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Google Fiber vs AT&T in Raleigh
Raleigh’s trade-off is Google Fiber’s faster symmetrical tiers versus AT&T’s broader reach and lower starting price at many addresses.
Google Fiber is the better overall pick because it combines faster symmetrical service with the stronger speed score, although it reaches fewer Raleigh addresses. Google Fiber wins on speed, while AT&T wins on coverage and starting price: $35/mo versus $70/mo. Choose Google Fiber for demanding gaming, uploads, and large households where available; choose AT&T for broader availability, a lower entry price, and everyday use. Both offer fiber, but the best choice depends on whether your address can get the faster Google Fiber tiers.
At a glance
Google Fiber vs. AT&T, side by side.
| Provider | Type | Top speed | City coverage | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber |
Fiber | 8 Gig 8 Gig upload |
49% | $70/mo | Top fiber speeds |
| AT&T |
Fiber | 5 Gig 5 Gig upload |
89% | $35/mo | Solid fiber option |
Coverage map
Two different questions, two views. Top speed shows who offers the faster plan where you can actually get it. Coverage shows who reaches more of each ZIP. Or pick a single provider to see just its footprint.
Neighborhood breakdown
The head-to-head can change by Raleigh ZIP or neighborhood because availability varies block to block. AT&T reaches about 89% of the city overall, while Google Fiber reaches about 49%, so check your exact address before deciding; where both are available, Google Fiber leads on speed and AT&T on price.
| ZIP | Neighborhoods | Coverage | Top speed | Rank score | Winner | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber | AT&T | Google Fiber | AT&T | Google Fiber | AT&T | |||
| 27610 | Southeast Raleigh, Battery Heights, Rochester Heights, Worthdale | 66% | 78% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 65 | 74 | AT&T |
| 27603 | Fuller Heights, Renaissance Park, Swift Creek, Garner border area | 26% | 58% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 25 | 56 | AT&T |
| 27604 | Longview, Wilders Grove, Brentwood, Capital Boulevard | 63% | 80% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 62 | 76 | AT&T |
| 27616 | Northeast Raleigh, Wakefield, Forestville, Neuse | 51% | 71% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 50 | 68 | AT&T |
| 27613 | Leesville, Bayleaf, Stonehenge, Northwest Raleigh | 57% | 76% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 56 | 72 | AT&T |
| 27612 | Crabtree Valley, Umstead Park area, Lake Boone, Ramblewood | 52% | 71% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 52 | 68 | AT&T |
| 27606 | NC State University, Avent Ferry, Farrington Woods, Lake Johnson | 56% | 54% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 56 | 51 | Google Fiber |
| 27614 | Wakefield, Falls River, Bedford, North Raleigh | 48% | 62% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 47 | 59 | AT&T |
| 27615 | North Ridge, Wakefield border, Bent Tree, Millbrook | 57% | 74% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 57 | 70 | AT&T |
| 27607 | Meredith College, Wade Avenue, Ridgewood, Reedy Creek | 45% | 70% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 44 | 67 | AT&T |
| 27617 | Brier Creek, Northwest Raleigh, Umstead area | 49% | 18% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 48 | 17 | Google Fiber |
| 27601 | Downtown Raleigh, Moore Square, Shaw University, Chavis Heights | 45% | 61% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 45 | 58 | AT&T |
| 27609 | North Hills, Midtown, Drewry Hills, Anderson Heights | 74% | 80% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 73 | 76 | AT&T |
| 27608 | Five Points, Hayes Barton, Bloomsbury, Mordecai | 6% | 94% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 6 | 90 | AT&T |
| 27605 | Cameron Park, Glenwood South, Boylan Heights, Fred Fletcher Park | 71% | 80% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 70 | 76 | AT&T |
| 27602 | Downtown Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 24% | 45% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 24 | 43 | AT&T |
| 27611 | Southeast Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 24% | 45% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 24 | 43 | AT&T |
| 27628 | Central Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 1% | 96% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 1 | 91 | AT&T |
| 27619 | North Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 64% | 61% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 63 | 58 | Google Fiber |
| 27622 | West Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 64% | 61% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 63 | 58 | Google Fiber |
| 27629 | North Raleigh (PO Box ZIP) | 37% | 76% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 37 | 72 | AT&T |
| 27658 | North Raleigh (PO Box ZIP) | 11% | 41% | 8 Gig | 5 Gig | 11 | 39 | AT&T |
Rank score (0–100) is each provider’s Speed Score, discounted for weak upload, times the share of that ZIP it reaches — the same rule that orders providers on the Raleigh city page, so it moves as availability changes street to street.
Which is better for…
The right pick comes down to what you actually do online.
Get connected
Pick your provider and check availability at your address.
- 8 Gig down · 8 Gig up Fiber
- 2 Gig down · 2 Gig up Fiber
- 5 Gig down · 5 Gig up Fiber
- 1 Gig down · 1 Gig up Fiber
- 100 Mbps down · 20 Mbps up Copper
See what’s actually available at your address
Coverage changes from one street to the next. Check your exact address in seconds.
Check my addressFrequently asked questions
Is Google Fiber or AT&T available at my Raleigh address?
AT&T reaches about 89% of Raleigh, while Google Fiber reaches about 49% of the city. Coverage can vary block to block, so enter your exact address in each provider’s availability checker before choosing.
Which is cheaper in Raleigh, Google Fiber or AT&T, and what will I actually pay?
AT&T has the lower promotional starting price at $35/mo, compared with Google Fiber’s $70/mo starting price. These are promotional starting rates, so confirm the post-promo rate, equipment fees, and any contract before signing; then compare the final terms for your address.
Which is faster for gaming, working from home, or 4K streaming in Raleigh?
Google Fiber’s top tier reaches 8,000/8,000 Mbps where available, compared with AT&T’s 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber tier where available. Both can suit demanding use when offered at your address, but check availability and choose Google Fiber if maximum speed and upload capacity matter most.
More Raleigh comparisons
How Raleigh’s other qualifying providers stack up head-to-head.