Best Internet Providers in Your Area
Looking for home internet? Here's where to start.
Article updated on June 10, 2025 at 4:00 AM PDT
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Our expert staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and evaluates our top picks. The order in which our top picks are presented may be impacted by partnerships, and we may get a commission if you buy through our links.
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What's the best internet provider in your area?
Despite there being99.88% broadband availability nationwide, you may not have more than one or two good options when it comes to picking an internet provider.In fact, more than a third of Americans have access to only one or no internet providers.
Unfortunately, we're limited by what internet providers serve our address. Where you live determines what speeds and deals you can get and what technologies your ISPs use to get you online.
You may have access to one or twointernet connection types, likefiber orcable. Many areas have at least one cable internet provider plus aDSL or fiber-optic ISP, while others may have5G home internet options fromVerizon and T-Mobile's widespread coverage.
There's a good chance you'll be eligible for service from the country's biggest ISPs. The largest cable internet companies in the country areXfinity andSpectrum, whileAT&T Fiber,Frontier Fiber andVerizon Fios make up the majority of fiber-optic availability. Recentmergers andacquisitions in the industry may consolidate those options even further,making your choices even more limited. But, aside from the large national providers, there are hundreds of local cable, fiber and wireless providers across the US. Here's how to figure out which internet providers are available near you.
Top ISPs available in the country
ISP availability is always changing, which is why the FCC updates provider data twice a year (see CNET's breakdown of the FCC data). It's this data that we use to determine available internet providers in your area and the technologies they use.
TheFCC Broadband Map is the fastest way to figure out which internet providers service your address.
Screenshot/FCCIn general, large cities likeSeattle orChicago are where you’ll find the greatest fiber availability and fastest speeds, althoughcable internet can deliver gigabit download speeds, which are available to roughly 27% of households.Rural areas are often limited to slower options likeDSL orsatellite, but 5G home internet -- particularly from T-Mobile -- or local fixed wireless internet providers are a growing alternative to broadband service in rural areas.
Top 20 internet providers by availability
- EarthLink: Available in 48 states, with 75% nationwide coverage.
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Available in 49 states, with 64% nationwide coverage.
- AT&T: Available in 21 states, with 49% nationwide coverage.
- Xfinity: Available in 39 states, with 35% nationwide coverage.
- Spectrum: Available in 41 states, with 30% nationwide coverage.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Available in 50 states, with 25% nationwide coverage.
- CenturyLinkandQuantum Fiber: Available in 16 states, with 11% nationwide coverage.
- Optimum: Available in nine states, with 9% nationwide coverage.
- Optimum: Available in 21 states, with 7% nationwide coverage.
- Cox: Available in 18 states, with 6% nationwide coverage.
- Frontier: Available in 29 states, with 6% nationwide coverage.
- Rise Broadband: Available in 16 states, with 3% nationwide coverage.
- Astound: Available in 12 states, with 3% nationwide coverage.
- Windstream: Available in 18 states, with 3% nationwide coverage.
- Sparklight: Available in 22 states, with 2% nationwide coverage.
- Sparklight: Available in 21 states, with 1% of nationwide coverage.
- Metronet: Available in 14 states, with 1% of nationwide coverage.
- WOW: Available in 6 states, with 1% of nationwide coverage.
- Ziply Fiber: Available in 4 states, with less than 1% of nationwide coverage.
- Point Broadband: Available in 10 states, with less than 1% of nationwide coverage.
There's a good chance one or more of the 20 providers listed above are available in your area. You'll find detailed information about each provider's availability and network below.
EarthLink
Combined coverage areas make high availability
Our take - EarthLink has one of the best coverage areas of any ISP. Roughly 200 million people are serviceable for EarthLink thanks to the provider's unique approach to delivering service. Instead of running fiber, coaxial or DSL lines to homes, EarthLink uses the networks of other major providers, like AT&T, CenturyLink and Frontier, to offer internet service. As a result, EarthLink essentially boasts the availability of multiple providers combined.
- No extreme rate hikes after 12 months
- Unlimited data, no speed throttling ever
- Fiber connection where available
- No introductory rates
- 12-month contract
- Speeds and network quality vary widely by location
EarthLink's partnerships give it an advantage when it comes to availability, but it also means that the connection type and speeds EarthLink can offer are at the mercy of the partnered provider. In most service areas, EarthLink uses a DSL network, which has more speed volatility than any other connection type. In other select areas, EarthLink offers fiber-optic service and blazing speeds up to 5,000Mbps.
- Unlimited data
- no built-in price hikes
T-Mobile Home Internet
Best 5G home internet coverage
Our take - 5G wireless service is great for our phones, but T-Mobile is proving the technology can also serve as a primary home internet connection. Since launching its 5G network just a few years ago, T-Mobile has quickly expanded its home internet service to cover many US households across every state, excluding Alaska.
- No contracts
- No data caps
- Simple, affordable pricing
- Aggressively competitive with its terms and perks
- Speeds may vary
- Max download speeds don't match fiber and cable
- Home internet customers deprioritized over mobile
T-Mobile Home Internet isn't the fastest internet you'll find -- but it is a decent alternative in areas where cable or fiber are absent. T-Mobile recent boost in speeds now features maximum speeds of up to 415Mbps for the price of $70 per month (or $55 with an eligible mobile plan) with no added equipment fees, data caps, or contracts. If you're in a rural area with limited internet options or are interested in cutting the cord with your current provider, T-Mobile is certainly worth a look.
- Unlimited data
- equipment included
- no contracts
AT&T
Best fiber coverage in the South, Midwest and CA
Our take - AT&T internet may be available near you if you live in or are moving to the South or Midwest, as well as parts of California, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Nevada.
- No contracts required to receive the lowest available price
- No data caps for any fiber plans
- Valuable perks and promotional offers
- Much slower DSL plans are more prevalent than fiber options
- Data caps enforced on all non-fiber plans
Much of AT&T's network is copper-based (akin to DSL), but new customers won't be able to sign up for its DSL service anymore. That's when AT&T Fiber enters the picture. Besides its slower DSL network, AT&T is the largest fiber internet provider in the US. Those in areas serviceable for AT&T Fiber can get symmetrical speeds of 1,000Mbps or higher, up to 5,000Mbps. There are no data caps, contracts and your equipment is included at no additional cost.
AT&T has also recently entered the 5G home internet game with its AT&T Internet Air offering. For $60 a month, you can get download speeds between 90 to 300Mbps -- a plan that comes without equipment fees, contracts or data caps. AT&T Internet Air may be worth it if you only have DSL or satellite internet at your address, but CNET's Joe Supan tried the plan out and found the speeds sorely lacking. Like other fixed wireless internet providers, your speeds are variable and dependent on factors like network congestion, location and even the weather.
- Unlimited data
- no contracts
- equipment included
Xfinity
Best cable internet availability
Our take - Xfinity is the largest cable internet provider in the US, extending broadband service to more than a third of all households. Xfinity may be available in your area if you live in the mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest or along the West Coast, but random pockets of serviceability can be found in much of the South as well as parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
- Good variety of plans
- Some of the fastest residential plans available
- Above average scores in almost all customer satisfaction metrics
- Data caps for some plans
- Contracts often required to get the lowest price
- Steep jump from promo price to regular rates
Xfinity primarily offers cable internet, but its fiber services are unmatched if available at your address. Availability is highly limited, but those lucky enough to be serviceable can get Xfinity's fastest speeds. Xfinity's fiber plan, Gigabit Pro, offers symmetrical speeds of 10,000Mbps, which is probably why Xfinity Fiber held its ground on the recent American Customer Satisfaction Index, scoring at the industry's average.
- Lots of plan options
- solid customer satisfaction numbers
- data caps on some plans
Spectrum
Big cable ISP with high availability in the East
Our take - The chances of your household being serviceable for this provider are very likely. Spectrum is the second-largest cable provider in the US behind Xfinity, covering nearly a third of the population across 41 states. Although the two providers cover nearly 64% of US households combined, there is little to no overlap in serviceability as Spectrum mainly operates in areas where Xfinity does not. However, if Spectrum's acquisition of Cox Communications goes through, Spectrum will become the biggest cable provider in the country.
- Straightforward pricing
- No data caps on any plans
- No contracts required for internet service
- Free access to Spectrum's nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots
- Competitive rates for cable, but pricier than many fiber providers
- Internet service is slightly below the industry average for customer satisfaction
Since Spectrum covers so many states, you may be eligible for service just about anywhere, even Hawaii, but those on the East Coast or in the Midwest are most likely to be serviceable.
Like Xfinity, Spectrum leads with mostly a cable network or cable/fiber network, with very few true fiber connections available (less than 1% of service areas are eligible for fiber service). Spectrum makes good use of its cable network at a decent price; for $70 a month, gigabit download speeds are available in nearly all service areas.
- Unlimited data
- simple pricing
- no contracts
- modem included
- free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Second broadest 5G coverage nationwide
Our take - Verizon's 5G coverage comes in second to T-Mobile's. Per, T-Mobile's latest quarterly report, its Home Internet customer base grew to 7 million. Verizon 5G's latest quarterly report puts its customer base at nearly 5 million. Verizon has some catching up to do in terms of coverage.
- No data caps or contracts
- Straightforward pricing
- Faster download speeds than other fixed wireless services
- Speeds are not guaranteed and can fluctuate
- Home customers are second priority to mobile users on the network
- Upload speeds are comparable to cable but fall short of fiber
Verizon 5G Home Internet is concentrated around big cities like Boston, New York, Raleigh, Tampa and Atlanta. Verizon's 5G coverage extends through all 50 states, but it is more concentrated in the Midwest and Eastern regions.
- Unlimited data
- no contracts
- free equipment
CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber
Decent coverage in Florida and west of the Mississippi
Our take - Lumen Technologies (CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber) had the largest coverage area of nearly any provider, excluding satellite, before selling a chunk of networks in the East to ISP newcomer Brightspeed. Still, Lumen Technologies has a fairly large presence, particularly in the western half of the US, thanks to its DSL (CenturyLink) and fiber (Quantum Fiber) networks.
- Some of the most affordable DSL plans you can find
- Unlimited data
- No contracts
- DSL speeds can vary wildly based on address and sometimes fall below FCC's broadband levels
- Service interruptions can be a bit too frequent, depending on location
Despite the large coverage area, Lumen's service is only available to around 11% of US households, indicating that these providers largely operate in rural or suburban areas. There are some major cities where CenturyLink and/or Quantum Fiber are available, such as Denver, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City and Seattle. Otherwise, look for CenturyLink to be available just outside the city.
- Unlimited data
- no contracts
Verizon Fios
Great coverage in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic
Our take - Verizon Fios covers much of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. Although service is only available in nine states, Verizon still covers an impressive number of US households, thanks largely to the provider's extensive fiber coverage in cities such as Baltimore, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Verizon also offers fixed wireless service in select areas across the US, but the provider's primary service areas are reserved for the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.
- All Verizon Fios plans are 100% fiber, with symmetrical download and upload speeds
- No data caps or allowances on any plans
- No term agreements necessary on any plans
- Low fiber availability for a national company
- While Fios and 5G are affordable, LTE and DSL options are pricey
Nearly two-thirds of Verizon's network is fiber, which is a higher fiber percentage than you'll find from just about any major provider. With such a large fiber network, Verizon is capable of delivering fast upload and download speeds to more than 37 million people. The remaining third of those who are eligible for Verizon internet will have access to the provider's slower, less desirable DSL service or Verizon's 5G Home Internet service.
- Unlimited data
- no contracts
- free equipment with gig service
Cox Communications
Cable internet coverage for major metro areas
Our take - Cox Communications is the third-largest cable provider in the US, but availability overall is far lower than Xfinity and Spectrum, covering nearly 6% of residents across 18 states. Cox is most likely to be available in your area if you live in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, San Diego or anywhere in the state of Rhode Island.
- Gigabit speeds available across entire service area
- Reasonable data usage terms, no throttling
- Plans are pricier than other cable internet providers
- Steep price increases after first year
- Cox gateway device doubles as a public hotspot by default
- Unlimited data bundles are a bad value
Like with Xfinity and Spectrum, cable makes up the bulk of Cox's network. Its fiber connection is available to less than 1% of households, per the latest data from the FCC. On the bright side, promo pricing is decent, and download speeds up to 1,000Mbps are available in all Cox service areas. However, those lucky enough to be eligible for fiber service can enjoy symmetrical upload and download speeds.
- 1.25TB monthly data allowance
- lots of plan options
- unique gaming add-on
Frontier Communications
In 25 states, with fiber coverage to 15 of them
Our take - Frontier Communications lost a chunk of its network after selling fiber and DSL lines in the Pacific Northwest to Ziply Fiber in 2020, but the provider is still one of the largest fiber and DSL providers, covering around a tenth of US residents across 29 states. Frontier serviceability is greatest in the Midwest, but there's also a good chance Frontier is available in your area if you live in California, Connecticut, upstate New York or West Virginia.
- Wi-Fi router rental included in the price
- Unlimited data
- Fast fiber speeds
- Spotty DSL speeds
- Poor, but improving, customer satisfaction record
- Term agreement required to get signup bonuses
Frontier has made an effort to increase its fiber coverage in recent years, but the provider still largely operates on a copper-based, DSL network. If Frontier fiber service has not yet reached your area, the DSL service may be a practical broadband option.
- Unlimited data
- no contracts
- no equipment fee
Optimum
Cable and fiber internet in NYC and parts of the South
Our take - Optimum coverage spans the greater New York City area and various parts of states across the US, including Arkansas, Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas.
- High speeds with competitive pricing
- No data caps, no contracts
- Fiber service available to nearly 3 million homes
- 60-day money back guarantee for fiber customers
- Low customer satisfaction score
- Slow upload speeds for cable internet customers
- Price increase for all plans after first year
Optimum primarily uses a cable or cable/fiber hybrid network to deliver service, but the company has invested in fiber expansion in recent years. More than 2.7 million residents in the greater New York City area are eligible for fiber service from Optimum. Whichever connection type is available at your address, both services include free equipment, no contracts, and no data caps.
- Unlimited data
- no contracts
Rise Broadband
Largest fixed wireless provider with rural internet in 16 states
Our take - Rise Broadband best serves rural areas as it is the nation's largest fixed wireless provider excluding T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet. Fixed wireless internet doesn't require a cable or phone line to your home, making it ideal for rural internet service. Consequently, rural areas are where you're most likely to find Rise Broadband, especially those in the central US or rural parts of Idaho, Nevada and Texas.
- Availability in rural areas with no direct cables to the home
- Significantly higher data allowances than satellite
- Advanced Wi-Fi equipment and service available
- Growing fiber network
- Max speeds of only 100Mbps in most areas
- Line of sight to nearby wireless tower required
- Possible service disruptions in bad weather
Getting broadband service to rural areas can be a challenge, but Rise Broadband does a decent job. Around 83% of those in Rise Broadband service areas can get speeds up to 25Mbps or higher, totaling around 14 million largely rural residents who may otherwise not have access to a broadband connection.
- Unlimited data on some plans
- low price increase
Kinetic by Windstream
Rural and suburban coverage in the Midwest, South and Southwest
Our take - Another champion of rural areas, Windstream's internet service, Kinetic, is available in 18 states but only about 2% of US households. Kinetic internet may be available in your area if you live in a rural or suburban area in the South or Midwest, but Kinetic coverage does reach as far west as New Mexico. Iowa, Georgia, Kentucky and Texas have the greatest Kinetic serviceability, but you may also find Kinetic internet near you in parts of Arkansas, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, among other states.
- Fast speeds for rural areas
- No data caps, no speed throttling, no contracts
- Fiber expansion in the works
- Speeds and pricing vary widely by location
- No security plan included
- Below average customer satisfaction
If Kinetic internet is available near you, it's likely to be DSL service as fiber makes up just over a quarter of the Kinetic network. Although DSL is typically slower than cable or fiber service, Kinetic offers among the fastest DSL service you'll find from any provider.
- Unlimited data
- no contracts
Astound
Cable internet coverage in select major markets
Our take - You may have known Astound by another name (RCN, Grande Communications or Wave Broadband), but the provider is well-established in some major markets, including Boston, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
- Low first-year pricing
- No data caps
- No contracts
- Availability limited to metro areas
- Sharp price increase after the promotional period
- Confusing fees
Every aspect of service is a little different in each Astound market. Unlimited data and no contract requirements are standard across all service areas, but you'll find that available speeds, pricing and promotional offers vary widely from one city to the next.
- Unlimited data
- no contracts
Mediacom
Coverage spans throughout the Midwest and South
Our take - Mediacom covers random areas throughout much of the Midwest, but you'll find service in parts of the South along the Gulf Coast and in southern Georgia, as well as parts of eastern North Carolina and along the southern Delaware/Maryland border. All in all, Mediacom is available to just over 2% of US residents with coverage spanning 22 states.
- Provides services to over 1,500 communities in 22 states
- Great additional hardware available to rent at a fair price
- Significant price jump for the gigabit plan after a year
- Data caps are too tight with the cheapest plans, and there's no limit to the number of overage charges you can rack up
- Poor value relative to other cable internet providers
If Mediacom provides internet in your area, expect a cable connection that can deliver gigabit download speeds. A full 100% of Mediacom's network is cable and 97% of those in Mediacom service areas are eligible for speeds up to 1,000Mbps.
- Up to 6TB monthly data allowance
- low introductory rates
- no contracts
Top internet providers compared
The plans shown below feature each provider's cheapest available tier. The maximum speed is the top advertised speed for that given plan, but it might not be available in your area. Overall, the best selection for you -- and the most cost-effective plan -- might be a different tier thatprovides a faster speed at a higher price but a better value. To more fully understand this value-based approach, check out CNET's guide toexamining the cost per Mbps.
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Cost per Mbps | Equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astound Broadband 300 Read full review | $30 | 300Mbps | 10 cents | $10 (optional) |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review | $55 | 300Mbps | 18 cents | None |
| AT&T Internet Air Read full review | $60 | 300Mbps | 20 cents | None |
| CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Read full review | $57 | 100Mbps | 57 cents | $15 (optional) |
| Cox Go Faster Internet | $50 | 250Mbps | 20 cents | $17 (optional) |
| Earthlink Fiber 100 Read full review | $40 | 100Mbps | 40 cents | $15 |
| Frontier Fiber 200 Read full review | $30 | 200Mbps | 15 cents | None |
| Hughesnet Select Read full review | $50 | 50Mbps | $1 | $15 monthly or $300 one-time purchase |
| Kinetic Fiber 300 | $40 | 300Mbps | 13 cents | $11 (optional) |
| Mediacom Xtream Internet 300 Read full review | $50 | 300Mbps | 16 cents | $15 (optional) |
| Optimum 300 Read full review | $40 | 300Mbps | 13 cents | None |
| Rise Broadband 50 Read full review | $45 | 50Mbps | 90 cents | $10 modem |
| Quantum Fiber | $50 | 500Mbps | 10 cents | None |
| Spectrum Internet Read full review | $50 | 500Mbps | 10 cents | Modem free; $10 for router (optional) |
| Starlink Standard Read full review | $120 | 150Mbps | 80 cents | $349 one-time purchase |
| T-Mobile Rely Internet Read full review | $50 | 318Mbps | 15 cents | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 | 300Mbps | 17 cents | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 | 300Mbps | 17 cents | None |
| Viasat Unleashed Read full review | $100 | 150Mbps | 80 cents | $15 or $250 one-time purchase |
| Xfinity Connect Read full review | $40 | 400Mbps | 10 cents | $15 (optional) |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What internet providers are in your city?
What internet providers serve your city? We provide an in-depth look at the best internet providers in cities across the US, from New York to San Francisco. Click any of the links below to learn more about available internet options in the area.
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Austin, Texas
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Brooklyn, New York
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Chicago, Illinois
- Columbus, Ohio
- Dallas, Texas
- Denver, Colorado
- Detroit, Michigan
- Houston, Texas
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Los Angeles, California
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Nashville, Tennessee
- New York, New York
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Portland, Oregon
- San Antonio, Texas
- San Diego, California
- San Francisco, California
- Seattle, Washington
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Washington D.C.
We didn't forget about local internet providers
Around fifteen or so internet providers make up the majority of internet serviceability, but there are literally thousands of smaller ISPs that operate in hyperlocal markets. Providers such asArmstrong,Ziply Fiber and WideOpenWest (among many others) do a great job of serving their local communities -- there are simply too many to list here.
Broadband and high-speed internet availability
According to theFCC, 99.99% of US residents have access to a broadband internet connection, which it defines as one that can providedownload speeds of up to 100 megabits per second and upload speeds of 20Mbps.
However, this number doesn't reflect thebroadband divide. This suggests that the FCC numbers are high, and satellite internet could be a factor. When you remove satellite technology from the list, broadband availability drops to 94%, with less than a third of US residents having three or more ISPs in their area. As you go up in speed from 25 to 100, 250 and 1,000Mbps, availability drops to 59%: It's evident thathigh-speed options are still sorely limited.
Internet availability by technology
The available internet tech type can make a big difference in available speeds and performance. Fiber internet is the preferred option, as it comes with symmetrical upload and download speed and superior reliability, but availability is still relatively low. Unless you live in or near a large city, it's unlikely you'll find fiber internet near you.
Cable internet is another popular choice for high-speed internet in many areas. It boasts much higher availability than fiber internet but does not offer fast upload speeds or the same consistent reliability.DSL and fixed wireless internet are excellent rural internet options, but they can't compare to the speeds or reliability of fiber or cable connections.
For a further breakdown on the various types of internet, check out our guide tointernet connection types.
Internet connection type availability
| Connection type | National availability | 25Mbps or higher coverage | 100Mbps or higher coverage | 250Mbps or higher coverage | 1,000Mbps or higher coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable | 82% | 82% | 82% | 81% | 27% |
| DSL | 40% | 19% | 4% | 1% | 0% |
| Fiber | 48% | 48% | 48% | 48% | 41% |
| Fixed wireless | 82% | 70% | 50% | 14% | 2% |
How to choose the best internet in your area
Finding the best internet provider in your area starts with discovering what’s available. Again, the search tool further up the page will give you an idea of what providers serve your area, the speeds they offer and how much it costs.
Once you’ve narrowed down the available internet providers in your area, review the plans and service terms. Look for a plan that offers the speeds you need for the lowest price, but also be mindful of potentialdata caps and overage fees,contract requirements,equipment rental fees and other factors that can affect your service and monthly payment.
For more tips on how to choose the right internet provider and plan, seeour guide to selecting the best home internet service.
How we selected the top ISPs in your area
CNET takes into account everything the average customer should know when determining the best internet service providers. Connection type, speeds, pricing, service terms, customer satisfaction and other attributes are always important, but broadband availability is the primary consideration when focusing on the ISPs that may be in your area.
We source the most recent FCC data to determine provider availability and the technologies they use. It’s not perfect, but it does help us to identify the top internet providers in terms of availability and where to find them.
Check out our page onhow we review internet providers for more information.
Locating local internet providers
Internet in my area FAQs
Why aren't there more internet options near me?
The cost of expanding to and operating in a new area, especially one already serviced by a competing ISP, is the main factor that prevents providers from offering service in more areas. As a result, it's common for households to have availability to just one provider of a particular service type.
For example, although cable internet is available to 82% of households, only 7% have access to more than one cable internet provider. Multiple provider options are even more limited with fiber-optic service. Roughly 43% of households are eligible for fiber internet, but less than 3% have more than one option.
When will new internet providers come to my area?
It's difficult to say if the largest cable and fiber providers will continue expanding into new service areas, but smaller providers -- and those with potentially industry-disrupting technologies -- could lead the broadband expansion efforts in coming years.
5G home internet, from providers includingT-Mobile andVerizon, is off to a promising start, delivering high-speed broadband to underserved areas and creating much-needed competition in others. Satellite internet -- fromSpaceX's Starlink, as well as Amazon's upcomingProject Kuiper -- is also set to improve broadband options in rural and suburban areas in coming years.
That's exciting news for rural areas, but what about more options in metro areas, where residents typically have the choice between a cable or fiber provider? Providers likeStarry Internet, which uses a fixed wireless network, already offer affordable, high-speed alternatives to the traditional established providers.
In short, I wouldn't look to the big providers and established technologies to bring new internet options to your area anytime soon. The exception here could be fiber internet, which has almost doubled its availability in the last five years. Fiber availability has only increased by 1 to 2% per year since 2018, indicating that fiber expansion is slowing.
Why is the internet in my area so slow?
Several factors can contribute to slow internet speeds, but if the internet in your area -- not just your home -- is slow, it's likely due to the technology. Satellite and DSL internet, common internet options in rural areas, are slower than most other connection types, typically maxing out at 25 to 100Mbps.
If you have cable or fiber internet service and your connection is consistently slow, it could be the result of using Wi-Fi, which can significantly reduce your actual, tested speeds compared to the speeds the provider is sending to your home. Resetting your router orupgrading to a new router could improve your Wi-Fi speeds. You may also consider upgrading your plan to a faster speed if available.Check out our guide on how to boost your Wi-Fi speeds at home.
What are the best internet deals or discounts for new customers?
New customers will often get the lowest introductory pricing, but other perks including gift cards and free installation may also be available. Verizon Fios has arguably the best bonus offers of any provider, although new customers can often score a gift card with AT&T, Frontier Fiber, WideOpenWest and other providers.
For a look at the most recent offers from top ISPs, check out our rundown ofthe best internet deals.
How do I set up my new internet service and how long does it take?
Most internet providers offer professional installation at no extra charge. Your installation expert will handle setting up your equipment and running any needed cables. Installation times can vary, but a routine installation should take an hour or two. When initial or extensive wiring is required, installation can take up to 4 hours or even longer to complete.
Select providers offerself-installation, allowing you to set up your equipment on your time and at your convenience. Installation instructions should be included with your equipment, but the process is typically little more than plugging in your router. Self-installation may take 30 minutes or less to complete. Call your provider’s technical support line for assistance if needed.
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