Best Internet Providers in Abilene, TX
Compare 10 internet providers serving 125,182 Abilene residents. Rise Broadband leads coverage at 72%, with Optimum and T-Mobile each reaching about 65% of the city.
Call to check availability:
Optimum 1-866-200-7273Quick Answer: Best Internet in Abilene
Optimum is the best internet provider in Abilene for speed, offering fiber and cable plans up to 8 Gbps across 65% of the city. Rise Broadband has the widest coverage at 72% with fixed wireless and fiber. Metronet provides pure fiber at 55% coverage. T-Mobile 5G delivers a flexible wireless alternative at $40-50/month.
Key Takeaways
- Best for speed: Optimum with fiber/cable up to 8 Gbps
- Widest coverage: Rise Broadband at 72% (fixed wireless/fiber)
- Best pure fiber: Metronet at 55% coverage, up to 2 Gbps
- Best wireless: T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/mo, no contract
- 10 providers: Unusually strong competition for a mid-size Texas city
Abilene Internet Providers Comparison
Verified February 2026. Coverage percentages based on FCC data and may vary by neighborhood.
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Call Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rise Broadband | Fixed Wireless/Fiber | 100 Mbps | $25/mo | 250 GB | No | 1-877-910-6207 |
| Optimum | Fiber/Cable | 8 Gbps | $40/mo | None | No | 1-866-200-7273 |
| T-Mobile 5G | 5G/Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| Metronet | Fiber | 2 Gbps | $50/mo | None | No | Online only |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber/DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| Verizon 5G Home | 5G | 1 Gbps | $35/mo* | None | No | 1-855-387-1456 |
| Windstream | Fiber/DSL | 1 Gbps | $40/mo | None | No | 1-855-463-4357 |
| Starlink | LEO Satellite | 250 Mbps | $120/mo | Soft cap | No | Online only |
| 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 |
*Verizon pricing with mobile bundle. **Viasat Unleashed plan.
Abilene Internet Providers: Detailed Reviews
Optimum Internet in Abilene
~65% CoverageOptimum delivers the fastest speeds in Abilene with cable and fiber plans reaching up to 8 Gbps. Plans start at $40/month for 300 Mbps with no data caps and no annual contracts. Optimum has been investing in fiber upgrades throughout the Abilene market.
Choose Optimum If:
- You want the fastest speeds available in Abilene
- You prefer no data caps and no contract
Avoid Optimum If:
- Your address is outside Optimum's 65% coverage area
- You need the absolute lowest monthly rate
Rise Broadband in Abilene
~72% CoverageRise Broadband offers the widest coverage in Abilene at 72% through its fixed wireless and fiber network. Plans start at just $25/month, making it the most budget-friendly option. The 250 GB data cap is a consideration for heavy users.
Choose Rise Broadband If:
- You want the lowest starting price in Abilene
- Cable and fiber providers don't serve your address
Avoid Rise Broadband If:
- You need speeds above 100 Mbps
- Your household uses more than 250 GB/month
AT&T Internet in Abilene
~49% CoverageAT&T offers fiber and DSL in about 49% of Abilene. Where fiber is available, plans reach up to 5 Gbps symmetrical with no data caps. DSL-only addresses are limited to slower speeds. AT&T continues expanding its fiber footprint across the city.
Choose AT&T If:
- Fiber is available at your address for symmetrical speeds
- You need no data caps on any plan
Avoid AT&T If:
- Only DSL is available and you need fast speeds
- You want the lowest starting price
Abilene Internet Speeds and Prices
| Speed Tier | Optimum | Metronet | AT&T | T-Mobile 5G | Rise Broadband |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mbps | - | - | - | $40-50/mo | $25/mo |
| 300 Mbps | $40/mo | - | $55/mo | - | - |
| 500 Mbps | $60/mo | $50/mo | $65/mo | - | - |
| 1 Gbps | $80/mo | $70/mo | $80/mo | - | - |
| 2 Gbps | $120/mo | $100/mo | $110/mo | - | - |
How Much Speed Do You Need?
- 1-2 people, light use: 100-300 Mbps for streaming and browsing
- 3-5 people, moderate use: 500 Mbps for multiple streams and video calls
- Remote work + gaming: 1 Gbps for demanding applications
Learn more in our internet speed guide.
Internet Service in Abilene: Local Overview
- Population: 125,182
- CBSA: 10180 (Abilene)
- Providers: 10 total (fiber, cable, 5G, fixed wireless, DSL, satellite)
Abilene has an unusually competitive broadband market for a mid-size West Texas city. Optimum (formerly Suddenlink) provides cable and fiber, while Metronet has built a newer pure-fiber network reaching over half the city. Rise Broadband fills coverage gaps with fixed wireless across the broader metro area.
Home to three universities and Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene has steady demand for reliable internet. AT&T and Windstream round out the wired options, and both T-Mobile and Verizon offer 5G home internet in much of the city.
Internet by Abilene Neighborhood
- Southwest Abilene/Mall Area: Optimum, Metronet, and AT&T all available
- North Abilene/ACU Area: Strong Optimum and T-Mobile 5G coverage
- Dyess AFB Area: Optimum cable; Rise Broadband for surrounding areas
- East Abilene/Tye: Rise Broadband primary; Optimum expanding
Frequently Asked Questions About Abilene Internet
What is the best internet provider in Abilene, TX?
Optimum is the best for speed with plans up to 8 Gbps. Rise Broadband has the widest coverage at 72%. Metronet is the best pure fiber option at 55% coverage.
Is fiber internet available in Abilene?
Yes. Metronet, Optimum, AT&T, and Windstream all offer fiber in parts of Abilene. Combined, most of the city has at least one fiber option available.
How much does internet cost in Abilene?
Plans start at $25/month for Rise Broadband and range to $120/month for Starlink. Most households pay $40-80/month for speeds from 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
What is the fastest internet in Abilene?
Optimum offers up to 8 Gbps on fiber. AT&T Fiber reaches 5 Gbps. Metronet delivers up to 2 Gbps symmetrical on its pure fiber network.
Is 5G home internet available in Abilene?
Yes. T-Mobile 5G covers about 65% of Abilene at $40-50/month. Verizon 5G Home reaches about 36% of addresses with speeds up to 1 Gbps.
About the Author
Last Updated: February 7, 2026
Our team regularly reviews and updates this guide to ensure accuracy. Provider availability and pricing are verified using FCC data and direct provider confirmation.
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 does not influence our ratings or recommendations. See our editorial guidelines and how we make money.
Internet Speed Requirements for Abilene Households
The speed you need in Abilene 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 Abilene 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.