How to Know What Internet Providers Are in My Area
Finding the best net service provider near you starts with narrowing downwards the available ISPs in your expanse. That'due south non always piece of cake, as internet availability often varies by ZIP code and even by accost. Depending on where you live, you may have fiber, cable, DSL or other internet options available from a variety of providers.
And so how practice you lot observe internet service in your area? Hopefully this folio will help. The Internet access provider search tool beneath uses proprietary engineering to find internet providers in your area and the plans they offer (it also powers the offers in a higher place, showing which are available in your ZIP code). Further downwards the page, y'all'll discover a broader overview of net availability and lots of maps from the Federal Communications Commission to shed further light on where the top ISPs offer service.
We did some Internet service provider availability research for y'all
Well, I should say our technology did some ISP availability inquiry for you lot. The ISP search tool identifies your general location and so runs a search through our database to render results of internet providers near you lot. It's not perfect, though, so if the displayed ZIP code is a little off, or if you're moving to a new location and desire to check out your options ahead of time, just modify the Nothing to prompt a new search with updated results.
We ask for a Goose egg code to ensure we're providing the near accurate results of internet providers in your surface area, and that's it. Our coin is made from advertising and partnerships with the providers, non your data.
Net provider availability overview
ISP availability is always changing, which is why the FCC updates provider data twice per year (see CNET's breakdown of the latest FCC information by Ry Crist). It'south this data that we use to determine available net providers in your area and the technologies they use.
Top internet providers by availability
- EarthLink: Available in 36 states, 63% nationwide coverage
- AT&T: Available in 21 states, 41% nationwide coverage
- Xfinity: Available in 39 states, 36% nationwide coverage
- Spectrum: Available in 41 states, 33% nationwide coverage
- Verizon: Available in 9 states, 17% nationwide coverage
- CenturyLink: Available in 36 states, 17% nationwide coverage
- Frontier: Available in 25 states, 11% nationwide coverage
- Cox: Bachelor in xviii states, seven% nationwide coverage
- Altice brands: Available in 21 states, half dozen% nationwide coverage
- Rise Broadband: Bachelor in 16 states, 6% nationwide coverage
- Windstream: Bachelor in eighteen states, 3% nationwide coverage
- Mediacom: Available in 22 states, 2% nationwide coverage
There'due south a practiced chance i or more of the providers listed above are available in your area. Yous'll discover detailed data about each provider's availability and network below.
EarthLink
Combined coverage areas brand for the all-time not-satellite availability
FCC/Mapbox
Bated from satellite internet providers HughesNet and Viasat, which are available throughout the US, EarthLink has the greatest availability of whatsoever Isp. Roughly 200 1000000 people, or around 63% of the U.s. population, are serviceable for EarthLink thanks to the provider's unique approach to delivering service. Instead of running cobweb, coaxial or DSL lines to homes, EarthLink uses the networks of other major providers, such as AT&T, CenturyLink and Frontier, to offer internet service. As a issue, EarthLink essentially boasts the availability of multiple providers combined, shown in the map above.
Partnering with other providers gives EarthLink an advantage when it comes to availability, only it also means that the connectedness type and speeds EarthLink tin can offering are at the mercy of the partnered provider. In the majority of service areas, EarthLink uses a DSL network, which has more speed volatility than virtually any other connection blazon. In others, even so, EarthLink offers fiber optic service and speeds up to i,000Mbps.
Read our EarthLink review.
AT&T
Best fiber and DSL coverage throughout the South, Midwest and California
FCC/Mapbox
AT&T is the second most widely available net provider (excluding satellite) in the Usa. AT&T internet may be available near you if y'all alive in or are moving to the S or Midwest, as well every bit parts of California, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Nevada.
Much of AT&T's network is DSL-based and can offer speeds of 75Mbps or higher depending on your location. Effectually 30% of those in AT&T service areas will be eligible for fiber and have admission to gigabit speeds -- download speeds of 1,000Mbps are available in more than 99% of AT&T fiber service areas.
AT&T Domicile Net
Xfinity
Available to more than a 3rd of U.s.a. residents coast to coast
FCC/Mapbox
Xfinity is the largest cable internet provider in the US, extending broadband service to more a third of residents. Xfinity may be available in your area if you live in the mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest or forth the West Coast, simply random pockets of serviceability tin be found in much of the Southward as well every bit parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
Xfinity largely employs a cable network for service. By largely, I mean 99.98% is cablevision or a cable/fiber hybrid by the FCC's numbers. While Xfinity does advertise a fiber network and 2-gig plans with some locations now eligible for 3-gig speeds, availability is super deficient, to the tune of 0.02% of Xfinity service areas.
Xfinity Internet
Spectrum
Second-largest cable ISP with high availability in the E
FCC/Mapbox
Spectrum is the second-largest cable provider in the US behind Xfinity, covering more than than a third of the population across 41 states. Though the two providers encompass nearly 70% of United states households combined, there is little to no overlap in serviceability every bit Spectrum mainly operates in areas where Xfinity does not.
Since Spectrum covers so many states, there's a possibility that y'all could be eligible for service just nigh anywhere, even Hawaii, only those on the E Coast or in the Midwest are most probable to find Spectrum internet to exist bachelor.
Like Xfinity, Spectrum by and large employs a cable or cablevision/fiber network with few true cobweb connections available (less than 1% of service areas are eligible for fiber service). Spectrum makes good use of its cable network, notwithstanding, every bit gigabit download speeds are bachelor in 99.98% of service areas.
Spectrum Internet
Verizon
Excellent coverage in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
FCC/Mapbox
Verizon Fios and Verizon Home Internet (its DSL service) cover much of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. Though service is only available in nine states, Verizon still covers an impressive 17% of US residents, thanks largely to the provider's all-encompassing fiber coverage in cities such as Baltimore, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Verizon also offers stock-still wireless service in select rural areas beyond the United states of america, only the provider's primary service areas are reserved to the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.
Nearly 2-thirds of Verizon'south network is cobweb, which is a higher fiber percentage than y'all'll find from just most any major provider. With such a large cobweb network, Verizon is capable of delivering fast upload and download speeds to more than than 37 million people. The remaining third of those who are eligible for Verizon net will have access to the provider'south DSL service, which cannot offering broadband speeds in any location, according to the FCC.
Verizon Fios
CenturyLink
Coverage in more states than any DSL or fiber provider
FCC/Mapbox
CenturyLink is bachelor in 36 states merely but to 16% of the The states population, implying that the provider largely operates in rural or suburban areas. There are some major cities, such every bit Denver, Minneapolis, Common salt Lake City and Seattle; otherwise, look for CenturyLink to exist bachelor just outside the city.
If you live in a metropolis where CenturyLink is available, there's a expert chance you'll be eligible for fiber service as effectually a quarter of CenturyLink'due south network is cobweb. More than than 75% of CenturyLink customers will have access to DSL service, but CenturyLink does a good job of delivering relatively fast speeds over its DSL network. The FCC reports effectually sixty% of DSL customers can go broadband speeds, and more than than 27% tin can get speeds of 100Mbps or higher.
CenturyLink
Borderland Communications
In 25 states, with fiber coverage to 18 of them
FCC/Mapbox
Frontier Communications lost a chunk of its network after selling cobweb and DSL lines in the Pacific Northwest to Ziply Fiber in 2020, only the provider is still i of the largest fiber and DSL providers, covering effectually a 10th of US residents beyond 25 states. Frontier serviceability is greatest in the Midwest, but there's also a good chance Borderland is available in your surface area if you alive in California, Connecticut, upstate New York or Due west Virginia.
Frontier has fabricated an endeavor to increase its fiber coverage in recent years. The provider remained at around 33% fiber coverage from December 2019 to Dec 2020, in spite of losing all fiber networks in the Pacific Northwest, indicating that cobweb availability is improving in other areas. If Borderland cobweb service has non yet reached your surface area, DSL may be a plausible broadband selection. Speeds of 25Mbps or higher are bachelor to effectually a third of customers, while eleven% of those in Frontier service areas tin can become speeds of 100Mbps or college.
Frontier Communications
Cox Communications
Large presence in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Phoenix and San Diego
FCC/Mapbox
Cox Communications is the third largest cable provider in the US, only overall availability is far lower than Xfinity and Spectrum, covering less than 7% of residents across eighteen states. Cox is most probable to be available in your expanse if you live in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, San Diego or anywhere in the state of Rhode Island.
Like with Xfinity and Spectrum, cable or cable/fiber makes up the majority of the Cox network, just the provider does avowal a larger fiber network at 5% coverage. Download speeds upward to one,000Mbps are available in all Cox service areas, but those who are lucky plenty to be eligible for fiber service tin enjoy symmetrical upload and download speeds.
Cox Communications
Optimum
Cable internet covering the greater NYC area
FCC/Mapbox
Altice covers around six% of Us residents through its Optimum and Suddenlink brands. Optimum is bachelor in fewer states than Suddenlink, but likely covers a larger share of the population as coverage spans much of the greater NYC area and parts of Pennsylvania.
Altice primarily uses a cable or cablevision/fiber hybrid network to deliver service, but the company has invested in fiber expansion in recent years. Optimum, for example, now extends fiber cyberspace service to more than 1 meg residents in the NYC area.
Optimum Internet
Suddenlink
Fills in the remainder of Altice service areas
Another Altice make, Suddenlink, is available everywhere outside of Pennsylvania and the greater NYC area in the map in a higher place. W Virginia residents accept the greatest Suddenlink availability, but those in parts of Arkansas, Louisiana or Texas may find Suddenlink internet in their area.
According to an Altice spokesperson, gigabit service is bachelor in 80% of Suddenlink service areas. While 80% gig coverage is somewhat low compared to cable providers such every bit Spectrum or Xfinity, it's important to note that Suddenlink largely operates in rural or suburban areas where high-speed connections, particularly those with gigabit capabilities, are less common.
Ascension Broadband
Largest fixed wireless provider bringing service to rural areas of 16 states
FCC/Mapbox
Ascension Broadband is the nation's largest fixed wireless provider, available to around half-dozen% of the US population throughout parts of 16 states. Fixed wireless internet doesn't require a cablevision or phone line to your home, making it ideal for rural internet service. Consequently, rural areas are where y'all're most likely to find Ascent Broadband, particularly those in the central US or rural parts of Idaho, Nevada and Texas.
Getting broadband service to rural areas can be a challenge, just Rising Broadband does a decent job. Around 83% of those in Rise Broadband service areas can get speeds upwardly to 25Mbps or college, totaling effectually xiv one thousand thousand largely rural residents who may otherwise not have access to a broadband connexion.
Kinetic past Windstream
Rural and suburban coverage throughout the Midwest, South and Southwest
FCC/Mapbox
Another champion of rural areas, Windstream's net service, Kinetic, is bachelor in 18 states simply just about iii% of the The states population. Kinetic cyberspace may be available in your area if you live in a rural or suburban surface area in the Southward or Midwest, but Kinetic coverage does reach as far west as New United mexican states. Iowa, Georgia, Kentucky and Texas have the greatest Kinetic serviceability, but you lot may besides find Kinetic cyberspace near yous in parts of Arkansas, New York, N Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, amid other states.
If Kinetic internet is available near you, it's likely to be DSL service as fiber makes up just over a quarter of the Kinetic network. Though DSL is typically slower than cable or cobweb service, Kinetic DSL is capable of delivering speeds of 25Mbps or higher in an impressive 85% of service areas. Around 64% volition have access to speeds of 100Mbps or higher while near 8% may exist eligible for speeds of 250Mbps or higher. That's the fastest DSL service y'all're likely to find from whatever provider.
Kinetic Cyberspace
Mediacom
Service areas are random throughout the Midwest and South
FCC/Mapbox
Mediacom covers random areas throughout much of the Midwest, but you'll find service in parts of the South forth the Gulf Coast and in southern Georgia, equally well as parts of eastern North Carolina and along the southern Delaware/Maryland border. All in all, Mediacom is bachelor to just over 2% of US residents with coverage spanning 22 states.
If Mediacom provides internet in your area, expect a cable connexion that tin can deliver gigabit download speeds. A full 100% of Mediacom'southward network is cablevision and 97% of those in Mediacom service areas are eligible for speeds up to one,000Mbps.
Mediacom Communications
We didn't forget about local internet providers
A dozen or and then cyberspace providers make up the majority of internet serviceability, simply there are literally thousands of smaller ISPs that operate in hyperlocal markets. Providers such equally RCN, Ziply Fiber andWideOpenWest, among many, many others, do a great chore of serving their local communities, merely there are simply too many to list here.
If you didn't see a provider you know to be available in your area in the search tool towards the top of the folio, don't worry. We're working to go them in there to give you a full, authentic picture of the best internet providers in your area.
Broadband and loftier-speed cyberspace availability
According to the FCC, 99.96% of U.s.a. residents have access to a broadband cyberspace connection, which it defines as 1 that can provide download speeds up to 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of 3Mbps. On pinnacle of that, around 97% will have at least three options for broadband internet.
The lived feel of the broadband divide suggests those FCC numbers are a little high, and satellite net may be the reason why. When y'all remove satellite technology from the list, broadband availability drops to 97%, with less than a tertiary of US residents having iii or more ISPs in their area. Every bit you become upwards in speed from 25 to 100, 250 and i,000Mbps, it's axiomatic that loftier-speed options can be express. Faster speeds and better access to them could be on the way, even so, as the Senate recently introduced a bill to invest billions in Usa broadband infrastructure.
Cyberspace availability by technology
The available internet tech type tin can make a big deviation in bachelor speeds and performance.Cobweb internet is the preferred option, as it comes with the best upload and download speed potential, not to mention superior reliability, but availability is still relatively low. Unless you live in or near a big city, it's unlikely that fiber net will be bachelor near yous.
Cable internet is some other popular choice for high-speed net in many areas, boasting much higher availability than fiber cyberspace but without the fast upload speeds or same reliability.DSL and fixed wireless internet are excellent rural internet options, but tin can't compare to the speeds or reliability of fiber or cable connections.
Cyberspace connection type availability
| Connexion type | National availability | 25Mbps or higher coverage | 100Mbps or college coverage | 250Mbps or higher coverage | 1,000Mbps or college coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable | 89% | 89% | 88% | 85% | iii% |
| DSL | 89% | 43% | 23% | 0% | 0% |
| Fiber | 42% | 42% | 41% | 36% | 22% |
| Fixed wireless | 67% | 63% | sixteen% | five% | 2% |
Net in my expanse FAQs
Why aren't there more internet options near me?
The costs of expanding to and operating in a new area, peculiarly one that is already serviced past a competing ISP, is the principal gene that prevents providers from offering service in more areas. Equally a result, it's common for households to take availability to simply i provider of a particular service type.
For example, though cable internet is available to 89% of households, merely vii% have access to more than one cable internet provider. Multiple provider options are even more than limited with cobweb-optic service. Though roughly 43% of households are eligible for fiber internet, less than 3% take more than one choice.
Will new net providers come up to my area?
It's difficult to say if the largest cable and fiber providers will continue expanding into new service areas, but smaller providers -- and those with potentially industry-disrupting technologies -- could lead the broadband expansion efforts in coming years.
5G habitation internet, from providers including T-Mobile and Verizon, is off to a promising start, delivering loftier-speed broadband to underserved areas and creating much-needed contest in others. Satellite internet from SpaceX's Starlink is also set to improve broadband options in rural and suburban areas in coming years, as is Amazon's Project Kuiper.
That's exciting news for rural areas, but what about more options in metro areas, where residents typically have the option between a cable or fiber provider? Providers similar Starry Internet, which uses a fixed wireless network, already offers an affordable, high-speed alternative to the traditional established providers in five major markets and intends to begin service in new cities in the almost time to come.
So in short, I wouldn't look to the big providers and established technologies to bring new internet options to your surface area anytime soon. The exception there could be fiber internet, which has near doubled its availability in the concluding five years. However, cobweb availability has merely increased by one or two percent per year since 2018, indicating that cobweb expansion is slowing.
Why is the internet in my area and so slow?
There are a number of factors that can contribute to slow cyberspace speeds, only if the internet in your expanse -- not just your home -- is slow, it'due south probable due to the technology. Satellite and DSL internet, common internet options in rural areas, are slower than most other connection types, typically maxing out at 25 to 100Mbps.
If you have cable or fiber internet service and your connection is consistently tiresome, it could be the effect of using Wi-Fi, which tin can significantly reduce your actual speeds. Resetting your router, or upgrading to a new router, could improve your Wi-Fi speeds. You may also desire to consider upgrading your programme to a faster speed, if bachelor.
Source: https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/internet-providers-in-my-area/
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