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Spectrum was first introduced to the world after its parent company, Charter, merged with Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks to bring all three companies under the same roof and to increase the level of service more than any one of the individual companies could have provided on their own. Since then, Spectrum has expanded into forty-four states offering coverage to over 100 million Americans. Spectrum continues to expand their coverage areas, attracting more and customers with its easy to understand tiered pricing and historically fast, reliable internet connections.
Charter, Spectrum’s parent company, was founded in 1980 primarily offering home telephone service and television. They eventually entered into the internet market through a strategic partnership with EarthLink, since acquiring and merging with multiple companies over its life cycle. The company we now know as Charter Spectrum came to fruition in 2016 when it merged with Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable, making it the third-largest cable television provider in the nation just behind AT&T and Comcast. It was after this merger that Charter brought all services covered by the three formerly-independent companies under the brand name “Spectrum.” As a condition of this merger, Charter Spectrum agreed to expand its lines to generally underserved areas of New York State with 145,000 new residences to receive service by 2021. Since the merger, Charter has entered into further strategic partnerships with companies like Comcast and Verizon to expand the suite of services it offers as well as expanding its general service area.
Spectrum uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial network to supply its customers with the internet. This was an easy transition for the company to make once they started offering internet, leveraging the massive network they inherited from Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, allowing them to hit the ground running once they entered the market as an internet service provider. Hybrid fiber-coaxial lines are the most common way for most companies to offer internet service due to their relative low cost, especially when compared to fiber. Reaching higher speeds than DSL, a hybrid fiber-coaxial line is able to provide more than fast enough internet for most consumers though still being slower than fiber. With that being said, hybrid fiber-coaxial lines do have their drawbacks. The biggest is shared bandwidth. Total bandwidth is shared among all users on those lines so when there is heavy usage, the end-user is going to receive reduced speeds. However, this usually only happens a portion of the day and even when congested, most receive fast enough speeds to be able to handle anything they’d be looking to do.
Spectrum offers multiple services beyond the internet including cable television and home phone service. They offer multiple different plans, bundles, and prices, allowing for easy navigation and customization for their customers. This is especially important as every household has different needs based on their number of active devices, active users, and budget. Now, this is all based on availability, but generally, there are multiple different options in every market Spectrum serves. Spectrum has created a service that can meet the demands of any budget and any digital lifestyle.
CenturyLink is not only an internet service provider serving homes and businesses nationwide, it's a pioneer in the world of technology. CenturyLink provides service to 37 states, and its mission is to maximize the customer experience by providing the best, possible connection to a world weaved together by the networks that we all depend upon to do business and to do entertainment each and every day. CenturyLink serves its mission to provide secure, reliable, and fast connections to all its customers via its far-reaching fiber network.
In areas where CenturyLink's fiber network is available, customers will enjoy gigabit speeds at a great price. Even in areas where gigabit speeds are not available, customers enjoy the same great promotions, prices, and features no matter where they live. Not only does CenturyLink offer some of the most affordable internet prices in the United States, but it also offers customers the tremendous value of locking those prices in for as long they keep the same service at the same address and keep the account in good standing. Now you can stay connected for as long as you need at the price you signed up for!
CenturyLink aims to give you the best internet experience and to accomplish that, it provides a state-of-the-art WiFi service that allows you to connect multiple devices to your network at the same time. You will be able to stream your favorite content, play your favorite games online, and upload effortlessly from any connected device in your home at any time. CenturyLink offers customers the option to either purchase the modem for a one time upfront fee of $150 or to lease the equipment for a monthly charge of $15. CenturyLink Ease offers added protection by offering round-the-clock tech support and online identity protection.
CenturyLink offers fiber or slower DSL speeds, depending on where you live. A one time installation fee will most likely apply if a tech is required to come out to your home to install the service. Self-installation is an option in some areas and is free when it is available. CenturyLink also offers home phone service to its customers and is also subject to the Price for Life guarantee. As long as you don't change the service, move the service, or stop paying for the service, you'll always pay the same low price for internet and phone. CenturyLink home phone service includes unlimited nationwide calling.
HughesNet currently has the highest coverage area in the nation with all fifty states falling under its service area. One of the two major satellite providers in the nation, HughesNet has focused the core of its business on providing internet to underserved or un-served areas, often rural or small towns. Its recently increased speeds up to 25mbps with the launch of its new Gen 5 satellite, the “EchoStar XIX.” With ninety-eight percent of the country under HughesNet’s coverage area, it’s almost guaranteed that they’ll be an option available to any consumer.
HughesNet uses geosynchronous satellites to provide its customers with broadband internet connections. Since HughesNet was initially founded, it’s launched multiple satellites with its latest launch occurring in 2017 with the “EchoStar XIX,” powering HughesNet’s Gen 5 service. This launch allowed the company to reach broadband levels, increasing speeds to 25 Mbps across the board. It also increased the available bandwidth that HughesNet offered its customers as well as simplifying their pricing structure to a tiered system that was based on available data caps. HughesNet does operate off of priority data caps though its internet can be considered unlimited. At no point does HughesNet charge overage prices or shut the internet off if a customer goes over their “priority data” limit, instead just having to deal with reduced speeds until their next billing cycle. If a customer does need more data before their next billing cycle rolls around, HughesNet has made data tokens available, increasing priority data and increasing available speeds in the process.
HughesNet is a great choice for rural customers as wired connections are often completely unavailable in America’s more remote locations. Satellite internet allows them to access the world wide web at broadband speeds allowing for almost any activity. It does have its drawbacks though. The biggest activities this can be seen in is online gaming and virtual private networks. This is in large part due to the latency, or ping, that satellite internet experiences. The time signals take to transmit from the customer’s dish to the satellite to the receiving and then back again can take anywhere from a half-second to a second. For most activities like browsing the internet or streaming video, this latency is almost entirely imperceivable. For gaming though, that often required split-second reaction times, it is unavoidable. VPNs, in particular, are affected, as well. When using a VPN, download speeds even when within the priority data limit can tank anywhere from fifty to seventy-five percent. This reduction in speeds is not guaranteed with some VPN users not having any issues whatsoever. With that being said, it is something to take into account when considering a satellite internet provider.
For many rural customers, satellite internet is going to be one of the only viable options open to them. That doesn’t make it a lesser product though. When choosing the right package for you, assess your needs, your internet usage, and your budget to choose the package that will leave you satisfied and meet all of your digital requirements.
Though having been around since 1986, ViaSat didn't launch its first internet plans until 2012. ViaSat is a satellite internet service provider with a general focus on serving areas that normally do not have access to a reliable internet connection. Covering 98% of the country and all 50 states, all that is needed to be able to connect is a clear line of sight to the southern sky, a modem, and a satellite dish to send and receive signals. This has helped many of those who would otherwise have to spend thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars, to run a DSL, cable, or fiber line to their home.
ViaSat has continually upgraded its service. When the company first launched, its entire service survived off the back of one satellite, the ViaSat-1. Since then, they've acquired three additional satellites, either through additional launches or acquisitions from other companies to greatly expand its capabilities. The last of these to launch, the ViaSat-2, was said to increase the total bandwidth and network capacity available by 300 Gigabits per second as well as take ViaSat's service internationally. They have plans to increase this further. They've announced three more launches of their newest satellite, the ViaSat-3, that will increase the total bandwidth by a full terabit per second. The first of these is set to launch in 2020 with a second launch planned by 2022.
Offering free standard installation on all orders, ViaSat makes connecting to the internet easier than ever. ViaSat offers multiple different plans that feature different speeds and different levels of priority data. Priority data? I'm sure the question being asked is “Does ViaSat have a data cap?” The answer is a resounding no. Viasat offers unlimited data without charging overage fees or shutting your internet connection off. If one does go over their priority data, then at that point, customers just have to contend with network congestion much like any other internet service provider. If there is no congestion, then speed should be unaffected. This makes ViaSat a perfect option for activities like streaming, checking social media, or visiting a favorite site on the web.
ViaSat is perfect for almost any web-based application. Connecting your smartphone, sharing videos online, and watching your favorite streaming service are perfect fits for ViaSat's network. The only limitations ViaSat has are gaming and Virtual Private Networks(VPN). When it comes to gaming, there should be a half a second to full second lag time when playing online. If you're playing single-player games, this interruption is non-existent and will not interfere with any updates that a game may release after launch. A VPN is another matter. VPNs put a significant strain on any network and satellite networks doubly so. When using a VPN with ViaSat, speeds can be expected to drop anywhere from 50 to 75 percent. That doesn't mean ViaSat is an inferior service though. However, when looking to game or use in-home VPN, it's important to be aware of the technology's limitations so that you can plan accordingly and choose the best service that will fit your needs.
The largest cable and internet provider in the nation, Xfinity holds that title for good reason. Currently found in 40 states and serving over 100 million Americans, Xfinity has cemented itself as a company that can provide fast, reliable connections. First offering internet service in 1996, Xfinity has kept up with the times, constantly updating and upgrading their lines as more and more households are looking to connect to their favorite sites, streaming services, and gaming communities.
When first connecting to the Xfinity network, customers are going to have multiple options to choose from. Firstly, Xfinity does not necessarily lock a prospective customer in a contract. The company offers both contract and non-contract options depending on their needs. With multiple plans available, from basic to lightning-fast speeds, there is an option for every household, every need, and every budget. Each of these is priced differently based on whether or not a contract is opted out of, the type of internet connection, internet speeds, and whether or not the customer decides to bundle the internet with additional Xfinity services.
Xfinity has strived and committed to evolving with the latest technologies. Operating off of a Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial Network, they are able to deliver some of the fastest speeds in the nation. They’ve leveraged their ubiquity to create one of the largest WiFi networks in the nation. For Xfinity subscribers within the “Performance” tier or higher, as long an Xfinity modem and router are within range, they are able to connect almost anywhere. This makes using the internet on the go easier than ever. In addition, Xfinity has recently upgraded its service to meet the increasing demand for smart home integration. Revealing their Xfi experience in 2017, users are now able to connect their smart home devices with Xfinity TV and the Xfinity app to take control of their homes wherever they may go.
Xfinity uses cable lines to provide their customers with internet service. Originally a cable TV provider, Xfinity first used its already considerable network to provide internet to its customers in 1996. At first, they partnered with other companies to provide internet service while they learned the unique challenges that offering the internet posed. By 2002 though, it had moved its nearly one million internet subscribers to their inhouse network and has rapidly grown since then. Today, over 26 million households are receiving Xfinity internet, and that number is only going to continue to grow.
Xfinity has made internet access available to many that would normally not be able to connect. Through their Internet Essentials, Xfinity offers low-cost options to those who qualify for reduced cost or free school lunches. This covers about 2.6 million households nationwide with over 200,000 households taking advantage of the program. This is an important feature as it provides families who would not normally have access to the wider world online. The Internet is no longer a luxury, and Xfinity has done its part to help every American have access to mobile banking, online learning, and social media.
Wide Open West, or more commonly known as WOW!, is one the largest internet providers in the nation. Founded in 1996, WOW! has expanded quickly out of the Denver market, where it started, and through a number of strategic acquisitions, now offers its services to nine different states and nearly 8 million people living within their coverage area. That coverage area is continuing to grow as more and more customers discover WOW!’s outstanding service. As of today, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee all have Wide Open West available at least partially with the company planning to expand further.
WOW! Currently uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial line to provide service to its customers. As the signal transmits, it primarily uses coaxial cable lines to the end-user while the signal is first sent through a fiber line. WOW! is in the process of upgrading those lines with the hope of being able to send the signal through fiber lines from end to end, thus allowing for a more reliable, high-speed connection. Even without fiber though, WOW! is still able to provide incredible speeds by using DOCSIS technology. One of the first adopters, WOW! uses these DOCSIS lines to transmit digital data. This allows WOW! to regularly provide speeds in the hundreds of megabits per second. This ultimately saves the user and the cable provider money by avoiding the often prohibitory costs that running fiber to a home can cost. This is just one example of WOW!’s innovative thinking and as technology continues to change, it’s clear to see that Wide Open West will continue to be on the cutting-edge providing the very best for its customers.
Still headquartered out of Denver, Colorado, Wide Open West started as a relatively small company in 1996. By the time that they had built their own network in 2001, they had only 200 subscribers. This number ballooned quickly as they purchased other internet service providers and increased the area and number of people they could reach. Over the next two decades, WOW! continued making strategic acquisitions leading to its current status and coverage area.
The company is not only dedicated to providing a fast and reliable internet connection but also great customer service. They have core values that they expect every member of their team to abide by, from the CEO to the technicians who install service. These core values are as follows: respect, integrity, a spirit of service, and accountability. It is because of these that Wide Open West has been able to maintain such a strong customer base and will be the basis for its continued success. The internet service industry often is plagued by poor reputation and even worse customer service so it’s nice to see a company that stands for the opposite of those things. Reputation is all when it comes to earning the trust of the public and there’s no reason to think that Wide Open West will do anything to risk its sterling renown.
Best Provider By Need
Best Overall
Fastest Download
Best For Gaming
Streaming Video
Internet Provider Availability Map
Cable Internet Coverage
71.16%
DSL Internet Coverage
69.95%
Fiber Internet Coverage
22.65%
Summary of Fastest Internet Providers in Dothan, AL
| Provider | Max Speed | Avg Speed | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Troy Cablevision | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps | ||
| 2. | | Xfinity | 1 Gbps | 140 Mbps | |
| 3. | | Spectrum | 940 Mbps | 293 Mbps | |
| 4. | | CenturyLink | 940 Mbps | 26 Mbps | |
| 5. | | ViaSat | 100 Mbps | 20 Mbps | |
| 6. | | WOW! | 50 Mbps | 50 Mbps | |
| 7. | | HughesNet | 25 Mbps | 25 Mbps | |
| 8. | AT&T Mobility | - | - | ||
| 9. | Spectrum Mobile | - | - | ||
| 10. | Xfinity Mobile | - | - | ||
| 11. | Verizon | - | - | ||
| 12. | T-Mobile | - | - | ||
| Data provided by various data sources including the FCC. For more information please view our sources page. | |||||
Summary of All Internet Providers in Dothan, AL
| Provider | Type | Coverage | Max Speed | Avg Speed | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | AT&T Mobility | 100.00% | - | - | |||
| 2. | Verizon | 100.00% | - | - | |||
| 3. | T-Mobile | 100.00% | - | - | |||
| 4. | | CenturyLink | 97.20% | 940 Mbps | 26 Mbps | ||
| 5. | | Xfinity | 78.50% | 1 Gbps | 140 Mbps | ||
| 6. | Xfinity Mobile | 78.50% | - | - | |||
| 7. | | HughesNet | 76.02% | 25 Mbps | 25 Mbps | ||
| 8. | | ViaSat | 76.02% | 100 Mbps | 20 Mbps | ||
| 9. | | Spectrum | 69.60% | 940 Mbps | 293 Mbps | ||
| 10. | Spectrum Mobile | 69.60% | - | - | |||
| 11. | | WOW! | 48.53% | 50 Mbps | 50 Mbps | ||
| 12. | Troy Cablevision | 19.53% | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps | |||
| Data provided by various data sources including the FCC. For more information please view our sources page. | |||||||
Frequently Asked Questions about Dothan, AL.
Which provider offers the best internet service in Dothan, AL?
AT&T Mobility is the best internet provider in Dothan, AL, with download speeds up to and pricing starting at $25.00.
How many internet providers provide service in Dothan, AL?
There are currently 12 providers that offer internet service in Dothan, AL.
What providers offer internet service in Dothan, AL.
AT&T Mobility, Spectrum, Spectrum Mobile, CenturyLink, HughesNet, ViaSat, Xfinity, Xfinity Mobile, Verizon, T-Mobile, WOW! and Troy Cablevision offer internet service in Dothan, AL.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Dothan, AL?
Spectrum Mobile is the cheapest internet provider in Dothan, AL, with pricing starting at $14.00.
What provider has the fastest speeds in Dothan, AL?
Xfinity is the faster internet provider in Dothan, AL, with maximum speeds reaching 1 Gbps and average speeds of 140 Mbps.
Is fiber internet available in Dothan, AL?
Yes! Fiber internet covers 23% of Dothan, AL.
Summary of School Districts in Dothan, AL
| District | Grades | Max Speed | Avg Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dale County | KG - 12 | 1 Gbps | 235 Mbps |
| Dothan City | PK - 12 | 1 Gbps | 104 Mbps |
| Henry County | PK - 12 | 300 Mbps | 47 Mbps |
| Houston County | PK - 12 | 1 Gbps | 50 Mbps |
| Data provided by various data sources including the FCC. For more information please view our sources page. | |||
Neighborhoods in Dothan, AL
| Neighborhood | Max Speed | Avg Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown | 1 Gbps | 153 Mbps |
| Headland | 1 Gbps | 89 Mbps |
| Columbia | 1 Gbps | 84 Mbps |
| East Highlands | 1 Gbps | 79 Mbps |
| Pine Street/Stough | 1 Gbps | 62 Mbps |
| Lakeview | 1 Gbps | 59 Mbps |
| Carver | 1 Gbps | 56 Mbps |
| Data provided by various data sources including the FCC. For more information please view our sources page. | ||