
We’ve done the research for you.
HighSpeedInternet.com makes it easy to find the best internet in your area—no matter where you live. You can find the most affordable prices and fastest Wi-Fi speeds for your address—just run a search with our zip tool above to see which internet service providers (ISPs) are available.
From there, you can easily compare internet availability, speeds, features, customer reviews, expert ratings, and more between providers. With over 1,200 high-speed internet providers in our database, you’re sure to find the best internet option in your neighborhood.
Below you’ll find national internet service statistics, FAQs, and general provider information to help you in your search for excellent internet and Wi-Fi service in your area.
Internet availability—what internet can you get?
You can usually get multiple types of internet in your area, ranging from affordable DSL plans to ultrafast cable packages to deluxe fiber deals with equal upload and download speeds. However, the specifics depend on which ISPs are providing service where you live and what options they have for plans, prices, and speeds.
Provider | No. of states w/ service | % of US population served | Main service areas | See plans |
---|---|---|---|---|
Verizon | 10 | 18% | East Coast | View Plans for Verizon |
AT&T | 21 | 45% | California, Texas, Midwest, South | View Plans for AT&T |
Spectrum | 42 | 39% | East Coast, West Coast, South, Midwest | View Plans for Spectrum |
Xfinity | 40 | 40% | East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, South | View Plans for Xfinity |
WOW! | 9 | 3% | South, Midwest | View Plans for WOW! |
Optimum | 4 | 5% | East Coast | View Plans for Optimum |
CenturyLink | 36 | 20% | South, Midwest, Intermountain West | View Plans for CenturyLink |
Mediacom | 37 | 5% | Midwest, South | View Plans for Mediacom |
EarthLink | 49 | 71% | East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, South | View Plans for EarthLink |
Windstream | 18 | 3% | South, East Coast | View Plans for Windstream |
RCN | 8 | 3% | Urban areas in Midwest and East Coast | View Plans for RCN |
Cox Communications | 28 | 9% | West Coast, Southwest, South | View Plans for Cox Communications |
Frontier | 29 | 16% | East Coast, Midwest, Intermountain West | View Plans for Frontier |
Suddenlink Communications | 20 | 4% | South, Southwest | View Plans for Suddenlink Communications |
Sparklight | 25 | 2% | South, Southwest, Midwest | View Plans for Sparklight |
HughesNet | 50 | 100% | Rural areas | View Plans for Hughesnet |
Viasat | 50 | 100% | Rural areas | View Plans for Viasat |
What is the fastest available internet in my area?
Google Fiber and Xfinity have the fastest available internet in most parts of the United States. Both providers have fiber internet plans that deliver mind-bending speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps. No other internet provider in the country can top these speeds.
Xfinity is also one of the country’s largest internet providers, with a network in 40 states that’s capable of serving 40% of the US population.
If you don’t have Google Fiber or Xfinity where you live, then the fastest internet available in your area will most likely come from EarthLink, which is available in 49 states to 71% of the US population. EarthLink offers both DSL and fiber internet, with plans that top out at 1,000 Mbps—which is incredibly fast and will do wonders for most internet users.
AT&T and Spectrum also have robust networks that each cover dozens of states. And both of these ISPs are also capable of delivering 1,000 Mbps speeds on certain plans. However, you can’t always get the top internet speeds where you live, so you’ll want to make sure to run a search to get a more specific list of which internet providers and plans are available in your area.
Types of nationwide internet service providers
DSL
A digital subscriber line (DSL) connection delivers a connection over your home phone line, but it’s much faster than old-school dial-up. It’s usually the cheapest option you can get. But it has limited speeds, topping out at around 100 Mbps, and some DSL providers are now pivoting to focus on newer technologies like fiber.
Pros
- Affordable package options
- Widely available service
Cons
- Limited upload and download speeds
- Weaker connection when far away from an ISP’s central office
Cable
Cable internet uses the same coaxial cable lines that deliver cable television, making it easy to bundle with TV. It’s capable of fast speeds and is available in most neighborhoods, though you may experience area-wide slowdowns during peak hours.
Pros
- Fast download speeds
- Widely available
Cons
- Limited upload speeds
- Slower speeds during high-traffic times
Fiber
Fiber-optic internet flashes light through glass fibers to relay digital information. Its superfast upload and download speeds are unprecedented because fiber enables an extremely efficient signal. But its availability remains limited because it’s so expensive to build fiber infrastructure.
Pros
- Ultrafast download speeds
- Phenomenal upload speeds
Cons
- Limited availability
- More expensive than other connection types
Satellite
Satellite internet uses transmitters orbiting Earth to beam wireless signals to subscribers on the ground. It’s capable of decent speeds and is widely available, making it a great option for rural areas. The only downside is the long transmission distance means slower speeds and more lag. Also most satellite providers put strict limits on your data usage.
Next generation satellite providers—including Starlink, Project Kuiper, and OneWeb— will have lower orbits, which means lower latency and faster, fiber-like speeds, allowing them to compete more evenly with other ISPs.
Pros
- Widely available, even in rural areas
- Good customer service
Cons
- Unavoidable lag
- Data restrictions
5G and 4G LTE
5G and 4G LTE internet uses cellular networks and fixed-wireless connections to give you fast speeds at a good price. These forms of internet technology are relatively new, so availability is limited, but they could offer an excellent alternative to fiber and cable as they grow in popularity. Most providers with 5G and 4G internet services give you a break on extra fees too, including unlimited data and a router at no extra cost.
Pros
- Fast speeds
- Affordable prices
Cons
- Extremely limited availability
- Unpredictable speeds
Fixed wireless
Fixed wireless operates over radio waves, sending a wireless signal directly to an antenna set up in your home. This relatively obscure technology is mostly popular in rural areas where you have few other options. It’s also the backbone of 5G home internet.
Pros
- Fast download speeds
- Cutting-edge technology
Cons
- Limited availability
- Unfamiliar technology
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