Newark, DE Internet
Internet Providers in Newark, DE
Compare every internet provider in Newark, DE: coverage from FCC filings, plan prices checked monthly, and an address check for your street.
The 30-Second Verdict
UpdatedXfinity is the best overall, with cable speeds up to 2,000 Mbps reaching about 60% of Newark, while its overall footprint covers about 99% of the city. If Verizon reaches your address, it is the faster choice, with fiber speeds up to 2,048/2,048 Mbps reaching about 59% of the city, though its overall footprint is about 96%.
The local split is worth noticing: Verizon leads in Brookside and College Park, where its 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaches about half of each ZIP, while Xfinity is close behind. In the University of Delaware area, Xfinity edges Verizon, reaching about 44% of ZIP 19716 compared with Verizon’s about 42%, making student apartments especially worth checking individually. Verizon is strongest in ZIP 19702 and ZIP 19715, while Xfinity leads ZIP 19714, and Yorkshire addresses should not assume the same result as nearby neighborhoods. T-Mobile and AT&T offer fixed wireless alternatives where wired service is limited, but students should prioritize reliable connections for Zoom, streaming, and gaming and watch for apartments still tied to older DSL or copper infrastructure. Coverage can change street by street, so confirm the exact address and available technology before signing up.
Best Internet Providers in Newark, DE
Best plan here: 2 Gig — faster than 90% of all internet options in Delaware
- 2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable2,000 MbpsDownload90Our score$100Per month
- 1.2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable1,200 MbpsDownload82Our score$100Per month
- 1 GigCable1,000 MbpsDownload79Our score$50Per month
- 500 Mbps$45/mo for 60 months, then $55/mo (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers)Cable500 MbpsDownload74Our score$45Per month
- 300 Mbps$40/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable300 MbpsDownload68Our score$40Per month
Source: Xfinity official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Among the fastest advertised speeds in the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks near the top of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Good
Good
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Newark
Xfinity’s top 2 Gig cable plan reaches about 60% of Newark, giving many shoppers access but making address checks important. Where available, its up to 2,000 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload service earns a 90/100 Speed Score, above the city average of 46, making it a solid, reliable choice for most households. The highest-performing plan may not reach every address, so verify availability before choosing it.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Xfinity
Xfinity reaches 98.7% of Newark, so most residents have a good chance of qualifying for service. Its cable plans are excellent for most modern needs, with up to 1.2 Gig available to about 98% of the city, while the faster up to 2 Gig option is more address-dependent and available to about 60% of Newark.
Available Plans
Cable
Cable
Fiber
Fiber
Best plan here: 1 Gig — faster than 74% of all internet options in Delaware
- 1 Gig$89.99/mo for 12 months, then $99.99/mo (w/ AutoPay & paper-free billing, new customers, credit approval required) · $200 Amazon Gift CardFiber940 MbpsDownload74Our score$89.99Per month
- 500 Mbps$74.99/mo for 12 months, then $84.99/mo (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, in select areas) · $100 Amazon Gift CardFiber500 MbpsDownload74Our score$74.99Per month
- 300 Mbps$49.99/mo for 12 months (Auto Pay & paper-free billing required, new customers, Fios available in select areas) · $100 Amazon Gift CardFiber300 MbpsDownload68Our score$49.99Per month
- 5G Home$60/mo for 12 months (w/ Auto Pay & postpaid mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband; requires bundle)5G Fixed Wireless300 MbpsDownload68Our score$60Per month
Source: Verizon official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Newark
Verizon’s fiber plans provide strong day-to-day performance for streaming, gaming, work, and multiple users, with up to 940 Mbps download and 880 Mbps upload on 1 Gig, plus a 74/100 Speed Score that is above the city average of 46. Fiber is available to about 94% of Newark, but your address determines whether you can get it, while Verizon’s 5G Home option reaches only about 13% of the city and offers up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload. Check your address to confirm fiber availability, especially if you want the more consistent performance of a wired connection.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Verizon
Verizon’s fiber plans offer excellent, symmetrical service for streaming, work, gaming, and multiple connected devices, with speeds up to 940 Mbps download and 880 Mbps upload. The 1 Gig, 500 Mbps, and 300 Mbps plans are available to about 94% of Newark, but fiber availability is address-dependent, while the 5G Home fallback reaches about 13% of the city and offers adequate speeds up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload, so check your address for fiber first.
Available Plans
Fiber
Fiber
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: T-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps — faster than 74% of all internet options in Delaware
- T-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps$45/mo for 12 months, then $60/mo (new Internet line, qualifying credit, postpaid voice line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid MastercardFixed Wireless500 MbpsDownload74Our score$45Per month
- T-Mobile All-In Home Internet 500 Mbps$55/mo for 12 months, then $70/mo (new Internet line, qualifying credit, postpaid voice line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid MastercardFixed Wireless500 MbpsDownload74Our score$55Per month
- T-Mobile Rely Home Internet 400 Mbps$35/mo for 12 months, then $50/mo (qualifying credit, postpaid voice line, and new Internet line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid MastercardFixed Wireless400 MbpsDownload74Our score$35Per month
Source: T-Mobile official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Newark
A budget-conscious household with everyday streaming, browsing, and work needs could fit well with T-Mobile Rely Home Internet, offering up to 400 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload for $35/mo. Its 74/100 Speed Score is above Newark’s city average of 46, making it a competitive fixed-wireless option. Fixed wireless can be less consistent than fiber or cable, and this plan is available to about 62% of Newark addresses, so confirm service at your home before choosing it.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About T-Mobile
T-Mobile is a good fit for households that want reasonably fast home internet for streaming, work, and everyday use, with fixed wireless plans offering up to 500 Mbps download and a good 74/100 Speed Score. The service is address-dependent, with the 500 Mbps plans available to about 62% of Newark, and performance can vary with wireless conditions, so check your address and compare fiber or cable options first if they are available.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: AT&T Internet Air 300 Mbps — faster than 68% of all internet options in Delaware
- AT&T Internet Air 300 Mbps$40/mo for 12 months (new customers, no annual contract, AutoPay eligible for additional $5/mo discount)Fixed Wireless300 MbpsDownload68Our score$40Per month
Source: AT&T official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Newark
At $40/mo for 12 months, AT&T Internet Air offers up to 300 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload, with a 68/100 Speed Score that is above Newark’s city average of 46. Fixed wireless can be less consistent than wired service, and this plan is available to about 45% of Newark addresses, so check your specific address and compare other available options if reliability is a priority.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About AT&T
At $40 per month for 12 months, AT&T Internet Air offers up to 300 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload, making it a reasonably priced option for everyday browsing, streaming, and smaller households, though its below-average 68/100 speed score reflects its fixed wireless limitations. It is available to about 45% of Newark, so check your address first, and look for faster fiber or cable service before choosing it if your household has heavy streaming, gaming, or work-from-home needs.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: Residential Max 400 Mbps — faster than 74% of all internet options in Delaware
- Residential Max 400 MbpsSatellite400 MbpsDownload74Our score$130Per month
- Residential 200 MbpsSatellite200 MbpsDownload52Our score$85Per month
- Residential 100 MbpsSatellite100 MbpsDownload15Our score$55Per month
Source: Starlink official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Adequate
Poor
Poor
Adequate
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Newark
Satellite service can provide up to 400 Mbps download and 40 Mbps upload for streaming, browsing, and many everyday needs, but its higher latency may be noticeable for gaming and video calls. Starlink’s Residential Max plan has a Speed Score of 74/100, above Newark’s city average of 46, making it competitive, while the Residential 200 Mbps plan scores 52/100 and the Residential 100 Mbps plan scores 15/100. All listed plans are shown as available to about 100% of Newark, but availability and performance still depend on your specific address, so check what service options reach your home.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Starlink
Satellite internet can reach homes where wired service is limited, but its higher latency may make gaming, video calls, and other real-time activities less reliable. Starlink offers up to 400 Mbps download and 40 Mbps upload for $130 per month, with 99.8% availability and a good 74/100 speed score, but check your address for fiber or cable first because those options generally provide a better everyday connection.
Available Plans
Ngso Satellite
Best plan here: Viasat Essentials — slower than 85% of all internet options in Delaware
- Viasat EssentialsSatellite55 MbpsDownload15Our score$69.99Per month
- Viasat UnleashedSatellite34 MbpsDownload13Our score$99.99Per month
Source: Viasat Inc official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Newark
Viasat is a limited-performance option compared with alternatives, with its top plan scoring 15/100, below Newark’s city average of 46. Viasat Essentials offers up to 55 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $69.99 per month, while Viasat Unleashed offers up to 34 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $99.99 per month; both are satellite plans available to 100% of Newark. Satellite service can have higher latency, so check what other technologies reach your specific address before choosing.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Viasat Inc
Viasat Inc is a widely available fallback, but it should not be your first choice for modern internet needs because its satellite plans have below-average speeds and high latency. Viasat Essentials offers up to 55 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $69.99 per month, while Viasat Unleashed offers up to 34 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $99.99 per month, and both are available to 100% of Newark. Check your address for faster fiber, cable, or other options first, especially for streaming, video calls, gaming, or multiple users.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Best plan here: Fusion — slower than 85% of all internet options in Delaware
- Fusion$94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/moSatellite100 MbpsDownload15Our score$94.99Per month
- Select$49.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $74.99/moSatellite50 MbpsDownload13Our score$49.99Per month
- Lite$39.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $49.99/moSatellite25 MbpsDownload1Our score$39.99Per month
Source: HughesNet official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Newark
At $94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/mo, HughesNet’s Fusion plan buys up to 100 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up, but its satellite service and 15/100 Speed Score offer limited performance for the price and fall below Newark’s city average of 46. The plan is available to about 100% of Newark, though you should confirm service at your address and check other providers first for faster, lower-latency options.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About HughesNet
At $39.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $49.99, HughesNet’s Lite plan offers up to 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, while its $94.99/mo Fusion plan, rising to $119.99, offers up to 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload. Since every option here uses satellite, with typically higher latency and below-average performance for modern streaming, gaming, and video calls, check your address for fiber, cable, or other faster service before choosing HughesNet.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Cheapest and Fastest Internet Plans in Newark
All 21 product lines from the 7 providers with published pricing here, showing the price you would be quoted today and what it reverts to.
Showing 10 of 21 plans
- Xfinity1.2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)1,200 MbpsDownload82Our score$100Per month~98.3%CoverageCable
- Xfinity1 Gig1,000 MbpsDownload79Our score$50Per month~98.3%CoverageCable
- StarlinkResidential Max 400 Mbps400 MbpsDownload74Our score$130Per month~99.8%CoverageSatellite
- Xfinity500 Mbps$45/mo for 60 months, then $55/mo (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers)500 MbpsDownload74Our score$45$55Per month~98.3%CoverageCable
- Verizon500 Mbps$74.99/mo for 12 months, then $84.99/mo (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, in select areas) · $100 Amazon Gift Card500 MbpsDownload74Our score$74.99$84.99Per month~93.5%CoverageFiber
- Verizon1 Gig$89.99/mo for 12 months, then $99.99/mo (w/ AutoPay & paper-free billing, new customers, credit approval required) · $200 Amazon Gift Card940 MbpsDownload74Our score$89.99$99.99Per month~93.5%CoverageFiber
- Xfinity300 Mbps$40/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)300 MbpsDownload68Our score$40Per month~98.3%CoverageCable
- Verizon300 Mbps$49.99/mo for 12 months (Auto Pay & paper-free billing required, new customers, Fios available in select areas) · $100 Amazon Gift Card300 MbpsDownload68Our score$49.99Per month~93.5%CoverageFiber
- Xfinity2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)2,000 MbpsDownload90Our score$100Per month~59.8%CoverageCable
- StarlinkResidential 200 Mbps200 MbpsDownload52Our score$85Per month~99.8%CoverageSatellite
Prices are the current promotional rate where one is advertised. Sourced monthly from each provider’s own site; availability varies by address.
Best Fit by Household Type in Newark
Best Fit
Students & Roommates
Choose Xfinity 300 Mbps for broad availability and enough capacity for shared streaming and coursework.
Its 300 Mbps plan reaches about 98% of Newark, including University of Delaware-area addresses.
Check first: Confirm the exact address, because Xfinity's 2 Gig tier reaches only about 60%.
Best Fit
Remote Workers
Choose Verizon fiber where available for symmetrical speeds and dependable video conferencing.
Verizon fiber reaches about 59% of Newark at up to 2,048/2,048 Mbps.
Check first: Fiber availability varies by address even within Brookside, College Park, and other neighborhoods.
Best Fit
Gamers & Streamers
Choose Verizon fiber where available; otherwise, Xfinity 1 Gig offers broad high-speed cable availability.
Verizon's 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaches about 59%, while Xfinity 1 Gig reaches about 98%.
Check first: Do not assume either provider's fastest tier reaches every Newark address.
Best Fit
Rural & Edge-of-City Homes
Consider Starlink Residential 100 Mbps, available everywhere, when wired options do not reach the address.
Satellite provides an option where Xfinity, Verizon, or T-Mobile availability may be limited.
Check first: Starlink costs $55 monthly as a promotional starting rate; verify current offer terms.
Internet Providers by ZIP Code in Newark
College Park 19711
Verizon is currently the strongest option for Fiber households.
Verizon leads College Park with about 48% fiber coverage at up to 2,048/2,048 Mbps.
Brookside 19713
Verizon is currently the strongest option for Fast symmetrical internet.
Verizon covers about 50% of Brookside with 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber, exceeding Xfinity's largest share.
University of Delaware 19716
Xfinity is currently the strongest option for Broad cable availability.
Xfinity reaches about 44% of ZIP 19716 with its 2,000 Mbps cable tier, narrowly ahead of Verizon fiber.
ZIP 19702
Verizon is currently the strongest option for Highest fiber concentration.
Verizon's 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaches about 73% of ZIP 19702, the strongest listed ZIP share.
Internet providers near Newark
Coverage can change completely a few miles down the road. If you’re moving to or shopping just outside Newark, check the neighboring market directly.
Newark Internet FAQs
Who is the best internet provider in Newark, DE?
Xfinity is the best overall provider, with cable up to 2,000 Mbps reaching about 60% of Newark; its overall footprint is about 99%. Verizon is faster where available, offering 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber across about 59%, so check your address before choosing.
What is the fastest internet in Newark, DE?
Verizon is fastest where available, with 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaching about 59% of Newark. Xfinity is the best overall provider and offers up to 2,000 Mbps cable reaching about 60%, but Verizon's faster tier is not broadly available citywide.
Which internet provider covers the most of Newark, DE?
Xfinity has the largest non-satellite footprint at about 99% of Newark, while satellite internet is available everywhere. Xfinity's broadly reaching plans include 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gig, and 1.2 Gig tiers at about 98% coverage, subject to address verification.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Newark, DE?
T-Mobile Rely Home Internet 400 Mbps is the cheapest plan at a promotional $35/mo for 12 months, reaching about 62% of Newark. The offer requires a qualifying credit, postpaid T-Mobile wireless voice line, and new Internet line in a bundle; the listed rate is promotional.
Can I get fiber internet in Newark?
Verizon fiber reaches about 59% of Newark at up to 2,048/2,048 Mbps, while its 940/880 Mbps fiber tier reaches about 94%. Coverage varies by address, so residents in College Park, Brookside, and University of Delaware should verify service before relying on fiber availability.
What internet speed do I need in Newark?
A 300 Mbps plan covers common households, while 500 Mbps or faster suits multiple simultaneous streams, gaming, and remote work. Newark options include Xfinity 300 Mbps reaching about 98% and Verizon 1 Gig reaching about 94% on its fiber tier, with address-level availability still important.
What internet options are available in Brookside?
Verizon's 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaches about 50% of Brookside, while Xfinity's 2,000 Mbps cable tier reaches about 28%. Verizon is the leading listed provider in ZIP 19713, but the exact technology and tier must be confirmed for each Brookside address.
How We Analyze Internet in Newark
FCC Broadband Data
We use the FCC National Broadband Map, updated twice a year with provider-reported coverage at the census block level.
Speed Score
A state-wide percentile of each plan’s maximum advertised download speed against every option filed with the FCC in the state, all technologies on one scale. It is not a measured speed test.
Coverage Calculation
Provider coverage shows what percentage of census blocks in Newark report service availability from each provider.
Data Coverage for Newark
How We Calculate Speed Score
The Speed Score is a state-wide percentile from 0 to 100. It answers one question: of every internet option filed with the FCC in this state, across every technology, what share is slower than this plan’s maximum advertised download speed?
What goes in:
- The plan’s maximum advertised download speed, as the provider files it with the FCC and lists it for sale.
- Every other serviceable option in the state from the FCC Broadband Data Collection, counted by the census blocks it reaches.
Speed Score = share of the state’s filed options with a lower advertised download speed
A score of 85 means this plan’s advertised speed beats 85% of the options filed in the state. Fiber, cable, DSL, fixed wireless and satellite are all on the same scale, so a 1,000 Mbps plan scores the same whoever sells it.
What it is not: a measured speed test. It does not include latency, upload speed, reliability or congestion. Real throughput at an address varies with wiring, equipment and time of day.
How providers are ordered on this page: each provider’s tier scores are averaged across the census blocks it serves, then multiplied by the share of the city it reaches. Wired providers rank ahead of wireless-only ones, and satellite last, because their filings describe a signal footprint rather than a plant. The same rule sets the title and the 30-second verdict.
Data source: FCC National Broadband Map (Broadband Data Collection), republished roughly twice a year; provider plan lists checked monthly.
How We Calculate Capabilities
Estimated Capabilities predict how well each internet plan supports common household activities based on speed requirements and connection type.
Rating Scale:
- Excellent – Optimal performance, handles peak usage easily
- Good – Reliable performance with minimal issues
- Fair – Functional but may experience slowdowns during heavy use
- Poor – Not recommended; expect frequent buffering or lag
How We Rate Each Category:
Streaming
Based on download speed. 4K streaming requires 25+ Mbps per stream; HD requires 5+ Mbps. We account for multiple simultaneous streams.
Multi-device
Evaluates total bandwidth capacity divided by typical household device count (phones, tablets, smart TVs, computers). Fiber and cable handle many devices better than DSL or satellite.
Gaming
Considers both upload speed (for sending game data) and latency (ping time). Fiber and cable excel here; satellite connections struggle due to inherent signal delay.
Whole Home
Assesses whether the connection can reliably serve an entire household during peak evening hours. Factors in technology type (shared vs. dedicated bandwidth) and total speed capacity.
Note: Actual performance depends on your specific location, network congestion, and equipment quality.