Technically, high-speed Internet is anything that runs all the time and is faster than a standard dial-up connection. That covers a lot of Internet speeds – and a lot of prices. High-speed Internet over a cable connection is quite different from high-speed Internet over fiber. Unlimited high speed internet for rural areas is very essential.
In 2021, the average cost of cable Internet in the U.S. was $58 per month, while the average rate for DSL was $43 per month. For fiber, the average monthly price is $56, while satellite connections are the most expensive at $96 per month.
How much you pay also depends on where you live. There are usually cheaper Internet options in urban areas, most likely due to the lack of infrastructure required for a high-speed Internet connection. In rural areas, the monthly cost of high-speed Internet is likely to be higher. For example, in terms of cost per megabyte, cable Internet is the most expensive in Montana at $1.00 per MB. In Texas, however, users pay an average of only $0.12 per MB.
What Internet Speed consider ton High-speed?
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Internet must reach the threshold of 25 Mbit/s download/3 Mbit/s uploads to be considered high-speed Internet. With high-speed Internet, not only can large files be downloaded faster or buffering times for videos be eliminated, but multiple users can stay online at the same time. Households with numerous users benefit from speeds of up to 100 Mbps. So what do you get for your speeds? With the right high-speed Internet provider, you can do everything at once: stream videos, send emails, browse websites, and play video games.
For telecommuting and home learning, the FCC recommends a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps. You’ll also need at least that speed for streaming a 4K video. For a video call, you only need 4 Mbps. Keep in mind that the required Mbps adds up quickly when multiple residents are logged on simultaneously. More bandwidth means faster speeds for everyone.
Top High-Speed Internet Providers of 2021
Xfinity is one of the top High-Speed Internet Providers
With its Gigabit Pro plan, Xfinity has long been a leader in the fastest residential Internet speeds. They promise maximum download and upload speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps. And while Xfinity’s customer service is pretty standard when it comes to Internet services. They offer more than other providers who can’t keep up with the standards. Xfinity offers one of the largest selections of Internet plans, some of the most competitive prices. One of the biggest advantages of the service is that it serves rural areas.
Much more available and less expensive is the Xfinity Gigabit plan. It’s offered in most Xfinity markets and has an industry-standard price of around $80 per month. In addition, Xfinity Gigabit, while still more expensive than some gigabit plans, is cheaper than many competing cable providers’ gigabit plans. They offer download speeds of up to 1,200 Mbps compared to the 940 or 1,000 Mbps.
You’ll find with most high-speed providers offers the same speed. Xfinity, still known to some of us as Comcast (the parent company), scored 46.6 out of 100, just below RCN. Xfinity is a leading high-speed internet provider. However, availability is minimal, with a monthly price of $300 and a two-year contract. You’ll want to pass on the plan even if it is available because of its cost.
Fiber network Xfinity
Remember that high-speed Internet is only as good as the network over which it is transmitted. A fiber network can deliver symmetrical or near-symmetrical download and upload speeds, while a cable or cable/fiber hybrid network often cannot. For example, Xfinity’s Gigabit Pro plan uses an FTTH network, but most Xfinity service areas will use a cable or hybrid network. As a result, the maximum upload speeds for Xfinity Gigabit are only 35 Mbit/s. That is in stark contrast to the plan’s top download speeds.
AT&T considers High-Speed Internet Providers
AT&T offers solid customer support for high-speed Internet service, with top ratings from J.D. Power in the southern and western United States. In addition, you can take advantage of fast speeds with its fiber-optic Internet plans.
In addition, there are several other Internet plans to choose from, including basic versions for households that don’t need such fast download speeds and fiber Internet connections. The variety of packages gives customers more choices to find the ideal plan for their needs. Depending on the Internet plan you choose, you can expect download speeds ranging from 0.8 Mbps all the way up to 940 Mbps – with the higher speed tiers offering sufficient speeds for streaming with multiple people and gaming. Data caps vary depending on the plan you choose, but most plans have either a 1 TB cap or none at all.
Verizon
Verizon Fios is another excellent option for high-speed Internet, ranking just below AT&T in our rating. Pricing is a bit higher – $39.99/month for 200 Mbps compared to $35/month for 300 Mbps on AT&T – but you don’t have to worry about the price going up in the second year. Verizon Fios also has the highest customer satisfaction scores of any ISP. Like AT&T, Verizon Fios received five out of five stars from J.D. Power for the company’s customer service. Unfortunately, availability extends from New England to the mid-Atlantic region, leaving other significant areas without access. However, those who live in eligible areas get unlimited data usage every month and some of the fastest data speeds available.
Unlike other providers with a 1TB cap, Verizon Fios offers unlimited data usage every month so that you can stream without interruptions or fear of charges. And with fiber internet options, download speeds of up to 940 Mbps are possible, which is on par with the other best internet providers.
CenturyLink
CenturyLink is available in 36 states and is continually rolling out more fiber networks. While it offers standard download speeds and data caps. One drawback is that CenturyLink has one of the lowest customer service ratings of any provider we evaluated. But still beats other ISPs in the J.D. Power study as it provides high-speed internet.
Like most providers, CenturyLink offers download speeds of up to 940Mbps with its Fiber Gigabit Internet service. If you’re not on CenturyLink’s fiber plans, it caps data usage at 1TB before customers have to pay for fiber Internet service or requests a reduction in your data usage.
CenturyLink’s fiber service is one of the best high-speed Internet options around. But it does stand out in one particular area: There are no additional fees for the gig plan. That means both equipment (typically $10 to $15/mo.) and installation include at no additional cost.
Cox
Cox is the third-largest cable operator in the country, serving all of Arizona, California, and Virginia. Rates start at just $19.99/month, but they come with hefty price increases in the second year – anywhere from $20 to $36 depending on the plan. Unlike most high-speed Internet providers, Cox plans also have a monthly data cap of 1.28TB. Cox brings home an average customer service score of J.D. Power along with fast download speeds. Cox also offers a Panoramic Wifi Gateway that securely connects all your devices at home, and you can find mobile hotspots across the country.
Depending on the Cox Internet plan you choose, download speeds range from 10Mbps to 940Mbps and have a data cap of 1.25TB. So it’s best if you shell out some extra dough for a higher-tier option for multi-person gaming and streaming when you sign up with Cox.
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