How Much Does Fiber Internet Cost?

Fiber internet is a top choice for many households thanks to its blazing-fast speeds and reliable connectivity. Before switching, however, it’s common to ask how much fiber internet costs and whether it’s worthwhile. In this guide, we’ll break down the average costs of fiber internet, plus help you determine what a good price is based on your unique needs. Let’s dive in!
 

The Cost of Fiber Internet

For the average household, fiber internet isn’t all that expensive. However, that’s only because most places with fiber internet have already had fiber networks set up.

Expanding a fiber internet network to new areas requires significant investment in infrastructure. Laying fiber optic cables, installing network equipment, and ensuring connections to homes and businesses all contribute to the overall costs for fiber companies.

So, why do internet service providers (ISPs) invest in fiber networks in the first place? It’s because of the long-term benefits; fiber is more reliable, requires less maintenance over time compared to copper cables, and can handle increasing bandwidth demands. These initial costs are typically factored into service pricing rather than passed directly to new customers in the form of installation fees.

Generally, individual subscribers don’t have to worry about paying for these expenses directly – fiber internet providers take on the costs of expanding the network. That said, in some rural or underserved areas, homeowners may have to contribute to installation costs if fiber infrastructure isn’t readily available.
 

How Much Does Fiber Optic Cable Cost?

The cost of fiber optic cable varies based on quality, length, and the installation process. On average, fiber optic cable itself costs between $1 to $6 per foot. However, this is just the material cost; labor and installation drive up the price significantly.

For ISPs laying down new fiber infrastructure, the total cost per mile can range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on factors like terrain, permitting requirements, and whether the fiber is being installed underground or aerially (on utility poles).

Again, while these figures may seem high, individual consumers don’t pay these costs upfront. Instead, ISPs recover them through monthly service fees. So if you’re thinking of switching to fiber internet, don’t worry – you won’t need to pay thousands of dollars for the service unless your area doesn’t already have fiber connectivity.
 

How Much is Fiber Internet per Month for Households?

For homeowners, the cost of fiber internet per month depends on the provider, location, and the selected speed tier. On average, residential fiber internet plans cost anywhere between $50 and $100 per month.

• Glo Fiber offers a variety of speed and price points with our fiber internet plans.

Essentially, the faster speeds you want, the more you’ll pay per month. Note, however, that these prices could be a little different depending on your area. Get in touch with us today to learn more about fiber availability, pricing, and service options in your neighborhood!
 

What Affects the Cost of Fiber Internet?
 

Fiber internet prices are affected by several key factors. Those factors might make your household’s monthly plan higher or lower. Here’s a closer look.
 

Maximum Speed

The faster the speed, the higher the cost. If you only need basic browsing and streaming, a 600 Mbps plan could be perfect. However, households with multiple users streaming in 4K, gaming, or working remotely may opt for 1 Gbps or higher, which comes at a premium.

The speeds listed for fiber internet plans refer to both upload and download speeds because fiber internet is “symmetrical.” In other words, the speed you get for downloading files or videos is the same speed you’ll enjoy for uploading photos or school assignments online.

Bottom line? More maximum speed is great if you want the fastest possible downloads and uploads. But it’s not always necessary, especially if your home only has one or two devices connected at once.
 

Data Caps

Unlike cable or DSL providers that impose data caps, most fiber internet plans offer unlimited data. However, a few ISPs still have soft data caps, meaning if you exceed a certain amount (e.g., 1 TB), your speeds may be reduced. Unlimited data plans tend to be slightly more expensive.

Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about data caps with any of Glo’s fiber internet plans. We don’t use caps or allowances on our fiber internet offerings, so when you get internet through us, you can use it as much as you want without slowdowns or lag. You get great internet (without strings attached) for the price you expect.
 

Bundled Services

Sometimes, you can bundle your fiber internet with TV, phone, or streaming services. Bundling can help lower overall costs, but it's important to check whether the bundle is actually saving you money compared to standalone services.

Still, bundling is a great idea if you’re interested in getting new telecom services set up all at once – say, after you move into a new home. Bundling your services might technically make your fiber internet “more expensive,” but in reality, you could pay the same (or better) prices for all of those services compared to getting them separately.
 

Choosing the Best Fiber Price for Your Home
 

With lots of different fiber options to pick from, knowing what you need – and how much fiber internet costs to meet that need – is critical. There are a few things to consider before switching to a new fiber internet plan or provider.
 

Consider Your Needs

First, ask yourself how much internet speed you actually need. Having multi-gig speeds is always tempting, but if you’re only online to stream movies from your living room TV, you might not necessarily want to splurge for 3+ Gig fiber internet.

On the flip side, if your home is internet central for you, your kids, and their friends, a multi-gig fiber plan could be essential. In either case, your best bet to get fiber internet for a good price is to pick a plan that fits your real-world habits.
 

Plan for the Future

Next, don’t forget to think about what your home internet needs might be a few months or years from now. For example, if you have very little kids who aren’t on devices all the time, a lower-priced fiber internet plan could be just the ticket.

But a few years in the future, those kids could need their own devices and internet connections to succeed at school or socialize with friends. With that in mind, choosing a fiber provider that has faster plans available might be a wise idea. That way, once you need more speed and service, upgrading your plan won’t be a hassle.
 

Look at Provider Reviews

Finally, don’t forget to check the reviews for a fiber optic internet provider before switching. Price is important, but it’s not everything – the kind of service you receive is oftentimes just as valuable as excellent monthly rates.

If a provider advertises extremely low prices, but their reviews aren’t exactly inspiring, those low prices could be a trap. You may be better off choosing a provider with affordable, reasonable prices, superior customer reviews, and a high NPS (Net Promoter Score).
 

Get Fiber Internet for a Great Price

If it’s time to switch to fiber internet, it’s also time to find the right provider for your service. At Glo, we offer best-in-class speeds with friendly, local service that meets you where you are. We’ll help you with installation and long-term support, all for straightforward prices without hidden fees.

That’s not all we offer, either. Need TV? A phone plan? We provide those, too! Contact us today to learn more about how we can connect you to the services you need.