The 4 Best Fiber Internet Service Providers for Business of 2018

Best overall service: Verizon Fios Business

Another big advantage of fiber internet that we haven’t yet mentioned is symmetrical download and upload speeds—meaning, if you’re downloading at 100 Mbps, you’re uploading at nearly or exactly 100 Mbps. If your business’s internet needs stop at web-surfing and emailing, this is no big deal. If you’re spending hours transferring large files or dropping important video conferences, however, you’ll be wondering where this glorious symmetry has been all of your life.

Not only are Verizon Fios Business’s upload and download internet speeds 100% guaranteed, its upload speeds have tested even faster by a few points (with the exception of the 940 Mbps plan, which rates “only” 880 Mbps for uploads). For a business moving heavy amounts of data and accommodating a dozen or more employees, Verizon would be a workhorse; for a smaller shop looking to grow, it might be worth the extra bucks.

There is, however, a minor downside to Verizon Fios Business internet: it’s not the cheapest service out there. But its above-average customer service reputation and reasonable bundling packages (add a digital phone line for $5; TV service for $10) are tempting incentives to pry open the company wallet.²

The not-so-minor downside to Verizon: its Fios service is currently available in only 21 states in the northeastern part of the country—you’re out of luck, flyover-staters and west-coasters. Verizon is expanding its fiber-optic network but, at the moment, it lags behind Comcast in total US fiber coverage.

But if your business is in the (geographical) position to get it, we recommend you get it. Verizon Fios Business internet is a verified powerhouse that’s built to grow, with reliable customer support to back it up. This quick, quality service is tough to beat, even if it costs a little more.

Best for small shops: AT&T Business

Now for the disadvantage of fiber internet: it’s not available everywhere. The rollout of new fiber-optic infrastructures is expensive and slow; depending on where you’re located, you could be waiting a while for the sweet speeds we’ve been dangling in front of you here (sorry).

Fortunately, some companies are filling in the regional fiber network gaps. Whereas Verizon is concentrated in the Northeast, AT&T Business covers the Midwest and the Southeast, as well as a good chunk of the West Coast. Also, some of AT&T’s business plans are slightly less pricey than Verizon’s, while their customer service ratings are nearly on par.³ With fiber internet, the deciding factors will ultimately come down to pricing and service, and AT&T Business offers some attractive (small) plans.

If you’re trying to keep a relatively tiny team productive and bustling, AT&T Business’s lower-level plans will do the trick for fewer bucks—their smaller plans start cheap but balloon into some of the most expensive on the fiber market as the speeds and capacities climb. Also, consider AT&T’s bundling options, which offer what the others don’t—access to the world’s largest phone service provider (AT&T, of course) and the leading satellite TV service provider (DIRECTV, owned by AT&T).

Best fast fiber hookup: Comcast Business

Comcast Business is fast and likely to be available in your area. No, not the cable company—that’s Xfinity . . . which used to be Comcast, hence some confusion. The coaxial-cable residential TV and internet side of Comcast was split off as Xfinity in 2010; these days, Comcast Business is a (mostly) fiber-optic juggernaut servicing professionals. As with their home services, Comcast’s business reach is far and wide, with a fiber infrastructure that spans 39 states and counting.

If you’re located outside of a fiber coverage area we’ve mentioned so far, Comcast Business internet is probably nearby—but this doesn’t mean you’d be “stuck with” an inferior service. To the contrary, Comcast’s customer service ratings are nearly as impressive as Verizon’s (remember, this is the business side; Comcast’s legendarily negative consumer ratings stem from their now-Xfinity residential side).

But those packages are fast and furious, ranging from the power-user Deluxe Internet 150 plan (150 Mbps, good for 10 employees and up, with capacity for heavy data traffic and site hosting for $259.95 a month) all the way down to the minimalistic Starter Internet plan (25 Mbps, adequate for a two-person operation conducting standard internet activity for $69.95), with practically stepped 50, 75, and 100 Mbps plans in between. More so than their fiber rivals, Comcast Business’s internet packages seem thoughtfully constructed, even before phone and TV bundling options are factored in.

Best budget deal: Frontier Business

If it seems like we keep coming back to fiber availability, it’s because we keep coming back to fiber availability—aside from pricing and customer-service ratings, it’s the biggest differentiating factor between these ISPs. Which is good news on at least one front for Frontier Fios business internet: it’s the most inexpensive.

Unfortunately, even though the company has recently purchased fiber lines from Verizon (the stipulation for “Fios” in the name), it’s not as widely available as the other providers profiled here, as it’s limited to portions of California, Florida, Indiana, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. As for Frontier’s customer-service numbers . . . well, they’re not pretty. Let’s focus on the positive first.

Wherever you are, you’ll want to research business.frontier.com closely.

Frontier’s contracts are relatively short at 12 months, and installation is included free with those contracts. But their phone and TV combos aren’t quite as attractively priced as other ISP’s bundles. Also, the company’s 24/7 tech support promise is outweighed by across-the-board customer satisfaction ratings that make Comcast look like the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Frontier’s contracts are relatively short at 12 months, and installation is included free with those contracts.

Frontier Business internet is definitely a mixed bag, which can be expected of a growing company, but their lowball pricing on symmetrical fiber internet speeds should be enough to make any small business take notice. Just proceed with caution.

What to consider when choosing a fiber provider

How much speed is needed?

Not sure of the best numbers for your business? Here’s what to know.

To bundle or not to bundle?

In most cases, your business is going to need phone service—sometimes TV as well. Bundling these with your internet service can simplify the billing process and cut down on costs. Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, and Frontier all offer internet, phone, and TV bundles—some better than others. If customers will be spending any idle time at your business (waiting room, restaurant, bar, etc.), TV service is almost a must. Likewise, some businesses can’t get by without a phone line, even in 2018. However, if your operation is the smallest definition of “small business” (you and maybe another person) conducting transactions strictly online, don’t bother with a bundle, no matter how cheap they come.

What if fiber internet isn’t available in my area?

When will fiber arrive in your area? The short answer: “Eventually.” The real answer: “Not soon enough.” Fiber-optic lines are the future, but they still have to navigate the local politics of infrastructure and the provider’s realities of cost—they’re expensive to build out and demand has to be there (which it is, and there is more every year).⁴ If you’re currently running, or starting up, a small business and fiber internet isn’t yet available in your neighborhood, look into coaxial cable or DSL options, and avoid signing any lengthy contracts. Some are fast and stable enough to sustain a small business, but you don’t want to be locked into it when fiber internet does finally arrive.

The Takeaway: Verizon Fios is a business beast—if you can get it

Disclaimers

At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations. We don’t guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services.

Sources

1. BroadbandNow, “Fiber-Optic Internet in the United States”
2. J.D. Power, “U.S. Business Wireline Satisfaction Study 2017”
3. J.D. Power, “U.S. Business Wireline Satisfaction Study 2016”
4. Broadband Communities, “Broadband Forecasts for 2017”