Today, internet access is available in almost all parts of the US. FCC has taken into consideration the right to access information and communication. This has paved way for the growth of several internet service providers.

Every locality has existing regional monopolies. Apart from these, if you are searching for the fastest internet service providers in your area, you cannot ignore some of the magnificent ISPs such as HughesNet, Verizon, AT&T, Frontier, and Spectrum.

Dependency of the Speed of Internet on the Connection Type

Generally, the ISPs provide various types of connections, namely, cable, DSL, fiber optic, broadband, and wireless connections. The speed of the internet basically depends on the type of connection.

Cable internet would a good choice if you’re looking for a fast internet service for your home. For your small office, you may go in for a DSL connection. Fiber optic ISPs provide a higher speed compared to the DSL providers. So, fiber optic connections can be suitable for large offices.

Is Speed a Significant Factor to Rate an ISP?

The performance of the internet becomes a significant aspect when you rate your ISP. Its performance rating is based on the bytes per second that your data is going to travel from the internet to your office/home and vice versa. Thus speed comes into the picture.

In general, the download speed is higher compared to the upload speed. But even the download speed will not match up with the speed mentioned by the ISPs. Actually, the speed provided by the service provider is the maximum output that your connection will be able to provide until the last moment of your service.

Thus, if you are going to purchase a new connection, it becomes important to rate internet service providers in your area based on speed.

Fastest ISPs of the Year

Almost all the major internet service providers focus on providing good customer service as it forms the basis for any business. Let us discuss a few details about the reputed providers which make them unique in the market.

AT&T

Features: The unique feature of AT&T is its wide coverage. AT&T provides both DSL and fiber optic network services. It covers nearly 120 million people through its DSL network and yet another 11 million people through fiber optic network.

Reliability and speed are the other main features which make AT&T, one of the preferred ISPs.

Advantages: If you’re going to look for internet service providers in your area, definitely you’ll be able to locate AT&T as AT&T is present in almost all parts of the US.

With AT&T, it is easy to transfer your connection when you move. You need not have to switch over to another network as it has a wide coverage.

AT&T plans include the equipment.

Competition: Verizon Fios is one of the major internet service providers in the US which is also existing very closely in competition with AT&T.

AT&T tries to provide good speed and affordable price range to keep up its pace.

Pricing: AT&T offers competitive prices starting from $40 per month.

Xfinity

Features: Xfinity covers almost all big cities across 40 states in the US. The largest coverage district of Xfinity is Columbia.

Xfinity works well in terms of speed as well as service. Xfinity comes with a massive speed package of up to 2 Gbps. With Xfinity, you can choose your range of plans between 15 Mbps and 2000 Mbps based on your budget and requirements.

Advantages: A list of internet service providers in your area who provide offers with an agreement period will definitely include Xfinity.

At the same time, there are plans with no agreement options for standalone service. Such plans are available at very low prices.

As a sign of goodwill, Xfinity customers who sign in for Eco-bill payment while subscribing for the connection will get a $5 discount for 12 months.

Competition: Competitive prices and discounts help Xfinity stay in the hit list in the US.

With wide coverage and a very high speed fiber optic network, Xfinity finds its place amongst the major ISPs in the US.

Pricing: Xfinity provides very low budget base plans as well. There are several price ranges which fall at $39.99, $59.99, and so on per month. You can choose your plan based on your budget and requirement.

Verizon Fios

Features: Verizon Fios is under expansion throughout the US. Its network is already fully available in the northeast.

Since Verizon is a fiber optic connection provider, it can provide high speed internet service on par with the Gbps internet data service. Its speed varies between 50 and 1000 Mbps.

Advantages: With Verizon, you can get huge discounts for 2-year contract plans.

If you are going to get a plan and have it for a long time, it is better to opt for 2-year contract plans. This would help you avail a discount even up to $30 per month when it goes beyond a year.

Competition: If you’re looking for the best internet service providers in your area, you can clearly have Verizon in the list. Even if you can’t see Verizon’s fiber optic service in your area, you can still find Verizon’s DSL service.

Pricing: If you’re going to look out for pocket friendly internet service providers in your area, you can get budget plans from Verizon.

Cox

Features: If you’re going to search for reliable internet service providers in your area, you cannot miss out Cox. Cox has also been trying to improve its coverage across the US.

When you prefer doing heavy browsing or gaming activities, you might require high speed internet service. Cox can provide you with a high speed ranging from 50 Mbps to 500 Mbps.

Advantages: Cox is a cable based internet service provider. So, it can provide higher speed compared to DSL services.

Cox offers a range of bundle offers to choose from. Cox is able to provide a steady internet connection. This provides an opportunity to have a refreshing gaming activity, view videos, and many more with ease.

Cox provides antivirus and free security features for internet plans. Free installation services are also provided in case of availing certain packages.

Competition:

Cox provides a range of plans through its cable internet service. As it is able to provide a reliable cable internet service, good download speed, and free security software, it is able to place itself in the top list of internet service providers in the US.

Pricing: Cox communications starts its price range from $30 a month.

Frontier

Features: If you’re going to search for one of the best direct internet service providers for your home, then you can opt for Frontier. Frontier can provide a direct connection to your home and you can get up to 115 Mbps.

Frontier has expanded across seven states of the US, you can obtain a reliable high speed data service with it.

Advantages: Frontier offers the best plans for casual and regular users as well as high-end users. It is suitable for browsing, video chatting, Heavy HD streaming, and song downloading and best for multi-device use.

Customers have the benefit of availing free equipment and installation facilities. There are no contract plans as well in Frontier.

Competition: Frontier engages itself in handling several strategies to overcome its competition and stand unique in the market. The strategies include providing competitively low pricing plans, free equipment, and installation charges, and a high speed range.

Pricing: Based on the speed required and number of devices you are going to connect, you can choose a range of prices.

Spectrum – Cable and Fiber Optic Connection Provider

Features: Spectrum provides both cable and fiber optic connections. Spectrum can offer high speed data sufficient enough to watch movies and songs, play games, browse and do many more.

With Spectrum, one of the upcoming internet service providers in your area, you can be sure to get an internet speed ranging from 100 Mbps to 940 Mbps.

Advantage: Spectrum offers several no-contract plans. This helps the customers to easily try Spectrum without signing for any contract period.

Competition: Spectrum gives generous contract buyout options to the customers who leave other providers and avail Spectrum for some or other reason. They give such customers with discounts and offers like free installation, free Wi-Fi setup, and many more.

Pricing: Spectrum also offers plans with competitive to low prices compared to other major service providers in their areas of operation.

Let’s Compare the Major ISPs

ISP Price Connection Type Download Speed In Mbps Contract Period
AT&T Starting from $40 per month DSL and Fiber-Optic DSL: 50 to 100
Fiber: 100 to 1,000
One year
Xfinity Starting from $19.99 per month Cable and Fiber-Optic Cable: 10 to 350
Fiber: 1,000 to 2,000
One year
Verizon Fios Starting from $39.99 per month DSL and Fiber-Optic DSL: 0.5 to 15
Fiber: 100 to 940
Nil
Cox Starting from $29.99 per month Cable Cable: 10 to 1,000 Nil
Frontier Starting from $20 per month DSL and Fiber-Optic DSL: 6 to 25
Fiber: 50 to 500
Nil
Spectrum Starting from $44.99 per month Cable Cable: 100 to 940 Nil

 

High Speed Satellite based Internet Service Providers

If you’re residing in an area where there is no fiber optic or DSL ISPs, you can still have access to the internet. It’s possible through the satellite internet service.

The satellite based internet service is slightly slower than the cable and fiber optic networks.

Viasat internet is one of the best high speed satellite based internet service providers in the US. Viasat is capable of providing a speed of up to 100 Mbps. The speed range for various plans ranges between 12 Mbps to 100 Mbps.

ISPs Operating in Various localities in the US

Apart from some of the major internet service providers, let’s take a look at some of the ISPs familiar in various regions across the US. If you search for the best internet service providers in your area, you can find some of the familiar names in your region.

Users in the northeastern US can obtain access to the internet through the ISPs Optimum, RCN, and Mediacom along with Verizon and AT&T.

ISPs providing a good speed internet service in midwest includes Google Fiber, Mediacom, and RCN along with AT&T and Xfinity.

Few ISPs providing the fastest internet service in South includes Google Fiber, Grande, and RCN along with Verizon and AT&T.

High Speed ISPs in West includes Google Fiber and Optimum along with the giants AT&T, Xfinity, and Cox.

Conclusive Thoughts

Thanks to the internet and internet service providers, who have improved the communication facilities and made this world a small one. Having discussed about the fastest internet service providers in your area, you can easily choose the right one suitable to your pocket and requirements, which is of no doubt.