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Internet providers in Madison, WI

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1. AT&T
84% available in Madison
Connection:
DSL & Fiber
Download speeds up to
5000Mbps
2. Spectrum
100% available in Madison
Connection:
Cable
Download speeds up to
1000Mbps
(wireless speeds may vary)

Speed based on wired connection and may vary by address. Wireless speeds may vary. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.

3. T-Mobile Home Internet
99% available in Madison
Connection:
5G Home
Download speeds up to
182Mbps

Eligible new customers get a $50 Virtual Prepaid Mastercard®

4. EarthLink
84% available in Madison
Connection:
Fiber
Download speeds up to
5000Mbps

User Rating(68)

Ranked #1 by highspeedinternet.com customer satisfaction for 2021 & 2022

5. Quantum Fiber
99% available in Madison
Connection:
Fiber
Download speeds up to
940Mbps
6. Frontier
47% available in Madison
Connection:
DSL
Download speeds up to
Speeds may vary
7. Brightspeed
99% available in Madison
Connection:
DSL & Fiber
Download speeds up to
1000Mbps
8. HughesNet
99% available in Madison
Connection:
Geo Satellite & Satellite
Download speeds up to
25Mbps

User Rating(213)

Order now and receive a $100 Prepaid Mastercard® via rebate. offer expires 5/31/23.

9. Viasat
99% available in Madison
Connection:
Satellite
Download speeds up to
100Mbps
10. Easy Internet Now
95% available in Madison
Easy Internet Now
Connection:
Fiber
Download speeds up to
5000Mbps
Link not provided
11. TDS Telecom
64% available in Madison
Connection:
Cable, DSL, Fiber & Other Copper Wireline
Download speeds up to
1000Mbps
12. LiteWire Internet Services, Inc.
65% available in Madison
Connection:
Fixed Wireless
Download speeds up to
35Mbps
13. Unlimitedville
99% available in Madison
Connection:
LTE Home
Download speeds up to
99Mbps
1. Spectrum
100% available in Madison
Connection:
Cable
Download speeds up to
1000Mbps
(wireless speeds may vary)

Speed based on wired connection and may vary by address. Wireless speeds may vary. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.

2. Frontier
80% available in Madison
Connection:
DSL
Download speeds up to
Speeds may vary
3. HughesNet
99% available in Madison
Connection:
Geo Satellite & Satellite
Download speeds up to
25Mbps

User Rating(213)

Order now and receive a $100 Prepaid Mastercard® via rebate. offer expires 5/31/23.

4. Viasat
99% available in Madison
Connection:
Satellite
Download speeds up to
100Mbps
5. Easy Internet Now
95% available in Madison
Easy Internet Now
Connection:
Fiber
Download speeds up to
5000Mbps
Link not provided
6. Ooma
50% available in Madison
Connection:
Wireless LTE
Download speeds up to
100Mbps
7. TDS Telecom
64% available in Madison
Connection:
Cable, DSL, Fiber & Other Copper Wireline
Download speeds up to
1000Mbps
8. LiteWire Internet Services, Inc.
65% available in Madison
Connection:
Fixed Wireless
Download speeds up to
65Mbps
9. Unlimitedville
99% available in Madison
Connection:
LTE Home
Download speeds up to
99Mbps
1. T-Mobile
Available in Madison
Connection:
Mobile
T-Mobile
4GLTE

User Rating
2. Verizon Wireless
Available in Madison
Connection:
Mobile
Verizon Wireless
4GLTE

User Rating
3. AT&T Wireless
Available in Madison
Connection:
Mobile
AT&T Wireless
5G

User Rating
4. Mint
Available in Madison
Connection:
Mobile
Mint
4GLTE

User Rating
5. Visible
Available in Madison
Connection:
Mobile
Visible
4GLTE

User Rating

What’s a good internet speed?

Take our quiz to find out how much internet speed you need. Or use our internet speed test to test your current speeds.

0–5 Mbps

Works for:

  • Checking email
  • Streaming music on one device
  • Searching on Google

5–40 Mbps

Works for:

  • Streaming video on one device
  • Video calling with Skype or FaceTime
  • Online gaming for one player

40–100 Mbps

Works for:

  • Streaming HD video on a few devices
  • Multiplayer online gaming
  • Downloading large files

100–500 Mbps

Works for:

  • Streaming video in UHD on multiple screens
  • Downloading files quickly
  • Gaming online for multiple players

500–1,000+ Mbps

Works for:

  • Doing a lot of almost anything

What is the best internet provider in Madison?

Of the 14 internet providers in Madison, AT&T is the best internet provider in terms of speed. It boasts a wide range of fiber-optic plans, including one with maximum download speeds of 5 Gbps (5,000 Mbps). Spectrum comes in second because it gives you unlimited data and doesn’t require annual contracts. It offers gigabit internet in many parts of the city and surrounding suburbs with its Internet GIG package, which tops out at 940 Mbps.

Want to see if you can get AT&T in your home? Find out by searching your zip code below.

Other Wi-Fi service providers in Wisconsin

Madison has several locally based providers that will be a good pick if you value great customer service and supporting your community.

There are also satellite internet providers in Madison that can give you internet if you’re living in a rural area with no other internet options.

Local providers LiteWire and Netwurx market Wi-Fi specifically to businesses and people living in the countryside. A local ISP usually means better customer service since they have a bigger stake in serving the community.

That said, both of these providers tend to have higher billing rates and lower speeds compared to national ISPs, so check other options before going with these companies.

Viasat and HughesNet hold it down with satellite connections in rural areas. Satellite is basically the Wi-Fi of last resort, and it’s less reliable than fiber, cable, or DSL. It will likely be patchy on occasion in Wisconsin, where heavy snowfalls and other winter conditions will interfere with the signal beaming down from space. We recommend choosing this only if there are no other options in your area.

Summary of Madison internet providers

Provider Type Download speeds up to User rating Order online
AT&T DSL & Fiber 5000 Mbps 3.5/5 View Plans for AT&T
Spectrum Cable 1000 Mbps
(wireless speeds may vary)
3.5/5 View Plans for Spectrum
T-Mobile Home Internet 5G Home 182 Mbps 3.5/5 View Plans for T-Mobile Home Internet
EarthLink Fiber 5000 Mbps 4.0/5 View Plans for EarthLink
Quantum Fiber Fiber 940 Mbps 4.1/5 View Plans for Quantum Fiber
Frontier DSL N/A 3.5/5 View Plans for Frontier
Brightspeed DSL & Fiber 1000 Mbps 1.0/5 View Plans for Brightspeed
HughesNet Geo Satellite & Satellite 25 Mbps 3/5 View Plans for HughesNet
Viasat Satellite 100 Mbps 3/5 View Plans for Viasat
Easy Internet Now Fiber 5000 Mbps 4.5/5
TDS Telecom Cable, DSL, Fiber & Other Copper Wireline 1000 Mbps 2.0/5 View Plans for TDS Telecom
LiteWire Internet Services, Inc. Fixed Wireless 35 Mbps N/A View Plans for LiteWire Internet Services, Inc.
Unlimitedville LTE Home 99 Mbps N/A View Plans for Unlimitedville

Availability and speeds displayed are not guaranteed and are subject to change.

Technology Type

DSL:

DSL provides internet service via phone cables and is up to ten times faster than dial-up service.

Cable:

Cable provides internet speeds faster than DSL through the same cables used for cable TV.

Satellite:

Satellite internet is widely available, but offers slower speeds due to a far-traveling signal.

Fiber:

Fiber relies on glass strands to relay digital code and is much faster than both DSL and cable.

What is the fastest internet provider in Madison?

AT&T is the fastest internet provider in Madison. AT&T’s 5G Internet plan delivers internet at 5,000 Mbps (or 5 Gbps)—that’s the fastest speed you can get on a residential plan from a major internet provider. EarthLink has similar speeds (albeit in more limited areas) because it uses AT&T’s fiber network.

Frontier is also a fast internet provider in Madison, with a fiber plan that reaches up to 5,000 Mbps speeds. It’s unclear how widely available that plan is in the city, though, so we recommend sticking to gigabit plans from providers like Spectrum and CenturyLink. Both offer plans that reach speeds up to 940 Mbps (CenturyLink) or 1,000 Mbps (Spectrum).

If you’re looking for sheer speed, we definitely recommend AT&T. Most of its plans run over a fiber network, giving you a lot more reliability and incredibly fast upload speeds. But Spectrum’s cable internet is more widely available, and you can still get great service on a cable plan.

Fastest internet providers in Madison

ProviderMax speedsInternet typeView plans
AT&T 5,000 MbpsFiberView Plans
EarthLink 5,000 MbpsFiberView Plans
Frontier 5,000 MbpsFiberView Plans
Spectrum 1,000 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary)CableView Plans
CenturyLink 940 MbpsFiberView Plans
Quantum Fiber 940 MbpsFiberView Plans

Looking for an easy way to test and track your internet speed anywhere?

Download our free, easy-to-use speed test app for quick and reliable results.

 

 

 

 

What is the cheapest internet provider in Madison?

Spectrum, EarthLink, Frontier, and AT&T are the cheapest internet providers in Madison. All three have internet plans that cost around $50 per month. AT&T’s lower tier fiber plan is the best of the bunch because it gives you speeds of up to 300 Mbps over a fiber network for $55 per month, whereas the other plans can’t surpass 100 Mbps and likely are much slower because they work over cable and DSL.

Cheapest internet plans in Madison

PlanPriceSpeedsView plan
EarthLink 15 Mbps Internet$49.95/mo.*15 MbpsView Plans
Spectrum Internet®$49.99/mo.Up to 300 MbpsView Plans
Frontier Internet (DSL)$49.99/mo.Call for detailsView Plans
AT&T Fiber Internet 300$55.00/mo.300 MbpsView Plans
HSI badge deals

Internet Deals and Promotions in Madison, WI

ProviderAvailable DealView on Provider’s Site
AT&T Order a fiber internet plan to get a reward card worth $100 or $150. You get the $100 card with the 300 Mbps and 500 plans and the $150 card with the gigabit plan or faster.Get the Deal
Spectrum Get a free, 90-day trial of Peacock Premium when you sign up for a qualifying internet plan.Get the Deal
Frontier Get $10/mo. off YouTube TV for one year on all fiber plans. Terms and Conditions apply.Get the Deal
EarthLink EarthLink's fiber plans include unlimited data without an extra fee.Get the Deal
CenturyLink Get your modem and installation at no extra cost when you sign up for CenturyLink’s gigabit fiber plan.Get the Deal
T-Mobile Home Internet Get a $50 Virtual Prepaid MasterCard when you sign up for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. New customers can also get a one-year subscription to ViX+ for free and up to $750 in early termination fees.Get the Deal
HughesNet Get $25 off a month for six months on select plans. Offer excludes 15 GB plan and a 24-month commitment is requiredGet the Deal
Viasat Get a $300 VISA prepaid card and up to $300 off on a qualifying satellite internet plan.Get the Deal

What are the fiber internet providers in Madison?

AT&T, EarthLink, Frontier, CenturyLink, and Quantum Fiber are the fiber internet providers in Madison. AT&T is the most prominent of the bunch, with the best pricing, plans, and speeds (reaching up to 5,000 Mbps).

Most of these providers also offer DSL internet, which is more widely available but a lot slower. By comparison, fiber is extremely fast, reliable, and cheap—and we highly recommend signing up if you can get fiber in your area.

Fiber providers in Madison

Highest-rated internet providers in Madison

EarthLink gets the best rankings for national providers in our annual customer satisfaction survey. EarthLink comes in first for overall satisfaction, customer service, and price.

Among regionally-available providers, T-Mobile‘s 5G Home Internet actually performed better than than EarthLink, scoring We included this boutique service in the regional category because it has a smaller nationwide footprint. But T-Mobile customers gave it top-two billing for speed, reliability, customer service, and price.

AT&T and Spectrum tie for second place for overall satisfaction among the 13 national Wi-Fi providers. Spectrum got particularly high scores for speed, while AT&T got third place for price and otherwise performed above average.

Run a search with your zip code to see which providers are available in your corner of Madtown.

How much speed do you need?

Take a quick quiz to decide what speeds are best for your household

Wanna know more? Check out these internet resources.

AT&T vs. Spectrum: Which Internet Provider Is Best for You?

AT&T is perfect for speed demons who don’t want to pay too much. Spectrum offers a faster average speed over its coverage area, thanks to extensive cable infrastructure.

Read more about AT&T vs. Spectrum: Which Internet Provider Is Best for You?

Spectrum vs. Frontier

If it’s Spectrum vs. Frontier, go with Frontier. Frontier’s fiber-optic internet offers speeds fast enough for any home, and the 50/50 and 500/500 plans are a great value.

Read more about Spectrum vs. Frontier

Cable vs. Fiber: Which Internet Type Is Right for You?

Both fiber and cable internet are common types of broadband internet, but which connection is right for you?

Read more about Cable vs. Fiber: Which Internet Type Is Right for You?

Madison residential internet coverage

AT&T and Spectrum both operate the largest networks in Madison and the surrounding suburbs of Dane County. AT&T provides DSL and fiber connections across downtown and the Madison Isthmus, out to distant neighborhoods like Cardinal Glenn and McClellan Park, and further into northeast and southeast Dane County.

Spectrum’s cable network is even more widespread, covering the whole city as well as suburbs like Sun Prairie and Fitchburg. It also provides internet in smaller villages and towns in the outskirts of the county.

Frontier‘s DSL network covers parts of Madison, including areas along the Southwest Commuter Path and around the intersection of Verona Road and the West Beltline Highway. Frontier’s network also stretches out across Dane County going north, south, and east—from the city of Monona out to Deerfield, Oregon, and parts of DeForest.

CenturyLink doesn’t cover the city limits, nor parts of popular suburbs like McFarland or Middleton. But it does pop up in the villages of DeForest, Waunakee, Windsor, and other areas north of Lake Mendota.

Viasat and HughesNet hook up satellite internet to rural areas—though, by the looks of it, rural internet users will likely also find coverage by much faster (and cheaper) DSL or cable networks.

Type in your zip code below to see which internet providers are available in your neighborhood.

How to get free internet (Wi-Fi) in Madison

For folks who can’t afford high-end internet packages or need free Wi-Fi away from home, there’s free, high-speed internet at nine public libraries across the city. The connections are available wirelessly and from library computers.

The city also provides fiber-optic service at 14 community and cultural centers, including the Goodman Community Center on Madison’s east side and Boys & Girls Clubs branches in Bram’s Addition and Fitchburg. This is a great way to provide the fastest connections possible to the people of Madison, especially in underserved areas.

Internet Provider Availability

Click to Activate Interactive Map

Learn more about AT&T

Learn more about Spectrum

Learn more about T-Mobile Home Internet

Learn more about EarthLink

Learn more about Quantum Fiber

Learn more about Frontier

Learn more about Brightspeed

Learn more about HughesNet

Learn more about Viasat

Learn more about Easy Internet Now

Learn more about TDS Telecom

Learn more about LiteWire Internet Services, Inc.

Learn more about Unlimitedville

Internet provider stores in Madison

Select a provider

Customer reviews of internet providers in Madison

Featured customer reviews

Spectrum

“The service was good—a little expensive but good. Once I hit the second year of service, my bill went up an extra $20 a month.”

–Heather R.

actual customer Verified User

AT&T

“AT&T has provided us with the worst customer service experience of my life. Nine months now of ongoing phone calls.”

–Matt T.

 

Frontier

“Great product at a good price. I have the High Speed Internet and run multiple devices wireless.”

–Mark B.

 

Madison internet FAQ

Who has the best home internet service in Madison, Wisconsin?

Earthlink has the fastest speeds and the best ratings in terms of customer satisfaction for home internet in Madison, Wisconsin. AT&T’s higher-tier packages, however, run over fiber-optic cables, a big improvement on DSL networks and even better than cable connections like Spectrum and Xfinity. If you’re looking for fast, reliable internet in Madison, go for AT&T and CenturyLink if you can get their fiber service. Otherwise, EarthLink might be a slightly better choice.

Who has the cheapest internet in Madison, Wisconsin?

Spectrum has the cheapest internet plan in Madison, Wisconsin—its most basic package delivers costs under $50 per month for 300Mbps of download speeds.

What internet providers are available in my area of Madison?

There are 14 internet providers available in the Madison, Wisconsin area. AT&T has DSL and fiber internet in the city and surrounding suburbs. Spectrum offers internet plans over a coaxial cable network.

Frontier provides DSL internet in much of the city and Dane County. CenturyLink does DSL and fiber internet in some areas north of Lake Mendota. 

Two providers, HughesNet and Viasat, offer satellite internet. Local internet providers LiteWire, Netwurx, and a few others offer internet for businesses and rural homes.

Customer reviews of internet providers in Madison

Spectrum

Overall:
Service:
Pricing:
Speed:

M N | 09-03-2021

Verified User

Spectrum's internet speed was fine. Adequate, but nothing special. Spectrum consistently raised the price of my internet for no reason. The real reason for such a low review is their awful customer service. When I cancelled my account due to moving, they would not cancel it, and the rep took no notes of my call in their system. So when I called again, they said they cancelled it then, but didn't actually cancel it until I returned my equipment, which was into another billing cycle. Then they were entirely useless in talking to me about my dispute of the billing, which was entirely their fault. I can't recommend Spectrum to anyone.

Was this review helpful? Yes 4 No 0

AT&T

Overall:
Service:
Pricing:
Speed:

Matthew P | 05-30-2019

Customer Service is horrible; was on hold and between calls to do one thing for over a hour. When I first got the service, they charged me a fee to install the internet but I installed it myself. They claimed they were going to give me a gift card and never did. I had to call them and remind them to take it off my account.

Was this review helpful? Yes 73 No 1

Spectrum

Overall:
Service:
Speed:

Luis R | 12-27-2014

The service is ok, speed is not what the promised, they charge a monthly fee if you want a router, not the best but ok. I used to have att but it was worse, too expensive, slow and bad service

Was this review helpful? Yes 37 No 8
    WI    Madison