FindBetterInternet

Princeton, NJ Internet

Internet Providers in Princeton, NJ

Compare every internet provider in Princeton, NJ: coverage from FCC filings, plan prices checked monthly, and an address check for your street.

Person using internet

The 30-Second Verdict

Updated
XfinityBest overall
Coverage100%Speed Score84
VerizonFastest where available
Coverage90%Speed Score62
Brightspeed
Coverage2%Speed Score77
T-Mobile
Coverage68%Speed Score62
AT&T
Coverage39%Speed Score56

Xfinity is the best overall, with cable speeds up to 2,000 Mbps reaching about 55% 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 44% of the city.

In ZIP 08542, Verizon is the clear local leader, covering about 72%, while Xfinity reaches about 10%. Princeton University’s 08544 area is even more fiber-heavy, with Verizon reaching about 92% and Xfinity about 8%. ZIP 08543 swings toward Xfinity at about 63%, while Jugtown is more balanced, with Verizon at about 43% and Xfinity at about 31%. Littlebrook and the Western Section can still vary street by street, and older apartments or copper lines may be stuck with slower infrastructure, an important caution for Princeton University students who need dependable Zoom, streaming, and gaming connections. T-Mobile or AT&T fixed wireless may be worth checking for a budget-minded address, but confirm the exact address and building before choosing, because coverage and technology can change from one street or apartment to the next.

Best Internet Providers in Princeton, NJ

Speeds up to 2,000 Mbps

Plans range $40–$100 /mo * Refreshed Sep 15, 2026See all 5 plans →


Coverage ~100% of cityfastest plan shown reaches ~55%
Connection type Cable
84

Best plan here: 2 Gig — faster than 84% of all internet options in New Jersey

  • 2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable2,000 MbpsDownload84Our score$100Per month
  • 1.2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable1,200 MbpsDownload78Our 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 MbpsDownload62Our score$45Per month
  • 300 Mbps$40/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable300 MbpsDownload56Our score$40Per month

Source: Xfinity official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address

SPEED SCORE

84

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.

Download 2,000 Mbps
Upload 35 Mbps
Typical latency (by technology) Low

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

Streaming

Excellent

Multi-device

Good

Gaming

Good

Whole home

Good

THE TAKEAWAY

Our recommendation for Princeton

Xfinity’s 2 Gig cable plan reaches about 55% of Princeton, so your address will determine whether you can get its fastest option. With up to 2000 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload, plus a Speed Score of 84/100, it is a solid, reliable choice that scores above the city average. If the 2 Gig plan is not available at your address, Xfinity’s other cable options may still provide strong performance, but check the specific plan and technology offered before signing up.

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 99.6% of Princeton, so most residents have a strong chance of getting its cable service. Its best option is the 2 Gig plan with up to 2000 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload, though it is available to about 55% of the city, while the 1.2 Gig, 1 Gig, 500 Mbps, and 300 Mbps plans reach about 99% of Princeton. Check your address because the fastest cable tier is more limited, but Xfinity still offers excellent cable speeds for most modern households where available.

Available Plans

84
Cable
2000 Mbps Download
300 Mbps Upload
Coverage 54.8% of city
78
Cable
1200 Mbps Download
35 Mbps Upload
Coverage 44.3% of city
78
Fiber
1200 Mbps Download
35 Mbps Upload
Coverage 0.8% of city

Speeds up to 940 Mbps

Plans range $49.99–$89.99 /mo * Refreshed Sep 15, 2026See all 4 plans →


Coverage ~90% of cityfastest plan shown reaches ~80%
Connection type Fiber, 5G Fixed Wireless
62

Best plan here: 1 Gig — faster than 62% of all internet options in New Jersey

  • 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 MbpsDownload62Our 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 MbpsDownload62Our 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 MbpsDownload56Our 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 MbpsDownload56Our score$60Per month

Source: Verizon official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address

SPEED SCORE

62

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.

Download 940 Mbps
Upload 880 Mbps
Typical latency (by technology) Low

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

Streaming

Excellent

Multi-device

Excellent

Gaming

Excellent

Whole home

Excellent

THE TAKEAWAY

Our recommendation for Princeton

Verizon’s fiber connection is the stronger day-to-day option for streaming, gaming, and work, with the 500 Mbps plan offering up to 500 Mbps download and upload speeds and a Speed Score of 62/100, above Princeton’s city average of 47. That fiber plan is available to about 80% of the city, so availability depends on your address. Where fiber is unavailable, Verizon may offer 5G Home with up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload, but fixed wireless can be less consistent than fiber and requires a qualifying mobile 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 Verizon

Verizon’s fiber plans offer excellent everyday performance, with up to 940 Mbps download and 880 Mbps upload on 1 Gig, while the 300 Mbps and 500 Mbps options provide symmetrical speeds for streaming, gaming, video calls, and work. Fiber is available to about 80% of Princeton, so check your address first; the 5G Home fallback reaches about 26% and offers up to 300 Mbps download, but its bundle requirement and lower upload speed may be less suitable for demanding modern use.

Available Plans

91
Fiber
2048 Mbps Download
2048 Mbps Upload
Coverage 44.2% of city
62
Fiber
940 Mbps Download
880 Mbps Upload
Coverage 35.8% of city
56
Licensed Fixed Wireless
300 Mbps Download
20 Mbps Upload
Coverage 22.4% of city
12
Licensed Fixed Wireless
50 Mbps Download
5 Mbps Upload
Coverage 3.4% of city

Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps

Plans start at $65 /mo *


Coverage ~2% of city
Connection type Fiber
77

Speed Score: Faster than 77% of all internet options in New Jersey

SPEED SCORE

77

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.

Download 1,000 Mbps
Upload 1,000 Mbps
Typical latency (by technology) Low

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

Streaming

Excellent

Multi-device

Excellent

Gaming

Excellent

Whole home

Excellent

THE TAKEAWAY

Our recommendation for Princeton

Brightspeed’s fiber plan offers up to 1000 Mbps both ways, enough for heavy streaming, gaming, video calls, and many connected devices. With a Speed Score of 77/100, it is a good, above-average option compared with Princeton’s 47 average top speed score. Fiber reaches about 2% of the city, so availability depends heavily on your address, while the copper plan offers only up to 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload with a Speed Score of 1/100, making it worth checking other providers first if fiber is unavailable.

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 Brightspeed

Brightspeed’s fiber plan offers up to 1000 Mbps both ways, a strong option for streaming, video calls, gaming, and multiple connected devices. That fiber service reaches about 2% of Princeton, so availability is very address-dependent, while the fallback copper plan offers only up to 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload, which may be inadequate for modern households. Check your address for fiber or another faster provider before settling for the copper option.

Available Plans

77
Fiber
1000 Mbps Download
1000 Mbps Upload
Coverage 1.7% of city
1
Copper
10 Mbps Download
1 Mbps Upload
Coverage 0.1% of city

Speeds up to 500 Mbps

Plans range $35–$55 /mo * Refreshed Sep 15, 2026See all 3 plans →


Coverage ~68% of cityfastest plan shown reaches ~59%
Connection type Fixed Wireless
62

Best plan here: T-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps — faster than 62% of all internet options in New Jersey

  • 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 MbpsDownload62Our 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 MbpsDownload62Our 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 MbpsDownload62Our score$35Per month

Source: T-Mobile official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address

SPEED SCORE

62

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.

Download 500 Mbps
Upload 60 Mbps
Typical latency (by technology) Medium

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

Streaming

Good

Multi-device

Adequate

Gaming

Adequate

Whole home

Good

THE TAKEAWAY

Our recommendation for Princeton

For households seeking affordable internet for everyday browsing, streaming, and work, T-Mobile’s fixed wireless service offers up to 500 Mbps download and 60 Mbps upload with a 62/100 Speed Score, above Princeton’s city average of 47. Fixed wireless can be less consistent than wired connections, so shoppers should check other providers first, and the 500 Mbps plans are available to about 59% of the city at qualifying addresses.

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 reasonable fit for smaller households, casual streamers, and people who value a bundled wireless plan with home internet. Its fixed wireless plans offer up to 500 Mbps down and 60 Mbps up, with the fastest plans available to about 59% of Princeton, but the 62/100 Speed Score is below average and service quality can vary by address. Check your address before ordering, especially if you need consistently strong performance for multiple heavy users, gaming, or work from home.

Available Plans

13
Licensed Fixed Wireless
100 Mbps Download
20 Mbps Upload
Coverage 36.3% of city
1
Licensed Fixed Wireless
25 Mbps Download
3 Mbps Upload
Coverage 22.7% of city

Speeds up to 300 Mbps

Plans range $40 /mo * Refreshed Sep 15, 2026See all 1 plans →


Coverage ~39% of city
Connection type Fixed Wireless
56

Best plan here: AT&T Internet Air 300 Mbps — faster than 56% of all internet options in New Jersey

  • 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 MbpsDownload56Our score$40Per month

Source: AT&T official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address

SPEED SCORE

56

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.

Download 300 Mbps
Upload 30 Mbps
Typical latency (by technology) Medium

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

Streaming

Good

Multi-device

Adequate

Gaming

Adequate

Whole home

Good

THE TAKEAWAY

Our recommendation for Princeton

$40/mo buys AT&T Internet Air with up to 300 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload, a reasonable value for basic to moderate use, with a Speed Score of 56/100. Availability depends on your address, and because this is fixed wireless with limited performance compared to stronger alternatives, check what else is available at your location before choosing it, even though its score is above Princeton’s city average of 47.

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/mo 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 and streaming, though its Speed Score of 56/100 is below average. This fixed wireless service is available to about 39% of Princeton, so check your address for faster fiber or cable options first, especially if you need consistently strong performance for heavy streaming, gaming, or multiple users.

Available Plans

1
Licensed Fixed Wireless
25 Mbps Download
3 Mbps Upload
Coverage 28.2% of city
13
Licensed Fixed Wireless
100 Mbps Download
20 Mbps Upload
Coverage 10.6% of city

Speeds up to 100 Mbps

Plans range $39.99–$94.99 /mo * Refreshed Sep 15, 2026See all 3 plans →


Coverage ~100% of city
Connection type Satellite
13

Best plan here: Fusion — slower than 87% of all internet options in New Jersey

  • Fusion$94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/moSatellite100 MbpsDownload13Our score$94.99Per month
  • Select$49.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $74.99/moSatellite50 MbpsDownload12Our 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

13

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.

Download 100 Mbps
Upload 5 Mbps
Typical latency (by technology) High

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

Streaming

Poor

Multi-device

Poor

Gaming

Poor

Whole home

Poor

THE TAKEAWAY

Our recommendation for Princeton

At $94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/mo, HughesNet’s Fusion plan buys up to 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, but its 13/100 Speed Score reflects the limitations of satellite service. Fusion is available to 100% of Princeton, yet its score is below the city average of 47, so consumers should check what other technologies are available at their exact address before choosing it. HughesNet may suit basic connectivity needs, but its performance is limited compared with faster alternatives.

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 its satellite service has below-average performance and may not be the best value for modern streaming, gaming, or multiple users. The Select plan reaches 100% of Princeton, yet because HughesNet’s options here are satellite, check your address for faster fiber, cable, or other local service before choosing it.

Available Plans

13
Gso Satellite
100 Mbps Download
5 Mbps Upload
Coverage 100.0% of city

Cheapest and Fastest Internet Plans in Princeton

All 19 product lines from the 6 providers with published pricing here, showing the price you would be quoted today and what it reverts to.

Showing 10 of 19 plans

  • Xfinity1.2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)1,200 MbpsDownload78Our score$100Per month~99.2%CoverageCable
  • Xfinity1 Gig1,000 MbpsDownload77Our score$50Per month~99.2%CoverageCable
  • StarlinkResidential Max 400 Mbps400 MbpsDownload62Our score$130Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
  • Xfinity500 Mbps$45/mo for 60 months, then $55/mo (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers)500 MbpsDownload62Our score$45$55Per month~99.2%CoverageCable
  • Xfinity300 Mbps$40/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)300 MbpsDownload56Our score$40Per month~99.2%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 MbpsDownload62Our score$74.99$84.99Per month~80%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 MbpsDownload62Our score$89.99$99.99Per month~80%CoverageFiber
  • Xfinity2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)2,000 MbpsDownload84Our score$100Per month~54.8%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 MbpsDownload56Our score$49.99Per month~80%CoverageFiber
  • StarlinkResidential 200 Mbps200 MbpsDownload38Our score$85Per month~100%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 Princeton

Best Fit

Students & Roommates

Choose Xfinity 300 Mbps for broad availability and enough capacity for shared streaming, classes, and video calls.

Its 300 Mbps plan reaches about 99% of Princeton, including Downtown Princeton and Princeton University areas.

Check first: Confirm the exact address, because Xfinity's 2,000 Mbps tier reaches only about 55%.

Best Fit

Remote Workers

Choose Verizon fiber where available for symmetrical speeds and stronger video-conferencing performance.

Verizon's 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaches about 44% of Princeton, with especially strong availability in ZIP 08544.

Check first: Fiber is not citywide, so verify service at your address before choosing Verizon.

Best Fit

Gamers & Streamers

Choose Xfinity 2 Gig where available, or Verizon fiber where its faster symmetrical tier reaches your address.

Xfinity's 2,000 Mbps cable reaches about 55%, while Verizon's 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaches about 44%.

Check first: Neither top tier is broadly available, so check your exact Princeton address.

Best Fit

Students & Roommates

Start with Verizon where fiber is available near campus-heavy areas.

Shared apartments need stable upload and download performance for Zoom, streaming, and concurrent device use.

Check first: Confirm your exact building is wired for the advertised plan tier before ordering.

Internet Providers by ZIP Code in Princeton

Jugtown 08540

Verizon is currently the strongest option for Fiber where available.

Verizon's 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaches about 43% of Jugtown, while Xfinity's 2,000 Mbps tier reaches about 31%.

Downtown Princeton 08542

Verizon is currently the strongest option for High-speed fiber.

Verizon's 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaches about 72% of Downtown Princeton, compared with Xfinity's 2,000 Mbps at about 10%.

Princeton University 08544

Verizon is currently the strongest option for Campus-area fiber.

Verizon's 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaches about 92% of Princeton University, while Xfinity's 2,000 Mbps tier reaches about 8%.

ZIP 08543

Xfinity is currently the strongest option for Widely available cable.

Xfinity's 2,000 Mbps cable reaches about 63% of ZIP 08543, exceeding Verizon's 940 Mbps fiber reach of about 15%.

Internet providers near Princeton

Coverage can change completely a few miles down the road. If you’re moving to or shopping just outside Princeton, check the neighboring market directly.

Princeton Internet FAQs

Who is the best internet provider in Princeton, NJ?

Xfinity is Princeton's best overall provider, offering cable up to 2,000 Mbps across about 55% of the city. Verizon is faster where available, with 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaching about 44%, so verify your address before prioritizing speed.

What is the fastest internet in Princeton, NJ?

Verizon has the fastest internet where available: 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaches about 44% of Princeton. Xfinity's 2,000 Mbps cable reaches about 55%, making it the best overall option when Verizon fiber does not reach your address.

Which internet provider covers the most of Princeton, NJ?

Xfinity has the largest non-satellite footprint at about 100% overall coverage in Princeton, with its 300 Mbps plan reaching about 99%. Satellite service is available everywhere, while Xfinity is the strongest widely distributed wired choice.

What is the cheapest internet plan in Princeton, NJ?

T-Mobile Rely Home Internet 400 Mbps is the cheapest at $35 per month promotional starting pricing, reaching about 59% of Princeton, with a qualifying wireless line and bundle required. Confirm eligibility because the offer requires postpaid voice service and a new Internet line.

Can I get fiber internet in Princeton?

Verizon's 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaches about 44% of Princeton, while Brightspeed's 1,000/1,000 Mbps fiber reaches about 2%. Check the service address carefully, because each provider's fiber footprint is much smaller than its overall coverage.

What internet speed do I need in Princeton?

A 300 Mbps plan is widely practical: Xfinity's 300 Mbps tier reaches about 99% of Princeton, while Verizon's 300 Mbps plan reaches about 80%. Larger households, heavy streaming, and gaming can justify higher tiers where their specific technologies are available.

Is fast Verizon fiber available in Princeton University ZIP 08544?

Yes, Verizon's 2,048/2,048 Mbps fiber reaches about 92% of Princeton University ZIP 08544. That ZIP strongly favors Verizon fiber, but confirm the exact address before relying on the reported coverage.

How We Analyze Internet in Princeton

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 Princeton report service availability from each provider.

Data Coverage for Princeton

ZIP Codes Analyzed:
08540085420854308544
Census Tracts: 19 tracts
Census Blocks: 981 blocks analyzed

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.