Best Internet Providers in Boston, MA for April, 2021

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Download Speeds Up To:
25 Mbps
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Max Speed:
25 Mbps
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  • National satellite Internet service provider with A+ BBB Rating
  • Free standard Installation included
  • Unlimited Data - No Hard Data Limits





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Download Speeds Up To:
100 Mbps
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Max Speed:
100 Mbps
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  • Multiple plans with multiple speeds to meet any lifestyle and budget
  • Free standard installation on all new orders





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Download Speeds Up To:
2 Gbps
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2 Gbps
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  • The nation’s largest internet network within 40 states and with over 100 million subscribers
  • A long history as an internet provider having started in 1996
  • Xfinity WiFi available across one million hotspots for customers subscribed to the “Performance” tier or better

The largest cable and internet provider in the nation, Xfinity holds that title for good reason. Currently found in 40 states and serving over 100 million Americans, Xfinity has cemented itself as a company that can provide fast, reliable connections. First offering internet service in 1996, Xfinity has kept up with the times, constantly updating and upgrading their lines as more and more households are looking to connect to their favorite sites, streaming services, and gaming communities. 

When first connecting to the Xfinity network, customers are going to have multiple options to choose from. Firstly, Xfinity does not necessarily lock a prospective customer in a contract. The company offers both contract and non-contract options depending on their needs. With multiple plans available, from basic to lightning-fast speeds, there is an option for every household, every need, and every budget. Each of these is priced differently based on whether or not a contract is opted out of, the type of internet connection, internet speeds, and whether or not the customer decides to bundle the internet with additional Xfinity services.

Xfinity has strived and committed to evolving with the latest technologies. Operating off of a Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial Network, they are able to deliver some of the fastest speeds in the nation. They’ve leveraged their ubiquity to create one of the largest WiFi networks in the nation. For Xfinity subscribers within the “Performance” tier or higher, as long an Xfinity modem and router are within range, they are able to connect almost anywhere. This makes using the internet on the go easier than ever. In addition, Xfinity has recently upgraded its service to meet the increasing demand for smart home integration. Revealing their Xfi experience in 2017, users are now able to connect their smart home devices with Xfinity TV and the Xfinity app to take control of their homes wherever they may go.

Xfinity uses cable lines to provide their customers with internet service.  Originally a cable TV provider, Xfinity first used its already considerable network to provide internet to its customers in 1996. At first, they partnered with other companies to provide internet service while they learned the unique challenges that offering the internet posed. By 2002 though, it had moved its nearly one million internet subscribers to their inhouse network and has rapidly grown since then. Today, over 26 million households are receiving Xfinity internet, and that number is only going to continue to grow.

Xfinity has made internet access available to many that would normally not be able to connect. Through their Internet Essentials, Xfinity offers low-cost options to those who qualify for reduced cost or free school lunches. This covers about 2.6 million households nationwide with over 200,000 households taking advantage of the program. This is an important feature as it provides families who would not normally have access to the wider world online. The Internet is no longer a luxury, and Xfinity has done its part to help every American have access to mobile banking, online learning, and social media.

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Download Speeds Up To:
940 Mbps
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Max Speed:
940 Mbps
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  • The largest fiber-optic network in the nation
  • Synchronous connections allowing for equal download and upload speeds
  • Fiber, DSL, and wireless connections are all available based on your needs and location

Starting as Bell Atlantic, Verizon Fios launched in 2004 offering one of the first true fiber services for residential customers. Beginning testing in Keller, TX, they quickly expanded out into other markets and cities after the product was a clear success. Since then, they’ve become the largest fiber-optic internet service provider in the nation. Offering more than just fiber, they also offer DSL and wireless internet service through 3G and 4G LTE radio towers to 90% of the US population. This makes Verizon Fios available to areas that normally wouldn’t have access to the internet due to a lack of grounded lines running to their residence.

When Bell Atlantic started, it provided home telephone service to the Atlantic Northeast. After it merged with GTE in 2000, they changed their name to Verizon and quickly became the largest local telephone company in the country, managing over 63 million telephone lines in almost every state. In 2002, Verizon began offering limited internet service again expanding its internet offerings in 2004 with the launch of Verizon Fios. Through a number of acquisitions and mergers, Verizon continued to increase their coverage until ultimately settling into its position today as the nation’s most extensive network of fiber-optic lines. This growth is expected to continue as Verizon Fios keeps installing new fiber-optic lines as well as maintaining its current DSL and wireless coverage.

Currently, their focus is on expanding their fiber lines as demand increases, allowing customers to reach speeds that were once unattainable. Currently, its service can reach into the 200Mbps to 1000Mbps range. This allows those who use Verizon’s services to reach and surf the internet at near-instantaneous speeds. Even more impressive, Verizon Fios upgraded its service in 2014 to allow for synchronous connections meaning that your upload speeds are just as fast as your download speeds. To put it in simpler terms, if you’re receiving download speeds of 1000 Mbps through Verizon Fios, you’ll also have access to upload speeds of 1000 Mbps. This is great for those who not only stream video to sites like Twitch, but also those who work from home and are required to consistently and regularly upload large files. Verizon Fios is available in nine states, as well as the nation’s capital, and is capable of reaching over 30 million consumers.

Verizon Fios has primarily focused its fiber lines on urban and suburban populations with high density, such as cities like New York and Philadelphia. This is what allows them to offer fiber to so many customers. Its service can be found in most of the country though, leveraging their extensive mobile network to create mobile hotspots. This serves two types of customers. The first is users that need a reliable internet connection on the go, either for work or pleasure. The second is those users who cannot access a fiber, cable, or DSL connection, but still want to access everything the internet has to offer. Regardless of which group you fall into, Verizon Fios is one of the most popular and secure internet connections in the country.

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1 Gbps
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1 Gbps
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  • RCN uses coaxial cables to connect their customers to the internet
  • With speeds reaching into fiber levels, there’s an option for even the most modern user
  • RCN is focused on providing outstanding service to America’s population centers

RCN offers high-speed broadband cable service to over four million people with a focus on major metropolitan areas like New York, Boston, and the Washington D.C.-Baltimore areas. Currently in seven states, RCN’s focus on cable over other technologies like fiber and DSL due to cable’s high bandwidths. RCN continues to grow its network and if available, is an outstanding choice for residential consumers to connect their homes to the internet. With multiple different plans, all at different speeds and prices, there’s sure to be an option for any household.

RCN was created by founders Peter Kiewit Sons’ Inc and developer David McCourt. RCN first focused on telephone and cable television services while still offering internet connections. Through a series of acquisitions and splits, RCN increased its capability to deliver internet through their already existing cable lines and as demand for a reliable internet connection increased, RCN’s focus shifted more and more to providing internet. In 2017, RCN was able to merge with Grande Communications and Wave Broadband to increase its coverage area and the level of service and speeds than it was previously able to provide. This merger took RCN from a mid-sized company to one of the largest broadband providers in the nation.

RCN’s infrastructure is based on coaxial cables, much of which already existed before internet service became the focus and much more having been added in subsequent years. They have since also started using a hybrid fiber-coaxial network to better manage the high levels of bandwidth that the company deals in. RCN was able to do this by leveraging existing DOCSIS technology to transmit data over radio waves and copper. This is often compared to DSL with the similarity lying in both technologies using copper telephone cables. Where it differs from DSL however is in the amount of bandwidth that is able to be transmitted. Cable lines are able to handle a much higher level of bandwidth making speeds like 1000 Mbps possible. Matter of fact, RCN does not offer speeds lower than 250 Mbps an ideal choice for even the largest families and the most modern of users.

RCN is currently available in the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, a very limited area in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Where it’s available is dependent on where they have laid those coaxial cable lines. Because of this, they have placed a large focus on heavily-populated urban and suburban areas where they can be sure that they’ll receive a significant return on investment. Laying those lines can cost in the millions, if not billions, of dollars but even still, RCN is constantly looking to increase its coverage area. It has been investing in areas not only where they already offer service, to improve reliability and speeds, but also into new markets to compete with some of the larger internet service providers. RCN is a great choice for any residential consumer capable of handling the highest resolutions when streaming and with low enough lag to appease the most competitive of gamers.

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Internet Service in Boston, MA

One of the oldest cities in the nation, the birthplace of the revolution, and home to Sam Adams, Boston has one of the most prestigious pedigrees among the great American cities. Beyond what's in the past, MIT and Harvard both push the city to the edge of academia and innovation with some of the greatest minds of our generation learning and developing here. In order to keep that history and innovation moving forward, having reliable internet speeds is something Boston has in spades.

With six different internet providers in Boston, its citizens have more than a few options when connecting their homes or businesses to the web. The six major players in the area are Xfinity, RCN, Verizon, Viasat, HughesNet, and netBlazr. These all different benefits and operate a little differently with a mix of cable, fiber, DSL, satellite, and fixed wireless.

The city is relatively split down the middle when it comes to cable internet providers with Verizon and Xfinity each covering about half the city with the remainder being picked up by RCN. All three of these companies have fiber speeds available.

For those who have it available, Xfinity is a great option. Covering neighborhoods like Dedham, Chelsea, Cambridge, and Newton, Xfinity is known for providing fast speeds with reliable service. In addition, they have outstanding deals when bundled with television and phone service.

For those without Xfinity availability or who are just looking for an alternative, Verizon is known for its excellent product line. Verizon has multiple different options when setting up the internet and they have something available for every budget and need. It doesn't matter whether you're gaming, streaming, or just shopping online and checking your email, Verizon speeds will have you covered with all of the above. In particular, Watertown, Somerville, Revere, and Quincy have great Verizon plans open to them.

Boston has existed for nearly four-hundred years, but it feels just as modern as any other city and in large part, has to do with the advancing and updating of the internet infrastructure. Luckily, you get to benefit from that.

What are the best internet providers in Boston, MA?

  1. EarthLink - 1 Gbps
  2. HughesNet - 25 Mbps
  3. ViaSat - 100 Mbps
  4. Xfinity - 2 Gbps
  5. Verizon - 940 Mbps
  6. RCN - 1 Gbps

What are the cheapest internet providers in Boston, MA?

  1. RCN - Starting at: $40.00
  2. Xfinity - Starting at: $49.95
  3. EarthLink - Starting at: $49.95
  4. ViaSat - Starting at: $50.00
  5. HughesNet - Starting at: $59.99
  6. Verizon - Starting at: $69.00

What are the highest rated internet providers in Boston, MA?

  1. Verizon - 
  2. EarthLink - 
  3. RCN - 
  4. HughesNet - 
  5. ViaSat - 
  6. Xfinity - 

What are the internet providers with the fastest download speeds in Boston, MA?

  1. Xfinity - 2 Gbps
  2. EarthLink - 1 Gbps
  3. RCN - 1 Gbps
  4. Verizon - 940 Mbps
  5. ViaSat - 100 Mbps
  6. HughesNet - 25 Mbps

Summary of Fastest Internet Providers in Boston, MA

ProviderMax SpeedAvg Speed
1.Xfinity2 Gbps911 Mbps
2.RCN1 Gbps583 Mbps
3.EarthLink1 Gbps374 Mbps
4.Verizon940 Mbps199 Mbps
5.netBlazr500 Mbps53 Mbps
6.ViaSat100 Mbps20 Mbps
7.HughesNet25 Mbps25 Mbps

Summary of All Internet Providers in Boston, MA

ProviderTypeCoverageMax SpeedAvg Speed
1.HughesNet100.00%25 Mbps25 Mbps
2.ViaSat100.00%100 Mbps20 Mbps
3.Verizon98.80%940 Mbps199 Mbps
4.Xfinity96.20%2 Gbps911 Mbps
5.EarthLink70.00%1 Gbps374 Mbps
6.netBlazr43.11%500 Mbps53 Mbps
7.RCN38.78%1 Gbps583 Mbps

Frequently Asked Questions about Boston, MA.

  1. Which provider offers the best internet service in Boston, MA?

    EarthLink is the best internet provider in Boston, MA, with download speeds up to 1 Gbps and pricing starting at $49.95.

  2. How many internet providers provide service in Boston, MA?

    There are currently 7 providers that offer internet service in Boston, MA.

  3. What providers offer internet service in Boston, MA.

    EarthLink, HughesNet, ViaSat, Xfinity, Verizon, RCN and netBlazr offer internet service in Boston, MA.

  4. What is the cheapest internet provider in Boston, MA?

    RCN is the cheapest internet provider in Boston, MA, with pricing starting at $40.00.

  5. What provider has the fastest speeds in Boston, MA?

    Xfinity is the faster internet provider in Boston, MA, with maximum speeds reaching 2 Gbps and average speeds of 911 Mbps.

  6. Is fiber internet available in Boston, MA?

    Yes! Fiber internet covers 21% of Boston, MA.

Summary of School Districts in Boston, MA

DistrictGradesMax SpeedAvg Speed
Not DefinedPK - 12987 Mbps117 Mbps
Boston PK - 121 Gbps225 Mbps
Brookline PK - 121 Gbps269 Mbps
Cambridge PK - 121 Gbps162 Mbps
Canton PK - 12987 Mbps137 Mbps
Chelsea PK - 121 Gbps167 Mbps
Dedham PK - 121 Gbps345 Mbps
Everett PK - 121 Gbps252 Mbps
Hull PK - 12987 Mbps359 Mbps
Milton PK - 121 Gbps248 Mbps
Nahant PK - 06987 Mbps349 Mbps
Needham PK - 121 Gbps380 Mbps
Newton PK - 121 Gbps272 Mbps
Quincy PK - 121 Gbps204 Mbps
Revere PK - 12987 Mbps206 Mbps
Somerville PK - 121 Gbps258 Mbps
Swampscott in Nahant (7-12)07 - 12987 Mbps349 Mbps
Watertown PK - 121 Gbps286 Mbps
Winthrop PK - 12987 Mbps221 Mbps

Top 10 Neighborhoods in Boston, MA

NeighborhoodMax SpeedAvg Speed
Sprague-Manor1 Gbps427 Mbps
Oakdale1 Gbps377 Mbps
Hyde Park1 Gbps362 Mbps
South Dorchester1 Gbps350 Mbps
Riverdale1 Gbps343 Mbps
East Dedham1 Gbps341 Mbps
Corey Hill1 Gbps317 Mbps
Mattapan1 Gbps308 Mbps
Mattapan1 Gbps308 Mbps
Newton Corner1 Gbps290 Mbps

Military Bases in Boston, MA

NameMax SpeedAvg Speed
Coast Guard Station Boston987 Mbps107 Mbps

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