Internet In My Area: Switch Before You Move

Checking off “find internet in my area” should be at the top of your moving to-do list. In times when working and schooling from home are becoming the norm, a stable internet connection has never been more important. Googling “best internet in my area” and “internet providers near me” will give you a number of local options that range in pricing and services. That said, you'll need to put in your exact address to find out what you can actually get. Internet coverage can be frustrating — sometimes your neighbor a few houses down will have a provider that you can't get, and you're usually stuck choosing between only a couple options.

Best internet in my area: Top internet service providers and their coverage areas

We’ve collected information about the largest internet providers in order to represent a big portion of the country. To start your search for internet services in your area, see which states each provider serves. Keep in mind that availability can also vary by city. For a detailed view of which internet providers are available near you, refer to the FCC’s Broadband Map. | Company | Starting price | Download speeds (across all plans) | Availability | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------ | -------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- | | AT&T | $45.00/mo. | 10 to 4,700 Mbps | 21 states | | Cable ONE Sparklight | $45.00/mo. | 100 to 1,000 Mbps | 17 states | | CenturyLink | $50.00/mo. | 10 to 940 Mbps | 36 states | | Charter Spectrum | $49.99/mo. | 300 to 1,000 Mbps | 41 states | | Comcast Xfinity | $30.00/mo. | 50 to 3,000 Mbps | 39 states | | Cox | $39.99/ mo. | 50 to 1,000 Mbps | 19 states | | Frontier | $37.99/mo. | 9 to 2,000 Mbps | 25 states | | Hughesnet | $39.99/mo. | Up to 100 Mbps | 50 states | | T-Mobile 5G Home | $50.00/mo. | 33 to 182 Mbps | 49 states | | Verizon 5G Home | $50.00/mo. | 300 to 1,000 Mbps | 50 states | | Verizon Fios | $49.99/mo. | 300 to 940 Mbps | 9 states | | Windstream | $25.00/mo. | 15 to 1,000 Mbps | 50 states | *Prices as of 07/28/2022. Prices may vary based on location.

How we find the best internet providers

Finding the best internet providers is more complicated than you might think. To find out where each provider has service, we used the FCC's broadband map, which internet providers are required to report to. We also input specific addresses into each provider's website to see how prices and plans vary in different markets. Unfortunately, a lot of costs are often hidden in the fine print, so we comb through the contracts to check for price increases, contract terms, and additional fees you can expect to pay. Comparing pricing and speeds is one thing — to get a sense for how much customers actually like their service, we utilize third-party reviews from sources like the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), J.D. Power, and Consumer Reports.

Internet types and availability

There are four main types of internet service. Here’s a closer look at what they are and where they’re currently available.

Cable

• What it is: Broadband internet access that transmits through cable television lines.
• Availability: Services offered in all states through your local cable TV provider.
• Pros: Reliable and available in many locations.
• Cons: Can be slow if many neighbors are using the service at once because a neighborhood may share the same line.

DSL

• What it is: Broadband internet access that transmits through telephone lines.
• Availability: Services offered in all states through your local cable phone provider.
• Pros: Inexpensive and relatively fast service. You don’t share with your neighbors like cable internet.
• Cons: Internet speed and quality depend on how close you are to the service provider’s hub.

Fiber optic

• What it is: Internet data that are transmitted as light signals via small, flexible glass wires.
• Availability: Services offered in some major metropolitan areas and growing.
• Pros: The fastest internet with no bandwidth caps.
• Cons: Relatively new and limited in availability.

Satellite internet

• What it is: Internet access provided through communications satellites.
• Availability: Services offered nearly everywhere.
• Pros: Available in rural areas where other internet options may not be possible.
• Cons: Expensive and vulnerable to outage due to bad weather.

What to consider when comparing internet providers

Choosing the right internet provider can be achieved in just six easy steps. The faster internet your home needs, the more expensive the service usually is. The key to choosing the best service is to think about your usage ahead of time, so you’re getting the speeds you require without paying for more than you need. Follow these steps when comparing internet providers:

Step 1: Examine your internet use.

Add up your activity to determine how much speed you currently use: | Activity | Minimum Download Speed  | | --------------------------------------- | --------------------------- | | File Downloads | 10 Mbps | | Game console connecting to the internet | 3 Mbps | | Gaming online (multiplayer) | 4 Mbps | | Social media | 1 Mbps | | Streaming standard-definition video | 3 Mbps to 4 Mbps | | Streaming HD video | 5 Mbps to 8 Mbps | | Video calls | 1 Mbps | | Video HD calls | 1.5 Mbps | | VoIP calls | Less than 0.5 Mbps | | Web surfing and email | 1 Mbps |

Step 2: Determine what speeds you need.

Now that you have an idea of how much each family member normally uses in Mbps, add up all the members of the household’s internet activity totals to calculate the ideal download internet speed your home will need. An ideal minimum download speed is 25 Mbps, unless you’re streaming HD videos and movies. According to a report by the FCC, “Basic web browsing improves with higher speeds up to 10 Mbps, but not beyond.”

Step 3: Don't forget about upload speed

Download speed is what most providers are referring to when they talk about their fast speeds, but you shouldn't ignore upload speeds, either. This is the part of your connection that sends data out from your home, and it's essential for activities like video meetings and online gaming. If anyone is working or learning from home, an upload speed above 5 Mbps should be a minimum.

Step 4: Compare data limits.

Some providers limit the total monthly amount of data you can download and/or upload. This may be an issue when you consider that streaming a standard definition movie uses about 1 GB per hour, and an HD movie may take 3 to 7 GB. Most internet providers, like AT&T and Verizon, don't include data caps anymore, but others, like Xfinity and Cox still have them on every plan. 

Step 5: Shop for deals.

Once you’ve narrowed down what you’re looking for, compare providers to find the best deals. Look for free equipment and installation, as well as monthly pricing deals. Be aware that most internet service providers offer a promotional monthly internet price for a limited time (like the first six months or the first year), and then the monthly price can increase.

Step 6: Pay attention to contracts, price hikes, and hidden fees

The price you see advertised to you is almost never what you'll see on your first bill. When comparing providers, factor in things like installation fees, contracts, rental fees for the modem and router, price hikes after the promotional period ends, and early termination fees. Some providers, like AT&T and Spectrum, keep these fees to a minimum. Others, like Verizon and Xfinity, could add on significantly to your monthly costs.

The bottom line

There are a lot of things to think about when you’re preparing for a move. With the constantly increasing need for internet technology in our lives, don’t forget to make it a priority to get internet service ready at your new location. Then when you are settling into the new home and unpacking boxes, you won’t also be trying to shop for new internet service. Check to see what internet services are available at your new location, consider your speed needs, and then shop around to find your best deal. Ashlee Tilford contributed to this post.