Top pick
Runner Up
Business pick
- Knoxville has several Internet providers in the area. Xfinity, AT&T, WOW!, and TDS are the most widely available wired options (cable, DSL, and fiber.)
- The average speed we’ve found in Knoxville through speed test data analysis is 42.87 Mbps.
- Knoxville has a decent business broadband market with several smaller local options. (All detailed below.)
Best Residential Internet Providers
We consider these home and apartment Internet options to be the best in Knoxville thanks to their combination of price, value, and high speed ratings.
WOW! - Top Pick
- Pricing: $4999 - $14498
- Max Down: 50 Mbps
- Max Up: 5.0 Mbps
- Ratings:
Considering WOW!’s dramatic name, it’s surprising how this well-liked cable provider flies under the radar. Their high speeds and unlimited data policies are extremely cord-cutter friendly and provide some of the best service available within city limits. For appointment TV fans, they also offer reasonably priced TV, sports, and premium channel bundles.
XFINITY from Comcast - Runner Up
- Pricing: $4999 - $15999
- Max Down: 987 Mbps
- Max Up: 35 Mbps
- Ratings:
Xfinity offers some of the fastest Internet speeds in the country, making it a strong option for customers who don’t have access to (or budget for) 100% fiber options. Comcast has been adding smart TV features like X1 that make their service particularly attractive for entertainment.
Residential Internet Providers Available in Knoxville
Knoxville has plenty to pick from if neither of our top picks works for your location or feature needs. See below for a bird’s-eye view.
| Providers | Pricing | Availability | Rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $5999+ | 100% Satellite | (844) 279-9732 | |
 | $5000+ | 100% Satellite | (855) 713-9640 | |
| | $4999+ | 90% Cable | (800) 934-6489 | |
 | $5000+ | 81% DSL | (844) 815-6944 | |
| | $4999+ | 36% Cable | (866) 496-9669 | |
 | $2995+ | 16% DSL | (866) 571-6662 | |
 | $4499+ | 13% Cable | (844) 293-0108 | |
 | $2600+ | 7% DSL | (800) 347-1991 | |
 | $2000+ | 4% DSL | (877) 773-4506 |
Best Business Internet Providers
We selected this provider as the best business broadband option in Knoxville. They offer flexible plans, great customer service on-call, and advanced features for scaling as a business grows.
WOW! - Business Pick
- Max Down: 50 Mbps
- Max Up: 5.0 Mbps
- Ratings:
WOW! Business does an excellent job of making their business services clear and easy to understand even for small business owners who aren’t “techies.” The flexible features offered range from VoIP systems to cloud services, and are a particularly good fit for retail, hospitality, and restaurants.
Business Internet Providers Available in Knoxville
Small and medium businesses in Knoxville usually opt for cable or budget fiber plans. However, there are plenty of advanced technologies available. See the table here for a big-picture look at broadband for businesses in Knoxville.
| Providers | Pricing | Availability | Rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | N/A | 99% Satellite | (844) 279-9732 | |
| | N/A | 99% Satellite | (855) 713-9640 | |
 | $6995+ | 91% Cable | (800) 934-6489 | |
 | $5000+ | 90% DSL | (844) 815-6944 | |
| | $4999+ | 35% Cable | (866) 496-9669 | |
| | N/A | 8% DSL | (866) 571-6662 | |
 | $5999+ | 20% Cable | (844) 293-0108 | |
| | N/A | 13% DSL | (800) 347-1991 | |
 | $1999+ | 3% DSL | (877) 773-4506 | |
 | N/A | 3% Copper | (877) 297-7816 |
Map of Broadband Internet Competition in Knoxville
Fiber, cable, and DSL are the main options in Knoxville. While there are several providers with widespread coverage, they don’t overlap in every neighborhood. As a result, some residents feel stuck with plans that charge high prices for lower speeds than more competitive neighborhoods. Explore our interactive map to see how different parts of Knoxville compare.
Provider Competition Map
Knoxville Internet Speed Overview
While the average speed in Knoxville is 42.87 Mbps, the fastest speed recorded is a more impressive 97.3 Mbps. Not every neighborhood is created equal, so be sure to verify speeds at your address before signing up for a plan online.
| Average Speed | 90th Percentile Speed |
|---|---|
| 42.87 Mbps | 97.3 Mbps |
Average Residential download speeds within Knoxville
Top Factors to Consider When Shopping for Internet Service in Knoxville
Data Caps
Data limits are a growing issue in the home Internet market. While the caps are usually much higher than any reasonable household would use in a month, they can cause issues for cord cutters who stream high volumes of video through services like Netflix. For this reason, getting a dedicated TV plan might be your best option if you can’t access a plan with unlimited data at your address. Otherwise, just be aware of how your browsing habits stack up to the limit on your plan.
Fiber vs Cable vs DSL
Fiber Internet uses the latest and greatest fiber-optic cables to bring digital content to you home. Upload and download speeds are usually identical.
Cable piggybacks on traditional TV networks. Cable download speeds are generally much higher than upload speeds, which can affect users who use Twitch, regularly video chat, or upload large files to media sites.
DSL comes through old-school telephone lines. It’s comparable to cable in terms of speed, but falls a little bit short when it comes to reliability. As with cable, upload speeds are dramatically lower than the download speed.
Local Information
Low-Income Internet Access Plans
Knoxville Internet providers have partnered with the government to provide low-cost home Internet for residents who meet certain criteria so far as income and housing. Check eligibility requirements at EveryoneOn. Service sometimes can be had for as little as $10 monthly.
Public libraries around Knoxville also provide Internet access for free to anyone with a library card.
Broadband Roadblocks in Knoxville
Knoxville residents often wonder why they can’t get a “smart grid” municipal broadband system like sister city Chattanooga. The answer is complicated, but the short version is: state laws make it difficult to install municipal broadband in Tennessee. Chattanooga was only able to attain their gigabit status by convincing judges that it was appropriate to install since the cost on top of the existing smart grid electric project was negligible. This isn’t the case in Knoxville, so residents must look to private providers for competition and solutions.
Experts
Ana De Castro
Ana De Castro cut her teeth as a SAP consultant for Deloitte during the original tech boom, and now works in a communications role in the telecom industry. When she isn’t explaining technical concepts to confused consumers, she enjoys traveling with her husband and two rambunctious kids.
James Webb
James Webb is a tech and gadgets expert with a focus on educational content development. He draws on his background in the startup world to make complicated technologies and topics easy to understand for normal folks.