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#1 Recommended Plan
AT&T 
Speeds Up To300 Mbps*In rare cases, if your usage is contributing to congestion on the network, AT&T will greatly reduce your speed for a min. of 30 min.Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 1.9%Why AT&T? AT&T Internet Air makes buying internet easy for customers by offering one plan with straightforward pricing and reliable 5G speeds. -
Xfinity 
Speeds Up To1.2 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Not all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: CableAvailability: 86.7%Sterling speed tests confirm high speeds for Xfinity -
#1 Satellite Plan
Starlink 
Speeds Up To400 MbpsSpeeds referenced are maximum available speeds, are not guaranteed, and will be slower during times of congestion.Speeds referenced are maximum available speeds, are not guaranteed, and will be slower during times of congestion.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100%Why Starlink? Starlink offers a true high-speed alternative to traditional internet providers with easy self-installation, no contracts, and no upfront hardware costs in select areas. -
Viasat 
Speeds Up To150 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Not all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100% -
T-Mobile 
Speed Range170 Mbps - 498 MbpsRely, All-In, and Amplified Internet plans can experience fast speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 170 Mbps – 498 Mbps. 25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above these ranges. T-Mobile Home Internet is delivered via 5G cellular network and speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks. See https://t-mobile.com/OpenInternet for additional details.Rely, All-In, and Amplified Internet plans can experience fast speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 170 Mbps – 498 Mbps. 25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above these ranges. T-Mobile Home Internet is delivered via 5G cellular network and speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks. See https://t-mobile.com/OpenInternet for additional details.Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 43.6%Sterling speed tests confirm high speeds for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet -
Mint Mobile 
Speed Range133 Mbps - 415 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Not all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 48.9% -
Verizon 
Speeds Up To300 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Not all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 15.8% -
XNET WiFi 
Speeds Up To2 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Not all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 24% -
Rise Internet 
Speeds Up To250 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Not all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 84% -
JCWIFI 
Speeds Up To200 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Not all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 6.6% -
UScellular 
Speeds Up To220 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Not all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 87.1% -
Surf Internet 
Speeds Up To2 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Not all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: FiberAvailability: 54.2% -
Hughesnet 
Speeds Up To100 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Not all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100%
Internet Providers in Sterling, IL
Refine your search for better results:
Popular Sterling Internet Deals
| Provider | Featured deal |
|---|---|
| Xfinity | No contract, no commitment, & Wi-Fi equipment included for $45/mo for 5 years. With no term contract — Wi-Fi equipment included |
| Starlink | Get fast and flexible satellite internet from Starlink for just $55 per month! |
| Viasat | Get $30 off for your first 3 months! Price shown includes promotion; Get $30/mo. off for the first 3 months. For new customers only. You must mention this offer when ordering service to receive the discount. |
| T-Mobile | Limited time. Get a $200 rebate (via virtual prepaid Mastercard) when you activate a new T-Mobile Internet line on an eligible All-In Home Internet plan! |
| Verizon | Get a 43" Class QF QLED Samsung TV or Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G on us! |
Sterling Home Internet Providers
| Provider | Plans starting at | Speeds up to | Connections |
|---|---|---|---|
| JCWIFI | $24.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 200 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
| Rise Internet | $29.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 250 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
| Mint Mobile | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 133 Mbps - 415 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | 5G Internet |
| Surf Internet | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
| Verizon | $35/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 300 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | 5G Internet |
| Hughesnet | $39.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
| AT&T | $40/mo Price is per month, plus taxes. Price after discounts: $13/mo w/elig wireless svc. and $5/mo w/elig Autopay & Paperless bill. Discounts start w/in 2 bills. | 300 Mbps In rare cases, if your usage is contributing to congestion on the network, AT&T will greatly reduce your speed for a min. of 30 min. | 5G Internet |
| Xfinity | $40/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 1.2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Cable |
| T-Mobile | $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 170 Mbps - 498 Mbps Rely, All-In, and Amplified Internet plans can experience fast speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 170 Mbps – 498 Mbps. 25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above these ranges. T-Mobile Home Internet is delivered via 5G cellular network and speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks. See https://t-mobile.com/OpenInternet for additional details. | 5G Internet |
| UScellular | $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 220 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
| Starlink | $55/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 400 Mbps Speeds referenced are maximum available speeds, are not guaranteed, and will be slower during times of congestion. | Satellite |
| XNET WiFi | $65/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
| Viasat | $69.99/mo Price shown includes promotion; Get $30/mo. off for first 3 months. For new customers only. You must mention this offer when ordering service to receive the discount. | 150 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
Best Internet Providers in Sterling, IL
The best internet provider in Sterling, Illinois is Surf Internet. Surf Internet delivers symmetrical speeds up to 2 Gbps across 54.2% of the city starting at $30 per month. Xfinity is an excellent cable alternative extending to 86.7% of the area with speeds up to 1 Gbps.
| Provider | Why they're great | Who they're great for |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Easy installation | Customers who want to skip the technician and get online in minutes will love the simple plug-and-play setup provided by AT&T Internet Air. |
| Xfinity | Generous sign-up perks | Xfinity is an excellent choice for new customers looking to maximize savings and entertainment with plans that include free premium streaming. |
| XNET WiFi | Fastest provider | XNET WiFi is a powerful alternative for areas near [city], delivering high-speed performance by leveraging the best available local network. |
| Rise Internet | Widely available | Remote homes near [city] requiring a dependable internet connection well outside standard service zones will find Rise Broadband an essential option. |
| Viasat | Unlimited data | High-data households wanting consistent streaming and large downloads without worrying about hard data caps will find Viasat a strong choice. |
Sterling Cheapest Internet Plans
The cheapest internet option in Sterling, Illinois is Rise Internet. Rise Internet offers fixed wireless plans from just $29.99 per month for speeds up to 250 Mbps. For competitive pricing, Surf Internet provides a superior fiber connection with symmetrical speeds starting at $30 per month across 54.2% of the city.
| Provider | Plan name | Price | Speeds up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| JCWIFI | Bronze | $24.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 1.5 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
| Rise Internet | Family Plan | $29.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 150 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
| Xfinity | NOW Internet | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
| Mint Mobile | 3-month w/ Mint Phone Plan | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 415 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
| Surf Internet | Surf 100 | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
Fastest Internet Providers in Sterling, IL
Surf Internet is the fastest internet provider in Sterling, Illinois. Delivering symmetrical speeds up to 2 Gbps for $30 per month, Surf Internet outpaces the competition. XNET WiFi is the closest alternative with speeds up to 2 Gbps for $65 per month, but only reaches 24.0% of the area.
| Provider | Speeds up to | Connection type |
|---|---|---|
| XNET WiFi | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
| Surf Internet | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
| Xfinity | 1.2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Cable |
| T-Mobile | 170 Mbps - 498 Mbps Rely, All-In, and Amplified Internet plans can experience fast speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 170 Mbps – 498 Mbps. 25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above these ranges. T-Mobile Home Internet is delivered via 5G cellular network and speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks. See https://t-mobile.com/OpenInternet for additional details. | 5G Internet |
| Mint Mobile | 133 Mbps - 415 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | 5G Internet |
Compare Top Providers in Your Area
- AT&T Internet vs. Xfinity
- AT&T Internet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- AT&T Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Hughesnet vs. Rise Internet
- Hughesnet vs. Viasat Internet
- Hughesnet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- Hughesnet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Starlink vs. Viasat Internet
- T-Mobile 5G Home Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Viasat Internet vs. Rise Internet
- Viasat Internet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- Viasat Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
Check Your Current Speed
Internet Availability in Sterling, IL
UScellular offers the best overall availability in Sterling, Illinois. Reaching 87.1% of the city, UScellular provides fixed wireless internet starting at $50 per month with speeds up to 220 Mbps. Viasat Internet is a satellite competitor covering 100.0% of the area with speeds up to 150 Mbps.
| Connection type | Provider with most coverage | Sterling availability | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satellite | Starlink | 100% | $55/mo |
| Fixed Wireless | UScellular | 87.1% | $50/mo |
| Cable | Xfinity | 86.7% | $40/mo |
| Fiber | Surf Internet | 54.2% | $30/mo |
| 5G Internet | Mint Mobile | 48.9% | $30/mo |
Sterling Internet Stats
| Average internet monthly cost | Available speed ranges | Available price range | Available connection types |
|---|---|---|---|
| $69.86 | 1.5 Mbps - 2 Gbps | $20/mo - $278/mo | 5G Internet, Cable, Fiber, Fixed Wireless, Satellite |
Internet Coverage Map and Store Locations for Sterling, Illinois
Methodology
Our provider rankings rely on a rigorous, data-driven framework evaluating over 100 million rows of FCC data to bring transparency to local internet options. We track 8,000+ active plans from 2,000+ providers to cut through marketing jargon. We weigh technical factors against real-world experiences to match you with the best connections actually available at your address:
- Tested Technology: We utilize a fiber-first ranking system, prioritizing high-performance, structurally sound technologies (like fiber and cable) over slower legacy connections.
- Realistic Coverage: We filter out "ghost ISPs" with near-zero availability and actively flag providers that only cover a fraction of neighborhoods, ensuring you don't waste time on unavailable options.
- Transparent Pricing: We track base rates and downgrade providers that rely on hidden fees or sudden price hikes, exposing the true long-term cost beyond initial marketing promotions.
- Verified Speeds: We look beyond deceptive "up to" marketing claims to evaluate the actual download and upload speeds delivered, prioritizing the balanced, symmetrical performance necessary for seamless video calls and heavy streaming.
- User-Driven Personalization: We don't just look at the tech; we look at what people actually prefer. By analyzing millions of local connections, user reviews on downtime, and validated J.D. Power scores, we tailor our rankings to highlight the providers proven to satisfy users in your area.
For a complete breakdown of our scoring weights, independent research, and editorial standards, view our full Methodology page.
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Data valid as of 09/07/2026