New Bern, NC Internet
Internet Providers in New Bern, NC
Compare every internet provider in New Bern, NC: coverage from FCC filings, plan prices checked monthly, and an address check for your street.
The 30-Second Verdict
UpdatedOptimum is the best overall choice, with cable speeds up to 940 Mbps reaching about 57% of the city. If Metronet Holdings reaches your address, it is the faster choice, with fiber speeds up to 5,120/5,120 Mbps reaching about 38% of the city. Where Optimum does not reach, Brightspeed is the broadest backup, mostly DSL, with an overall footprint of about 91% and common DSL speeds up to 80 Mbps reaching about 14% of the city.
The ZIP breakdown shows Metronet dominating Carolina Colours, 28561, and 28564, while Brightspeed leads 28563 with fiber speeds up to 1,000/1,000 Mbps. In Ghent, Metronet covers about 35% of the ZIP, ahead of Optimum at about 25%, with Brightspeed fiber also present. Taberna and student apartments near Craven Community College deserve an address-level check, since some buildings may still be tied to older DSL or copper infrastructure. T-Mobile and Verizon are worth considering when wired options are limited, especially for students needing dependable Zoom, streaming, and gaming connections. Coverage can change from street to street, so confirm the exact address before choosing.
Best Internet Providers in New Bern, NC
Best plan here: 1 Gig Internet — faster than 77% of all internet options in North Carolina
- 1 Gig Internet$50/mo promotional rate, then $60/mo · $50 Prepaid cardCable940 MbpsDownload77Our score$50Per month
- 500 Mbps Internet$40/mo promotional rate, then $50/moCable500 MbpsDownload76Our score$40Per month
- 300 Mbps Internet$25/mo for 12 monthsCable300 MbpsDownload71Our score$25Per month
Source: Optimum 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
Good
Good
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for New Bern
Optimum’s cable service suits large households, remote workers, and frequent streamers, with up to 940 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload on its 1 Gig Internet plan and a 77/100 Speed Score, above New Bern’s city average. Cable is a solid, reliable choice for most uses, but availability varies by address, so confirm that this service reaches your home 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 Optimum
Optimum is a good fit for households that want strong cable performance for streaming, gaming, and multiple connected devices, with up to 940 Mbps download and a Speed Score of 77/100 on its 1 Gig plan. The service reaches 57.0% of New Bern, so availability is address-dependent, but where offered, the cable plans are solid choices, including 500 Mbps for $40/mo or 300 Mbps for $25/mo for 12 months.
Available Plans
Cable
Speed Score: Faster than 98% of all internet options in North Carolina
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
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for New Bern
Households with heavy streaming, gaming, remote work, or many connected devices should find Metronet Holdings an excellent choice, with fiber offering up to 5,120 Mbps both ways and a Speed Score of 98/100. That is well above New Bern’s average top speed score of 65, but the fiber plan reaches about 38% of the city, so availability must be confirmed 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 Metronet Holdings
Metronet Holdings is a strong fit for households that need fast, dependable internet for streaming, gaming, remote work, and multiple connected devices. Its fiber plan offers excellent service, with up to 5120 Mbps both ways, though availability is address-dependent and reaches about 38% of New Bern census blocks, so check your exact address before choosing it.
Available Plans
Fiber
Best plan here: Brightspeed Internet up to 100 Mbps — slower than 79% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Brightspeed Internet up to 100 Mbps$65/mo for 12 months (qualifying Fiber Brightspeed customers; new customers for reward card) · $250 Reward CardDSL100 MbpsDownload21Our score$65Per month
Source: Brightspeed 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
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for New Bern
Brightspeed’s DSL plan offers up to 100 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload, suitable for basic browsing, video calls, and streaming, but limited for heavy simultaneous use. Its Speed Score of 21/100 is well below New Bern’s city average of 65, making this a limited-performance option compared with alternatives. This plan is available to only about 4% of the city, so check your address and what other providers offer 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 Brightspeed
Up to 100 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload is suitable for basic browsing, streaming, and smaller households, but it may feel limited with several heavy users or demanding online activities. Brightspeed’s DSL option has a below-average speed score of 21/100 and is available to about 4% of New Bern, so check your address for faster fiber or cable service first, especially if your household needs more capacity.
Available Plans
Fiber
Copper
Copper
Copper
Copper
Copper
Fiber
Fiber
Fiber
Fiber
Best plan here: Internet Gig 1 Gig — faster than 79% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Internet Gig 1 Gig$60/mo for 12 months (new residential customers only (no Spectrum service in past 30 days); limited-time offer; not available in all areas)Cable1,000 MbpsDownload79Our score$60Per month
- Internet Premier 500 Mbps$40/mo for 12 months (new residential customers only (no Spectrum service in past 30 days); limited-time offer; not available in all areas)Cable500 MbpsDownload76Our score$40Per month
- Internet 100$30/mo for 12 months (new residential customers only (no Spectrum service in past 30 days); limited-time offer; not available in all areas)Cable100 MbpsDownload21Our score$30Per month
Source: Spectrum 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
Good
Good
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for New Bern
Spectrum’s headline Speed Score of 79/100 represents up to 1,000 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload, enough for busy households, 4K streaming, gaming, and large downloads, though the upload speed is less suited to heavy cloud backups. Its cable service is a solid, reliable option, and the score is above New Bern’s city average of 65. Internet Gig is available to about 25% of the city, so confirm your address before counting on the top-tier speed.
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 Spectrum
Spectrum’s up to 1,000 Mbps cable plan is excellent for streaming, gaming, video calls, and households with many connected devices, with up to 35 Mbps upload. Cable availability is address-dependent, and this plan is shown for about 25% of New Bern, so check your address first; where it is unavailable, Spectrum’s up to 500 Mbps and 100 Mbps cable plans may still work well for basic to moderate use, but the slower option may feel limiting for busy modern households.
Available Plans
Cable
Fiber
Best plan here: 5G Home — faster than 71% of all internet options in North Carolina
- 5G Home$60/mo for 12 months (w/ Auto Pay & postpaid mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband; requires bundle)5G Fixed Wireless300 MbpsDownload71Our 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
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for New Bern
Verizon’s 5G Home fixed wireless service is an adequate option for everyday browsing, streaming, and video calls, with speeds up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload. Its Speed Score of 71/100 is above New Bern’s city average of 65, but availability is address-dependent because this plan reaches 25.4% of the city, so check your address before counting on 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 Verizon
Verizon’s 5G fixed wireless service offers up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload, which is good for streaming, video calls, and typical household use, though performance can vary with wireless conditions. It is available to about 25% of New Bern, so check your address, especially since this is an adequate fixed-wireless option rather than the consistency of fiber or cable, and compare faster wired services first if they are available.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: T-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps — faster than 76% of all internet options in North Carolina
- 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 MbpsDownload76Our 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 MbpsDownload76Our 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 MbpsDownload76Our 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 New Bern
T-Mobile suits households seeking good everyday performance, with plans offering up to 500 Mbps download and 60 Mbps upload. Its fixed wireless service earns a 76/100 Speed Score, above New Bern’s 65 city average, though performance can be less consistent than wired connections. Address availability is important because the 500 Mbps plans reach about 46% of the city, and the $35 Rely plan offers up to 400 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload, with qualifying credit, a postpaid voice line, and a new Internet line required.
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 solid everyday internet, including streaming, video calls, and several connected devices, with fixed wireless plans offering up to 500 Mbps download and a good 76/100 Speed Score. Its best 500 Mbps plans are available to about 46% of New Bern, so service is address-dependent, and the required voice-line bundle, introductory pricing, and later price increase are worth checking before you order.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: Residential Max 400 Mbps — faster than 76% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Residential Max 400 MbpsSatellite400 MbpsDownload76Our score$130Per month
- Residential 200 MbpsSatellite200 MbpsDownload57Our score$85Per month
- Residential 100 MbpsSatellite100 MbpsDownload21Our 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 New Bern
Satellite service can provide useful broadband where wired options are limited, but its higher latency may affect gaming, video calls, and other real-time activities. Starlink’s Residential Max plan offers up to 400 Mbps download and 40 Mbps upload for $130 per month, with a 76/100 Speed Score that is above New Bern’s 65 city average, making it a competitive satellite option. That plan is shown as available to 100.0% of New Bern, but confirm availability and expected performance at your specific address, and check other technologies first if low latency is important.
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
Starlink uses satellite internet, which reaches homes broadly and can handle streaming, video calls, and everyday browsing with its Residential Max plan offering up to 400 Mbps down and 40 Mbps up. It is a good option where wired service is unavailable, but satellite can have higher latency, so check your address for fiber or cable first, especially if you need consistently responsive gaming or demanding work applications.
Available Plans
Ngso Satellite
Best plan here: Fusion — slower than 79% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Fusion$94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/moSatellite100 MbpsDownload21Our score$94.99Per month
- Select$49.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $74.99/moSatellite50 MbpsDownload16Our score$49.99Per month
- Lite$39.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $49.99/moSatellite25 MbpsDownload6Our 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 New Bern
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 21/100 Speed Score makes it limited value for the price. Satellite service can have higher latency and less consistent real-world performance, and this score is below New Bern’s city average of 65. Fusion is available to 100.0% of the city, but check what other technologies reach your address before choosing HughesNet.
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
HughesNet costs $39.99 to $94.99 per month for the first 12 months, then $49.99 to $119.99, with plans offering up to 25 Mbps, 50 Mbps, or 100 Mbps download speeds and only 3 Mbps or 5 Mbps upload speeds. Because these are satellite plans with below-average performance and higher latency, check whether faster cable or fiber service is available at your address first, since HughesNet may be best as a fallback for basic internet needs.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Cheapest and Fastest Internet Plans in New Bern
All 17 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 17 plans
- StarlinkResidential Max 400 Mbps400 MbpsDownload76Our score$130Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- StarlinkResidential 200 Mbps200 MbpsDownload57Our score$85Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- Optimum1 Gig Internet$50/mo promotional rate, then $60/mo · $50 Prepaid card940 MbpsDownload77Our score$50$60Per month~57%CoverageCable
- Optimum500 Mbps Internet$40/mo promotional rate, then $50/mo500 MbpsDownload76Our score$40$50Per month~57%CoverageCable
- Optimum300 Mbps Internet$25/mo for 12 months300 MbpsDownload71Our score$25$40Per month~57%CoverageCable
- 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 MbpsDownload76Our score$35$50Per month~45.8%CoverageFixed Wireless
- T-MobileT-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 Mastercard500 MbpsDownload76Our score$45$60Per month~45.8%CoverageFixed Wireless
- T-MobileT-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 Mastercard500 MbpsDownload76Our score$55$70Per month~45.8%CoverageFixed Wireless
- StarlinkResidential 100 Mbps100 MbpsDownload21Our score$55Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- HughesNetFusion$94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/mo100 MbpsDownload21Our score$94.99$119.99Per 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.
Compare New Bern providers head-to-head
See how New Bern’s providers stack up against each other — speed, coverage, price, and who wins block by block.
Best Fit by Household Type in New Bern
Best Fit
Students & Roommates
Choose Optimum 300 Mbps Internet for shared streaming, classes, and browsing where its cable network reaches your address.
Optimum reaches about 57% of New Bern, with 300 Mbps available throughout its listed footprint.
Check first: Confirm availability at your address because Optimum does not cover every New Bern home.
Best Fit
Remote Workers
Choose Metronet Holdings fiber for symmetrical 5,120/5,120 Mbps if it reaches your address.
Metronet's fiber reaches about 38% of New Bern and offers matching upload and download speeds.
Check first: The 5,120 Mbps tier is limited to Metronet's roughly 38% fiber footprint.
Best Fit
Gamers & Streamers
Choose Metronet Holdings fiber where available; otherwise consider Optimum's 940 Mbps cable tier.
Metronet reaches about 38% with 5,120/5,120 Mbps, while Optimum's 940 Mbps tier reaches about 57%.
Check first: Check the exact technology and tier at your address before choosing either provider.
Best Fit
Rural & Edge-of-City Homes
Start with Brightspeed for its broadest terrestrial footprint, or use satellite, available everywhere.
Brightspeed covers about 91% overall, mostly DSL, with its common 80 Mbps tier reaching about 14%.
Check first: Brightspeed's broad footprint does not mean 80 Mbps service reaches every covered address.
Internet Providers by ZIP Code in New Bern
Ghent 28560
Metronet Holdings is currently the strongest option for Maximum fiber speed.
Metronet Holdings reaches about 35% of ZIP 28560 with 5,120/5,120 Mbps fiber.
Carolina Colours 28562
Metronet Holdings is currently the strongest option for High-speed fiber households.
Metronet Holdings reaches about 70% of ZIP 28562 with 5,120/5,120 Mbps fiber.
ZIP 28561
Metronet Holdings is currently the strongest option for Broad fiber availability.
Metronet Holdings reaches about 75% of ZIP 28561 with 5,120/5,120 Mbps fiber.
ZIP 28563
Brightspeed is currently the strongest option for Fiber availability.
Brightspeed reaches about 55% of ZIP 28563 with 1,000/1,000 Mbps fiber.
ZIP 28564
Metronet Holdings is currently the strongest option for Most extensive fiber reach.
Metronet Holdings reaches about 89% of ZIP 28564 with 5,120/5,120 Mbps fiber.
Internet providers near New Bern
Coverage can change completely a few miles down the road. If you’re moving to or shopping just outside New Bern, check the neighboring market directly.
New Bern Internet FAQs
Who is the best internet provider in New Bern, NC?
Optimum is the best overall provider in New Bern, with cable up to 940 Mbps reaching about 57% of the city. Metronet Holdings is faster where available, offering 5,120/5,120 Mbps fiber across about 38%, so check your address before choosing.
What is the fastest internet in New Bern, NC?
Metronet Holdings is the fastest internet in New Bern, offering fiber up to 5,120/5,120 Mbps where available, reaching about 38% of the city. Optimum is the best overall choice, with 940 Mbps cable reaching about 57%.
Which internet provider covers the most of New Bern, NC?
Brightspeed covers the most of New Bern, reaching about 91% 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 New Bern, NC?
Optimum 300 Mbps Internet is the cheapest plan in New Bern at a promotional $25/mo for the first 12 months, delivering 300 Mbps and reaching about 57% of the city. Confirm the plan and promotional terms at your address before ordering.
Can I get fiber internet in New Bern?
Metronet Holdings fiber reaches about 38% of New Bern, with speeds up to 5,120/5,120 Mbps. Brightspeed also lists fiber tiers reaching about 28%, so address-level checking is essential because fiber availability varies substantially by ZIP and provider.
What internet speed do I need in New Bern?
A 300 Mbps plan is available from Optimum across its approximately 57% cable footprint and suits many shared households. Heavier uploading, gaming, or multiple simultaneous streams may favor Metronet's 5,120/5,120 Mbps fiber where it reaches about 38%.
Which internet provider is best in Carolina Colours?
Metronet Holdings reaches about 70% of Carolina Colours in ZIP 28562 with 5,120/5,120 Mbps fiber. Its strong local coverage makes it the first address to check, although availability still depends on the specific home.
How We Analyze Internet in New Bern
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 New Bern report service availability from each provider.
Data Coverage for New Bern
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.