20 Top Internet Providers You Should Know About

It may not necessarily feel like the case, but there are a lot of internet providers on the market seeking your business. The competition is much more saturated than you might think.

Sure, some providers are only available in certain specific regions, but there is nowhere continentally where you don’t at least have some choice.

So how do you make a decision between providers? Internet is internet, right?

There are a few key factors to consider when looking into an internet provider, mainly internet speed and price.

Who are these providers? And how do they set themselves apart from each other. Here are the top twenty internet service providers from across the country.

AT&T Internet

Formerly AT&T U-verse, AT&T Internet is available in 22 states. The provider offers DSL broadband, fiber, and fixed wireless internet. Plans start at $40 for customers looking for 50 Mbps (customers looking to bundle get a discount).

Cable ONE

Cable One operates mostly in the midwest and the Pacific northwest. Like several competitors, Cable One offers more than just internet, including cable television and telephone services. Plans start at $50 a month for 150 Mbps.

CenturyLink

CenturyLink is one of the biggest providers, with customers spread across 39 states. DSL plans through Century Link Internet services start out at $19.95 per month. All plans require unlimited nationwide calling, but no term agreement is necessary.

Charter Spectrum

Spectrum is the main internet service of Charter Communications. Customers can get cable broadband and fiber internet through Spectrum. When you bundle with other Charter services, plans start at $29.99 for 60 Mbps.

Comcast Xfinity

The largest broadband provider in the country, Comcast Xfinity offers internet service to more than 110 million people across 40 states. It is known for providing a wide variety of packages, usually related to speed. When you bundle other Comcast services, plans start at $39.99 per month.

Cox Communications

Cox provides both fiber and cable broadband services. The speed of these plans goes as high as 300 Mbps. For 15 Mbps, plans start at $29.99 per month.

Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless is the fifth largest broadband provider in the country, at least by coverage area. That’s because Cricket extends into a whopping 36 states. For a plan with one GB of data, plans start at $30 per month.

Dish Network

Dish Network is one of the few providers to be offered in all 50 states. While it is more famous for satellite broadband, DSL internet is also available through Dish. With a two-year, bundled package, plans start at $49.99 per month.

Exede Internet

A subsidiary of ViaSat, Exede is a relatively new entrant into the ISP market. Plans start at $49.99 per month for 12 Mbps and 12 GB of data. A two-year contract is required, but a three-year promotional offer is available as well.

Frontier

Previously known as Citizens Communications, Frontier is one of the largest copper, DSL broadband, and fiber providers in the country. It is available in 38 states, but most prominent on the west coast. Frontier internet service starts at $19.99 per month.

Google Fiber

Google’s latest innovation is one of the newest entrants in the market. It is only available in 28 cities across eight states. Plans start at $50 for 100 Mbps.

HughesNet

Specializing in satellite internet, HughesNet is available in most of the United States and Europe. It is a particularly popular service in rural America. HughesNet services start at $49.99 per month.

Mediacom

Most prominent in the midwest, Mediacom is a cable television and communications brand. While it may specialize in those services, they also provide internet services. Mediacom plans start at $39.99 per month for 60 Mbps.

Sprint

Sprint is the third largest provider of mobile broadband services in the United States. The company also provides internet across 48 states. For six GB of data, plans start at $50 per month.

Suddenlink

Mostly available in the south, Suddenlink is a popular option in rural areas. The company offers a wide selection of plans, differentiated by speed and data. Plans for 200 mbps internet start at $59.99 per month.

T-Mobile

According to coverage area, T-Mobile is the fourth largest provider of mobile broadband in the country. That means it is available to over 250 million consumers. Plans through T-Mobile starat at $70 per month.

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular is most prominent in the west and midwest. They offer mobile broadband internet access in 23 states. Plans start at $50 per month for two GB of data.

Verizon Fios

Verizon Fiber Optic Service is the largest fiber-optic service in the country, at least by coverage area. It was one of the first to make fiber internet access available to homeowners. Plans through Verizon Fios start at $64.99 for 100 Mbps.

Windstream

Windstream is one of the few ISPs to offer service in all 50 states. Their services include cable, copper, DSL, fixed wireless, and fiber. Windstream plans start at $44.99 per month for 15 Mbps.

WOW

WOW is found mostly in the southeast, and is available in 10 states. They offer DSL, cable, and fiber services. With WOW, two-year plans start at $29.99 per month for 10 Mbps.