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#1 Recommended Plan
1. AT&T 
Speeds Up To300 MbpsIn 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: 72.4%Why AT&T? AT&T Internet Air makes buying internet easy for customers by offering one plan with straightforward pricing and reliable 5G speeds. -
2. EarthLink 
Speeds Up To940 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: FiberAvailability: 89.2% -
3. Verizon 
Speeds Up To940 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: DSL, Fiber, 5G InternetAvailability: 100%Providence speed tests confirm high speeds for Verizon Fios -
4. Cox 
Speeds Up To2 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Cable, FiberAvailability: 92.3%Providence speed tests confirm high speeds for Cox -
5. Viasat 
Speeds Up To150 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100% -
6. T-Mobile 
Download Speeds:87 Mbps - 415 MbpsRely, All-In, and Amplified Internet plans can experience fast speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 133 Mbps – 415 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: 50.5%Providence speed tests confirm high speeds for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet -
7. XNET WiFi 
Speeds Up To2 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 46.3% -
8. Starlink 
Speeds Up To350 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100% -
9. Hughesnet 
Speeds Up To100 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100%
Internet Providers in Providence, RI
Refine your search for better results:
Popular Providence Internet Deals
| Provider | Featured deal | |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Get a 43" Class QF QLED Samsung TV or Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G on us! |
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| Cox | Get unlimited data and Price Lock Guarantee for up to 5 years when you select 2 GIG, 1 GIG or 500 Mbps internet and a Cox Mobile Unlimited line! |
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| 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. |
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| T-Mobile | Limited time. Get a $300 rebate (via virtual prepaid Mastercard) when you activate a new T-Mobile Internet line on an eligible All-In Home Internet plan! |
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| XNET WiFi | Get unlimited data and Wi-Fi that works anywhere with XNET WiFi! |
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Providence Home Internet Providers
| Provider | Plans starting at | Speeds up to | Connections | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | $35/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 940 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | DSL, Fiber, 5G Internet |
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| Hughesnet | $39.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
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| T-Mobile | $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 87 Mbps - 415 Mbps Rely, All-In, and Amplified Internet plans can experience fast speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 133 Mbps – 415 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 |
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| EarthLink | $54.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 940 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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| Cox | $55/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Cable, Fiber |
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| AT&T | $65/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 |
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| XNET WiFi | $65/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
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| 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 |
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| Starlink | $80/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 350 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
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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 exceeds all other competitors in Providence. Cox internet also boasts impressive availability, reaching 92.3% of the city in 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 its bundle options starting at just $55 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 940 Mbps. 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.
| 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. |
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| EarthLink | Highly rated support | Customers who want peace of mind and highly responsive, award-winning technical support when they need it most should look to EarthLink. |
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| Verizon | Cheapest provider | Budget-conscious families looking for an affordable rate when combined with mobile discounts will find an incredible value in Verizon Fios. |
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| XNET WiFi | No annual contracts | Digital nomads and renters who want high-speed internet without the burden of long-term contracts will find XNET WiFi to be a top choice. |
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| Viasat | Widely available | Rural homes near [city] in remote communities where traditional cable and fiber networks cannot go will find a critical lifeline in Viasat. |
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Providence Cheapest Internet Plans
Finding the most affordable internet in Providence is simple with Verizon 5G Home Internet, starting at $35 per month. This undercuts Cox, the city's top provider, which begins at $55 per month. Alternatively, Verizon High Speed Internet offers cheap access for $40 per month.
| Provider | Plan name | Price | Speeds up to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Verizon Home Internet Lite | $35/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 25 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| EarthLink | EarthLink Fiber 1 Gig | $39.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 1 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| Viasat | Viasat Essentials | $39.99/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. | 50 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| Hughesnet | Lite | $39.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 25 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| T-Mobile | Rely Home Internet | $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 415 Mbps Rely, All-In, and Amplified Internet plans can experience fast speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 133 Mbps – 415 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. |
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Fastest Internet Providers in Providence, RI
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 940 Mbps 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 its top plans come with Wi-Fi 6E technology.
| Provider | Speeds up to | Connection type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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| XNET WiFi | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
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| EarthLink | 940 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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| Verizon | 940 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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| T-Mobile | 87 Mbps - 415 Mbps Rely, All-In, and Amplified Internet plans can experience fast speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 133 Mbps – 415 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 |
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Compare Top Providers in Your Area
- AT&T Internet vs. Cox
- AT&T Internet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- AT&T Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Cox vs. Verizon Fios
- Cox vs. Verizon High Speed Internet
- EarthLink vs. Verizon High Speed Internet
- EarthLink vs. Cox
- EarthLink vs. AT&T Internet
- Hughesnet vs. Viasat Internet
- Hughesnet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- Hughesnet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Starlink vs. Viasat Internet
Check Your Current Speed
What's a Good Internet Speed?
| Internet speed | Appropriate for | Providers in your area offering this speed | Availability in your area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mbps |
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100% |
| 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
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92.3% |
Internet Availability in Providence, RI
Residents in Providence are lucky enough to have widespread availability from multiple top internet providers. With [count-providers] providers to pick from in the smallest state's capital, the primary contenders are EarthLink Fiber and Verizon Fios 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 Fiber covering 89.2% of the area and Verizon Fios covering 92.2% of the area. 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 the large coverage area from Verizon Fios, 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 coverage to 92.3% of the area across 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.
| Connection type | Provider with most coverage | Providence availability | Starting price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSL | Verizon High Speed Internet | 100% | $40/mo |
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| Satellite | Hughesnet | 100% | $39.99/mo |
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| Cable | Cox | 92.3% | $55/mo |
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| Fiber | Verizon Fios | 92.2% | $49.99/mo |
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| Fixed Wireless | XNET WiFi | 46.3% | $65/mo |
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| 5G Internet | Verizon 5G Home Internet | 7.7% | $35/mo |
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Providence Internet Stats
| Average internet monthly cost | Available speed ranges | Available price range | Available connection types |
|---|---|---|---|
| $76.97 | 12 Mbps - 2 Gbps | $20/mo - $165/mo | 5G Internet, Cable, DSL, Fiber, Fixed Wireless, Satellite |
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Fastest Speed
CoxCable
Go Beyond Fast$115/mo*Taxes & fees extra and subj. to change. See disclaimer for details. Restrictions apply. See offer details
Includes Panoramic Wifi equipment & features for 2 years-
Download Speeds up to 2 Gbps
Show Details -
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Best Value
AT&T Internet Air5G Internet
Internet Air$65/mo*Price is per month, plus taxes. Not available in all areas. Price after discounts: 20% w/elig wireless and $5/mo with AutoPay. Discount applied w/in 2 bills. See offer details
$100 Visa Reward Card | Save 20% with Eligible AT&T Wireless Plan-
Download Speeds up to 300 Mbps
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Perfect speeds for most families
Show Details -
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Lowest Price
Verizon Fios5G Internet
Verizon Home Internet Lite$35/mo*Taxes & fees extra and subj. to change. See disclaimer for details. Restrictions apply. See offer details
3-year price lock guarantee-
Download Speeds up to 25 Mbps
Show Details -
Internet Coverage Map and Store Locations for Providence, Rhode Island
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.
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Data valid as of 03/26/2026