| Provider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | $49.99 | 300 - 940 Mbps | DSL | 98% |
| Verizon | $49.99 | 300 - 940 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 20% |
| Xfinity | $29.99 | 50 - 3,000 Mbps | Cable | 99% |
| Xfinity | $29.99 | 50 - 3,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 0.085% |
| Astound | $25.99 | 300 - 1,200 Mbps | Cable | 39% |
| Astound | $25.99 | 300 - 1,200 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 4.891% |
netBlazr  | $39.95 | 200 - 1,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 0.378% |
| HughesNet | $64.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Viasat | $69.99 | 12 - 150 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| netBlazr | $39.95 | 200 - 1,000 Mbps | Wireless | 46% |
*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. As of Feb 14, 2023.
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people have access to broadband internet of any type
1 provider - 99.56%
2 providers - 98.84%
3 providers - 41.46%
4+ providers - 2.31%
Source: FCC
At 100%, broadband coverage in Boston is comparable to the rest of Massachusetts - 100%, and comparable to broadband coverage across the U.S. - 95%.
The vast majority of those living in the Boston area will have access to cable, which covers 95% of Boston residents. DSL internet is also an option for many, offering service to 94% of the area. Fiber-optic is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 88% of those living in Boston.
There are six internet providers serving the Boston area, and 98.84% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among Boston's six internet providers, prices start at $25.99 and available download speeds reach up to 3,000 Mbps.
The largest internet providers in Boston are Verizon and Xfinity bringing DSL, fiber-optic, and cable options to Boston.
DSL internet from Verizon is available to nearly all Boston residents, covering 98% of households. Some will also have the option of fiber-optic from Verizon, which covers 20% of the area. Boston’s third most-available internet provider, Xfinity, offers cable to around 99% of Boston residents.
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*Wireless speeds may vary. 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. As of Feb 14, 2023.
DSL from Verizon offers broadband to nearly all households in Boston covering 98% of the area.
DSL internet from Verizon uses telephone lines in Boston to deliver service, which often leads to lower prices and higher availability, though download speeds are likely to be slower than cable or fiber-optic internet.
Internet prices for Verizon start at $49.99/mo.*, which is about the same as the average starting price for internet in Boston, $46.82.
Verizon customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 300 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.17 per Mbps, about the same as the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Boston, $0.16.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Verizon offers download speeds up to 940 Mbps and upload speeds up to 1 Mbps in Boston. These download speeds are available to 98% of the area, and are slightly slower than the average max speeds from all Boston's providers, 999 Mbps.
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*Wireless speeds may vary. 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. As of Feb 14, 2023.
Fiber-optic from Verizon offers broadband to some, but not many households in Boston covering 20% of the area.
Fiber-optic service from Verizon is popular for its fast download and upload speeds, even during peak usage times, but may be less available throughout Boston than other internet types.
Internet prices for Verizon start at $49.99/mo.*, which is about the same as the average starting price for internet in Boston, $46.82.
Verizon customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 300 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.17 per Mbps, about the same as the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Boston, $0.16.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Verizon offers download speeds up to 940 Mbps and upload speeds up to 880 Mbps in Boston. These download speeds are available to 20% of the area, and are slightly slower than the average max speeds from all Boston's providers, 999 Mbps.
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*Wireless speeds may vary. 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. As of Feb 14, 2023.
Cable from Xfinity offers broadband to all households in Boston covering 99% of the area.
Xfinity’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but Boston residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for Xfinity start at $29.99/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in Boston, $46.82.
Xfinity customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 50 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.60 per Mbps, about the same as the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Boston, $0.16.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Xfinity offers download speeds up to 3,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 35 Mbps in Boston. These download speeds are available to 99% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Boston's providers, 999 Mbps.
If you live in the heart of Boston, you’ll likely have options from cable, DSL, and fiber-optic internet providers. For those in rural areas or just outside Boston, however, satellite or fixed wireless internet may be the best internet option.
Satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat offers 100% availability in Boston and surrounding areas. HughesNet starting prices are significantly higher than average in Boston at $64.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Viasat starting prices are significantly higher than average in Boston at $69.99/mo. for speeds up to 150 Mbps. Satellite internet is a less appealing option for many Boston residents, however, as service typically comes with high latency and low data allowances.
Fixed wireless is another popular internet option for those in rural areas. Those living in or just outside of Boston may have access to fixed wireless internet service from HughesNet, with plans starting at $64.99 and available download speeds up to 25 Mbps. Fixed wireless service is less likely to come with the high latency of satellite internet, but monthly data limits can still be an issue compared to Boston cable, DSL, and fiber-optic internet providers.
Xfinity is the fastest internet provider in Boston with download speeds up to 3,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 99% of households in Boston. The next fastest internet provider in Boston is Xfinity, offering download speeds up to 3,000 Mbps to 0.085% of the area.
Astound offers the cheapest internet in Boston with plans starting at $25.99/mo. This is significantly less than the average starting price for internet in Boston, $46.82.
Verizon is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider in Boston, covering 20% of the city. Astound also offers fiber internet in Boston and is available to 4.891% of households.
Wi-Fi extenders are handy when your router can’t project a strong signal to everywhere in your home that you need it. Your internet provider may offer Wi-Fi extenders for an added monthly cost, or you can purchase one online or from most electronics retailers.
Resetting your router and optimizing your router settings can give you an instant speed boost. Consider Wi-Fi extenders if your signal is weaker in certain areas of your home. Also, be sure to check your Wi-Fi network to see if there are any unknown devices or users connected that could be slowing your network.
Cable internet will nearly always offer faster speeds than DSL, but typically at a higher price point. So if you’re shopping for cheap internet plans, DSL may be your better option but if you want speed, consider cable internet.
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