List of broadband providers in the United States with Top Providers Ranked

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If you're looking for a reliable broadband provider in the United States, you have plenty of options. Xfinity is the largest cable provider, serving over 50 million customers.

AT&T offers a wide range of broadband plans, including fiber and DSL options, making it a popular choice for many users. Verizon's fiber-optic network is available in several states, offering speeds of up to 940 Mbps.

Cable providers like Spectrum and Cox Communications are also widely available, with Spectrum serving over 18 million customers.

Top Providers

The top internet providers in the US are categorized into four groups, with Group 1 comprising the largest fiber and cable companies.

The largest cable internet companies in the country are Xfinity and Spectrum, while AT&T Fiber, Frontier Fiber, and Verizon Fios make up the majority of fiber-optic availability. Recent mergers and acquisitions in the industry may consolidate those options even further.

Here are the top 20 internet providers by availability, ranked by the percentage of nationwide coverage:

Top 125 in the U.S

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The top 125 internet service providers in the U.S. are categorized into four groups, with Group 1 comprising the largest fiber and cable companies.

These groups include providers with a small and/or growing market presence. The largest cable internet companies in the country are Xfinity and Spectrum.

AT&T Fiber, Frontier Fiber, and Verizon Fios make up the majority of fiber-optic availability. Recent mergers and acquisitions in the industry may consolidate options even further.

Here's a breakdown of the top providers:

Keep in mind that your options are largely dependent on where you live, and location dictates which ISPs are available to you.

Top 20

The top 20 internet providers in the US vary in their availability, with EarthLink covering 48 states and 75% of the country, while T-Mobile Home Internet is available in 49 states with 64% nationwide coverage.

EarthLink and T-Mobile Home Internet are two of the top providers, covering a significant portion of the country. AT&T is available in 21 states, with 49% nationwide coverage.

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The top 20 internet providers are listed below, with their availability and coverage rates:

  • EarthLink: Available in 48 states, with 75% nationwide coverage.
  • T-Mobile Home Internet: Available in 49 states, with 64% nationwide coverage.
  • AT&T: Available in 21 states, with 49% nationwide coverage.
  • Xfinity: Available in 39 states, with 35% nationwide coverage.
  • Spectrum: Available in 41 states, with 30% nationwide coverage.
  • Verizon 5G Home Internet: Available in 50 states, with 25% nationwide coverage.
  • CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber: Available in 16 states, with 11% nationwide coverage.
  • Optimum: Available in nine states, with 9% nationwide coverage.
  • Frontier: Available in 29 states, with 6% nationwide coverage.
  • Rise Broadband: Available in 16 states, with 3% nationwide coverage.
  • Astound: Available in 12 states, with 3% nationwide coverage.
  • Windstream: Available in 18 states, with 3% nationwide coverage.
  • Sparklight: Available in 22 states, with 2% nationwide coverage.
  • Metronet: Available in 14 states, with 1% of nationwide coverage.
  • WOW: Available in 6 states, with 1% of nationwide coverage.
  • Ziply Fiber: Available in 4 states, with less than 1% of nationwide coverage.
  • Point Broadband: Available in 10 states, with less than 1% of nationwide coverage.

Top in Country

The top internet providers in the US cover a significant portion of the country. Xfinity is the largest cable internet provider in the US, extending broadband service to more than a third of all households.

Xfinity is available in the mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, and along the West Coast, with random pockets of serviceability in the South and parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Spectrum is the second-largest cable provider in the US, covering nearly a third of the population across 41 states.

Spectrum's acquisition of Cox Communications would make it the biggest cable provider in the country. The chances of your household being serviceable for Spectrum are very likely, with the company covering nearly 30% of US households.

Here's a comparison of the top two providers:

AT&T is the largest fiber internet provider in the US, with AT&T Fiber offering symmetrical speeds of 1,000Mbps or higher, up to 5,000Mbps. AT&T Fiber is available in the South, Midwest, and parts of California, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Nevada.

AT&T's network is copper-based, but new customers can't sign up for DSL service anymore. AT&T Fiber comes with no data caps, contracts, and the equipment is included at no additional cost.

Top Providers

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Comcast is the top internet service provider in the United States, serving 32.2 million broadband subscribers. It operates under the Xfinity brand and has a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network that can deliver download speeds of 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) and upload speeds of 1 to 2 Gbps.

Verizon is another major player, offering 100% fiber optic broadband service under the Verizon Fios brand. It has 7.5 million wireline broadband subscribers and aims to expand its Fios Internet reach to 18 million households by the end of 2025.

AT&T is also a significant provider, with 15.4 million broadband subscribers and plans to extend its fiber network to over 30 million consumer and business locations by 2025. Its fiber network passes approximately 24 million locations, with about 22.3 million locations available for sale.

Astound Broadband has over 1.2 million broadband subscribers and operates in 20 states, including California, Indiana, and New York. It is owned by Stonepeak Infrastructure Fund III and Fund IV, as well as co-investors.

For another approach, see: Verizon Fios vs Cox Cable

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Spectrum is another major cable provider, covering nearly a third of the population across 41 states. It offers straightforward pricing with no data caps on any plans and no contracts required for internet service.

Here's a list of the top providers:

Ziply Fiber has over 350,000 residential and commercial internet subscribers in the Pacific Northwest, offering a range of speeds and plans to suit different needs.

National Providers

Charter Communications is the second largest internet service provider in the United States, with 30.4 million broadband subscribers. Charter's hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network can deliver download speeds of 10 Gbps and upload speeds of 1 to 2 Gbps.

There are 2902 internet service providers in the USA, covering an estimated population of over 1.3 billion people. HughesNet covers the largest population, with an estimated 330 million people.

Here are some notable national providers, including their estimated population coverage and maximum speeds:

Charter

Charter is a significant player in the US internet service provider market. It operates under the Spectrum brand and has 30.4 million broadband subscribers, making it the second largest internet service provider in the country.

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Charter's network is built on a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) technology, primarily using the DOCSIS 3.1 standard. This allows for impressive download speeds of up to 10 Gbps and upload speeds of 1 to 2 Gbps.

The company is planning to upgrade its network to DOCSIS 4.0 technology over the next three years. This upgrade will enable Charter to deliver download speeds of 10 Gbps and upload speeds of 6 Gbps to its customers.

Charter's network is a crucial part of the internet infrastructure in the US, providing high-speed internet access to millions of people.

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Altice USA

Altice USA is a major player in the US internet market, with 4.3 million broadband subscribers. Its fiber network reaches over 2.1 million households, and the company plans to expand this service throughout its coverage area.

Altice's hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network is mostly digital and DOCSIS 3.1 compatible, which means it can deliver fast speeds to its customers. This network has a bandwidth capacity of at least 750 megahertz throughout.

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Altice's fiber network is a significant advantage for its customers, offering symmetrical broadband service that allows for fast and reliable internet speeds. This is especially important for households with multiple devices and users.

Here's a breakdown of Altice's network statistics:

Overall, Altice USA's fiber network is a significant asset for its customers, offering fast and reliable internet speeds.

Consolidated

Consolidated Communications is a telecommunications company that offers internet services under the Fidium brand. They operate in 22 states, with a total of 2.6 million passings, of which over 1 million are fiber passings.

Their expansion plans for 2023 include building over 225,000 fiber passings, aiming to reach a total of 1.225 million fiber passings by the end of the year. This expansion will likely increase their subscriber base, which currently stands at 367,458 total subscribers, with 122,872 of them being fiber subscribers.

Consolidated Communications is one of the many internet service providers in the US, with a significant presence in the market. To give you an idea of the number of providers available, here's a breakdown of the types of internet service providers in the US:

Consolidated Communications is one of the fiber providers in the US, and their expansion plans will likely increase their presence in the market.

Regional Providers

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If you're looking for a provider that serves your specific region, you're in luck. Regional providers often offer unique benefits and coverage areas that can be a great fit for your needs.

Verizon Fios covers much of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, with extensive fiber coverage in cities like Baltimore, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.

Rise Broadband is the nation's largest fixed wireless provider, excluding T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet, and is ideal for rural internet service.

Windstream's Kinetic internet service is available in 18 states, primarily serving rural and suburban areas in the South and Midwest.

Mediacom Communications operates in the Midwest and Southeast regions, delivering high-speed internet through a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network.

AT&T internet may be available near you if you live in or are moving to the South or Midwest, as well as parts of California, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Nevada.

Here's a quick rundown of some regional providers and their key features:

Provider Comparison

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AT&T offers a range of internet plans with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps, but prices vary depending on location.

Xfinity, on the other hand, provides speeds up to 1,200 Mbps and offers a wide range of plans to fit different budgets.

Charter Spectrum is another popular option, offering speeds up to 940 Mbps and a variety of plans with no data caps.

Verizon Fios offers speeds up to 940 Mbps and is known for its reliable and fast internet service.

Cox Communications provides speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and offers a range of plans with different features and pricing.

HughesNet is a satellite internet provider that offers speeds up to 25 Mbps, making it a good option for rural areas with limited internet access.

Viasat offers speeds up to 100 Mbps and is another satellite internet provider that serves rural areas.

CenturyLink provides speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and offers a range of plans with different features and pricing.

EarthLink offers speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and is a great option for those who want a simple and easy-to-use internet service.

A different take: High-throughput Satellite

Wireless and Satellite Providers

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Rise Broadband is the largest fixed wireless provider in 16 states, serving rural areas with no direct cables to the home. This makes it ideal for rural internet service. Availability in rural areas is a significant advantage.

Rise Broadband offers significantly higher data allowances than satellite providers, and advanced Wi-Fi equipment and service are available. Around 83% of those in Rise Broadband service areas can get speeds up to 25Mbps or higher.

Some key benefits of Rise Broadband include unlimited data on some plans and low price increases. However, line of sight to a nearby wireless tower is required, and service disruptions can occur in bad weather.

Viasat (Formerly Exede)

Viasat (Formerly Exede) is a satellite internet provider that offers coverage in every state, making it a viable option for those in rural areas. It's the 2nd largest residential satellite internet provider, with an estimated 308.5 million people having access to it.

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Viasat's greatest coverage is in California, Texas, and New York, where it's accessible to a large number of people. It's especially useful in areas where wired broadband providers don't offer reliable coverage.

The download speeds offered by Viasat range between 12-100 Mbps, which is slower than what some wired providers offer. However, it's still a reliable option for those who need internet access in rural areas.

One of the benefits of Viasat is that it offers phone services, allowing customers to bundle their internet and phone plans together. However, TV services are not available through Viasat, unlike some other providers.

Viasat's coverage is extensive, making it a good option for those who need internet access in areas where wired providers don't offer reliable coverage.

A unique perspective: Viasat (American Company)

HughesNet

HughesNet is a reliable option for those in need of satellite internet. It covers all 50 states, making it accessible to approximately 308.7 million people.

The service has improved significantly in recent years, with download speeds reaching 25 Mbps thanks to the "Gen 5" satellite. This is a notable upgrade from previous speeds.

HughesNet's coverage is strongest in California, Texas, and New York, where you're most likely to get a stable connection.

Other Providers

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There are hundreds of local cable, fiber, and wireless providers across the US. For example, Armstrong Cable Services is a privately held company that operates in six states and serves over 400,000 homes.

Some of the largest internet service providers in the country include Xfinity, Spectrum, and AT&T Fiber, which offer a range of connection types such as cable and fiber. You can also find local providers that offer wireless connectivity options like 5G home internet from T-Mobile and Verizon.

Here's a breakdown of the number of internet service providers in the US:

  • 832 DSL providers
  • 416 cable companies
  • 1,728 fiber internet providers
  • 1,730 fixed wireless broadband providers
  • 46 mobile broadband and LTE providers

Armstrong Services

Armstrong Services offers broadband network coverage to over 400,000 homes in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, and New York.

Armstrong Cable Services is headquartered in Butler, Pennsylvania, and operates under the Armstrong brand.

The company's services reach a significant number of homes in six states, providing a wide range of coverage.

Armstrong is a privately held company owned by the Sedwick Family.

Hotwire

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Hotwire Communications specializes in serving multiple dwelling units, including gated communities, single-family home developments, and condominiums.

Hotwire operates in eight states: Florida, Georgia, Texas, Nevada, South Carolina, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and California.

The company delivers broadband services to over 600 properties, primarily serving homeowners associations and condominium owners associations.

US Service Count

There are 2902 internet service providers in the United States, according to BroadbandNow.

These providers are listed on BroadbandNow after they file their biannual Form 477 paperwork with the FCC, which confirms basic data like coverage area and subscriber base.

The majority of these providers offer some form of broadband service, with 1,728 being fiber internet providers.

Here's a breakdown of the types of internet service providers in the US:

These numbers are updated on a biannual basis, which helps ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date.

Claire Beier

Senior Writer

Claire Beier is a seasoned writer with a passion for creating informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a talent for simplifying complex concepts, Claire has established herself as a go-to expert in the field of web development. Her articles on HTML elements have been widely praised for their clarity and accessibility.

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