Find internet providers near me

DSL internet delivers the internet over phone lines. Unlike dial-up, DSL uses a separate portion of the phone line, so you can access the internet and use your phone at the same time.

• High availability
• Lower pricing
• Limited speeds

Cable internet providers use the same coaxial cable that connects to your TV to bring you high-speed internet. This means you don’t need a home phone line to get connected.

• High availability
• Easy to bundle
• Peak usage times can slow speeds

Fiber-optic networks deliver high-speed internet connections via glass or plastic wires. Availability is limited, but fiber providers are working to bring the service to more areas.

• Speed up to 1 Gbps
• Consistent speeds during peak usage times
• Limited availability

Satellite internet is transmitted into your home via a satellite dish, much like satellite TV. All you need is a clear view of the southern sky to get satellite internet.

• High availability
• Limited speeds
• Data caps

According to the Federal Communications Commission, broadband internet is an internet connection with speeds starting at 25 Mbps. You can get these speeds with a DSL, cable, fiber-optic or satellite connection in most areas. Some DSL, cable and satellite internet providers offer plans with speeds lower than 25 Mbps, which is technically not considered “broadband internet,” but still fast enough for light online activity such as browsing the web and streaming TV shows.

No. Dial-up internet cannot reach speeds high enough to qualify as broadband internet. Dial-up internet uses your phone line as a single, narrow pipe between your computer and your internet service provider, limiting the amount of data it can carry. Broadband splits your data line up into multiple channels, giving it the ability to send large amounts of information down these multiple channels at the same time.

Most internet providers offer internet-only, or standalone internet, plans. Internet-only plans are ideal for cord-cutters or anyone who enjoys getting their entertainment over the internet. With many internet providers, bundling internet and TV together can be cheaper than standalone internet, so be sure to compare all options before selecting a plan.

Prices for internet-only plans will vary by provider and location. Depending on what internet options are available in your area, you may be able to find cheap internet-only plans ranging from $20 to $50 per month. For higher-tiered internet plans with faster speeds, monthly costs for internet could easily reach $100 or more. Shop internet pricing in your area with Allconnect.

Nearly every top internet provider offers wireless home internet, or Wi-Fi, connections. You may need additional equipment to get wireless internet, which your internet provider will likely provide. Your internet provider may also charge an additional monthly fee for wireless internet service.

In addition to a modem, you need a Wi-Fi router to setup wireless internet in your home. Most broadband internet providers offer routers for purchase or rental, or include one for free with your service. Once it’s set up, check out our tips for how to boost your home Wi-Fi signal.

Mbps stands for megabits per second. Mbps indicates how much data can be uploaded or downloaded per second over your internet connection. Higher Mbps means faster internet speeds, which allow for better streaming or gaming as well as connecting multiple devices at once.

It depends on what you use the internet for and how many people and devices will connect to the internet. For streaming, gaming and connecting 4-5 devices, 25 Mbps or higher is recommended. For light use, such as online shopping, 3-10 Mbps is fine.

The best internet type, provider and plan for your home depends on what’s available in your area and what you’re looking for. Choose an internet provider that gives you the speeds you want for the best price. Also consider things like data caps—especially if you plan to do a lot of streaming—and equipment fees to narrow down the best internet for your home.

Broadband internet - a connection with speeds up to 25 Mbps or higher - gives you speeds fast enough for streaming TV and music. If you want to stream in HD or 4K resolution with minimal buffering, or download shows or movies and then watch them, you’ll want faster speeds, such as 50 Mbps or higher. DSL, cable, satellite and fiber-optic connections can give you speeds fast enough for streaming.

Online gaming is less about internet speeds and more about latency. Latency, or “ping,” is how long it takes data to transfer from your ISP to your home and vice versa. Higher latency (over 100 milliseconds for the transfer of data) causes interruptions, or lags, in gameplay that can ruin the gaming experience. High-speed cable, DSL and fiber-optic internet connections generally have lower latencies, ideal for online gaming. Satellite internet, however, has latencies too high for real-time online gaming.