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Xfinity vs i3 Broadband in Urbana
i3 Broadband’s fiber delivers symmetrical 1,000 Mbps uploads, but Xfinity is cheaper, reaches far more of Urbana, and hits higher peak download speeds.
Xfinity takes the practical edge in Urbana thanks to wider reach (~50% of the city vs ~32%), a lower $40 starting price, and a top speed score of 96/100 with plans up to 2000 Mbps down where available. But i3 Broadband’s fiber gives you symmetrical 1000/1000 Mbps, which matters if you upload as much as you download. Pick Xfinity for cheaper entry, faster peak downloads, and better odds it’s on your block. Pick i3 Broadband if it reaches your address and you want fiber’s matched upload speeds.
At a glance
Xfinity vs. i3 Broadband, side by side.
| Provider | Type | Top speed | City coverage | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity |
Cable | 2 Gig 300 Mbps upload |
50% | $40/mo | Fastest plans here |
| i3 Broadband |
Fiber | 1 Gig 1 Gig upload |
32% | $49.99/mo | Solid fiber option |
Coverage map
Two different questions, two views. Top speed shows who offers the faster plan where you can actually get it. Coverage shows who reaches more of each ZIP. Or pick a single provider to see just its footprint.
Neighborhood breakdown
Coverage in Urbana shifts block to block, so the real matchup depends on your exact address. Xfinity’s cable footprint spans roughly half the city, giving it broader odds of availability, while i3 Broadband’s fiber reaches about a third and is concentrated where its lines have been built out. Always check both at your specific address before deciding.
| ZIP | Neighborhoods | Coverage | Top speed | Speed Score | Winner | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | i3 Broadband | Xfinity | i3 Broadband | Xfinity | i3 Broadband | |||
| 61802 | East Urbana, Yankee Ridge, Beringer Commons, Stone Creek | 84% | 67% | 2 Gig | 1 Gig | 94 | 87 | Xfinity |
| 61801 | University of Illinois Campus, Downtown Urbana, Crystal Lake Park, West Urbana | 99% | 95% | 2 Gig | 1 Gig | 97 | 93 | Xfinity |
Speed Score (0–100) blends each provider’s coverage and top speed in that specific ZIP, so it moves as availability changes street to street.
Which is better for…
The right pick comes down to what you actually do online.
Get connected
Pick your provider and check availability at your address.
- 2 Gig down · 300 Mbps up Cable
- 1 Gig down · 35 Mbps up Cable
See what’s actually available at your address
Coverage changes from one street to the next. Check your exact address in seconds.
Check my addressFrequently asked questions
is i3 Broadband available at my address in Urbana?
i3 Broadband’s fiber currently reaches about 32% of Urbana, versus roughly 50% for Xfinity cable. Because fiber build-out varies block to block, run an address check with both providers before assuming either is available at your home.
which is cheaper in Urbana, Xfinity or i3 Broadband?
Xfinity starts at $40/mo compared with $49.99/mo for i3 Broadband, so Xfinity is the lower entry price. Note both are promotional starting rates, so confirm the post-promo price, equipment fees, and any contract terms before you sign.
which is faster and is it enough for gaming and 4K?
Xfinity offers up to 2000 Mbps download where available with a 96/100 speed score, while i3 Broadband tops out at symmetrical 1000/1000 Mbps at 92/100. Both are plenty for 4K and WFH, but choose i3’s fiber if uploads matter most for gaming and video calls.