Local Internet Service Providers
Local ISPs
This guide provides an overview of the internet service providers (ISPs) that serve various metropolitan areas around the U.S. Not all types of internet service are available everywhere, so when you’re looking for an ISP, you need to know what’s accessible where you live. These pages are designed to help you with that.
There are several types of internet service, and each has its pros and cons.
Fiber internet transmits your data as blips of light inside thin optical cables. Fiber delivers fast downloads and uploads. Fiber also offers low latency, which is important for videoconferencing and online gaming. However, it’s not available everywhere and tends to be concentrated in larger cities. Best Fiber Internet Providers in 2021 goes into further detail.
Cable internet uses infrastructure built out decades ago for cable TV. As a result, it’s widely available in many parts of the U.S. It offers fast downloads up to about 940 Mbps, but slower uploads. See Best Cable Internet Providers in 2021 for more information.
Digital subscriber line (DSL) internet is an older technology that uses copper telephone lines. It’s slower than many other internet technologies, as explained in Best DSL Internet Providers in 2021. However, depending on where you live, it may offer the highest internet speeds available.
Internet protocol broadband (IBPP) is a hybrid service that uses fiber to route broadband to neighborhoods before using DSL to connect to individual homes. As a result, it’s faster than pure DSL but slower than 100% fiber internet.
Satellite internet uses satellites in geosynchronous orbit to beam internet data almost anywhere in the U.S. However, the long distances involved produce significant latency. See Best Satellite Internet Providers in 2021 for further explanation.
Fixed wireless uses radio waves transmitted by a cell tower to deliver broadband, allowing for more extensive coverage than wired services to homes within range of the broadband provider’s transmitters.
Top Internet Service Providers
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Xfinity from Comcast
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Connection TypeCable, Fiber
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Available Speed15 - 1,000 Mbps
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Verizon Fios
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Connection TypeFiber
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Available Speed200 - 950 Mbps
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Top StatesNew York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
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AT&T Internet
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Connection TypeDSL, Fiber, Fixed Wireless
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Available Speed25 - 1,000 Mbps
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Top StatesCalifornia, Texas, Florida
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Charter Spectrum
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Connection TypeCable
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Available Speed100 - 940 Mbpswireless speeds may vary
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Top StatesCalifornia, Texas, New York
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Cox Communications
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Connection TypeCable
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Available Speed10 - 1,000 Mbps
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Top StatesArizona, California, Virginia
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RCN
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Connection TypeCable
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Available Speed25 - 1,000 Mbps
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Top StatesNew York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania
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CenturyLink
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Connection TypeDSL, Fiber
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Available Speed20 - 1,000 Mbps
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Top StatesArizona, Colorado, Washington
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HughesNet
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Connection TypeSatellite
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Available Speed25 - 25 Mbps
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Top StatesCalifornia, Texas, New York
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Frontier Communications
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Connection TypeDSL, Fiber
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Available Speed9 - 100 Mbps
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Top StatesCalifornia, Florida, Connecticut
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Mediacom Cable
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Connection TypeCable
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Available Speed60 - 1,000 Mbps
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Top StatesIowa, Illinois, Georgia
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Viasat Internet (formerly Exede)
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Connection TypeSatellite
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Available Speed12 - 100 Mbps
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Top StatesCalifornia, Texas, New York
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Optimum by Altice
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Connection TypeCable, Fiber
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Available Speed300 - 1,000 Mbps
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Top StatesNew York, New Jersey, Connecticut
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Suddenlink Communications
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Connection TypeCable
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Available Speed100 - 1,000 Mbps
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Top StatesTexas, West Virginia, Louisiana
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National Broadband Availability Map
Internet Providers by State
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Alaska
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Arizona
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Arkansas
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California
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Colorado
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District of Columbia
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Florida
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Georgia
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Hawaii
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Illinois
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Indiana
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Maryland
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Michigan
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Missouri
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New York
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North Carolina
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Ohio
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Oregon
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Rhode Island
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Tennessee
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Texas
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Virginia
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Washington
360 Methodology for ISPs
We explain what matters when it comes to internet service by sourcing experts and professional reviewers. Then we provide an unbiased evaluation of internet service providers. Our goal is to empower consumers with the information and tools they need to make informed decisions. More information about our 360 Reviews methodology for evaluating internet service providers is available here.