What is the best internet provider in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
CNET’s recommendation for the best internet provider in Baton Rouge is AT&T Fiber. Known for its lightning-fast symmetrical speeds of up to 5,000Mbps, AT&T Fiber is the top choice if it’s available in your area. For those outside its coverage, local fiber provider Rev offers another solid option for high-speed internet.
If fiber isn’t an option, Cox cable, or 5G fixed wireless are alternatives. Cox now offers a 2,000Mbps plan, while T-Mobile and Verizon provide discounts for mobile customers, making them budget-friendly choices. Here are CNET’s top picks for internet providers in Baton Rouge to help you find the best fit for your needs.
Internet providers in Baton Rouge overview
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber Read full review |
Fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| AT&T Internet Read full review |
Air | $60 | 768Kbps-100Mbps | None | 1.5TB (no data cap for 100Mbps plan) | None | 7.4 |
| Cox Read full review |
Cable | $30-$110 | 100-2,000Mbps | $15 (optional) | 1.25TB | Varies | 6.2 |
| Rev | Fiber | $62-$102 | 300-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | N/A |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50 ($30 with eligible phone plan) | 87-415Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible phone plan) | 85-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
All available Baton Rouge residential internet providers
You’ve got AT&T Fiber for speed, T-Mobile Home Internet for fixed wireless and Cox cable for availability. So what’s left? Depending on your address, you may find AT&T’s slower DSL service or Rev’s fast fiber to be available to you. Here are your other options for getting online in Baton Rouge.
- AT&T Internet: AT&T has several internet offerings. There’s AT&T Fiber, our pick for the best internet in Baton Rouge, and then there’s AT&T Internet, the company’s legacy DSL network. The DSL option is available in many places where the fiber network doesn’t reach, but it typically tops out at 100Mbps, although some spots may only be able to get much slower speeds. The cost is $55 a month with no contract and data cap. Equipment is included. AT&T Fiber will always be preferable, but DSL can be useful if you don’t have a better option at your address.
- Rev: Home-grown Rev, formerly known as Eatel, offers fiber service in limited areas of Baton Rouge. Notably, the Louisiana company services some apartment complexes, including Bayonne at Southshore and Rivermark, as well as the Lakes at Harveston development. Standard plans range from $62 a month for 100Mbps to $102 monthly for 1,000Mbps. Look for a 25% discount on some plans if you’re shopping from a covered apartment complex. All plans include equipment and have no data caps and no contract.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon doesn’t seem to have many slots open for its 5G fixed wireless service in Baton Rouge, but I did find some availability around University Lake. Verizon’s coverage map shows splotches of coverage for its latest 5G Ultra Wideband network but fairly wide coverage of its standard 5G network. While the company offers home internet speeds up to 1,000Mbps in some parts of the country, Baton Rouge residents will likely look at speeds from 85 to 300Mbps. Prices start at $50 a month with auto pay. Equipment is included, and there’s no contract or data cap. Bundle with an eligible phone plan to get your home internet for 50% off.
- Satellite internet: With fiber, fixed wireless and cable covering Baton Rouge, it’s unlikely you’ll be eyeing satellite internet, but it’s worth mentioning. It can come to the rescue of rural residents with few options. Starlink, Viasat and HughesNet are the big players. Starlink’s on-the-go plan for RVers and digital nomads isn’t cheap, but it’ll keep you connected when traveling.
Baton Rouge at a glance
Most Baton Rouge residents will be weighing internet from AT&T (preferably fiber, but possibly DSL) or Cox. Depending on where you live, you may not have much choice in providers. Fiber is nice, but cable will still get you connected. You can also check on the availability of fixed wireless, more likely from T-Mobile, although Verizon covers some spots in the city. Those fixed wireless services are easy to test drive, so don’t be afraid to give it a try, especially when your ISP options are limited.
Pricing details on Baton Rouge home internet service
Starting prices for internet in Baton Rouge sit right around $50 per month for most ISPs. Fiber options will cost you a little more, with AT&T starting at $55 and Rev kicking off at $62. If that’s okay with your budget, then fiber is a smart way to go for reliable speeds and fast uploads. On the high end, AT&T Fiber runs $245 per month for 5,000Mbps. That may be worth it if you have a true need for speed and put a lot of demand on your home internet.
Cheap internet options in the Baton Rouge metro area
Budget buyers have a few ways to save money on home internet in Baton Rouge. One way is to go fixed wireless with T-Mobile or Verizon and bundle your home internet with an eligible phone plan. That brings T-Mobile down to $35 per month while Verizon will knock 50% off your bill, taking it as low as $35 a month. Your best budget fiber option is with AT&T’s $55-a-month, 300Mbps plan.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Baton Rouge?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Assist Read full review |
$30 | 100Mbps | $15 (optional) | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) | 300Mbps | None | None |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) | 318Mbps | None | None |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review |
$55 | 300Mbps | None | None |
| Rev 100/100 | $62 | 100Mbps | None | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Fastest internet providers in Baton Rouge
AT&T reigns supreme in Baton Rouge when it comes to internet speeds. The company’s fiber service hits 5,000Mbps in some areas, but not every location will have access to that luxury speed level. Aim for fiber if it’s available and within your budget. Otherwise, you may be weighing your options between cable, DSL or fixed wireless. Among those choices, Cox’s Gigablast plan (maxing out at 1,000Mbps) is your best bet for high speeds.
Remote workers, hard-core gamers and big households can all benefit from multi-gigabit internet. In Baton Rouge, that means AT&T Fiber, which blows past the competition by offering 5,000Mbps and 2,000Mbps options in some areas. Here’s what you need to know about the best multi-gigabit home internet plans.
What are the fastest internet plans in Baton Rouge?
| Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber 5000 Read full review |
5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | $245 | None | None |
| AT&T Fiber 2000 Read full review |
2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | $145 | None | None |
| Cox Go Beyond Fast Read full review |
2,000Mbps | 100Mbps | $110 | 1.25TB | None |
| AT&T Fiber 1000 Read full review |
1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $80 | None | None |
| Cox Gigablast Read full review |
1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | $70 | 1.25TB | None |
| Rev | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $102 | None | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s 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 videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the Federal Communication Commission. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Baton Rouge
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 given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes. All information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
The answers to those questions are often layered and complex, but the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Baton Rouge?
AT&T Fiber doesn’t have a lot of competition in Baton Rouge. It offers straightforward pricing and a wide range of speeds, but the fastest 5,000Mbps speed tier isn’t available everywhere. Cox comes in as a cable alternative and offers wide coverage across the Baton Rouge metro area. The company’s plans aren’t the easiest to navigate, but there can be some good introductory deals that make it more palatable.
Your happiness with fixed wireless service from T-Mobile or Verizon will depend a lot on the speeds you’re able to pull down at your specific location. It can be a simple alternative to cable and it’s one of the cheapest options if you’re also a phone customer and put a bundle together.
Internet providers in Baton Rouge FAQs
Is fiber internet available in Baton Rouge?
You’re in luck (if you live in the right location). AT&T Fiber has the widest coverage in Baton Rouge, with speeds up to 5,000Mbps. Local provider Rev has been making moves in the area, bringing its fiber network to some developments and apartment complexes. Keep an eye out for Rev Fiber. Cox has been expanding its hybrid cable and fiber network in spots across the US, but its cable network is still its main business.
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Who is the cheapest internet provider in Baton Rouge?
The cheapest route to internet service in Baton Rouge is by bundling T-Mobile Home Internet with an eligible phone plan. That will get you online for $30 a month. If you need fiber, AT&T’s $55-a-month 300Mbps plan is your best deal. That should be plenty fast enough for many internet users.
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Which internet provider in Baton Rouge offers the fastest plan?
Stand aside, other ISPs. AT&T Fiber delivers the most scorching residential speeds in Baton Rouge with a 5,000Mbps option in some spots. You can stream, game, upload giant files and otherwise go wild online with a plan like that. Just be honest with yourself when assessing your internet needs. That fast speed tier will cost you $245 monthly, but you can save money by opting for 2,000Mbps service for $145 instead.
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Is AT&T or Cox better in Baton Rouge?
It’s tough to beat AT&T Fiber’s combination of fast speeds and simple plan pricing. Cox aims to be competitive at the gigabit level, but a 1.28TB data cap and labyrinthine plans make it harder to recommend. If you’re comparing Cox with AT&T’s older DSL service instead, you’ll likely find Cox’s speeds more appealing. Check out our comparison of AT&T and Cox for home internet.
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