What is the best internet service provider in Massachusetts?
According to CNET, Xfinity is the best internet provider in Massachusetts, thanks to its solid speeds, competitive pricing and reliability. However, Xfinity isn’t available in every part of the state and you have more options to choose from. For residents in eastern Massachusetts, Verizon Fios is a strong alternative, offering fast speeds at reasonable rates. In rural areas, local fiber networks may provide better service.
If affordability or top-tier speeds are your priority, Massachusetts offers plans starting as low as $20 per month from Astound. Xfinity’s $30 plan includes speeds up to 300 megabits per second, while Astound offers 300Mbps for half that. For the fastest speeds, Xfinity provides a widely available 2,000Mbps plan, but some local fiber providers may offer even faster multigig options.
A trick for lowering your monthly internet cost is to bundle with an eligible phone plan from Verizon or T-Mobile. That can net you a substantial discount on your home internet bill.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Massachusetts?
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promos in Massachusetts
The best internet deals and top promotions in Massachusetts depend on what discounts are available during a given period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Massachusetts internet providers, such as Xfinity or Spectrum, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many providers, including Whip City Fiber and Starry, tend to run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is Massachusetts broadband?
Massachusetts clocked a median download speed of around 225Mbps in a recent Ookla speed test report. That was good enough for the Bay State to rank in 14th place in the US. Ookla logged Xfinity as the fastest provider in the state. Xfinity offers a top speed of 2,000Mbps (in some areas) and is the most widely available ISP. FCC data shows speeds of 250Mbps down and 25Mbps up are accessible to over 98% of homes in Massachusetts. Some rural households will still be dealing with DSL or satellite as options. A group of towns in the west have launched municipal fiber projects to bring gigabit speeds to their residents. If you’re looking for small-town life but still need fast internet, check into places like Rowe, Leverett or New Salem. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
Fastest internet plans in Massachusetts
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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 Massachusetts
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. What’s our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary pricing, availability and speed database that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data 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 that 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.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet in Massachusetts?
The best Massachusetts ISP for your home will depend on where you live. Xfinity has the widest wired coverage, so chances are good it services your address. That means a variety of plans and affordable introductory rates, but you’ll probably need to budget for equipment rental and can expect the price to go up. Eastern Massachusetts residents should compare with Verizon Fios for fast upload speeds and straightforward plans. Check with cable provider Spectrum if you’re outside Xfinity and Fios territory.
Getting online in rural areas can be a little trickier. You may face less than satisfactory options like satellite internet or DSL. If you’re in a pinch, look at Starlink, which allows you to test-drive the service to see how well it works for you. Some small towns in Massachusetts offer fiber hookups, so do your research if you plan to move to a quiet spot away from the big cities.
Internet providers in Massachusetts FAQs
What is the cheapest internet provider in Massachusetts?
Quite a few ISPs in Massachusetts offer gig-level home internet, but there aren’t many options for multi-gig plans. Xfinity’s Gigabit X2 plan with 2,000Mbps downloads is available in some parts of its coverage area.
Is fiber internet available in Massachusetts?
Looking at wired internet, Xfinity has the widest coverage across the state. Check with Spectrum for cable internet in places not served by Xfinity.
