PITTSBURGH, PA
Find internet providers in Pittsburgh, PA
Find internet offered in Pittsburgh, PA – easily compare options from multiple providers to find the plan that best fits your needs.
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Every price and coverage figure on this site traces back to FCC Broadband Data Collection filings (the National Broadband Map); here’s exactly how we do it.
Shop and compare 9 internet providers for Pittsburgh, PA
The 30-Second Verdict
UpdatedIn Pittsburgh, PA, your best bet is Xfinity, covering ~100% of the city. Its fastest FCC-filed cable tier reaches up to 2,000 Mbps, and that tier reaches ~81% of the city. Verizon is a close alternative, appearing as the best option for 97.3% of the city overall, with fiber reaching 95% and speeds up to 940/880 Mbps. In Oakland (15213), Xfinity covers 98.9% of the ZIP at up to 2,000 Mbps, while Verizon fiber covers 0.8%; ZIP 15205 shows more fiber, at 27.8% Verizon. Shadyside is entirely Xfinity at 100.0%, and Lawrenceville is 99.7% Xfinity, while Squirrel Hill still deserves an address-level check. In the Point Park University area (15222), Xfinity covers 92.5% at up to 2,000 Mbps, but another 3.2% is on its 1,200 Mbps tier. Students at the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Chatham University, and Point Park University should remember that apartments near campus can differ from nearby homes, with older buildings sometimes stuck on DSL or copper. For budget fixed wireless, T-Mobile reaches 44% of the city with speeds up to 100/20 Mbps, while AT&T reaches 5% at the same filed speed. Coverage can change street to street, so confirm the exact address before signing up.
Best plan here: 1.2/2 Gig — faster than 82% of all internet options in Pennsylvania
- 1.2/2 Gig$90/mo for the first 12 months, then $100/moFiber/Cable1,200 MbpsDownload82Our score$90Per month
- 1 Gig$60/mo for the first 12 months, then $70/moFiber/Cable1,000 MbpsDownload82Our score$60Per month
- 500 Mbps$50/mo for the first 12 months, then $60/moFiber/Cable500 MbpsDownload72Our score$50Per month
- 300 Mbps$40/mo for the first 12 months, then $45/moFiber/Cable300 MbpsDownload72Our score$40Per month
Source: Xfinity official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows excellent speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers some of the best speeds available in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Good
Good
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Pittsburgh
Xfinity reaches 99.5% of Pittsburgh, giving most shoppers a strong chance of finding service at their address. Its 1 Gig plan offers up to 1000 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload with an 82/100 Speed Score, above the city average of 60, making it a competitive high-speed choice. Because the available connection may be Fiber or Cable, confirm the technology at your address: fiber is a top-tier option, while cable is a reliable choice with different real-world performance.
About Xfinity
Xfinity reaches 99.5% of Pittsburgh, giving most residents a strong chance of getting service. Its fiber/cable plans are excellent for modern households, offering up to 1200 Mbps download and up to 35 Mbps upload, but the exact connection type and fastest plan depend on your address, so check availability before choosing.
Available Plans
Cable
Cable
Fiber
Best plan here: 5G Home Plus — faster than 73% of all internet options in Pennsylvania
- 5G Home Plus$45/mo promotional rate, then $70/mo5G Fixed Wireless1,000 MbpsDownload73Our score$45Per month
- 5G Home$35/mo promotional rate, then $60/mo5G Fixed Wireless300 MbpsDownload72Our score$35Per month
Source: Verizon official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows average speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers competitive speeds in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Pittsburgh
Verizon’s 5G fixed wireless service is an adequate choice for everyday browsing, streaming, and video calls, with plans offering up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload or up to 1000 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload. The 5G Home Plus plan has a 73/100 Speed Score and 5G Home scores 72/100, while Verizon’s headline score is above Pittsburgh’s city average of 60, making it a competitive option where available. These plans are available to 16.8% of Pittsburgh, so check your address, and remember that fixed wireless performance can vary more than wired connections.
About Verizon
Verizon’s 5G fixed wireless service is an adequate option for everyday browsing, streaming, and video calls, although performance can vary with local conditions. Where available, 5G Home Plus offers up to 1000 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload for $45/mo promotional, then $70/mo, while 5G Home offers up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload for $35/mo promotional, then $60/mo. Both plans are available to 16.8% of Pittsburgh, so check your exact address before relying on Verizon, and compare faster wired options if they are available to you.
Available Plans
Fiber
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Kinetic by Windstream
Speeds up to 2,000 Mbps
Plans start at $24.99 /mo *
Speed Score: Faster than 97% of all internet options in Pennsylvania
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows excellent speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers some of the best speeds available in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Pittsburgh
The monthly cost is best justified by Kinetic by Windstream’s top-tier fiber plan, which offers up to 2000 Mbps download and 2000 Mbps upload with a 97/100 Speed Score. Fiber is an excellent choice where available, but it reaches only 0.2% of Pittsburgh, so check your address carefully because some locations receive copper service instead. Those plans reach up to 200/20 Mbps with a 65/100 Speed Score, representing limited performance compared with alternatives and making it worth checking other providers first.
About Kinetic by Windstream
At the monthly price quoted for your address, Kinetic by Windstream can be a strong value where its fiber is available, offering up to 2000 Mbps both ways with a Speed Score of 97/100, though that plan reaches only 0.2% of Pittsburgh census blocks. Its up to 1000 Mbps both ways fiber plan reaches 0.5%, while address-dependent copper options range from up to 200/20 Mbps down to 10/1 Mbps, so check for fiber first because the slower fallback may not meet modern streaming, work, or upload needs.
Available Plans
Fiber
Copper
Copper
Fiber
Copper
Copper
Best plan here: All-In Home Internet — faster than 72% of all internet options in Pennsylvania
- All-In Home Internet$70/mo promotional rate, then $80/mo5G Fixed Wireless498 MbpsDownload72Our score$70Per month
- Rely Home Internet$50/mo promotional rate, then $60/mo5G Fixed Wireless354 MbpsDownload72Our score$50Per month
Source: T-Mobile official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows average speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers competitive speeds in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Pittsburgh
For households that want fast everyday internet at a straightforward monthly price, T-Mobile’s 5G fixed wireless is a competitive option, with a 72/100 Speed Score that is above Pittsburgh’s city average of 60. All-In offers up to 498 Mbps download and 55 Mbps upload at a promotional $70/mo, then $80/mo, while Rely offers up to 354 Mbps download and 55 Mbps upload at a promotional $50/mo, then $60/mo, and both plans score 72/100. Because these plans are available to 62.6% of Pittsburgh and fixed wireless can be more variable than wired service, checking your address is important.
About T-Mobile
Households that need internet for streaming, video calls, and several connected devices may find T-Mobile a solid, budget-friendly fixed wireless option, with up to 498 Mbps down and 55 Mbps up on All-In Home Internet for $70/mo promotional pricing, or up to 354 Mbps down and 55 Mbps up on Rely Home Internet for $50/mo promotional pricing. Both plans have a 72/100 Speed Score and are available to 62.6% of Pittsburgh, so check your address first, and compare fiber or cable if you want a more consistent connection than fixed wireless can provide.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: Residential – Max — faster than 65% of all internet options in Pennsylvania
- Residential – MaxSatellite400 MbpsDownload65Our score$130Per month
- Residential – 200 MbpsSatellite200 MbpsDownload42Our score$85Per month
- Residential – 100 MbpsSatellite100 MbpsDownload42Our score$55Per month
Source: Starlink official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows below average speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and is an indicator that there are better options in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Adequate
Poor
Poor
Adequate
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Pittsburgh
Satellite internet offers broad reach and up to 400 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload on the Residential Max plan, but higher latency can make gaming, video calls, and other real-time activities less responsive than fiber or cable. With a Speed Score of 65/100, above the city average of 60, and availability to 99.6% of Pittsburgh, it is competitive for satellite service, but satellite has limited performance compared with other technologies, so check what is available at your address before choosing.
About Starlink
Satellite internet can provide broad access, but its higher latency and below-average speed scores may make activities like video calls, gaming, and heavy uploads less consistent than with fiber or cable. Starlink’s fastest plan offers up to 400 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload for $130/mo, while its 200 Mbps and 100 Mbps plans offer up to 25 Mbps upload, so check your address for a faster wired option first, especially since the alternatives available to you are address-dependent. Starlink is a useful fallback where faster service is unavailable, with the Residential – Max plan available to 99.6% of Pittsburgh.
Available Plans
Ngso Satellite
Best plan here: AT&T Internet Air — faster than 72% of all internet options in Pennsylvania
- AT&T Internet Air$55/mo promotional rate, then $60/mo5G Fixed Wireless300 MbpsDownload72Our score$55Per month
Source: AT&T official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows average speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers competitive speeds in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Pittsburgh
At $55/mo promotional pricing, then $60/mo, AT&T Internet Air offers up to 300 Mbps download and 300 Mbps upload, a competitive symmetrical package for the price. Its Speed Score of 72/100 is above Pittsburgh’s 60 average, though fixed wireless can be less consistent than wired service. Availability depends on your address, with this plan reaching 44.9% of Pittsburgh, so verify eligibility before choosing it.
About AT&T
At $55/mo promotional rate, rising to $60/mo, AT&T Internet Air buys up to 300 Mbps download and upload speeds, a solid option for streaming, video calls, and typical household use. It is fixed wireless rather than fiber or cable, and availability is limited to 44.9% of Pittsburgh, so check your address and consider other providers first if you need especially consistent service for a busy, multi-device home.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: Fusion — slower than 79% of all internet options in Pennsylvania
- 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 MbpsDownload3Our 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
Local data shows below average speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and is an indicator that there are better options in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Pittsburgh
HughesNet’s Fusion plan costs $94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/mo, buying up to 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, but its 21/100 Speed Score is below Pittsburgh’s city average of 60. Satellite service is available to 100.0% of Pittsburgh, yet its higher latency and limited performance make it worth checking what other technologies are available at your specific address first.
About HughesNet
At $39.99/mo for the first 12 months, HughesNet’s Lite plan buys up to 25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up, while Select costs $49.99/mo for up to 50 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up, and Fusion costs $94.99/mo for up to 100 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up, so the value is limited for busy households and modern streaming or gaming. Since all three options are satellite with below-average Speed Scores, check your address for fiber or cable first, and consider HughesNet mainly as a fallback if faster options are unavailable, even though these plans are available to 100.0% of Pittsburgh.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Consolidated Communications
Speeds up to 500 Mbps
Plans range $51.95–$71.9 /mo *
Best plan here: ADVANCED — slower than 58% of all internet options in Pennsylvania
- ADVANCEDDSL50 MbpsDownload42Our score$71.9Per month
- STANDARDDSL25 MbpsDownload21Our score$68.9Per month
- BASICDSL10 MbpsDownload3Our score$51.95Per month
Source: Consolidated Communications official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows below average speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and is an indicator that there are better options in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Adequate
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Pittsburgh
Consolidated Communications is a limited-performance option compared with alternatives in Pittsburgh: its best DSL plan scores 42/100, below the city average of 60, with speeds up to 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload for $71.9/mo. Availability is address-specific, and the ADVANCED plan is shown in only 0.3% of the city, so consider checking other providers first at your address.
About Consolidated Communications
Consolidated Communications is mostly a weak choice for Pittsburgh shoppers, so check whether a faster provider is available at your address first. Its fastest DSL plan offers up to 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload for $71.9/mo and is available to just 0.3% of the city, while the other plans offer up to 25 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload or up to 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload, so these copper connections may not be sufficient for modern households.
Available Plans
Copper
Copper
Copper
Best plan here: Viasat Essentials — slower than 97% of all internet options in Pennsylvania
- Viasat EssentialsSatellite55 MbpsDownload3Our score$69.99Per month
- Viasat UnleashedSatellite34 MbpsDownload1Our score$99.99Per month
Source: Viasat Inc official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows below average speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and is an indicator that there are better options in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Pittsburgh
Viasat is a limited-performance choice compared with alternatives in Pittsburgh. Its Viasat Essentials plan offers up to 55 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $69.99/mo, with a Speed Score of 3/100, below the city average of 60. Satellite service is available to 100.0% of Pittsburgh, but its latency and slower performance make it worth checking what else is available at your address.
About Viasat Inc
Viasat is best treated as a fallback option, so check whether faster cable or fiber service is available at your address first. Its satellite plans are available to 100.0% of Pittsburgh, but the fastest option offers up to 55 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload with a 3/100 Speed Score, while the other offers up to 34 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload with a 1/100 score, making them potentially limiting for modern households and more demanding online use.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Every plan available in Pittsburgh
All 20 product lines from the 8 providers with published pricing here, showing the price you would be quoted today and what it reverts to.
Showing 10 of 20 plans
- Xfinity1 Gig$60/mo for the first 12 months, then $70/mo1,000 MbpsDownload82Our score$60$70Per month~99.5%CoverageFiber/Cable
- Xfinity1.2/2 Gig$90/mo for the first 12 months, then $100/mo1,200 MbpsDownload82Our score$90$100Per month~99.5%CoverageFiber/Cable
- Xfinity300 Mbps$40/mo for the first 12 months, then $45/mo300 MbpsDownload72Our score$40$45Per month~99.5%CoverageFiber/Cable
- Xfinity500 Mbps$50/mo for the first 12 months, then $60/mo500 MbpsDownload72Our score$50$60Per month~99.5%CoverageFiber/Cable
- StarlinkResidential – Max400 MbpsDownload65Our score$130Per month~99.6%CoverageSatellite
- T-MobileRely Home Internet$50/mo promotional rate, then $60/mo354 MbpsDownload72Our score$50$60Per month~62.6%Coverage5G Fixed Wireless
- T-MobileAll-In Home Internet$70/mo promotional rate, then $80/mo498 MbpsDownload72Our score$70$80Per month~62.6%Coverage5G Fixed Wireless
- StarlinkResidential – 100 Mbps100 MbpsDownload42Our score$55Per month~99.6%CoverageSatellite
- StarlinkResidential – 200 Mbps200 MbpsDownload42Our score$85Per month~99.6%CoverageSatellite
- AT&TAT&T Internet Air$55/mo promotional rate, then $60/mo300 MbpsDownload72Our score$55$60Per month~44.9%Coverage5G Fixed Wireless
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 Pittsburgh
Best Fit
Students & Roommates
Choose Xfinity's 300 Mbps plan, which reaches 99.5% of Pittsburgh.
Xfinity reaches 98.9% of Oakland ZIP 15213 and 100.0% of Shadyside ZIP 15232.
Check first: Confirm the exact address; 99.5% reach still leaves some Pittsburgh buildings outside coverage.
Best Fit
Remote Workers
Prefer Verizon fiber's 940/880 Mbps service where available.
Verizon fiber reaches approximately 95% of Pittsburgh, supporting heavier simultaneous work.
Check first: Fiber availability varies by address; Verizon's 5G Home reaches only 16.8%.
Best Fit
Gamers & Streamers
Use Xfinity's 2,000/300 Mbps cable tier where its approximately 81% reach applies.
Its 2,000/300 Mbps tier reaches 98.9% of Oakland and 100.0% of Shadyside in the ZIP data.
Check first: The 2,000/300 Mbps tier is not available at every Pittsburgh address; verify the technology first.
Best Fit
Rural & Edge-of-City Homes
Consider Starlink Residential – 100 Mbps, reaching 99.6% of Pittsburgh.
Starlink reaches 99.6%, while HughesNet and Viasat each reach 100.0% citywide.
Check first: Starlink's 99.6% reach still requires an exact-address check before ordering.
Top ZIP-Level Insights in Pittsburgh
Oakland
Xfinity is currently the strongest option for Fast cable for students and roommates.
Xfinity's 2,000/300 Mbps cable coverage reaches 98.9% of Oakland ZIP 15213.
Downtown Pittsburgh
Xfinity is currently the strongest option for High-speed cable downtown.
Xfinity's 2,000/300 Mbps cable coverage reaches 92.5% of Downtown Pittsburgh ZIP 15222.
Shadyside
Xfinity is currently the strongest option for Consistent cable coverage.
Xfinity's 2,000/300 Mbps cable service covers 100.0% of Shadyside ZIP 15232.
Lawrenceville
Xfinity is currently the strongest option for Broad cable availability.
Xfinity's 2,000/300 Mbps cable coverage reaches 99.7% of Lawrenceville ZIP 15201.
Internet providers near Pittsburgh
Coverage can change completely a few miles down the road. If you’re moving to or shopping just outside Pittsburgh, check the neighboring market directly.
Pittsburgh Internet FAQs
What's the fastest internet provider in Pittsburgh?
Kinetic by Windstream lists the fastest upload tier at 2,000/2,000 Mbps, but it reaches only 1.0% of Pittsburgh. Xfinity's 2,000/300 Mbps cable tier reaches approximately 81%, so compare the exact address before choosing between maximum performance and broader availability.
Can I get fiber in Oakland?
Yes—Verizon fiber appears in 0.8% of ZIP 15213, offering 940/880 Mbps where available. Most Oakland addresses in the supplied ZIP data use Xfinity's 2,000/300 Mbps cable service at 98.9%, so verify the exact address before ordering.
What's the cheapest internet plan in Pittsburgh?
Verizon 5G Home is Pittsburgh's cheapest plan at a promotional starting rate of $35/mo for 300 Mbps, reaching 16.8% of the city. Confirm address eligibility because that plan's reach is much smaller than Verizon's 97.3% overall footprint, despite the provider's broader availability.
How much internet speed do I need for working from home in Pittsburgh?
A practical target is 300 Mbps for a remote-work household; Xfinity's plan reaches 99.5% of Pittsburgh. Where available, Verizon fiber provides 940/880 Mbps across approximately 95% of the city, offering more capacity for simultaneous calls, uploads, streaming, and other household activity.
Is Xfinity available in Shadyside?
Yes—Xfinity's 2,000/300 Mbps cable service covers 100.0% of ZIP 15232 in Shadyside. That makes Shadyside the strongest listed ZIP for this cable tier, but confirm the exact service address before scheduling installation or choosing a plan.
How We Analyze Internet in Pittsburgh
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
Our proprietary score weights technology type (fiber=100%, cable=85%, etc.) with download (70%) and upload (30%) speeds, ranked as a state percentile.
Coverage Calculation
Provider coverage shows what percentage of census blocks in Pittsburgh report service availability from each provider.
Data Coverage for Pittsburgh
How We Calculate Speed Score
Our Speed Score is a state-level percentile ranking (0-100) that shows how a provider’s service compares to all other internet options available in your state.
The Formula:
We calculate a raw performance score using:
Technology Factor × (Download Speed × 70% + Upload Speed × 30%)
Technology Factors:
Not all connections are equal. We weight each technology based on real-world reliability and performance:
- Fiber: 100% – Fastest, most reliable technology
- Cable: 85% – High speeds, shared neighborhood bandwidth
- Fixed Wireless (Licensed): 70% – Dedicated spectrum, weather-dependent
- Copper/DSL: 65% – Distance-limited, aging infrastructure
- Fixed Wireless (Unlicensed): 60% – Shared spectrum, variable performance
- Satellite (LEO): 40% – Low-earth orbit (e.g., Starlink), higher latency
- Satellite (GEO): 15% – Geostationary orbit, significant latency
Percentile Ranking:
After calculating raw scores, we rank every service option in your state by geographic coverage (census blocks served). A score of 85 means this service performs better than 85% of all internet options available in your state.
Data Source: FCC National Broadband Map data, updated twice a year.
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.