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A sluggishly loading shopping cart, an insanely high ping rate, and a video that’s stuck in a never-ending buffering loop – a slow internet is a nightmare without a doubt. In 2020, a survey revealed that only 28% of Americans have access to 100 Mbps or higher download speeds. Due to the pandemic, the need for the fastest internet has only gained further momentum. 

Luckily, there are internet providers in the US, providing us with the fastest options in many neighborhoods. But, hold on a second. How fast is the fastest internet that we’re talking about? 

Opting for high-speed internet is all about asking yourself a few questions before finalizing your decision. What numbers of users are there? Sometimes, even the smallest clan can consume the highest bandwidth – is it like that at your end? Don’t worry, we have your back. We’ll walk you through everything that you’d ever want to know about high-speed internet. So, let’s begin.

What is a High-Speed Internet?

The need for a high-speed internet connection has always remained unclear. In the ‘90s, LANs transmitted data at 10 megabits per second, while a typical modem transmitted data at 56 kilobits per second. Albeit, these speeds in no way match what we’re easily and affordably accessing now. The users of the ‘90s however found the ‘bits’ of data to be sufficient for their daily needs. But times have evolved. 

Fast-forwarding to 2021, there has been a drastic leap in the speeds and bandwidth that users can access now. In 2015, FCC set a benchmark of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. Mbps is the rate at which data is transmitted through a connection. The higher it is, the lowest latency you would experience. 

Does Fastest Internet Make a Difference?

Partially. What really matters in this situation is the equipment you’re using. If your equipment is dated and you’ve requested your ISP to hook you up with Gigabit internet speeds, then hold it right there. 

To get gig-fast speeds, there needs to be upgraded technology in your household/workplace that supports the latest speed limits without a glitch. Wi-Fi 4, which came out in 2009, uses a singular 2.4 GHz wireless band and reaches a maximum speed of 450 Mbps. Later in 2014, Wi-Fi 5 was introduced with dual wireless bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, for enhanced speed capabilities. The maximum speed reached by Wi-Fi 5 is 3,500 Mbps. 

The latest gold standard router a.k.a. Wi-Fi 6 consumes both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands to deliver higher data to a maximum number of devices simultaneously. The maximum bandwidth reached by Wi-Fi 6 is 9,600 Mbps. If you’re going for a provider that offers triple-digit download speeds, then using the latest upgraded hardware would guarantee you a hassle-free experience. 

Don’t rely on your provider, learn how to choose the fastest wireless router for your internet connection by looking at some well-researched recommendations.

Which Providers Offer The Fastest Internet Speed?

Fastest Internet Providers

ISPs That Advertise Fastest Internet Speeds

Advertised VS Actual Internet Speeds

It’s Always Good To Know

The advertised speed is the highest download speed that your ISP claims to deliver. Approximately 45 million Americans get slower internet speeds from their ISPs, relative to what’s usually advertised. This confirms the enormous gap between the speeds advertised and actually offered. Are the users getting the value of money they’re paying? 

The answer is yes, but there’s a catch. The speeds that users get for DSL broadband, fixed wireless, and satellite internet are faster than advertised. For instance, users of the aforementioned types of connections are usually advertised download speeds around 32 Mbps. However, the actual speeds delivered can spike as high up as 72 Mbps. 

Now, if we pivot to cable and fiber internet, providers deliver lesser speeds than advertised. According to most fiber broadband advertisements, users can access speeds up to 1000 Mbps. The actual speeds however can be relatively much lower. Not too low, just not equal to the number you see on ads.

Similarly, with cable internet, the actual speeds may be lower than advertised, but not too low. If a cable provider is advertising speeds around 160 Mbps on average, then users may be able to access speeds around 125 Mbps, which is still sufficient. 

How to Find the Fastest Internet Provider in Your Area?

Albeit, there might be more than 100 ISPs claiming to deliver the fastest internet in the US. However, not all of them can ensure availability in your neighborhood. Therefore, whenever the question ‘who is the fastest internet provider near me?’ pops up in your head, use your area’s ZIP code in our BuyTVInternetPhone zip tool to reach the providers that service near you. 

After shortlisting the providers in your ZIP code, figure out which of the top picks delivers the fastest type of internet connection. If your neighborhood approves the presence of fiber internet, then opting for it would be wiser. If fiber is unavailable, then an HFC-backed cable internet wouldn’t disappoint you with its gig-fast speeds. 

Now, what if your neighborhood is deprived of both fiber and cable? That’s a common dilemma for rural residents. However, there’s always a DSL or fixed wireless internet connection. While DSL can reach 100 Mbps in areas where it’s available, fixed wireless can deliver speeds up to 100 Mbps as well and that too wirelessly. There are plenty of high-speed internet options for rural residents in 2021.

Conclusively, be mindful of your needs before settling for the fastest provider in your area. Measure out the internet consumption in your household, finalize the speed that should be enough for the month, and practice the aforementioned suggestion. 

Looking At Plans from the Fastest Internet Providers

 

MetroNet Internet

Internet Plans

Price*

Connection Type

Download Speed

Upload Speed

Data Caps

MetroNet Fiber Internet 200/200 Mbps

 

$49.95/mo. first 12 months (Regular rate is $59.95/mo.)

 

100% Fiber-Optic

200 Mbps

200 Mbps

Unlimited data

MetroNet Fiber Internet 500/500 Mbps

 

$49.95/mo. first 6 months and $59.95/mo. next 12 months (Regular rate is $69.95/mo.)

 

100% Fiber-Optic

500 Mbps

500 Mbps

Unlimited data

MetroNet Fiber 1 Gbps/1 Gbps

$59.95/mo. first 6 months and $69.95/mo. next 12 months (Regular rate is $89.95/mo.)

 

100% Fiber-Optic

1000 Mbps

1000 Mbps

Unlimited data

*Exclusive of equipment, installation, taxes and fees, and other applicable charges.

Xfinity Internet

Internet Plans

Price*

Connection Type

Download Speed

Data Caps

Xfinity Blast! Pro

 

$64.99/mo. for 12 months with 1-year agreement

 

Cable

Up to 400 Mbps

1.2 TB

Xfinity Extreme Pro

 

$74.99/mo. for 12 months with 1-year agreement

 

Cable

Up to 600 Mbps

1.2 TB

Xfinity Gigabit

$84.99/mo. for 12 months with 1-year agreement

 

Cable

Up to 1200 Mbps

1.2 TB

*Exclusive of equipment, installation, taxes and fees, and other applicable charges.

AT&T Internet

Internet Plans

Price*

Connection Type

Download Speed

Upload Speed

Data Caps

AT&T Fiber 300

 

$35.00/mo. for 12 months

100% Fiber-Optic

Up to 300 Mbps

Up to 300 Mbps

Unlimited data

AT&T Fiber 500

 

$45.00/mo. for 12 months

100% Fiber-Optic

Up to 500 Mbps

Up to 500 Mbps

Unlimited data

AT&T Fiber 1000

 

$60.00/mo. for 12 months

100% Fiber-Optic

Up to 1000 Mbps

Up to 1000 Mbps

Unlimited data

*Exclusive of equipment, installation, taxes and fees, and other applicable charges.

Mediacom Internet

Internet Plans

Price*

Connection Type

Download Speed

Upload Speed

Data Caps

Mediacom Internet 100

 

$49.99/mo. for 12 months

Cable

Up to 100 Mbps

Up to 10 Mbps

 

1000 GB Data Allowance

Mediacom Internet 300

 

$59.99/mo. for 12 months

Cable

Up to 300 Mbps

Up to 30 Mbps

 

2000 GB Data Allowance

Mediacom Internet 1 GIG

 

$79.99/mo. for 12 months

Cable

Up to 1000 Mbps

Up to 50 Mbps

6000 GB Data Allowance

*Exclusive of equipment, installation, taxes and fees, and other applicable charges.

Optimum Internet

Internet Plans

Price*

Connection Type

Download Speed

Data Caps

Optimum Internet 300

 

$45.00/mo.

Cable

Up to 300 Mbps

No data caps

 

Optimum Internet 500

 

$70.00/mo.

Cable

Up to 500 Mbps

No data caps

 

Optimum Internet 1 Gig

 

$80.00/mo.

Cable

Up to 940 Mbps

No data caps

 

*Exclusive of equipment, installation, taxes and fees, and other applicable charges.

 

Spectrum Internet

Internet Plans

Price*

Connection Type

Download Speed

Upload Speed

Data Caps

Spectrum Internet®

 

$49.99/mo. for 12 months

Cable

Up to 200 Mbps

Up to 10 Mbps

No data caps

 

Spectrum Internet® Ultra

 

$69.99/mo. for 12 months

Cable

Up to 400 Mbps

Up to 20 Mbps

No data caps

 

Spectrum Internet® Gig

 

$109.99/mo. for 12 months

Cable

Up to 1000 Mbps

Up to 35 Mbps

No data caps

 

*Exclusive of equipment, installation, taxes and fees, and other applicable charges.

 

Ranking Types of Internet Connection by Speed

  1. Fiber
  2. Cable
  3. DSL
  4. Satellite
  5. Fixed Wireless

Fiber

Fiber Internet encompasses cutting-edge Fiber-Optic technology. Data is transmitted via light signals that ensure consistency over longer distances. You can tell whether your ISP is providing you 100% fiber-optic internet via symmetrical download and upload speeds. 

Cable 

Then, we have cable as another fastest type of internet. The current cable internet variant in the market is called Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC). This type of connection uses fiber for most of its data transmission and converts to cable over the last mile. 

DSL

DSL somewhat resembles the traditional dial-ups, since it functions via landline phone cables to transmit data. What sets it apart is that it does not disrupt the telephone connection. DSL is relatively less fast than fiber and cable internet. The highest speed you can get out of it is 100 Mbps. 

Satellite

For rural areas, satellite internet can be the fastest type of internet connection. Since there are no wires involved, this particular type is easier to deploy across remote patches. The technology encompassing the satellite internet has changed rapidly. Therefore, you can easily expect your satellite internet connection to deliver up to 100 Mbps on your best days. If you are a serious gamer, check out our guide for the best satellite internet for gaming.

Fixed Wireless

Fixed wireless may seem a bit similar to Satellite internet but instead of a geostationary satellite, it uses radio waves to carry internet data via Line of Sight. Fixed Wireless internet is only delivering download speeds up to 100 Mbps, while potentially it could easily resemble fiber internet for going as high as 1000 Mbps, but wirelessly.  

For a detailed guide, check out the complete comparison of different types of broadband connections.

How to Increase Internet Speed? 

Sometimes, even a promising internet connection can act shaky in certain conditions. If you want to keep your internet connection well-paced at all times, then here are a few things to be mindful of:

  • Ease the burden; make sure to turn off internet connectivity for devices not in use.
  • Make a habit of regularly rebooting your modem and router. 30 seconds should do the trick.
  • Keep an eye on your monthly data. You may experience some speed throttling in case you are reaching your data limit.
  • Be sure to keep your router and modem updated.
  • Call your provider’s professional assistance while experiencing issues in your connection.
  • Most importantly – always go for a promising provider that consistently delivers unhindered speeds. See our detailed guides for the best fiber-optic providers and DSL providers to make an informed decision.

All Things Concluded

Slow internet means reduced productivity. While being mindful of your monthly internet consumption, choose the provider that delivers substantial speeds to your neighborhood.

To make your search easier, visit BuyTVInternetPhone.com/internet. Compare prices, plans and check for the availability of the fastest internet providers in your area. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much is MetroNet Fiber Internet 200?

It’s for $49.95/mo. first 12 months (Regular rate is $59.95/mo.) and delivers up to 200 Mbps of download speed.

How much is Xfinity Extreme Pro Internet?

It’ for $74.99/mo. for 12 months with 1-year agreement and delivers up to 600 Mbps of speed!