Most of the greater Chicago area has only two major options for broadband internet, but people living
near the shoreline—either in the Hyde Park area or around Wrigley Field—will have a few more.
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) defines broadband as internet service with at least 25 Mbps
download speed and at least 3 Mbps upload speed. Those speeds are enough for most internet activities,
including streaming video or playing games online.
“My At&t internet service is fast and reliable and they have been more than generous in giving me good deals in pricing my service.”
Willie Listenbee | Chicago, IL AT&T Customer 2014-10-17
Based on the latest available census data, 100% of Chicagoans have access to broadband internet. AT&T
and Xfinity offer broadband to most communities around Chicago. RCN and Atlantic Broadband also offer
broadband internet service to some neighborhoods close to Lake Michigan.
The provider WOW! also offers internet service in a few blocks around UIC (University of Illinois at
Chicago) and in areas north of O’Hare or south of Midway, as well as some of the western suburbs. If these
options don’t work for you, Viasat offers satellite internet service to nearly the entire Chicagoland
area.
Most of these providers also offer TV service, which means you can save when you bundle the two services
together. Even AT&T, the major internet provider for much of Chicago, offers discounts when you bundle
with DIRECTV.
Highest-Rated Internet Service Providers in Chicago
AT&T, Xfinity, and RCN all average 3.5 out of 5 stars for their respective internet services in our
customer reviews. All three ISPs also scored well in our 2018 independent customer satisfaction survey.
AT&T and Xfinity both earned overall customer satisfaction scores of 3.9 out of 5. RCN placed just ahead
of them and was the highest-rated ISP for overall customer satisfaction, scoring a 4 out of 5.
Despite Atlantic Broadband offering fast internet speeds, its customer scores are a little behind its
competitors, with an average of 3 out 5 stars. That’s not a bad score, but the other provider options in
Chicago are a bit higher.
Fastest Internet Service Providers in Chicago
Easy Internet Now offers internet at speeds up
to 5000 Mbps
99% available in 60643
DSL:
Cable:
Satellite:
Fiber:
