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Internet providers in Providence, RI
Shop the best Providence internet providers. Compare internet plan pricing and speeds from cable, fiber-optic and DSL providers in your area.
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Providence, RI internet providers
Need help? Call (844) 451-2720
*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 Jun 1, 2020.
Need help?Providence internet service at a glance
At 100%, broadband coverage in Providence is comparable to the rest of Rhode Island - 100%, and comparable to broadband coverage across the U.S. - 95%.
The vast majority of those living in the Providence area will have access to cable, which covers 98% of Providence residents. Fiber-optic internet is also an option for many, offering service to 98% of the area. DSL is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 97% of those living in Providence.
There are five internet providers serving the Providence area, and 98.10% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among Providence's five internet providers, prices start at $29.99 and available download speeds reach up to 1,000 Mbps.
Top high-speed internet providers in Providence
The largest internet providers in Providence are Verizon and Cox bringing fiber-optic, DSL, and cable options to Providence.
Fiber-optic internet from Verizon is available to nearly all Providence residents, covering 98% of households. Many will also have the option of DSL from Verizon, which covers 97% of the area. Providence’s third most-available internet provider, Cox, offers cable to around 98% of Providence residents.

Verizon fiber-optic internet
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*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. Speeds may vary. As of Jun 1, 2020.
Fiber-optic from Verizon offers broadband to nearly all households in Providence covering 98% 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 Providence than other internet types.
Internet prices for Verizon start at $39.99/mo.*, which is lower than the average starting price for internet in Providence, $44.99.
Verizon customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 200 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.20 per Mbps, lower than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Providence, $2.04.
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 Providence. These download speeds are available to 98% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Providence's providers, 576 Mbps.

Verizon DSL internet
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*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. Speeds may vary. As of Jun 1, 2020.
DSL from Verizon offers broadband to nearly all households in Providence covering 97% of the area.
DSL internet from Verizon uses telephone lines in Providence 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 $39.99/mo.*, which is lower than the average starting price for internet in Providence, $44.99.
Verizon customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 200 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.20 per Mbps, lower than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Providence, $2.04.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Verizon offers download speeds up to 15 Mbps and upload speeds up to 1 Mbps in Providence. These download speeds are available to 97% of the area, and are much slower than the average max speeds from all Providence's providers, 576 Mbps.

Cox cable internet
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*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. Speeds may vary. As of Jun 1, 2020.
Cable from Cox offers broadband to nearly all households in Providence covering 98% of the area.
Cox’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but Providence residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for Cox start at $29.99/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in Providence, $44.99.
Cox customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 10 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $3.00 per Mbps, higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Providence, $2.04.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Cox offers download speeds up to 300 Mbps and upload speeds up to 30 Mbps in Providence. These download speeds are available to 98% of the area, and are much slower than the average max speeds from all Providence's providers, 576 Mbps.
Internet coverage for rural areas
If you live in the heart of Providence, you’ll likely have options from fiber-optic, cable, and DSL internet providers. For those in rural areas or just outside Providence, however, satellite or fixed wireless internet may be the best internet option.
Satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat offers 100% availability in Providence and surrounding areas. HughesNet starting prices are significantly higher than average in Providence at $59.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Viasat starting prices are higher than average in Providence at $50/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Satellite internet is a less appealing option for many Providence residents, however, as service typically comes with high latency and low data allowances.
Internet provider frequently asked questions
What’s the fastest internet provider in Providence?
Cox is the fastest internet provider in Providence with download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 0.250% of households in Providence. The next fastest internet provider in Providence is Verizon, offering download speeds up to 940 Mbps to 98% of the area.
What’s the cheapest internet provider in Providence?
Cox offers the cheapest internet in Providence with plans starting at $29.99/mo. This is significantly less than the average starting price for internet in Providence, $44.99.
Is fiber internet available in Providence?
Verizon is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider in Providence, covering 98% of the city. Cox also offers fiber internet in Providence and is available to 0.250% of households.
What’s the best internet deal in my area?
Internet deals such as speed upgrades, promotional pricing, equipment perks and free installation are available from many internet providers. Bundling internet with TV and home phone is also a popular way to get a deal on internet.
What’s a good speed for gaming?
Speeds of 10 Mbps and higher are good for gaming, but what you really want to consider when choosing an internet service for gaming is latency, or ping. Latency is the measure of how long it takes for your device to communicate with the server and is the main contributor to lag. The higher the ping, the more likely you are to experience lagging. Shoot for an internet service with latency below 100 ms.
What internet speeds do I get?
Take a speed test to see what download and upload speeds you are getting. For the best results, perform the test over a wired connection. View our speed test guide for a full breakdown of your results. If you want faster speeds, consider these tips for boosting internet speed, or shop for faster internet plans in your area.