Planning a move to the Big Easy? We’ve got a thorough Internet Buyer’s Guide for New Orleans, Louisiana, to make your move that much easier. From comparing price, speed, and coverage to breaking down common terminology, we’ve covered everything you need to know to find the internet plan right for you and your life in New Orleans.
Residential Internet Providers in New Orleans, LA
| Provider | Starting Price | Speed Range | Type Of Internet | Coverage Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet | $55/mo. | 100-940 Mbps | IPBB, Fiber | 100% IPBB, 73% Fiber |
| EarthLink | $49.95/mo. | 7-1000 Mbps | DSL, Fiber | 100% DSL, 68% Fiber |
| Cox Communications | $29.99/mo. | 25-1000 Mbps | Cable | 100% Cable |
| Vexus | N/A | Variable | DSL | 2% DSL |
The table above summarizes New Orleans internet providers with the greatest coverage locally.
Fastest Internet Providers in New Orleans, LA
| Provider | Maximum Speed | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| EarthLink Fiber | 1000 Mbps | $49.95-99.95/mo. |
| Cox Communications | 1000 Mbps | $29.99-99.99/mo. |
| Skycom1 | 1000 Mbps | N/A |
| AT&T Fiber | 940 Mbps | $55-80/mo. |
The providers above offer the fastest download speeds currently available to New Orleans residents.
What type of internet is available in New Orleans?
In New Orleans, internet users have a variety of internet types available to them, including DSL, Cable, Fiber-Optic, and Satellite.
- DSL: DSL users receive internet through existing telephone lines near their property. It’s great for light internet use, and it is often the most affordable type of internet.
- Cable: Cable internet is the most popular type of internet in New Orleans. Offering faster speeds than DSL, cable internet makes use of the cable cords used for cable TV.
- Fiber-Optic: Fiber-optic is an incredibly fast type of internet delivered to your home using strands of glass. Fiber-optic internet is the fastest form of internet in New Orleans.
- Satellite: If you live in a part of New Orleans without a reliable connection, satellite internet can be a great alternative. Data is sent from a satellite to a local dish installed on your property.
When deciding on the type of internet that’s right for your household or business, remember that not all areas in New Orleans have access to the options listed above.
How do I find the cheapest internet option in New Orleans?
SouthWAN Internet, Cox Communications and EarthLink offer some of the lowest-priced internet plans in New Orleans with speeds ranging from 3-1000 Mbps. New Orleans residents and businesses have a total of 25 internet providers to choose from—11 residential providers and 14 business providers.
Cheapest internet in New Orleans
- SouthWAN Internet—$25/mo. for up to 10 Mbps *
- Cox Communications—$29.99/mo. for up to 25 Mbps *
- HughesNet—$39.99/mo. for up to 25 Mbps *
- EarthLink Fiber—$49.95/mo. for up to 50 Mbps *
- Viasat Internet—$49.99/mo. for up to 12 Mbps *
How Much Internet Speed Do I Need In New Orleans?
Known for its vibrant nightlife and impressive culinary scene, New Orleans is home to movers and shakers looking to sign up with an internet provider that supplies fast speeds for a reasonable price. However, how much internet speed someone needs looks different for every business and household.
If you are someone who streams movies or uses gaming devices, opting for a plan that has fast speeds (100 Mbps or 1000 Mbps for large businesses and/or households) may be worth investing in—even if it means a higher monthly fee. On the other hand, if you don’t anticipate your internet usage to go beyond straightforward browsing or bookkeeping, paying for faster internet may not be necessary. You’ll only need a plan with speeds around 25 Mbps.
Below are the recommended download speeds based on frequent internet activities and the residential providers in New Orleans that offer these speeds.
| Recommended Speeds | Type of Internet Activities | Internet Providers in New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| 25+ Mbps |
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| 100+ Mbps |
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| 1000+ Mbps |
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How do I find the fastest internet in New Orleans?
New Orleans residents looking for providers with some of the fastest internet speeds can choose from EarthLink Fiber and AT&T Fiber. Both internet providers offer fiber-optic internet plans with speeds reaching 1000 Mbps. To select one of these plans, check to see if your neighborhood supports fiber-optic internet.
Should I bundle TV or phone service in New Orleans?
Bundling TV and/or phone service with the internet is a great way to streamline your services and potentially save on monthly costs. Internet providers such as AT&T Internet and Cox Communications offer bundled deals. Should you decide that you don’t need a bundled package, all of the providers offer internet-only plans as well.
Bundled Cable Plans and Pricing in New Orleans
| Internet Providers in New Orleans | Services | Price Range of Bundles |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet | Internet + TV | $119.99-139.99/mo. |
| Cox Communications | Internet + Phone + TV | $129.99-209.99/mo. |
| AT&T Fiber | Internet + TV | $134.99/mo. |
How can I compare the major internet providers in New Orleans?
Shopping for an internet provider can be a time-consuming process, especially if you have recently moved out for the first time or you have just started a new business. To help guide you through this process, we’ve broken down a few key factors to keep in mind:
- Price: Whether you’re a college student at Tulane or a local restaurant owner, think about how much you can afford to pay per month for your service.
- Speed: Choose a plan with internet speeds that will meet your household’s daily needs. This looks different for everyone, including an apartment of students or a family of four living in the Garden District.
- Data Caps: Your data cap requirements depend on the amount of data you use each month.
- Contracts: Those who plan to move within the year may want to search for contract-free providers in the area. Otherwise, most providers—including Cox Communications and AT&T Internet—require a minimum 1-year agreement with their internet plans.
What do I need to keep in mind when moving to New Orleans?
Moving to a new city is a big feat. But whether it’s the great schools, music scene, or culinary industry that is bringing you to the Big Easy, there are things to have on your radar to make your transition easier. When it comes time to leave your current internet provider and find a new one, keep the below facts in mind.
If you happen to like your current provider, check to see if they are available in your new Nola neighborhood. If they are, your next step simply involves chatting with a representative about transferring your plan over to your new home. However, if you’re ready to find a new provider, understand you may be facing early termination fees.
Early termination fees are common for internet plans with long-term contracts. On average, internet providers in New Orleans have early termination fees that range from $0-400. Before you breach your contract, review it to avoid any surprise fees or penalties. While you’re shopping for a new provider, also note that some providers will cover the fees in exchange for beginning a new plan with them.
Keep in mind that most contracts in New Orleans range from 1-2 years. NOLA Broadband is one of the few providers that offers contract-free plans for those anticipating a move within the year. Before you commit, it’s always important to read the fine print to stay informed on any extra fees.
Installation Fees in New Orleans
Installation fees are a common and often unavoidable aspect of setting up your internet with a new provider. Professional installation fees in New Orleans range between $0 to $99. Self-installation may be an option depending on your plan and provider, but know that there still may be a fee involved with self-installation.
How much data do you need for your home or business internet in New Orleans?
To decide which plan is the right one for you, look at your current monthly bill to see how much data you use. In New Orleans, internet providers like Viasat Internet and NOLA Broadband offer plans with no data caps while others offer data caps ranging between 10 GB to no data cap.
What are the most-connected neighborhoods in New Orleans?
As a whole, New Orleans residents generally have access to at least 2-3 internet providers. Expanding out from the city center to neighborhoods including Ruddock, St. Rose, and Belle Chasse, internet users will find areas offering up to four internet providers. In most areas, AT&T Internet and Cox Communications coverage overlap, making them the city’s most popular choices.
Internet Providers in Nearby Cities
Internet Statistics for New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is home to a diverse population of people—from out-of-state college students to large families that have lived in the city for generations. As such, the city’s internet providers meet the needs of people pursuing all types of careers—a little more than 17 percent of the population have residential fiber internet available to them. New Orleans is the 4th most-connected city in Louisiana, ahead of ahead of Gretna, Chalmette, Arabi, Meraux, and Violet.. Even still, there are without access to more than one wired internet service. Those with access experience download speeds averaging 124.3 Mbps.
