comprehensive guide explores the top internet providers in Tallahassee, detailing their coverage, speeds, pricing, promotions, and customer reviews. We’ll also provide tips for choosing the right provider and answer frequently asked questions to help you stay connected in this dynamic city.
Why Internet Matters in Tallahassee
As Florida’s capital and a hub for education and government, Tallahassee demands robust internet connectivity. Students need fast internet for virtual classes, professionals rely on it for remote work, and families use it for streaming and gaming. With an average download speed of 235.5 Mbps and starting prices around $55-$80/mo, Tallahassee’s internet market is competitive, offering options for every budget and need. Whether you’re in bustling neighborhoods like Frenchtown or rural areas near Woodville, there’s a provider to keep you online.
Top Internet Providers in Tallahassee, FL
Below is a detailed overview of the leading internet providers in Tallahassee, based on coverage, connection types, speeds, pricing, and customer feedback.
1. Xfinity
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Coverage: 99%
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Connection Type: Cable
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Download Speeds: Up to 2000 Mbps
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Pricing: Starting at $55/mo for 300 Mbps with equipment
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Promotions: Unlimited data for 5 years, unlimited mobile line for 1 year (ends 9/30/25)
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Customer Rating: 3.5/5
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Source: Xfinity
Xfinity, powered by Comcast, is a dominant provider in Tallahassee, covering 99% of the city, from Plantation Heights to Wilson Green. Its cable internet offers speeds from 300 Mbps to 2000 Mbps, ideal for heavy users, gamers, and multi-device households. The starting price of $55/mo for 300 Mbps includes equipment, unlimited data, and a mobile line for one year, making it a strong value proposition. However, some users report price increases after promotional periods (e.g., $120/mo for 400 Mbps) and mixed experiences with customer service.
2. Metronet
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Coverage: 84%
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Connection Type: Fiber
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Download Speeds: Up to 1000 Mbps
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Pricing: Starting at $25/mo
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Customer Rating: 3.5/5
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Source: Metronet
Metronet provides fiber internet to 84% of Tallahassee, offering speeds up to 1000 Mbps with symmetrical upload and download rates. This makes it perfect for low-latency tasks like streaming, gaming, and video conferencing. The starting price of $25/mo is among the most affordable for high-speed internet. Metronet’s no-data-cap policy ensures consistent performance, but some users note occasional service interruptions, particularly during peak usage.
3. CenturyLink (Quantum Fiber)
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Coverage: 83.5% (CenturyLink), 75.12% (Quantum Fiber)
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Connection Type: DSL, Fiber
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Download Speeds: DSL: 10-100 Mbps; Fiber: 500-2103 Mbps
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Pricing: DSL: Starting at $55/mo; Fiber: $50-$95/mo
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Customer Rating: Not specified
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Source: CenturyLink
CenturyLink offers both DSL and fiber internet (branded as Quantum Fiber) in Tallahassee. DSL plans, covering 83.5% of the city, start at $55/mo for 10-100 Mbps, suitable for basic browsing. Quantum Fiber, available to 75.12% of residents, provides speeds from 500 Mbps to 2103 Mbps for $50-$95/mo, ideal for high-bandwidth needs. CenturyLink’s extensive DSL network spans neighborhoods like Savannah Crossing and Goose Creek, while fiber is available in select areas. Customer ratings are not widely available, but CenturyLink is known for reliable service where fiber is offered.
4. T-Mobile Home Internet
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Coverage: 38%
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Connection Type: 5G Home
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Download Speeds: Up to 245 Mbps
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Pricing: Not specified
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Promotions: Up to $300 gift card with activation
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Customer Rating: 4/5
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Source: CNET
T-Mobile Home Internet leverages 5G technology to deliver speeds up to 245 Mbps, covering 38% of Tallahassee. It’s a great choice for urban households with moderate to high internet needs, particularly T-Mobile cellular customers looking to bundle services. The $300 gift card promotion adds significant value, and customer reviews praise its ease of setup and reliability, earning a 4/5 rating. However, coverage is limited, requiring a strong 5G signal.
5. Viasat
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Coverage: 99%
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Connection Type: Satellite
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Download Speeds: Up to 150 Mbps
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Pricing: Not specified
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Promotions: $20 off first six months
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Customer Rating: 3/5
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Source: Viasat
Viasat offers satellite internet to 99% of Tallahassee, making it a go-to option for rural areas like Woodville or Havana. With speeds up to 150 Mbps, it supports light streaming and downloading. The $20 off promotion for the first six months enhances affordability, but satellite internet’s higher latency and weather sensitivity may limit its appeal for heavy users. Customer reviews rate it 3/5, citing decent performance but occasional disruptions.
6. Hughesnet
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Coverage: 99%
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Connection Type: Satellite
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Download Speeds: Up to 100 Mbps
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Pricing: Starting at $49.99/mo for 50 Mbps
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Promotions: $100 Prepaid Mastercard® via rebate (ends 8/6/25)
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Customer Rating: 3/5
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Source: HighSpeedInternet.com
Hughesnet provides satellite internet to 99% of Tallahassee, with speeds up to 100 Mbps, suitable for basic browsing and email. The $100 Prepaid Mastercard® rebate is a compelling incentive, but like Viasat, Hughesnet faces challenges with latency and weather-related issues. Its 3/5 customer rating reflects moderate satisfaction for rural users.
7. Starlink
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Coverage: 99%
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Connection Type: Satellite
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Download Speeds: Up to 300 Mbps
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Pricing: Starting at $80/mo
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Promotions: 30-day return policy
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Customer Rating: 4/5
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Source: HighSpeedInternet.com
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, delivers satellite internet with speeds up to 300 Mbps, offering better performance than traditional satellite services. Covering 99% of Tallahassee, it’s ideal for rural residents. The starting price of $80/mo is higher, but the 30-day return policy adds flexibility. Customer reviews rate it 4/5, praising reliability but noting occasional weather-related interruptions.
8. EarthLink
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Coverage: 86.1%
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Connection Type: Wireless, Fiber
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Download Speeds: Up to 5000 Mbps
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Pricing: Not specified
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Promotions: $100 Mastercard® gift card for new customers
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Customer Rating: Not specified
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Source: BroadbandSearch.net
EarthLink offers wireless and fiber internet, with speeds up to 5000 Mbps in select areas, covering 86.1% of Tallahassee. The $100 Mastercard® gift card promotion is attractive, but limited pricing details make it harder to compare. EarthLink is a strong option for high-speed needs, particularly where fiber is available.
Comparing Providers: Key Metrics
Provider |
Coverage |
Connection Type |
Max Download Speed (Mbps) |
Starting Price |
Customer Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xfinity |
99% |
Cable |
2000 |
$55/mo |
3.5/5 |
Metronet |
84% |
Fiber |
1000 |
$25/mo |
3.5/5 |
CenturyLink |
83.5% |
DSL |
100 |
$55/mo |
Not specified |
Quantum Fiber |
75.12% |
Fiber |
2103 |
$50-$95/mo |
Not specified |
T-Mobile Home |
38% |
5G Home |
245 |
Not specified |
4/5 |
Viasat |
99% |
Satellite |
150 |
Not specified |
3/5 |
Hughesnet |
99% |
Satellite |
100 |
$49.99/mo |
3/5 |
Starlink |
99% |
Satellite |
300 |
$80/mo |
4/5 |
EarthLink |
86.1% |
Wireless/Fiber |
5000 |
Not specified |
Not specified |
How to Choose the Right Provider
Selecting the best internet provider in Tallahassee requires careful consideration of several factors:
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Coverage: Verify availability at your address using tools like HighSpeedInternet.com. Xfinity and satellite providers offer near-universal coverage, while T-Mobile’s 5G is limited to 38%.
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Speed Needs: For basic browsing, 25-100 Mbps (e.g., CenturyLink DSL, Hughesnet) is sufficient. For streaming, gaming, or multiple devices, opt for 500+ Mbps (e.g., Xfinity, Metronet, Quantum Fiber).
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Pricing and Promotions: Compare starting prices and promotions. Metronet’s $25/mo is budget-friendly, while T-Mobile’s $300 gift card adds value. Watch for price increases after promotional periods.
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Customer Reviews: Starlink and T-Mobile (4/5) are highly rated for reliability and service, while Xfinity and Metronet (3.5/5) have mixed feedback.
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Connection Type: Fiber (Metronet, Quantum Fiber) offers the best performance with low latency and symmetrical speeds. Cable (Xfinity) is reliable for urban areas, while satellite (Starlink, Viasat) suits rural locations.
Safety and Reliability Tips
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Use a VPN: Protect your data on public WiFi, such as Xfinity hotspots, with a VPN like NordVPN.
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Secure Your Network: Use strong passwords and WPA2/WPA3 encryption for your home WiFi.
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Monitor Performance: Test your speed regularly with tools like HighSpeedInternet.com’s Speed Test.
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Contact Support: Reach out to providers for issues. Xfinity’s support is at 1-800-XFINITY, T-Mobile’s at 1-800-T-MOBILE.
Challenges and Considerations
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Rural Access: While Tallahassee has 100% high-speed coverage, rural areas like Lloyd or Wacissa may rely on satellite providers due to limited cable or fiber.
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Price Increases: Xfinity users report prices rising after promotions (e.g., from $55 to $120/mo for 400 Mbps).
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Limited 5G Coverage: T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet requires a strong signal, limiting its reach to 38% of the city.
FAQ
Q1: What are the fastest internet providers in Tallahassee?
A1: EarthLink offers the fastest speeds, up to 5000 Mbps, followed by CenturyLink’s Quantum Fiber (2103 Mbps) and Xfinity (2000 Mbps).
Q2: Which providers offer unlimited data?
A2: Xfinity and Metronet offer plans with unlimited data, ideal for heavy users.
Q3: What are the best options for rural areas in Tallahassee?
A3: Satellite providers like Hughesnet, Viasat, and Starlink cover 99% of Tallahassee, making them ideal for rural areas like Woodville or Havana.
Q4: Which provider has the best customer service?
A4: T-Mobile Home Internet and Starlink have the highest customer ratings (4/5), indicating better satisfaction than Xfinity and Metronet (3.5/5).
Q5: Can I get fiber internet in Tallahassee?
A5: Yes, Metronet (84% coverage), CenturyLink’s Quantum Fiber (75.12% coverage), and EarthLink (86.1% coverage) offer fiber internet with speeds up to 1000 Mbps, 2103 Mbps, and 5000 Mbps, respectively.
Q6: What is the average cost of internet in Tallahassee?
A6: The average starting price is around $55-$80/mo, with Metronet at $25/mo and Starlink at $80/mo.
Q7: Do any providers offer promotional deals or gifts?
A7: Yes, current promotions include:
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Xfinity: Unlimited mobile line for 1 year (ends 9/30/25)
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Hughesnet: $100 Prepaid Mastercard® (ends 8/6/25)
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Viasat: $20 off first six months
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Starlink: 30-day return policy
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T-Mobile Home Internet: Up to $300 gift card
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EarthLink: $100 Mastercard® gift card
Conclusion
Tallahassee’s diverse internet landscape offers something for everyone, from high-speed fiber and cable options like Metronet and Xfinity to satellite solutions like Starlink and Viasat for rural areas. By verifying coverage, comparing speeds, pricing, and customer reviews, you can find the ideal provider for your needs. Use tools like HighSpeedInternet.com to check availability and ensure you stay connected in Florida’s capital city.