Best Internet Providers in Providence, Rhode Island

What is the best internet provider in Providence?

According to CNET, Verizon Fios is the best internet service provider for most households in Providence, Rhode Island. When choosing an internet service provider, you'll want to consider your individual needs. Do you need the fastest service available or can you sacrifice some speed if it means paying a lower monthly rate? Verizon Fios offers symmetric speeds up to 2,000Mbps without any data caps, contracts or additional costs, which is the best deal in the city.

As a backup, there's Cox Communications, which offers high-speed plans, although its speeds aren't symmetrical. T-Mobile's 5G Home Internet service is a handy backup if neither is available.

If you're shopping for the cheapest plan or the fastest speeds in the area, Cox and Verizon Fios are your best option. For $30 a month, Cox customers can reach speeds up to 100 megabits per second, the lowest price you'll pay in Providence for internet access (although you'll have to qualify for the plan). Cox also offers speeds up to 2 gigabits at $120 monthly. And Verizon Fios has a two-gigabit plan at a similar price of $120. While $120 a month isn't cheap, the cost per Mbps for Verizon Fios' gigabit plan comes under 6 cents per Mbps and offers symmetrical upload speeds.

If you need more affordable plans, fixed wireless providers such as Verizon and T-Mobile offer discounted rates for eligible mobile customers.

Best internet in Providence, Rhode Island

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other available internet providers in Providence

• Satellite: This internet connection type offers slower speeds and steep monthly prices, but it offers a benefit that other ISPs can’t replicate, and that’s its wide availability. Most residents in Providence have limited broadband options, but connections from Hughesnet, Viasat and the new kid on the block, Starlink, offer coverage almost everywhere. A satellite connection won’t conjure up the fastest speeds, but Starlink is the fastest ISP of the three, reaching download speeds of up to 220Mbps. Starlink is the most costly option as well, with the standard plan costing $120 per month and to lease equipment, it’s gonna cost you $499 upfront. If you want to avoid the two-year contract from Hughesnet, Viasat offers a singular plan that features no-term agreements and speeds of up to 150Mbps.
• Verizon 5G Home Internet: You may not get the fastest speeds with a Verizon fixed wireless connection, but if you want to avoid satellite internet altogether, this might be your best bet. Coverage is limited throughout the city, according to the latest data from the FCC, only 8% of Providence residents have access to Verizon 5G Home Internet. If available at your address, Verizon offers download speeds of up to 300Mbps for $70 per month. Plans are also straightforward: no data caps, no monthly equipment fees, and no contracts. 

Cheap internet options in Providence

The average starting monthly price in Providence is around $47 per month. Cox has a $30-per-month plan for 100Mbps, which is the cheapest internet plan in the area. That's not all. Verizon Fios offers a $50-per-month plan for 300Mbps. Eligible mobile customers can knock $15 to $25 off their monthly bill with fixed wireless providers Verizon and T-Mobile.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Providence

The best internet deals and the top promotions in Providence depend on the discounts available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers. 

Providence internet providers, such as Cox, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, including Verizon and T-Mobile, run the same standard pricing year-round. 

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals. 

Photo by DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

How fast is Providence broadband?

In the latest Ookla speed test data, Providence came in with a fixed median download speed of 284Mbps. That’s not bad, but nearby Hartford performed much better at 329Mbps. Whereas, Boston was below the fold, coming in at just 256Mbps. Still, Providence didn’t do too well in comparison with its state, Rhode Island, at 285Mbps.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What’s a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

• 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
• 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
• 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming. 
• 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming. 
• 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Providence

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

1. Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
2. Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
3. Are customers happy with their service?

The answers to those questions are often layered and complex, but the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

What's the final word on internet providers in Providence?

Depending on your specific address, you may not have many broadband options. If Verizon Fios is available, put it at the top of your list. Verizon Fios offers gigabit speeds and features unlimited data, no contracts and no monthly equipment fees. If you want to avoid the price increase with Cox Communications, Verizon 5G Home Internet is also a solid alternative.

Internet providers in Providence FAQs