Spectrum is the best internet service provider overall for most households in Traverse City due to its wide availability and the option for gig download speeds. Spectrum service isn’t available everywhere in town, so TCLPfiber or T-Mobile 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. The cheapest widely available internet in Traverse City is Spectrum’s 500Mbps plan, starting at $50 per month. The fastest available internet download speed in Traverse City is a tie between Spectrum, TCLPfiber and Point Broadband. They all offer download speeds of 1,000Mbps. Spectrum has the broadest coverage of the three.
Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AT&T
Internet Read full review |
DSL | $60 | 1-100Mbps | None | 1.5TB for most plans | None | 7.4 |
Point Broadband | Fiber | $60-$80 | 300-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 6.5 |
Spectrum Read full review |
Cable | $50-$70 | 500-1,000Mbps | Free modem; $10 router (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
TCLPfiber | Fiber | $60-$90 | 200-1,000Mbps | None | None | Varies | N/A |
T-Mobile
Home
Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($40-$50 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Sleeping Bear Dunes in Traverse City, Michigan.
Gary Ennis/Getty ImagesYou won’t find ISPs engaging in price wars in Traverse City. Most residents will end up with Spectrum, which starts at $50 per month for the 500Mbps plan. That price will go up after the first year, so brush up on your negotiation skills or look into 5G home internet from T-Mobile or Verizon. One way to get your monthly internet cost below $50 is to bundle an eligible phone plan with a Verizon or T-Mobile home broadband plan. Low-income households should check into the federal Lifeline program and Spectrum’s Internet Assist options.
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
---|---|---|---|
Spectrum Read full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | Free modem; $10 router (optional) |
Verizon
5G
Home
Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 100Mbps | None |
T-Mobile
Home
Internet Read full review |
$50 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | None |
AT&T
Internet Read full review |
$60 | 1-100Mbps | None |
Point Broadband | $60 | 300Mbps | None |
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
The best internet deals and top promotions in Traverse City depend on what discounts are available during a given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
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Traverse City internet providers, like Spectrum, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, including TCLP Fiber and AT&T Internet, 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.
Most Traverse City residents can access gig-level download speeds, primarily through Spectrum. Some neighborhoods can get their gig via fiber from Point, TCLPfiber or Michigan Broadband Service. A recent Ookla speed test report showed a 222Mbps median download speed for fixed internet in Traverse City. That’s very close to the Michigan state average of about 230Mbps. Those Traverse City speeds can be traced to the easy availability of Spectrum’s entry-level 500Mbps plan. Internet speeds can vary at your home due to various factors, including location, equipment and network congestion.
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Point Broadband Extreme Internet | $80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
TCLPfiber Gig Connect | $90 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Spectrum
Internet
Gig Read full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
Show more (0 item)
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 ISP in a given city. What's our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary pricing, availability and speed database 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?The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, but 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.
Most Traverse City residents won’t have much choice in ISPs. Spectrum covers most homes and offers speeds up to a gig. Some scattered neighborhoods will have the option for fiber from Point, TCLPfiber or Michigan Broadband Services. Starting prices are a little higher, but you’ll enjoy symmetrical speeds. The main alternative to wired internet in Traverse City is T-Mobile or Verizon’s 5G home internet plans. Look into those if you’re not satisfied with Spectrum or if you can bundle a mobile plan to get substantial savings on your home internet bill.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Traverse City?
Which internet provider in Traverse City offers the fastest plan?
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What internet provider has the best coverage in Traverse City?
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