Lexington, MA Internet
Internet Providers in Lexington, MA
Compare every internet provider in Lexington, MA: 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 92% of the city, while its overall footprint across technologies is about 100%. Verizon is the faster choice if it reaches your address, with fiber speeds up to 2,048/2,048 Mbps reaching about 53% of the city. Where Xfinity does not reach, Astound Broadband is the safe fallback, mostly cable with an overall footprint of about 81% and a fastest common cable tier of up to 1,500 Mbps reaching about 81%.
In East Lexington, ZIP 02420, Verizon wins with fiber reaching about 80% of the ZIP, making this one of the strongest areas for the fastest service. South Lexington, ZIP 02421, also favors Verizon, with fiber reaching about 65% of the ZIP. Lexington Center and North Lexington deserve their own address checks, since the ZIP figures do not establish the same fiber advantage there. T-Mobile and AT&T are worth a look for budget fixed wireless, but their city-wide footprints are smaller and their speeds are more modest. Coverage can change street by street, so confirm the exact address before choosing.
Best Internet Providers in Lexington, MA
Best plan here: 2 Gig — faster than 91% of all internet options in Massachusetts
- 2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable2,000 MbpsDownload91Our score$100Per month
- 1.2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable1,200 MbpsDownload81Our score$100Per month
- 1 GigCable1,000 MbpsDownload77Our score$50Per month
- 500 Mbps$45/mo for 60 months, then $55/mo (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers)Cable500 MbpsDownload69Our score$45Per month
- 300 Mbps$40/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable300 MbpsDownload64Our 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 Lexington
Xfinity’s cable plan with up to 2000 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload reaches about 92% of Lexington, giving many addresses access to its headline 91/100 Speed Score, above the city average of 46. Cable is a solid option for most households, but the 2 Gig tier is not available at every address, so check your location to see whether this top-speed plan or another Xfinity tier is offered.
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 nearly all of Lexington, giving most shoppers a strong chance of getting its cable service. Cable is an excellent choice for most households, with up to 1.2 Gig available at nearly all addresses and the top 2 Gig plan reaching about 92% of the city, so check your address if you want the fastest tier.
Available Plans
Cable
Cable
Fiber
Best plan here: 1 Gig — faster than 69% of all internet options in Massachusetts
- 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 MbpsDownload69Our 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 MbpsDownload69Our 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 MbpsDownload64Our 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 MbpsDownload64Our score$60Per month
Source: Verizon 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
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Lexington
Fiber provides low-latency performance for streaming, gaming, video calls, and multiple users, with Verizon’s 1 Gig plan offering up to 940 Mbps download and 880 Mbps upload at a 69/100 Speed Score, above Lexington’s city average. That makes Verizon a competitive choice, though the score is below the excellent range, and fiber availability depends on your address, reaching about 95% of Lexington for these plans. Where fiber is unavailable, 5G Home offers up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload with a 64/100 Speed Score, so check the technology and plan available at your address.
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 service is an excellent choice for demanding use, offering symmetrical speeds of up to 500 Mbps and faster plans, with fiber available to about 95% of Lexington. Availability is address-dependent, and the 5G Home option reaches only about 17% of the city with speeds up to 300 Mbps down and 75 Mbps up, so check your address for fiber first, especially if you work from home, stream often, or have several users.
Available Plans
Fiber
Fiber
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Speed Score: Faster than 89% of all internet options in Massachusetts
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 Lexington
Astound Broadband is a solid option in Lexington, with cable service offering up to 1500 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload, backed by a Speed Score of 89/100. This plan is available across 80.9% of the city, so confirm availability at your address before relying on these speeds.
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 Astound Broadband
Astound Broadband is a strong option for most modern internet needs, with cable service offering up to 1500 Mbps download and up to 50 Mbps upload. That plan reaches about 81% of Lexington, so check your address to confirm availability, especially if you need fast uploads for remote work, large file sharing, or frequent video calls.
Available Plans
Cable
Best plan here: T-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps — faster than 69% of all internet options in Massachusetts
- 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 MbpsDownload69Our 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 MbpsDownload69Our 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 MbpsDownload69Our score$35Per month
Source: T-Mobile 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 Lexington
T-Mobile suits households that want a reasonably fast connection for streaming, video calls, and everyday use, with Fixed Wireless plans offering up to 500 Mbps download and 60 Mbps upload. Its 69/100 Speed Score is above Lexington’s city average of 46, making it a competitive choice, though Fixed Wireless can be more variable than wired service. The 500 Mbps plans are available to about 69% of Lexington, so check your address, and note that these offers require a qualifying postpaid voice bundle.
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 affordable home internet with speeds suitable for streaming, video calls, and everyday use, especially if they already have a qualifying postpaid voice line. Its fixed wireless plans offer up to 500 Mbps download and 60 Mbps upload, but availability is address-dependent, with the 500 Mbps options reaching about 69% of Lexington, and fixed wireless can be less consistent than fiber or cable.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: AT&T Internet Air 300 Mbps — faster than 64% of all internet options in Massachusetts
- 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 MbpsDownload64Our 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 Lexington
At $40/mo for 12 months, AT&T Internet Air offers up to 300 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload, with a 64/100 Speed Score. Availability depends on your specific address, and fixed wireless is an adequate but potentially less consistent option than wired service, so consider checking other providers first for demanding or latency-sensitive use. Its score is above Lexington’s 46 average, making it competitive where available.
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 the first 12 months, AT&T Internet Air offers up to 300 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload, which is a reasonable value for everyday browsing, streaming, and smaller households, though its Speed Score of 64/100 is below average. This fixed wireless plan is available to about 37% of Lexington, so check your address first, especially if you need consistently strong performance for several users, gaming, or heavy uploads.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: Residential Max 400 Mbps — faster than 69% of all internet options in Massachusetts
- Residential Max 400 MbpsSatellite400 MbpsDownload69Our score$130Per month
- Residential 200 MbpsSatellite200 MbpsDownload47Our score$85Per month
- Residential 100 MbpsSatellite100 MbpsDownload10Our score$55Per month
Source: Starlink 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
Adequate
Poor
Poor
Adequate
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Lexington
Satellite internet can support streaming and everyday browsing, but its higher latency may be noticeable during video calls, gaming, and other real-time activities. Starlink’s Residential Max plan offers up to 400 Mbps download and 40 Mbps upload with a 69/100 Speed Score, above Lexington’s city average of 46. It is available to 100.0% of Lexington, but because satellite has more limitations than wired technologies, consider checking other providers available at your address first.
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 unavailable, but its higher latency may be noticeable for video calls, gaming, and other real-time activities. Starlink offers up to 400 Mbps for $130 per month, with availability across about 100% of Lexington, though the 69/100 Speed Score is below average statewide, so check for faster fiber or cable options at your address first if they are available.
Available Plans
Ngso Satellite
Best plan here: Fusion — slower than 90% of all internet options in Massachusetts
- Fusion$94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/moSatellite100 MbpsDownload10Our score$94.99Per month
- Select$49.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $74.99/moSatellite50 MbpsDownload9Our 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 Lexington
At $94.99 per month for the first 12 months, then $119.99, HughesNet Fusion buys up to 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, but its 10/100 Speed Score is below Lexington’s city average of 46. Every listed HughesNet plan uses satellite technology, including Fusion’s 100.0% availability, so its higher latency and limited performance make it worth checking what other options reach your specific address first.
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 to $94.99 per month for the first 12 months, HughesNet offers up to 25 to 100 Mbps download speeds, but satellite service and its low Speed Score of 10/100 make it a limited value for modern heavy use. All three plans are available to 100% of Lexington, though you should check for faster fiber, cable, or other local options at your address before choosing HughesNet, especially since the rates increase after the introductory period.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Best plan here: Viasat Essentials — slower than 90% of all internet options in Massachusetts
- Viasat EssentialsSatellite55 MbpsDownload10Our score$69.99Per month
- Viasat UnleashedSatellite34 MbpsDownload9Our 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 Lexington
Viasat is a limited-performance option compared with alternatives in Lexington, with a provider Speed Score of 10/100 versus the city average of 46. Its Viasat Essentials satellite plan offers up to 55 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $69.99 per month, with availability to 100% of the city, while Viasat Unleashed offers up to 34/4 Mbps for $99.99 and scores 9/100. Satellite service can have higher latency, so check what other technologies are available at 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 but limited option, so check for faster internet first if your address has it. Its satellite plans reach 100% of Lexington, with Viasat Essentials offering 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. These below-average, high-latency speeds may be adequate for basic use, but they can fall short for modern households with streaming, gaming, or multiple users.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Cheapest and Fastest Internet Plans in Lexington
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
- Xfinity2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)2,000 MbpsDownload91Our score$100Per month~92.4%CoverageCable
- Xfinity1.2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)1,200 MbpsDownload81Our score$100Per month~99.5%CoverageCable
- Xfinity1 Gig1,000 MbpsDownload77Our score$50Per month~99.5%CoverageCable
- StarlinkResidential Max 400 Mbps400 MbpsDownload69Our score$130Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- Xfinity500 Mbps$45/mo for 60 months, then $55/mo (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers)500 MbpsDownload69Our score$45$55Per month~99.5%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 MbpsDownload69Our score$74.99$84.99Per month~94.8%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 MbpsDownload69Our score$89.99$99.99Per month~94.8%CoverageFiber
- Xfinity300 Mbps$40/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)300 MbpsDownload64Our score$40Per month~99.5%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 MbpsDownload64Our score$49.99Per month~94.8%CoverageFiber
- T-MobileT-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 Mastercard400 MbpsDownload69Our score$35$50Per month~69.1%CoverageFixed Wireless
Prices are the current promotional rate where one is advertised. Sourced monthly from each provider’s own site; availability varies by address.
Compare Lexington providers head-to-head
See how Lexington’s providers stack up against each other — speed, coverage, price, and who wins block by block.
Best Fit by Household Type in Lexington
Best Fit
Students & Roommates
Choose Xfinity 500 Mbps, reaching about 100% of Lexington.
Its cable tier supports multiple streams and connected devices across nearly the entire city footprint.
Check first: Verify your address, because the 2,000 Mbps tier reaches only about 92% of the city.
Best Fit
Remote Workers
Choose Verizon fiber 2,048/2,048 Mbps where available.
Verizon fiber reaches about 53% of Lexington and offers symmetrical upload and download performance.
Check first: Fiber availability is address-specific, even though Verizon's overall footprint reaches about 96%.
Best Fit
Gamers & Streamers
Choose Xfinity 2 Gig where available, reaching about 92% of Lexington.
Its 2,000 Mbps cable tier is the city's best overall high-speed option by ranking.
Check first: Confirm the 2,000 Mbps tier specifically; its reach is lower than Xfinity's broader footprint.
Best Fit
Rural & Edge-of-City Homes
Use Starlink Residential 200 Mbps when wired options do not reach your address.
Satellite service is available everywhere, while Astound Broadband's overall footprint reaches about 81% of Lexington.
Check first: Check wired availability first, since satellite plans trade higher speeds for universal reach.
Internet Providers by ZIP Code in Lexington
East Lexington 02420
Verizon is currently the strongest option for Symmetrical fiber performance.
Verizon's 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber tier reaches about 80% of ZIP 02420, leading the listed local options.
South Lexington 02421
Verizon is currently the strongest option for High-speed fiber.
Verizon's 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber tier reaches about 65% of ZIP 02421, ahead of Xfinity and Astound Broadband.
East Lexington 02420
Verizon is currently the strongest option for multi-user homes, remote work, gaming, and 4K streaming.
Verizon leads this ZIP with 79.9% best-address share.
South Lexington 02421
Verizon is currently the strongest option for multi-user homes, remote work, gaming, and 4K streaming.
Verizon leads this ZIP with 65.1% best-address share.
Internet providers near Lexington
Coverage can change completely a few miles down the road. If you’re moving to or shopping just outside Lexington, check the neighboring market directly.
Lexington Internet FAQs
Who is the best internet provider in Lexington, MA?
Xfinity is the best overall provider, with cable up to 2,000 Mbps reaching about 92% of Lexington. Verizon is faster where available, offering 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber to about 53% of the city, so check your address before choosing.
What is the fastest internet in Lexington, MA?
Verizon fiber is fastest where available, reaching about 53% of Lexington at up to 2,048/2,048 Mbps. Xfinity is the best overall choice, with 2,000 Mbps cable reaching about 92%, but Verizon is the faster choice if it reaches your address.
Which internet provider covers the most of Lexington, MA?
Xfinity covers the most of Lexington, reaching about 100% of the city, the widest footprint of any wired or fixed-wireless provider. Satellite from Starlink and HughesNet reaches every address but with higher latency.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Lexington, MA?
T-Mobile Rely Home Internet costs $35/mo promotional starting rate for 400 Mbps, reaching about 69% of Lexington, with a qualifying credit, postpaid wireless line, and new Internet line required. The rate applies for 12 months, then changes to $50/mo.
Can I get fiber internet in Lexington?
Verizon's 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaches about 53% of Lexington, while its 940/880 Mbps fiber tier reaches about 95%. Check your exact address because fiber coverage is substantially narrower than Verizon's approximately 96% overall footprint.
What internet speed do I need in Lexington?
A 300 Mbps plan reaches about 95% with Verizon or about 100% with Xfinity, covering typical streaming, video calls, and connected homes. Larger households, frequent uploads, or heavy gaming should consider Xfinity's 2,000 Mbps tier, which reaches about 92%.
What internet options are available in East Lexington?
ZIP 02420 lists Verizon fiber at about 80%, Xfinity cable at about 19%, and Astound Broadband cable at about 1%. Verizon leads East Lexington for listed high-speed coverage, but address-level verification remains necessary.
How We Analyze Internet in Lexington
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 Lexington report service availability from each provider.
Data Coverage for Lexington
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.