How Many Service Providers Are in the U.S.?

Nearly 3,000 internet service providers operate in the U.S. Some are small, single-service providers, such as most of the 1,771 fixed wireless providers, and some are pretty massive, such as the giant fiber internet providers like AT&T or Verizon that provide multiple internet connection types. Here’s an overview of the internet providers in the U.S. by connection type:

• Fixed wireless broadband: 1,771 providers
• Fiber internet: 1,569 providers
• Digital subscriber line (DSL): 905 providers
• Cable internet: 462 providers
• Copper (T1/T3 connections): 266 providers
• Mobile broadband (5G and 4G LTE): 50 providers

What Is the Availability of Internet Providers Across the U.S.?

The start of 2021 marked significant sutures in the broadband availability gap across America, but the wound is not entirely closed. According to the FCC’s 2021 annual report on the digital divide, 95.6 percent of Americans have access to high-speed internet (defined as 25 Mbps download speeds and 3 Mbps upload). The rate for rural residents decreases to 82.7 percent, and the numbers are even worse on tribal lands: 79.1 percent. Urban coverage is nearly 99 percent.

How Densely Are Providers Distributed Throughout the Country?

Most urban and suburban residents have two or three internet providers from which to choose. In more rural regions, however, many residents are lucky to have one provider offering internet service — and 19 million Americans still do not have access to broadband internet service. That said, rural internet options are developing quickly due to innovative satellite internet and 5G home internet solutions.

What Are the Top U.S. Internet Providers by Connection Type?

The best providers in your area will depend on what’s available. We put together this list of the top internet providers by connection type based on their consistent histories of excellent prices, products, and services.

Fiber Internet: AT&T

AT&T is the nation’s largest provider of fiber internet. AT&T internet reaches over 122.5 million people, offering fiber, fixed wireless, and DSL internet service. With fiber service from AT&T, you can purchase plans with download speeds up to a whopping 5 Gbps, but most large households find that AT&T’s gigabit plan more than suits their needs.

Cable Internet: Xfinity

Xfinity by Comcast is accessible to over 110 million people across 39 states, making Xfinity the largest cable internet provider in the nation. Xfinity also offers fiber internet in select locations, where subscribers can access symmetrical gigabit download speeds. That selection, however, depends on their area’s connection type.

Satellite Internet: Viasat

Viasat is one of the most available satellite internet providers in the country, offering coverage to nearly 310 million people. Satellite internet from Viasat is essential in rural areas where wired internet connections such as fiber and cable are nonexistent. Viasat subscribers can expect download speeds up to 100 Mbps. That is enough to accommodate most online activity, including streaming, but it can sometimes fall short for high-demand internet needs.

5G Internet: T-Mobile 5G Home Internet

T-Mobile provides 5G Home Internet to approximately 30 million households across 48 states, and its presence continues to grow. Because 5G Home Internet operates on the same 5G cellular backbone mobile technology uses, many homes in underserved areas now have another choice for internet service. With T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, subscribers can expect download speeds between 72 and 245 Mbps. Speeds can vary depending on location, signal strength and availability, time of day, and other factors.

DSL Internet: EarthLink

DSL internet, which uses existing copper telephone lines, is a legacy technology, but it’s still a relevant option for subscribers with limited options. EarthLink offers DSL internet to approximately 175 million people across 36 states. Depending on their specific service location, subscribers can expect download speeds up to 100 Mbps with EarthLink DSL internet.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for Internet Service?

Your monthly internet cost primarily depends on connection type and speed. Some connection types, such as satellite internet, are more expensive than other highly available services, such as fiber. The higher the speed, the higher the monthly price, but you can expect to pay between $20 and $100 monthly for an internet-only plan. There may be other fees in your internet plan, such as activation fees, monthly router lease fees, installation costs, data overage charges, and even early termination fees. Here’s a quick look at the approximate average monthly cost of internet by connection type:

• DSL: $46 per month
• 5G Home: $50 per month
• Fixed wireless: $60 per month
• Cable: $65 per month
• Fiber: $72 per month
• Satellite: $93 per month

Some connection types, including fiber and cable internet, offer much higher download speeds for the same price than those with less versatile connection types, such as fixed wireless or satellite. Examining a provider’s average cost per Mbps is a better indicator of value.

• Fiber: $0.10 per Mbps
• 5G Home: $0.12 per Mbps
• Cable: $0.28 per Mbps
• DSL: $1.73 per Mbps
• Satellite: $2.24 per Mbps
• Fixed wireless: $2.73 per Mbps

Which Internet Providers Offer the Fastest Speeds?

Fiber and cable internet providers are able to deliver the fastest speeds, but the future of 5G Home internet and satellite technology from Starlink look promising. The fastest providers are AT&T Fiber at 5 Gbps download, Xfinity at 3 Gbps download, and Frontier Fiber at 2 Gbps download.

What Service Providers Offer Low-Income Discounts?

Nearly all major internet service providers participate in either one or both federal internet discount programs: Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program. Learn more about these programs in our low- and fixed-income internet guide. A handful of other providers offer in-house discount programs.

• Access from AT&T
• Connect2Compete from Cox
• Frontier Fundamental Internet
• Mediacom’s Connect2Compete
• Spectrum’s Internet Assist
• Fios Forward from Verizon
• Xfinity’s Internet Essentials