Optimum is the best internet provider overall for most households in Flagstaff because of its broad coverage and a top download speed of 940 megabits per second. That being said, Optimum service isn’t available everywhere in Flagstaff, so Quantum Fiber or Verizon 5G Home Internet are also solid picks, depending on what’s available in your area.
If you're hunting for the lowest prices or fastest speeds, we've also found those top options. Flagstaff's cheapest internet is Optimum's $40-per-month 300Mbps plan with equipment included. Flagstaff's fastest internet speed is a tie between Optimum's 940Mbps cable plan and Quantum Fiber's 940Mbps plan. Quantum Fiber offers equally fast uploads, but availability is extremely limited.
Our methodology
Cable, fiber
300 - 2,000 Mbps
$40 - $120 per month
Our take - Optimum doesn’t have a lot of competition in Flagstaff. The cable ISP covers 85% of area homes and offers download speeds up to 940Mbps.
Cable, fiber
300 - 2,000 Mbps
$40 - $120 per month
DSL
10 - 140 Mbps
$55 per month
Our take - Lumen Technologies -- parent company of both CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber -- has the widest coverage of any wired internet provider in Flagstaff, but it’s mostly through the old-school CenturyLink DSL network. DSL speeds will be much slower than cable, but it’s one of the few competitors to Optimum.
DSL
10 - 140 Mbps
$55 per month
Fixed wireless
85 - 1,000 Mbps
$50 - $70 per month
Our take - Verizon and T-Mobile are neck and neck when it comes to offering 5G home internet service. Verizon has the potential for lower prices, but you may prefer to try out the ISP that matches your phone service.
Fixed wireless
85 - 1,000 Mbps
$50 - $70 per month
Fixed wireless
72 - 245 Mbps
$60 per month
Our take - If you’re a T-Mobile phone customer, check into T-Mobile Home Internet as a wireless alternative to Optimum. A bundle deal can save you money on your home internet plan.
Fixed wireless
72 - 245 Mbps
$60 per month
CenturyLink Read full review |
DSL | $55 | 3-140Mbps | $15 (optional) | None | None | 6.7 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Optimum | Cable | $40-$80 | 300-940Mbps | None | None | None | 6.2 |
Quantum Fiber | Fiber | $50-$75 | 500-940Mbps | None | None | None | 6.7 |
T-Mobile
Home
Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $60 ($40-$50 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Optimum is the main ISP for Flagstaff and it also has the cheapest plan in town (not counting Verizon’s home internet bundle deal). The cable company’s 300Mbps plan runs $40 per month. If you happen to be in one of the few areas serviced by Quantum Fiber, then jump on the $50-per-month 500Mbps plan with symmetrical speeds. Otherwise, it’s tough to top Optimum’s price/speed equation in Flagstaff.
Optimum | $40 | 300Mbps | None |
---|---|---|---|
Quantum Fiber | $50 | 500Mbps | None |
Verizon
5G
Home
Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 100Mbps | None |
CenturyLink Read full review |
$55 | 140Mbps | $15 (optional) |
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
The best internet deals and top promotions in Flagstaff depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Flagstaff internet providers, such as Optimum, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including Quantum Fiber and Bluespan, tend to run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Despite a lack of multi-gig options and fiber internet, Flagstaff turned in a decent performance in a recent Ookla speed test report. The city in the pines pulled down a median fixed internet download speed of 227Mbps, which matches Arizona’s speed test average as a whole. Optimum checks in as Flagstaff’s fastest provider, which makes sense considering it has little competition. CenturyLink’s widespread but slow DSL network doesn’t put up much of a fight and Quantum Fiber is hard to find.
Quantum Fiber | $75 | 940Mbps | 940Mbps | None | Fiber |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Optimum | $80 | 940Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
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 FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
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.Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it's impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. What's our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and speed information that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data 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?While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who 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.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Flagstaff can be a tricky place for internet. Most residents will choose to go with Optimum thanks to availability and a gig speed tier if you need zippier downloads. It also offers one of the most affordable plans in town at the 300Mbps level. Give weight to Quantum Fiber and its symmetrical speeds if you happen to live in a pocket of coverage. If Optimum doesn’t work out for you, then check into Verizon and T-Mobile’s 5G home internet offerings. After that, get in touch with Bluespan or another fixed wireless provider. Rural and remote homes may need to investigate a fallback option like Starlink satellite internet.
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