Best Internet Providers in Knoxville, TN
Compare 10 internet providers serving 190,740 Knoxville residents. AT&T, Xfinity, Spectrum, and T-Mobile compete in this East Tennessee university city.
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AT&T Fiber 1-855-850-5977Quick Answer: Best Internet in Knoxville
AT&T Fiber is the best internet provider in Knoxville, TN, covering about 79% of the city with symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps and no data caps. Xfinity provides strong cable competition at 69% coverage. Spectrum and WOW! offer additional wired alternatives. T-Mobile 5G gives renters and UT students a flexible $40-50/month wireless option with no contract.
Key Takeaways
- Best fiber: AT&T Fiber with 79% coverage and speeds to 5 Gbps
- Best cable: Xfinity at 69% coverage with plans to 2 Gbps
- Best value: Spectrum at $30/mo intro price, no data caps
- Best for students: T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/mo, no contract
- 10 providers: Excellent competition for an East TN metro
Knoxville Internet Providers Comparison
Verified February 2026. Coverage percentages based on FCC broadband data.
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Call Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet | Fiber / DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| Xfinity | Cable / Fiber | 2 Gbps | $35/mo | 1.2 TB | No | 1-844-963-0138 |
| Spectrum | Cable | 1 Gbps | $30/mo* | None | No | 1-844-481-5997 |
| T-Mobile 5G | 5G Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40-50/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| WOW! Internet | Cable / Fiber | 1 Gbps | $40/mo | None | No | 1-855-496-9929 |
| Verizon Fios / 5G | Fiber / 5G | 1 Gbps | $35/mo** | None | No | 1-855-387-1456 |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | $39.99/mo | Limited | 2-year | 1-855-543-5405 |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | $39.99/mo | Unlimited*** | No | 1-855-463-9333 |
| Starlink | LEO Satellite | 250 Mbps | $120/mo | Soft cap | No | Online only |
*Spectrum first-year promotional pricing. **Verizon pricing with mobile bundle. ***Viasat Unleashed plan.
Knoxville Internet Providers: Detailed Reviews
AT&T Fiber in Knoxville
~79% CoverageAT&T Fiber is the leading provider in Knoxville with extensive coverage and symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps. No data caps, no contracts, and plans starting at $55/month for 300 Mbps make AT&T the top choice for most households.
Choose AT&T If:
- You want the fastest symmetrical speeds in Knoxville
- You work from home and need reliable upload speeds
Avoid If:
- Only DSL is available at your address
Xfinity Internet in Knoxville
~69% CoverageXfinity provides cable and fiber service across much of Knoxville with speeds reaching 2 Gbps. Plans start at $35/month. The 1.2 TB monthly data cap applies to most plans, though unlimited data add-ons are available.
Choose Xfinity If:
- AT&T Fiber is not available at your specific address
- You want a range of speed tiers at different price points
Avoid If:
- Data caps are a concern for your household
Spectrum Internet in Knoxville
~23% CoverageSpectrum serves select Knoxville neighborhoods with cable service featuring no data caps, no contracts, and an introductory $30/month rate. While coverage is more limited than AT&T or Xfinity, Spectrum is a strong value option where available.
Choose Spectrum If:
- You want the lowest introductory price with no data caps
Avoid If:
- You need fast upload speeds (cable uploads are slower)
Knoxville Internet Speeds and Prices
| Speed Tier | AT&T | Xfinity | Spectrum | T-Mobile 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps | $55/mo | $55/mo | $30/mo* | $40-50/mo |
| 500 Mbps | $65/mo | $70/mo | $70/mo | - |
| 1 Gbps | $80/mo | $80/mo | $90/mo | - |
| 2 Gbps | $110/mo | $120/mo | - | - |
| 5 Gbps | $180/mo | - | - | - |
How Much Speed Do You Need?
- 1-2 people: 100-300 Mbps for streaming and browsing
- 3-5 people: 500 Mbps for multiple streams and devices
- Work from home + gaming: 1 Gbps for demanding applications
Learn more: How much speed do I need?
Internet Service in Knoxville: Local Overview
- Population: 190,740
- CBSA: 28940 (Knoxville)
- Fiber providers: AT&T, Xfinity, Verizon Fios, WOW!
- Cable providers: Xfinity, Spectrum, WOW!
- 5G providers: T-Mobile, Verizon
Knoxville benefits from strong broadband competition as a growing East Tennessee metro and home to the University of Tennessee. AT&T has invested heavily in fiber here, reaching nearly four out of five addresses. Xfinity's cable network covers most residential areas, while Spectrum and WOW! serve additional neighborhoods.
T-Mobile 5G coverage is widespread across the metro, making wireless home internet a viable option for UT students and renters who move frequently. Satellite providers cover the surrounding Smoky Mountain foothills where wired service may not reach.
Internet by Knoxville Neighborhood
- Downtown/Old City: Excellent AT&T fiber and Xfinity coverage
- Bearden/West Knoxville: Multiple wired providers available
- UT Campus/Fort Sanders: Strong fiber and 5G for student housing
- Farragut (nearby): Good AT&T and Xfinity coverage
Frequently Asked Questions About Knoxville Internet
What is the best internet provider in Knoxville?
AT&T Fiber is the best with 79% coverage and speeds to 5 Gbps. Xfinity is the best cable option at 69% coverage.
Is fiber internet available in Knoxville?
Yes. AT&T covers about 79%, Xfinity offers fiber-backed plans at 69%, Verizon Fios about 27%, and WOW! about 16%.
How much does internet cost in Knoxville?
Spectrum starts at $30/month. AT&T Fiber starts at $55/month. Most households pay $50-80/month for mid-tier plans.
Is AT&T or Xfinity better in Knoxville?
AT&T Fiber is better where available with symmetrical speeds and no data caps. Xfinity has a 1.2 TB cap but offers flexible speed tiers.
Is 5G home internet available in Knoxville?
Yes. T-Mobile covers about 79% and Verizon about 27% of the city with fixed wireless 5G service.
Last Updated: February 7, 2026
Our team regularly reviews and updates this guide to ensure accuracy. Provider availability and pricing are verified quarterly.
Editorial Disclosure
InternetProviders.ai is committed to providing accurate, unbiased information. Some providers listed are partners who compensate us when you sign up through our links or phone numbers. This compensation may affect provider order but does not influence our ratings or recommendations. Our editorial team independently researches each provider. See our editorial guidelines and how we make money.
Internet Speed Requirements for Knoxville Households
The speed you need in Knoxville depends on how many people and devices use your connection simultaneously. A single person streaming video and browsing the web can get by with 50-100 Mbps. A household of 2-3 people with regular streaming and video calls should target 200-300 Mbps. Larger families with 4 or more heavy users benefit from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps plans, especially when multiple people are streaming in 4K, gaming online, or working from home at the same time.
Upload speed matters just as much as download speed for Knoxville residents who work remotely. Video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Teams require at least 5 Mbps upload for stable HD video, and 10 Mbps or more for group calls with screen sharing. If multiple household members participate in video calls simultaneously, ensure your plan provides at least 20-25 Mbps upload speed. Fiber plans offer the best upload performance with symmetrical speeds.