BroadbandNow is supported by commissions from some of the providers listed on our site. Learn More

Internet Providers in Providence, Rhode Island

Filter by zip:

Home Internet in Providence, RI

  • 1. AT&T
    Speeds Up To
    300 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 34.8%
  • 2. EarthLink
    Speeds Up To
    940 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Fiber
    Availability: 92.3%
  • 3. Verizon
    Speeds Up To
    940 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Fiber, DSL, 5G Internet
    Availability: 91%
    Providence speed tests confirm high speeds for Verizon
  • 4. Cox
    Speeds Up To
    2 Gbps
    See *
    Connection: Cable
    Availability: 90.4%
    Providence speed tests confirm high speeds for Cox
  • 5. Viasat
    Speeds Up To
    150 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • 6. T-Mobile
    Download Speeds:
    133 - 415 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 44.6%
  • 7. Hughesnet
    Speeds Up To
    100 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • 8. XNET WiFi
    Download Speeds:
    25 - 150 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 34.8%
  • 9. Starlink
    Download Speeds:
    50 - 220 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%

Best Internet Providers in Providence, RI

The best internet providers in Providence are Cox and Verizon Fios. Cox edges slightly ahead of Verizon Fios thanks to its download speeds up to 2 Gbps, which are faster than what competitors offer. Cox internet also boasts an impressive map with 90.4% coverage over this quaint college town. Customers can enjoy many bundle options with Cox by adding Cox Contour TV, Cox Mobile, Cox Homelife, or Cox Voice to their internet plan. Cox internet is also affordable, with these bundle options starting at just $111 per month.

Verizon Fios is another excellent choice for Providence households. It uses fiber-optic technology to provide amazingly fast service plans with speeds up to 2 Gbps. In last year’s survey by the American Customer Satisfaction Index, Verizon Fios was only second to AT&T Fiber in terms of customer satisfaction. Customers can also bundle Verizon Fios with Verizon Wireless or Fios TV for the most savings.

Fastest Internet Providers in Providence, RI

Cox is the fastest provider in Providence, with speeds up to 2 Gbps.

The fastest internet provider in Providence is Cox, closely followed by Verizon Fios. Cox’s cable network offers top speeds up to 2 Gbps, just the kind of bandwidth you need for our modern landscape. However, since Cox runs on a cable internet connection, you will face slower upload speeds up to 100 Mbps. That said, the Cox Panoramic Wifi Gateway is configured to keep your network secure and reliable throughout your use.

The second-fastest internet provider in Providence is Verizon Fios. Verizon Fios offers symmetrical speeds up to 2 Gbps on a fiber network. While not as fast as Cox, it is still fast enough to support several devices without slowing down your connection. Verizon Fios includes your router equipment with your plan purchase and all plans above a gigabit also come with Wi-Fi 6E technology.

What’s a Good Internet Speed?

Internet Speed Appropriate For Providers in your Area offering this Speed Availability in your Area
100 Mbps
  • Streaming
  • Video chat
  • Online gaming
  • Larger households
  • AT&T
  • EarthLink
  • Verizon
  • Viasat
  • T-Mobile
  • Hughesnet
  • XNET WiFi
  • Starlink
100%
1000 Mbps (1 Gbps)
  • Heavy streaming (4K video
  • multiple devices
  • etc.)
  • Video chat
  • Lag-free gaming
  • Large households
  • Cox
90.39%

Learn more about internet speeds:

Internet Availability in Providence, RI

Residents in Providence are lucky enough to have widespread availability from multiple top internet providers. With 9 providers to pick from in the smallest state’s capital, the primary contenders are Earthlink and Verizon for fiber service and Cox for cable internet.

Having robust fiber coverage from two providers is rare, but residents from Pawtucket to Cranston — Providence’s neighboring towns in the north and south, respectively — are privileged, with Earthlink covering 92.3% of the area and Verizon covering 91.0%. Unfortunately, proximity to colleges in the city can affect coverage. If you’re near Brown University, Rhode Island College, or Providence College, fiber availability is limited.

Despite Verizon’s large coverage area, locations between Franklin Street and the Providence River have spotty coverage. Luckily, cable service from Cox can fill the gaps for Providence residents in those areas.

For a traditional cable connection, Cox provides 90.4% availability to the Renaissance City. With sprawling coverage on Federal Hill and wide availability on both sides of the Seekonk River, Cox can suit Rhode Islanders’ cable internet needs. With coverage from North Main Street to Douglas Avenue, there’s no need to fight traffic at the Providence Place Mall when you can shop online with a reliable internet connection.

Internet Provider Store Locations in Providence, RI

Provider Connection Types in Providence, RI

Connection Type About this Connection Type Availability in Providence, RI
Satellite
  • Available even in very rural areas
  • Typically has high latency (lag)
100%
DSL
  • Typically about 100 Mbps
  • Slower than Cable or Fiber
3.2099999999999995%
Cable
  • Typically 250 Mbps - 1 Gbps
  • Widely available
  • A good choice for most users
99.99%
Fiber
  • Typically 1 Gbps or faster
  • Upload speeds match download speeds
90.14999999999999%

List of Internet Providers in Providence, RI

Provider Type Top Speed
AT&T 5G Internet 300 Mbps
EarthLink Fiber 940 Mbps
Verizon Fiber, DSL, 5G Internet 940 Mbps
Cox Cable 2 Gbps
Viasat Satellite 150 Mbps
T-Mobile 5G Internet 415 Mbps
Hughesnet Satellite 100 Mbps
XNET WiFi Fixed Wireless 225 Mbps
Starlink Satellite 220 Mbps

Internet Providers in Providence, RI

Provider Plans Starting At Speeds Up To Connections
AT&T Internet Air $60/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 300 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. 5G Internet
EarthLink Fiber $54.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 940 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fiber
Verizon $34.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 940 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fiber, DSL, 5G Internet
Cox $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 2 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Cable
Viasat Internet $119.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 150 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Satellite
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 415 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. 5G Internet
Hughesnet $49.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 100 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Satellite
XNET WiFi $85/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 225 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fixed Wireless
Starlink $120/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 220 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Satellite

Are you a journalist or researcher writing about this topic?

Contact us and we'll connect you with a broadband market expert on our team who can provide insights and data to support your work.