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After thorough research and testing, CNET’s experts have chosen Xfinity as the best internet provider for most households in Baltimore, Maryland. This is due to Xfinity’s wide availability across the city and its affordable high-speed internet plans. However, if Xfinity isn’t available at your address, Verizon Fios and satellite internet provider Viasat are also solid picks.
In Charm City, Xfinity has the cheapest internet option, offering 300 megabits per second for just $30 a month. For those seeking the fastest speeds in Baltimore, Xfinity boasts a broadband option with speeds of 2 gigabits per second for $90 per month.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Baltimore
The best internet deals and top promotions in Baltimore depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Baltimore internet providers, such as Xfinity, T-Mobile Home Internet and Port Networks, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Other providers, such as Verizon Fios, may run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is Baltimore broadband?
Internet speeds in Baltimore — median download speeds of 197Mbps — are lower than the state (227Mbps) and the national average (268Mbps), according to Ookla’s latest speed test data. Many factors — including equipment, connection mode, and the internet plan itself — affect speed test results. Your results might vary greatly.
The city’s average download speed may not be impressive, but you can find much faster speeds with most providers in Baltimore. Xfinity, for example, offers a speed tier of up to 2 gigs in the Baltimore area. Verizon offers fiber-optic internet service in Baltimore, with download speeds of up to 1 gig and upload speeds of 880Mbps.
Fastest internet plans in Baltimore
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Baltimore
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?
The answers to those questions are often layered and complex, but the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Baltimore?
Baltimore is taking steps — like opening its Office of Broadband and Digital Equity — to expand internet access to all of its residents. The city promises it will permanently close its digital divide by 2030.
Fiber internet is typically a better option than cable internet, but that’s not the case in Baltimore. Verizon Fios simply doesn’t cover enough people in the area. If you can get it, great. Start there. For most in Baltimore, the best option is Xfinity, which offers fast, reliable service with several plans to suit just about any household.
Internet providers in Baltimore FAQs
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