Best Internet Providers in Providence, Rhode Island
What is the best internet provider in Providence?
According to CNET, Verizon Fios Is the best internet service provider for most homes in Providence, Rhode Island. When choosing an internet service provider, you need to consider your personal needs. Do you need the fastest service possible, or can you sacrifice some speed if it means paying a lower monthly fee? Verizon Fios offers symmetrical speeds of up to 2,000Mbps without any data caps, contracts, or additional fees, making it the best deal in the city.
As a backup, there is Cox Communicationswhich offers high-speed plans, although its speeds are not symmetrical. T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet The service is a convenient backup if both are unavailable.
If you want to buy cheapest plan or fastest speed In this area, Cox and Verizon Fios are your best choices. Cox customers pay $30 per month for 100 megabits per second speeds, which is the lowest price you’ll pay for Internet access in Providence (although you must qualify for the program). Cox also offers speeds up to 2 GB for $120 per month. Verizon Fios also has a 2GB plan for a similar price of $120. While $120 per month isn’t cheap, Cost per Mbps Verizon Fios’ gigabit plans cost less than 6 cents per Mbps and offer symmetrical upload speeds.
If you need a more affordable plan, fixed wireless providers such as Verizon and T-Mobile Discounted rates available to qualifying mobile customers.
Best Internet in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence Internet Providers Comparison
provider | Internet technology | monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment cost | data cap | contract | CNET Review Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cox Communications Read full review |
Cable/Fiber Optic | $30-$120 | 100-2,000Mbps | $15 (optional) | 1.25TB | without any | 6.2 |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($40-$50 for eligible mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 7.4 |
Verizon Fios Read full review |
fiber | US$50-110 (US$35-85 when choosing 5G mobile plan) | 300-2,000Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 7.6 |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 50-300Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Providence
- satellite: This Internet connection type offers slower speeds and a high monthly fee, but it offers a benefit that other ISPs can’t replicate, and that’s its wide availability. Most residents in Providence have limited broadband options, but from hughsnett, Via Satellite And the new kid on the block, Starlinkcovering almost everywhere. A satellite connection won’t bring the fastest speeds, but Starlink is the fastest ISP of the three, with download speeds of up to 220Mbps. Starlink is also the most expensive option, with a standard plan costing $120 per month and leasing equipment requiring an upfront payment of $499. If you want to avoid Hughesnet’s two-year contract, Viasat offers a unique plan with an open-ended agreement and speeds of up to 150Mbps.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: You may not get the fastest speeds with a Verizon fixed wireless connection, but if you want to avoid satellite internet altogether, this may be your best option. Coverage across the city is limited, According to the latest data from the FCConly 8% of Providence residents have access to Verizon 5G home internet. If your address is available, Verizon offers download speeds of up to 300Mbps for $70 per month. The plans are simple, too: no data caps, no monthly device fees, and no contracts.
Cheap Internet Options in Providence
The average price in Providence starts at about $47 per month. Cox has a $30 per month, 100Mbps internet plan, which is the cheapest in the area. That’s not all. Verizon Fios offers a 300Mbps plan for $50 per month. Eligible mobile customers can save $15 to $25 per month on their bills with fixed wireless providers Verizon and T-Mobile.
What are the cheapest internet plans in Providence?
provider | Starting monthly price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
---|---|---|---|
cox100 Read full review |
$30 | 100Mbps | $15 (optional) |
Verizon Fios 300 Read full review |
$50 ($35 on select 5G mobile plans) | 300Mbps | without any |
Cox 250 Read full review |
$50 | 250Mbps | $15 (optional) |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 100Mbps | without any |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | without any |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to Find Providence Internet Deals and Promotions
Providence’s best internet deals and top promotions depend on the discounts available during the period. Most deals are short-lived, but we’re often on the lookout for the latest deals.
Providence internet providers such as Cox may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, including Verizon and T-Mobile, use the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide Best Internet Deals.
How fast is Providence broadband?
In the latest Ookla Speed test dataProvidence has a fixed median download speed of 284Mbps. Not bad, but nearby Hartford Performance is better at 329Mbps. However, boston Below the fold, it’s only 256Mbps. Still, Providence isn’t doing too well compared to its state, rhode island,285Mbps.
Providence’s Fastest Internet Plans
provider | starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | data cap | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
cox 2 show Read full review |
$120 | 1,180Mbps | 112Mbps | 1.25TB | cable |
Verizon Fios 2 Gigabit Read full review |
$110 ($85 with 5G mobile plan) | 2,300Mbps | 1,500Mbps | without any | fiber |
cox 1 show Read full review |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | 1.25TB | cable |
Verizon Fios 1Gig Read full review |
$90 ($65 with 5G mobile plan) | 940Mbps | 880Mbps | without any | fiber |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll get a better experience with a stronger connection. The recommended minimum download speeds for various applications are outlined below, According to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Please note that these are guidelines only and internet speeds, service and performance vary based on connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide How much internet speed do you really need?.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to handle the basics: browsing the Internet, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should provide one user with enough bandwidth to meet the needs of modern remote working, video streaming, and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one or two users to participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming and online gaming simultaneously.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
CNET How to choose the best internet provider in Providence
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. different from the latest cell phone, laptop, router or kitchen toolsit is impractical to personally test every ISP in a specific city. What is our approach? We first looked at pricing, availability, and speed information based on our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and map information from the Federal Communications Commission. fcc.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We went to the FCC’s website to check our data and make sure we accounted for every ISP offering service in a certain area. We also enter local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We evaluate customer satisfaction with ISP services by looking at sources such as the US Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power. ISP plans and prices may change frequently; all information provided is accurate as of publication time.
Once we have localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting value for money?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
The answers to these questions are often layered and complex, but we recommend the provider that comes closest to a “yes” on these three questions. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the plan with the lowest monthly fee, although we also consider factors like price increases, equipment costs, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from the following sources: Okla and Federal Communications Commission Report. (Disclosure: Ookla and CNET are owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our processes in more depth, visit our How we test ISPs Page.
What is the final decision regarding Providence Internet Providers?
Depending on your specific address, you may not have many broadband options. If Verizon Fios is available, put it at the top of your list. Verizon Fios offers gigabit speeds with unlimited data, no contracts, and no monthly device fees. Verizon 5G Home Internet is also a solid choice if you want to avoid Cox Communications’ price hikes.
Providence Internet Providers FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Providence?
Verizon Fios is the best internet service provider in Providence. According to the latest data from the FCCVerizon Fios covers 87% of homes in Providence. Verizon and Cox offer coverage for most addresses in the area, with Verizon Fios taking the number one spot by offering symmetrical speeds and unlimited data.
Is there fiber optic internet in Providence?
Yes. About 88% of Providence residents have access to fiber optic connections, according to the agency The latest data from the FCC. Verizon Fios is the largest fiber provider in Providence, but some homes in the city may have access to Cox’s smaller fiber network.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Providence?
Cox offers the cheapest internet plans in Providence: $30 per month for 100Mbps. The next best thing is Verizon Fios’ $50-per-month plan with 300Mbps download speeds.
Which internet provider in Providence offers the fastest plans?
Verizon Fios and Cox Communications both offer 2-show packages for $110 and $120 respectively. However, Verizon’s plans are cheaper, especially if you bundle them with a qualifying mobile plan, and it also offers symmetrical upload speeds.