Where does your ISP fall among the fastest and slowest in the country?
Do you work from home? Is someone in your house a hardcore gamer? Do you stream high-definition content from multiple devices simultaneously? All these factors will help determine if you’re paying too much for internet speed. Here’s what you need to know.
Not all internet service providers are created equal, but which one’s are the fastest? See where yours lands on the list below.
How the competition stacks up
Network speed affects everything you do online, from how quickly a webpage loads to how smoothly you stream your favorite shows.
A study by Ookla revealed the fastest internet service providers across the U.S. by their median download speed. See where your ISP falls on the list:
- Spectrum: 234.8 Mbps.
- XFINITY: 232.85 Mbps.
- Cox: 219.20 Mbps.
- Optimum: 195.97 Mbps.
- Frontier: 190.15 Mbps.
- Verizon: 186.45 Mbps.
- AT&T Internet: 179.78 Mbps.
The fastest states
Here are the top 10 fastest internet speeds and ISPs at the state level:
| State | Median download speed (Mbps) | Fastest ISP |
| 1. Delaware | 226.65 | XFINITY |
| 2. Rhode Island | 226.38 | Verizon |
| 3. Connecticut | 225.93 | Frontier |
| 4. New Jersey | 224.21 | Verizon |
| 5. New York | 215.50 | Verizon |
| 6. Massachusetts | 214.45 | XFINITY |
| 7. Maryland | 213.88 | VERIZON |
| 8. Florida | 212.24 | – |
| 9. New Hampshire | 211.63 | XFINITY |
| 10. North Carolina | 208.51 | Google Fiber |
NOTE: Results were too close to statistically determine the fastest ISP in some states.
The fastest cities
The study also examined the 100 most populous cities to determine which had the fastest internet speeds and providers. Here are the top 10 results:
Tech how-to: Create your own custom QR codes
When you entered a restaurant years ago, you received a paper or laminated menu, and that was that. Since then, many establishments have adopted QR code menus. Scan the code and view the menu. This concept has moved to retail establishments and service providers like doctors, mechanics and universities.
Pro tip: Check the internet reliability before you move
Bill Gates once said, “The internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.” Internet is such an integral part of our lives that not having access can become quite the sticky wicket.
Most people forget that your internet reliability can differ significantly depending on where you live, who your provider is, and what equipment you’re using. If you have good internet now, what happens if you move?
Cable TV and internet price hikes coming in 2021 - check the list
As certain as the ball drop in New York City on New Year’s Eve, internet service providers will also be ringing in the new year with a host of price increases.
Fortunately, a new law could help keep your monthly fees in check. You’ll at least get more transparency with your bills. Tap or click here to find out how the Television Viewer Protection Act will impact you.