Our picks 90001 Edit ZIP code Why we chose these providers Sort by Combined coverage areas make high availability 10 - 5,000 Mbps $55 - $190 per month Check with Earthlink Internet Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Best 5G home internet coverage 87 - 415 Mbps $50 - $70 per month Check with T-Mobile Or call to learn more: (877) 519-7610 Best fiber coverage in the South, Midwest and CA 300 - 5,000 Mbps $55 - $250 per month Check with AT&T Fiber Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (833) 579-0031 Best cable internet availability 150 - 2,000 Mbps $19 - $95 per month Check with Xfinity Internet Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (877) 587-0411 Big cable ISP with high availability in the East 500 - 1,000 Mbps $50 - $80 per month Check with Spectrum Internet Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (877) 508-6169 Second broadest 5G coverage nationwide 85 - 1,000 Mbps $50 - $70 per month Check with Verizon 5G Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (888) 461-3204 Decent coverage in Florida and west of the Mississippi 10 - 140 Mbps $55 per month Check with CenturyLink Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Great coverage in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic 300 - 2,000 Mbps $50 - $120 per month Check with Verizon Fios Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (888) 461-3204 Cable internet coverage for major metro areas 100 - 2,000 Mbps $50 - $110 per month Check with Cox Communications Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (844) 812-6251 In 25 states, with fiber coverage to 15 of them 500 - 5,000 Mbps $50 - $155 per month Check with Frontier Fiber Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (877) 870-0633 Cable and fiber internet in NYC and parts of the South 300 - 8,000 Mbps $40 - $280 per month Check with Optimum Internet Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Largest fixed wireless provider with rural internet in 16 states 25 - 50 Mbps $45 - $65 per month Check with Rise Broadband Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Rural and suburban coverage in the Midwest, South and Southwest 100 - 1,000 Mbps $40 - $70 per month Check with Kinetic Internet Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Coverage spans throughout the Midwest and South 100 - 1,000 Mbps $25 - $80 per month Check with Mediacom Communications Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Show 9 more
BROADBAND DEALS OF THE WEEK T-Mobile: 5G Home Internet With AutoPay and a Phone Line : $35 (save $20) Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.
What's the best internet provider in your area?
It might surprise you that most American households don't have much choice when it comes to internet options. That's despite that fact that 99.8% Americans have access to broadband connectivity. For more than a third of Americans, there's only one provider or none at all serving their address.
Your options are largely dependent on where you live. Location dictates which ISPs are available to you, the speeds they can offer and even the type of technology they will use to get you online -- which, in turn, decides the kind of speeds you can get. There's not much flexibility for consumers.
In many places, this limited set of options means just one or two connection types such as cable or fiber. Some areas might have a mix of options, like a cable provider alongside DSL or fiber connectivity. Meanwhile, other options might have wireless connectivity options like 5G home internet from T-Mobile and Verizon.
There's a good chance you'll be eligible for service from the country's biggest ISPs. The largest cable internet companies in the country are Xfinity and Spectrum, while AT&T Fiber, Frontier Fiber and Verizon Fios make up the majority of fiber-optic availability. Recent mergers and acquisitions in the industry may consolidate those options even further, making your choices even more limited. But, aside from the large national providers, there are hundreds of local cable, fiber and wireless providers across the US. Here's how to figure out which internet providers are available near you.
Top ISPs available in the country
ISP availability is always changing, which is why the FCC updates provider data twice a year (see CNET's breakdown of the FCC data). It's this data that we use to determine available internet providers in your area and the technologies they use.
The FCC Broadband Map is the fastest way to figure out which internet providers service your address. Screenshot/FCC
In general, large cities like Seattle or Chicago are where you’ll find the greatest fiber availability and fastest speeds, although cable internet can deliver gigabit download speeds, which are available to roughly 27% of households. Rural areas are often limited to slower options like DSL or satellite, but 5G home internet -- particularly from T-Mobile -- or local fixed wireless internet providers are a growing alternative to broadband service in rural areas.
Take our quiz Get Started Progress Step 1 of 4 How many members of your household use the internet? 1-2 people
3-5 people
6-9 people
10+ people Next
Top 20 internet providers by availability
There's a good chance one or more of the 20 providers listed above are available in your area. You'll find detailed information about each provider's availability and network below.
Connection DSL, fiber Speed range 10 - 5,000 Mbps Price range $55 - $190 per month EarthLink Combined coverage areas make high availability Our take - EarthLink has one of the best coverage areas of any ISP. Roughly 200 million people are serviceable for EarthLink thanks to the provider's unique approach to delivering service. Instead of running fiber, coaxial or DSL lines to homes, EarthLink uses the networks of other major providers, like AT&T, CenturyLink and Frontier, to offer internet service. As a result, EarthLink essentially boasts the availability of multiple providers combined. Read full review Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Check with Earthlink Compare Connection DSL, fiber Speed range 10 - 5,000 Mbps Price range $55 - $190 per month Pros and Cons Pros No extreme rate hikes after 12 months
Unlimited data, no speed throttling ever
Fiber connection where available Cons No introductory rates
12-month contract
Speeds and network quality vary widely by location EarthLink's partnerships give it an advantage when it comes to availability, but it also means that the connection type and speeds EarthLink can offer are at the mercy of the partnered provider. In most service areas, EarthLink uses a DSL network, which has more speed volatility than any other connection type. In other select areas, EarthLink offers fiber-optic service and blazing speeds up to 5,000Mbps. Key Info Unlimited data
no built-in price hikes Compare Check with Earthlink Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Fixed wireless Speed range 87 - 415 Mbps Price range $50 - $70 per month T-Mobile Home Internet Best 5G home internet coverage Our take - 5G wireless service is great for our phones, but T-Mobile is proving the technology can also serve as a primary home internet connection. Since launching its 5G network just a few years ago, T-Mobile has quickly expanded its home internet service to cover many US households across every state, excluding Alaska. Read full review Or call to learn more: (877) 519-7610 Check with T-Mobile Compare Connection Fixed wireless Speed range 87 - 415 Mbps Price range $50 - $70 per month Pros and Cons Pros No contracts
No data caps
Simple, affordable pricing
Aggressively competitive with its terms and perks Cons Speeds may vary
Max download speeds don't match fiber and cable
Home internet customers deprioritized over mobile T-Mobile Home Internet isn't the fastest internet you'll find -- but it is a decent alternative in areas where cable or fiber are absent. T-Mobile recent boost in speeds now features maximum speeds of up to 415Mbps for the price of $70 per month (or $55 with an eligible mobile plan) with no added equipment fees, data caps, or contracts. If you're in a rural area with limited internet options or are interested in cutting the cord with your current provider, T-Mobile is certainly worth a look. Key Info Unlimited data
equipment included
no contracts Compare Check with T-Mobile Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Fiber Speed range 300 - 5,000 Mbps Price range $55 - $250 per month AT&T Best fiber coverage in the South, Midwest and CA Our take - AT&T internet may be available near you if you live in or are moving to the South or Midwest, as well as parts of California, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Nevada. Read full review Or call to learn more: (833) 579-0031 Check with AT&T Compare Connection Fiber Speed range 300 - 5,000 Mbps Price range $55 - $250 per month Pros and Cons Pros No contracts required to receive the lowest available price
No data caps for any fiber plans
Valuable perks and promotional offers Cons Much slower DSL plans are more prevalent than fiber options
Data caps enforced on all non-fiber plans Much of AT&T's network is copper-based (akin to DSL), but new customers won't be able to sign up for its DSL service anymore. That's when AT&T Fiber enters the picture. Besides its slower DSL network, AT&T is the largest fiber internet provider in the US. Those in areas serviceable for AT&T Fiber can get symmetrical speeds of 1,000Mbps or higher, up to 5,000Mbps. There are no data caps, contracts and your equipment is included at no additional cost. AT&T has also recently entered the 5G home internet game with its AT&T Internet Air offering. For $60 a month, you can get download speeds between 90 to 300Mbps -- a plan that comes without equipment fees, contracts or data caps. AT&T Internet Air may be worth it if you only have DSL or satellite internet at your address, but CNET's Joe Supan tried the plan out and found the speeds sorely lacking. Like other fixed wireless internet providers, your speeds are variable and dependent on factors like network congestion, location and even the weather. Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts
equipment included Compare Check with AT&T Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Cable Speed range 150 - 2,000 Mbps Price range $19 - $95 per month Xfinity Best cable internet availability Our take - Xfinity is the largest cable internet provider in the US, extending broadband service to more than a third of all households. Xfinity may be available in your area if you live in the mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest or along the West Coast, but random pockets of serviceability can be found in much of the South as well as parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Read full review Or call to learn more: (877) 587-0411 Check with Xfinity Compare Connection Cable Speed range 150 - 2,000 Mbps Price range $19 - $95 per month Pros and Cons Pros Good variety of plans
Some of the fastest residential plans available
Above average scores in almost all customer satisfaction metrics Cons Data caps for some plans
Contracts often required to get the lowest price
Steep jump from promo price to regular rates Xfinity primarily offers cable internet, but its fiber services are unmatched if available at your address. Availability is highly limited, but those lucky enough to be serviceable can get Xfinity's fastest speeds. Xfinity's fiber plan, Gigabit Pro, offers symmetrical speeds of 10,000Mbps, which is probably why Xfinity Fiber held its ground on the recent American Customer Satisfaction Index, scoring at the industry's average. Key Info Lots of plan options
solid customer satisfaction numbers
data caps on some plans Compare Check with Xfinity Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Cable Speed range 500 - 1,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $80 per month Spectrum Big cable ISP with high availability in the East Our take - The chances of your household being serviceable for this provider are very likely. Spectrum is the second-largest cable provider in the US behind Xfinity, covering nearly a third of the population across 41 states. Although the two providers cover nearly 64% of US households combined, there is little to no overlap in serviceability as Spectrum mainly operates in areas where Xfinity does not. However, if Spectrum's acquisition of Cox Communications goes through, Spectrum will become the biggest cable provider in the country. Read full review Or call to learn more: (877) 508-6169 Check with Spectrum Compare Connection Cable Speed range 500 - 1,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $80 per month Pros and Cons Pros Straightforward pricing
No data caps on any plans
No contracts required for internet service
Free access to Spectrum's nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots Cons Competitive rates for cable, but pricier than many fiber providers
Internet service is slightly below the industry average for customer satisfaction Since Spectrum covers so many states, you may be eligible for service just about anywhere, even Hawaii, but those on the East Coast or in the Midwest are most likely to be serviceable. Like Xfinity, Spectrum leads with mostly a cable network or cable/fiber network, with very few true fiber connections available (less than 1% of service areas are eligible for fiber service). Spectrum makes good use of its cable network at a decent price; for $70 a month, gigabit download speeds are available in nearly all service areas. Key Info Unlimited data
simple pricing
no contracts
modem included
free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots Compare Check with Spectrum Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Fixed wireless Speed range 85 - 1,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $70 per month Verizon 5G Home Internet Second broadest 5G coverage nationwide Our take - Verizon's 5G coverage comes in second to T-Mobile's. Per, T-Mobile's latest quarterly report, its Home Internet customer base grew to 7 million. Verizon 5G's latest quarterly report puts its customer base at nearly 5 million. Verizon has some catching up to do in terms of coverage. Read full review Or call to learn more: (888) 461-3204 Check with Verizon Compare Connection Fixed wireless Speed range 85 - 1,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $70 per month Pros and Cons Pros No data caps or contracts
Straightforward pricing
Faster download speeds than other fixed wireless services Cons Speeds are not guaranteed and can fluctuate
Home customers are second priority to mobile users on the network
Upload speeds are comparable to cable but fall short of fiber Verizon 5G Home Internet is concentrated around big cities like Boston, New York, Raleigh, Tampa and Atlanta. Verizon's 5G coverage extends through all 50 states, but it is more concentrated in the Midwest and Eastern regions. Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts
free equipment Compare Check with Verizon Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection DSL Speed range 10 - 140 Mbps Price range $55 per month CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber Decent coverage in Florida and west of the Mississippi Our take - Lumen Technologies (CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber) had the largest coverage area of nearly any provider, excluding satellite, before selling a chunk of networks in the East to ISP newcomer Brightspeed. Still, Lumen Technologies has a fairly large presence, particularly in the western half of the US, thanks to its DSL (CenturyLink) and fiber (Quantum Fiber) networks. Read full review Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Check with CenturyLink Compare Connection DSL Speed range 10 - 140 Mbps Price range $55 per month Pros and Cons Pros Some of the most affordable DSL plans you can find
Unlimited data
No contracts Cons DSL speeds can vary wildly based on address and sometimes fall below FCC's broadband levels
Service interruptions can be a bit too frequent, depending on location Despite the large coverage area, Lumen's service is only available to around 11% of US households, indicating that these providers largely operate in rural or suburban areas. There are some major cities where CenturyLink and/or Quantum Fiber are available, such as Denver, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City and Seattle. Otherwise, look for CenturyLink to be available just outside the city. Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts Compare Check with CenturyLink Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Fiber Speed range 300 - 2,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $120 per month Verizon Fios Great coverage in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic Our take - Verizon Fios covers much of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. Although service is only available in nine states, Verizon still covers an impressive number of US households, thanks largely to the provider's extensive fiber coverage in cities such as Baltimore, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Verizon also offers fixed wireless service in select areas across the US, but the provider's primary service areas are reserved for the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. Read full review Or call to learn more: (888) 461-3204 Check with Verizon Compare Connection Fiber Speed range 300 - 2,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $120 per month Pros and Cons Pros All Verizon Fios plans are 100% fiber, with symmetrical download and upload speeds
No data caps or allowances on any plans
No term agreements necessary on any plans Cons Low fiber availability for a national company
While Fios and 5G are affordable, LTE and DSL options are pricey Nearly two-thirds of Verizon's network is fiber, which is a higher fiber percentage than you'll find from just about any major provider. With such a large fiber network, Verizon is capable of delivering fast upload and download speeds to more than 37 million people. The remaining third of those who are eligible for Verizon internet will have access to the provider's slower, less desirable DSL service or Verizon's 5G Home Internet service. Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts
free equipment with gig service Compare Check with Verizon Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Mostly cable, some fiber Speed range 100 - 2,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $110 per month Cox Communications Cable internet coverage for major metro areas Our take - Cox Communications is the third-largest cable provider in the US, but availability overall is far lower than Xfinity and Spectrum, covering nearly 6% of residents across 18 states. Cox is most likely to be available in your area if you live in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, San Diego or anywhere in the state of Rhode Island. Read full review Or call to learn more: (844) 812-6251 Check with Cox Compare Connection Mostly cable, some fiber Speed range 100 - 2,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $110 per month Pros and Cons Pros Gigabit speeds available across entire service area
Reasonable data usage terms, no throttling Cons Plans are pricier than other cable internet providers
Steep price increases after first year
Cox gateway device doubles as a public hotspot by default
Unlimited data bundles are a bad value Like with Xfinity and Spectrum, cable makes up the bulk of Cox's network. Its fiber connection is available to less than 1% of households, per the latest data from the FCC. On the bright side, promo pricing is decent, and download speeds up to 1,000Mbps are available in all Cox service areas. However, those lucky enough to be eligible for fiber service can enjoy symmetrical upload and download speeds. Key Info 1.25TB monthly data allowance
lots of plan options
unique gaming add-on Compare Check with Cox Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Fiber Speed range 500 - 5,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $155 per month Frontier Communications In 25 states, with fiber coverage to 15 of them Our take - Frontier Communications lost a chunk of its network after selling fiber and DSL lines in the Pacific Northwest to Ziply Fiber in 2020, but the provider is still one of the largest fiber and DSL providers, covering around a tenth of US residents across 29 states. Frontier serviceability is greatest in the Midwest, but there's also a good chance Frontier is available in your area if you live in California, Connecticut, upstate New York or West Virginia. Read full review Or call to learn more: (877) 870-0633 Check with Frontier Compare Connection Fiber Speed range 500 - 5,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $155 per month Pros and Cons Pros Wi-Fi router rental included in the price
Unlimited data
Fast fiber speeds Cons Spotty DSL speeds
Poor, but improving, customer satisfaction record
Term agreement required to get signup bonuses Frontier has made an effort to increase its fiber coverage in recent years, but the provider still largely operates on a copper-based, DSL network. If Frontier fiber service has not yet reached your area, the DSL service may be a practical broadband option. Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts
no equipment fee Compare Check with Frontier Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Cable, fiber Speed range 300 - 8,000 Mbps Price range $40 - $280 per month Optimum Cable and fiber internet in NYC and parts of the South Our take - Optimum coverage spans the greater New York City area and various parts of states across the US, including Arkansas, Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas. Read full review Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Check with Optimum Compare Connection Cable, fiber Speed range 300 - 8,000 Mbps Price range $40 - $280 per month Pros and Cons Pros High speeds with competitive pricing
No data caps, no contracts
Fiber service available to nearly 3 million homes
60-day money back guarantee for fiber customers Cons Low customer satisfaction score
Slow upload speeds for cable internet customers
Price increase for all plans after first year Optimum primarily uses a cable or cable/fiber hybrid network to deliver service, but the company has invested in fiber expansion in recent years. More than 2.7 million residents in the greater New York City area are eligible for fiber service from Optimum. Whichever connection type is available at your address, both services include free equipment, no contracts, and no data caps. Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts Compare Check with Optimum Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Fixed wireless Speed range 25 - 50 Mbps Price range $45 - $65 per month Rise Broadband Largest fixed wireless provider with rural internet in 16 states Our take - Rise Broadband best serves rural areas as it is the nation's largest fixed wireless provider excluding T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet. Fixed wireless internet doesn't require a cable or phone line to your home, making it ideal for rural internet service. Consequently, rural areas are where you're most likely to find Rise Broadband, especially those in the central US or rural parts of Idaho, Nevada and Texas. Read full review Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Check with Rise Compare Connection Fixed wireless Speed range 25 - 50 Mbps Price range $45 - $65 per month Pros and Cons Pros Availability in rural areas with no direct cables to the home
Significantly higher data allowances than satellite
Advanced Wi-Fi equipment and service available
Growing fiber network Cons Max speeds of only 100Mbps in most areas
Line of sight to nearby wireless tower required
Possible service disruptions in bad weather Getting broadband service to rural areas can be a challenge, but Rise Broadband does a decent job. Around 83% of those in Rise Broadband service areas can get speeds up to 25Mbps or higher, totaling around 14 million largely rural residents who may otherwise not have access to a broadband connection. Key Info Unlimited data on some plans
low price increase Compare Check with Rise Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Fiber Speed range 100 - 1,000 Mbps Price range $40 - $70 per month Kinetic by Windstream Rural and suburban coverage in the Midwest, South and Southwest Our take - Another champion of rural areas, Windstream's internet service, Kinetic, is available in 18 states but only about 2% of US households. Kinetic internet may be available in your area if you live in a rural or suburban area in the South or Midwest, but Kinetic coverage does reach as far west as New Mexico. Iowa, Georgia, Kentucky and Texas have the greatest Kinetic serviceability, but you may also find Kinetic internet near you in parts of Arkansas, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, among other states. Read full review Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Check with Kinetic Compare Connection Fiber Speed range 100 - 1,000 Mbps Price range $40 - $70 per month Pros and Cons Pros Fast speeds for rural areas
No data caps, no speed throttling, no contracts
Fiber expansion in the works Cons Speeds and pricing vary widely by location
No security plan included
Below average customer satisfaction 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. Although DSL is typically slower than cable or fiber service, Kinetic offers among the fastest DSL service you'll find from any provider. Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts Compare Check with Kinetic Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Cable Speed range 300 - 1,500 Mbps Price range $30 - $70 per month Astound Cable internet coverage in select major markets Our take - You may have known Astound by another name (RCN, Grande Communications or Wave Broadband), but the provider is well-established in some major markets, including Boston, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C. Read full review Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Check with Astound Compare Connection Cable Speed range 300 - 1,500 Mbps Price range $30 - $70 per month Pros and Cons Pros Low first-year pricing
No data caps
No contracts Cons Availability limited to metro areas
Sharp price increase after the promotional period
Confusing fees Every aspect of service is a little different in each Astound market. Unlimited data and no contract requirements are standard across all service areas, but you'll find that available speeds, pricing and promotional offers vary widely from one city to the next. Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts Compare Check with Astound Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Cable Speed range 100 - 1,000 Mbps Price range $25 - $80 per month Mediacom Coverage spans throughout the Midwest and South Our take - Mediacom covers random areas throughout much of the Midwest, but you'll find service in parts of the South along the Gulf Coast and in southern Georgia, as well as parts of eastern North Carolina and along the southern Delaware/Maryland border. All in all, Mediacom is available to just over 2% of US residents with coverage spanning 22 states. Read full review Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Check with Mediacom Compare Connection Cable Speed range 100 - 1,000 Mbps Price range $25 - $80 per month Pros and Cons Pros Provides services to over 1,500 communities in 22 states
Great additional hardware available to rent at a fair price Cons Significant price jump for the gigabit plan after a year
Data caps are too tight with the cheapest plans, and there's no limit to the number of overage charges you can rack up
Poor value relative to other cable internet providers If Mediacom provides internet in your area, expect a cable connection that can deliver gigabit download speeds. A full 100% of Mediacom's network is cable and 97% of those in Mediacom service areas are eligible for speeds up to 1,000Mbps. Key Info Up to 6TB monthly data allowance
low introductory rates
no contracts Compare Check with Mediacom Show more details Show more details Compare
Top internet providers compared
The plans shown below feature each provider's cheapest available tier. The maximum speed is the top advertised speed for that given plan, but it might not be available in your area. Overall, the best selection for you -- and the most cost-effective plan -- might be a different tier that provides a faster speed at a higher price but a better value. To more fully understand this value-based approach, check out CNET's guide to examining the cost per Mbps.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What internet providers are in your city?
What internet providers serve your city? We provide an in-depth look at the best internet providers in cities across the US, from New York to San Francisco. Click any of the links below to learn more about available internet options in the area.
We didn't forget about local internet providers
Sarah Tew/CNET
Around fifteen or so internet providers make up the majority of internet serviceability, but there are literally thousands of smaller ISPs that operate in hyperlocal markets. Providers such as Armstrong, Ziply Fiber and WideOpenWest (among many others) do a great job of serving their local communities -- there are simply too many to list here.
Broadband and high-speed internet availability
According to the FCC, 99.99% of US residents have access to a broadband internet connection, which it defines as one that can provide download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second and upload speeds of 20Mbps.
However, this number doesn't reflect the broadband divide. This suggests that the FCC numbers are high, and satellite internet could be a factor. When you remove satellite technology from the list, broadband availability drops to 94%, with less than a third of US residents having three or more ISPs in their area. As you go up in speed from 25 to 100, 250 and 1,000Mbps, availability drops to 59%: It's evident that high-speed options are still sorely limited.
Internet availability by technology
The available internet tech type can make a big difference in available speeds and performance. Fiber internet is the preferred option, as it comes with symmetrical upload and download speed and superior reliability, but availability is still relatively low. Unless you live in or near a large city, it's unlikely you'll find fiber internet near you.
Cable internet is another popular choice for high-speed internet in many areas. It boasts much higher availability than fiber internet but does not offer fast upload speeds or the same consistent reliability. DSL and fixed wireless internet are excellent rural internet options, but they can't compare to the speeds or reliability of fiber or cable connections.
For a further breakdown on the various types of internet, check out our guide to internet connection types.
Internet connection type availability Connection type National availability 25Mbps or higher coverage 100Mbps or higher coverage 250Mbps or higher coverage 1,000Mbps or higher coverage Cable 82% 82% 82% 81% 27% DSL 40% 19% 4% 1% 0% Fiber 48% 48% 48% 48% 41% Fixed wireless 82% 70% 50% 14% 2% Show more (0 item) Shop providers at my address
How to choose the best internet in your area
Finding the best internet provider in your area starts with discovering what’s available. Again, the search tool further up the page will give you an idea of what providers serve your area, the speeds they offer and how much it costs.
Once you’ve narrowed down the available internet providers in your area, review the plans and service terms. Look for a plan that offers the speeds you need for the lowest price, but also be mindful of potential data caps and overage fees, contract requirements, equipment rental fees and other factors that can affect your service and monthly payment.
For more tips on how to choose the right internet provider and plan, see our guide to selecting the best home internet service.
How we selected the top ISPs in your area
CNET takes into account everything the average customer should know when determining the best internet service providers. Connection type, speeds, pricing, service terms, customer satisfaction and other attributes are always important, but broadband availability is the primary consideration when focusing on the ISPs that may be in your area.
We source the most recent FCC data to determine provider availability and the technologies they use. It’s not perfect, but it does help us to identify the top internet providers in terms of availability and where to find them.
Check out our page on how we review internet providers for more information.
Locating local internet providers
Internet in my area FAQs
Why aren't there more internet options near me? The cost of expanding to and operating in a new area, especially one already serviced by a competing ISP, is the main factor that prevents providers from offering service in more areas. As a result, it's common for households to have availability to just one provider of a particular service type. For example, although cable internet is available to 82% of households, only 7% have access to more than one cable internet provider. Multiple provider options are even more limited with fiber-optic service. Roughly 43% of households are eligible for fiber internet, but less than 3% have more than one option. Show more
When will new internet providers come 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 home internet, from providers including T-Mobile and Verizon, is off to a promising start, delivering high-speed broadband to underserved areas and creating much-needed competition in others. Satellite internet -- from SpaceX's Starlink, as well as Amazon's upcoming Project Kuiper -- is also set to improve broadband options in rural and suburban areas in coming years. That's exciting news for rural areas, but what about more options in metro areas, where residents typically have the choice between a cable or fiber provider? Providers like Starry Internet, which uses a fixed wireless network, already offer affordable, high-speed alternatives to the traditional established providers. In short, I wouldn't look to the big providers and established technologies to bring new internet options to your area anytime soon. The exception here could be fiber internet, which has almost doubled its availability in the last five years. Fiber availability has only increased by 1 to 2% per year since 2018, indicating that fiber expansion is slowing. Show more
Why is the internet in my area so slow? Several factors can contribute to slow internet speeds, but if the internet in your area -- not just your home -- is slow, it's likely 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 slow, it could be the result of using Wi-Fi, which can significantly reduce your actual, tested speeds compared to the speeds the provider is sending to your home. Resetting your router or upgrading to a new router could improve your Wi-Fi speeds. You may also consider upgrading your plan to a faster speed if available. Check out our guide on how to boost your Wi-Fi speeds at home. Show more
What are the best internet deals or discounts for new customers? New customers will often get the lowest introductory pricing, but other perks including gift cards and free installation may also be available. Verizon Fios has arguably the best bonus offers of any provider, although new customers can often score a gift card with AT&T, Frontier Fiber, WideOpenWest and other providers. For a look at the most recent offers from top ISPs, check out our rundown of the best internet deals.