Find cable internet providers in your area

Cable internet is an excellent choice for high-speed internet in areas without access to fiber optic service. Most cable internet providers offer multiple plan options with gig speeds available in many areas, making cable internet a viable option for nearly any need.

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What is cable internet?

Cable internet, much like cable TV service, uses coaxial cables that connect from your home through a modem receiver to a nearby node, and then to your internet service provider. The modem receives electrical signals, which then convert into internet service, similar to how a cable TV box receives a signal and displays an image.

Cable internet packages and prices

The packages offered by different cable internet comapnies range significantly, so make sure you know what your internet speed needs are and how much monthly data you require. Also keep in mind hidden costs when choosing your internet provider as expenses, such as installation fees, equipment rental fees, price increases, data overage fees, late payment fees and cancellation fees, can add up quickly.

Is cable internet right for your home?

Cable internet is a popular option for many homes as providers typically offer a range of speed options and high data allowances to support streaming, gaming online and other internet activities on multiple devices. Along with numerous internet plan options, cable companies are also likely to have TV and phone options available as well, and often come with monthly savings when bundled together.

If you’ll be using the internet for video calls and working/learning remotely, cable internet may not be the best option, especially if fiber optic internet is available. Though cable internet can deliver fast upload speeds, upload speeds are commonly much slower. Slow upload speeds can hinder performance when making a video call or uploading large files, such as homework.

Advantages of cable internet

  • No home phone line is required to get cable internet
  • Cable internet offers speeds up to 10x faster or higher than DSL internet
  • Available to about 89% of U.S. residents
  • Already installed in most homes, unlike fiber

Things to consider

Top cable internet providers 

Cable internet providers

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Last updated 10/26/20.

Cable internet provider service areas

Which cable internet companies offer service near you? Check our availability for each provider below for an idea of cable internet providers in your area. 

Atlantic Broadband

Available in 10 states along the East Coast. Primary service areas include central New Hampshire, rural Pennsylvania, eastern Virginia, the Aiken, SC area and parts of Miami, FL.

Buckeye Broadband

Available in two states, Ohio and Michigan. Primary service areas include the Toledo, OH area including southern MI and the Sandusky, OH area.

Cox Communications

Available in 18 states. Primary service areas include Phoenix, AZ; San Diego, CA; New Orleans, LA; Oklahoma City, OK; Virginia Beach, VA; and the state of Rhode Island.

Mediacom

Available in 22 states. Primary service areas include much of the Midwest, southern Alabama and Georgia, the Florida Panhandle, eastern North Carolina and southern Delaware.

Optimum

Available in four states. Primary service areas include the greater NYC area, central New Jersey, Bridgeport, CT and parts of central Pennsylvania.

Shentel

Available in four states. Primary service areas include much of the Shenandoah Valley, central and southern West Virginia, the Oakland, MD area and a small pocket in eastern Kentucky.

Sparklight

Available in 19 states. Primary service areas include those previously serviceable for Cable One, including Boise, ID; eastern Texas and rural areas of Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Spectrum

Available in 46 states. Primary service areas include much of the eastern and midwestern U.S., especially in New York,North Carolina and Ohio, as well as parts of California, Colorado, Oregon, Texas and Washington.

Suddenlink

Available in 20 states. Primary service areas include rural areas of Arkansas, Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, North Carolina, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia.

Xfinity

Available in 40 states. Primary service areas include the Mid-Atlantic and New England along with cities in the Midwest, South and West Coast.

Best cable internet customer satisfaction ratings

While many cable internet providers increased their satisfaction scores in the past year, none received anything above what could be considered a “passing” grade. This isn’t uncommon as cable providers are somewhat notorious for poor customer satisfaction, but the year-over-year increases from many providers indicate a continued effort to better customer satisfaction in the industry.

Source: ACSI

Cable vs. DSL vs. fiber

Cable vs. DSL: While cable internet is integrated into the cable television infrastructure, DSL is integrated into the telephone line infrastructure. Both share similar availability, but a coaxial cable supports higher bandwidth than a telephone line, which gives cable internet a significant speed advantage over DSL internet. With greater speeds, you can stream and search the internet with multiple devices at a time.


Cable vs. fiber: Coaxial cables are more common and less expensive than fiber optic cables. This makes cable internet more widely-available and sometimes lower-priced than fiber optic internet service. Cable can also be more convenient as it is already installed in most homes, as opposed to fiber. While cable tends to provide faster internet speeds than DSL, fiber is known for providing faster and more reliable internet. Although fast, fiber only covers approximately 41% of the country. Cable, on the other hand, covers close to 90%.

Our take on cable internet service

Cable internet is widely-available and presents many speed options, making it a great option for many households. The fast speeds and high data allowances – many providers even have unlimited data – are ideal for streaming, gaming and more. 

Those needing fast upload speeds for video conferencing or uploading large files, however, may find cable internet a bit lacking. Furthermore, cable internet is more susceptible to slowed speeds during peak usage times.

Cable internet isn’t perfect, but it is one of the better internet connection options available.

Cable internet FAQs

Is ADSL or cable internet faster?

Cable internet supports higher bandwidth and faster speeds than ADSL internet. Cable internet plans vary by location, but cable internet can deliver more than 10x the speeds of DSL in select areas.

Cable internet uses a coaxial cable, the same as cable TV service. Within the coaxial cable is a copper or copper-plated steel line which carries internet signals from a provider to a residence. Other cables used for internet include telephone lines and fiber optic cables.

No. Unlike DSL and dial-up internet, which require a phone line for service, cable internet uses a coaxial cable. Home phone services are available from most cable internet providers, but one is not required for internet service.

Cable internet is capable of delivering a wide speed spectrum. A good cable internet speed for most homes is 100 Mbps or higher, but a “good” speed depends on your needs.

Last updated 10/26/20.

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David Anders

Written by:

David Anders

Senior Writer, Broadband Content

David joined the Allconnect team in 2017, specializing in broadband and TV content. His work has been referenced by a variety of sources, including ArcGIS, DIRECTV and more. As a Senior Writer, David is motivate… Read more

Shannon Ullman

Edited by:

Shannon Ullman

Editor, Broadband & Wireless Content

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