What’s the finest web supplier in Connecticut?
Frontier Fiber is the best choice for web in Connecticut. Together with an intensive fiber-optic community masking a lot of the state, Frontier Fiber affords low, steady pricing on quick, symmetrical speeds and easy service phrases that embrace tools rental and limitless knowledge at no additional value.
The fiber web supplier can be the quickest ISP in Connecticut, providing speeds as much as 5,000 megabits per second (5 gigabits per second) beginning at $155 per 30 days. With a price per Mbps of round three cents, the plan is among the higher web offers in Connecticut, even when it isn’t the most affordable plan you’ll discover.
Xfinity is the most effective supply of low-cost web in Connecticut with service beginning at $25 per 30 days for speeds as much as 200Mbps. Optimum and Cox have barely dearer, barely quicker plans beginning at $40 per 30 days for speeds as much as 300Mbps with Optimum and 250Mbps with Cox.
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for the most affordable web in Connecticut, the quickest plans or just an excellent mixture of pace and worth, you’ll discover all the pieces it’s essential to know in regards to the state’s main web suppliers beneath.
CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer support and total worth to suggest the most effective web service in Connecticut throughout a number of classes. Our analysis consists of referencing a proprietary database constructed over years of reviewing web companies. We validate that towards supplier info by spot-checking native addresses for service availability. We additionally do a detailed learn of suppliers’ phrases and circumstances and, when wanted, will name ISPs to confirm the main points.
Regardless of our efforts to search out the latest and correct info, our course of has some limitations you must learn about. Pricing and pace knowledge are variable: sure addresses might qualify for various service tiers, and month-to-month prices might fluctuate, even inside a metropolis. The easiest way to determine your specific choices is to plug your handle right into a supplier’s web site.
Additionally, the costs, pace and different info listed above and within the supplier playing cards beneath might differ from what we present in our analysis. The playing cards show the complete vary of a supplier’s pricing and pace throughout the US, in line with our database of plan info supplied instantly by ISPs. On the identical time, the textual content is restricted to what’s accessible in Connecticut. The costs referenced inside this text’s textual content come from our analysis and embrace relevant reductions for organising automated funds every month — a regular business providing. Different reductions and promotions is likely to be accessible as nicely, for issues like signing a time period contract or bundling with a number of companies.
To be taught extra about how we evaluate web suppliers, go to our full methodology web page.
Greatest web in Connecticut
I’d suggest fiber web over every other connection kind, particularly if it comes with the speeds, aggressive pricing and easy service phrases of Frontier Fiber.
Cable web, like that of Xfinity, is a detailed second to fiber by way of pace and reliability. In lots of areas, Connecticut included, it additionally has the benefit of larger availability and decrease introductory pricing.
T-Cellular Dwelling Web is a perfect selection for broadband in suburban and rural Connecticut. Contemplating the low pricing and first rate pace potential, you may additionally discover it to be an appropriate various to the large cable or fiber suppliers in your space.
Connecticut web suppliers in contrast
| Supplier | Web expertise | Month-to-month value vary | Velocity vary | Month-to-month tools prices | Information cap | Contract | CNET evaluate rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $50-$110 | 100-1,000Mbps | $13 (non-compulsory) | 1.25TB | None | 6.2 |
| Frontier | DSL, fiber | $50-$155 | Varies DSL, 500-5,000Mbps fiber | None | None | None | 6.3 |
| GoNetspeed | Fiber | $50-$90 | 500-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | N/A |
| HughesNet | Satellite tv for pc | $50-$150 | 15-50Mbps | $15 month-to-month or $450 buy price | Varies, 15-100GB | 2 years | 5.7 |
| Optimum | Cable | $40-$70 | 300-940Mbps | None | None | None | 6.2 |
| Starlink | Low orbit satellite tv for pc | $90-$120 | 20-220Mbps | $599 buy price | None | None | N/A |
| T-Cellular Dwelling Web | Fastened wi-fi | $50 ($30 with eligible cellular plans) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Dwelling Web | Fastened wi-fi | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wi-fi clients) | 50-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| Viasat | Satellite tv for pc | $70-$300 | 12-100Mbps | $13 month-to-month or $299 upfront | Varies, 40-300GB | 2 years | 6.1 |
| Xfinity | Cable | $25-$100 | 200-1,000Mbps | $15 (non-compulsory) | 1.25TB or limitless | 1 or 2 years (non-compulsory) | 7 |
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Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier knowledge.
High Connecticut web supplier honorable mentions
- Cox: The third-largest cable web supplier in Connecticut, Cox serves elements of Hartford and surrounding suburbs to the north, south and east. Plans begin at $40 to $110 per 30 days (or decrease in choose areas) for speeds of 100Mbps to 1,000Mbps. All plans include a month-to-month knowledge cap of 1.25TB, and a one-year contract could also be required to get the bottom pricing on choose plans.
- Frontier: As talked about above, Frontier covers a lot of Connecticut, however not all service areas are fiber-eligible. The remaining areas should depend on Frontier’s slower, much less dependable DSL community. Speeds fluctuate, however don’t anticipate something near what you’ll get with fiber service.
- GoNetspeed: Native fiber ISP GoNetspeed affords 500, 750 and 1,000Mbps plans beginning at $50, $60 and $70 per 30 days, respectively. That’s an excellent deal no matter your chosen plan, however service could also be powerful to come back by. Solely round 13% of Connecticut households are presently eligible for GoNetspeed, in line with the FCC.
- Optimum: Altice model Optimum primarily operates in the larger NYC space, however that protection extends into western Connecticut. Speeds and pricing are nearly as good as any cable supplier, as are the service phrases — no tools charges, knowledge caps or contracts — however the low buyer satisfaction scores could also be trigger for concern.
- Verizon 5G Dwelling Web: Choose areas, together with a lot of Bridgeport, Hartford and Stamford, are serviceable for wi-fi residence web through Verizon’s 5G Extremely Wideband community. Service begins at $50 per 30 days for speeds starting from 50 to 300Mbps, or you may improve to 85 to 1,000Mbps at $70 month-to-month. There are not any tools charges, knowledge caps or contracts. Qualifying Verizon cellular clients can obtain an extra low cost on Verizon residence web service.
- Satellite tv for pc web: Practically 98% of Connecticut households are serviceable for cable and/or fiber web service, so chances are high you received’t need to depend on satellite tv for pc web. If, nevertheless, no different web service is obtainable, there’s at all times HughesNet or Viasat, supplied you’ve gotten a transparent view of the southern sky. Starlink could also be one other satellite tv for pc possibility, with a quicker pace potential, extra knowledge (limitless) and decrease latency than HughesNet or Viasat.
Low cost web choices in Connecticut
Cable web is commonly the go-to for affordable web, and that’s the case in Connecticut as Xfinity, Optimum and Cox have the most affordable web plans of any main ISP within the state.
Xfinity web service prices $25 per 30 days for obtain speeds as much as 200Mbps. Cox and Optimum have a beginning value of $40 per 30 days, however Optimum advertises a bit extra pace (300Mbps in comparison with 250Mbps with Cox). In case you plan on renting Wi-Fi tools, Optimum’s plan is the higher deal than Xfinity or Cox since there isn’t any rental price.
Beginning costs from many different Connecticut ISPs start at $50 per 30 days. That’s double Xfinity’s lowest value, however when you think about tools prices (or lack thereof), plus the max speeds (as much as 500Mbps with Frontier Fiber and GoNetspeed), the additional value could also be nicely value it.
What is the least expensive web plan in Connecticut?
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Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier knowledge.
Tips on how to discover web offers and promotions in Connecticut
The very best web offers and the highest promotions in Connecticut depend upon what reductions can be found throughout that point interval. Most offers are short-lived, however we glance ceaselessly for the newest affords.
Connecticut web suppliers, equivalent to Optimum and Xfinity, might provide decrease introductory pricing or particular affords for a restricted time. Many, nevertheless, together with Frontier, Cox and GoNetspeed, run the identical commonplace pricing year-round.
For a extra intensive listing of promotions, try our information on the finest web offers.
How briskly is Connecticut broadband?
Ookla pace take a look at knowledge from Q3 2023 ranked Connecticut third-fastest amongst all US states and Washington, DC, with a median obtain pace of 229Mbps. That’s quicker than the nationwide common (213Mbps) and beneath solely Rhode Island (230Mbps) and Florida (240Mbps).
Frontier had the quickest median obtain pace within the state at 271Mbps, however loads of different suppliers, together with Cox, Optimum, GoNetspeed and even Verizon 5G Dwelling Web, provide plans with quicker speeds than the state common.
Quickest web plans in Connecticut
| Supplier | Beginning value | Max obtain pace | Max add pace | Information cap | Connection kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier Fiber 5000 | $155 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Xfinity Gigabit x2 | $100 | 2,000Mbps | 200Mbps | 1.25TB or limitless | Cable |
| GoNetspeed 1000Mbps | $70 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Cox Go Tremendous Quick | $110 ($60 in choose areas) | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | 1.25TB | Cable |
| Optimum 1 Gig | $70 ($60 in choose areas) | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Dwelling Plus Web | $70 ($45 with qualifying Verizon 5G cellular plans) | 85-1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | None | Fastened wi-fi |
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Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier knowledge.
What’s an excellent web pace?
Most web connection plans can now deal with fundamental productiveness and communication duties. In case you’re on the lookout for an web plan that may accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you will have a greater expertise with a extra strong connection. This is an outline of the advisable minimal obtain speeds for varied purposes, in line with the FCC. Observe that these are solely pointers — and that web pace, service and efficiency fluctuate by connection kind, supplier and handle.
For extra info, check with our information on how a lot web pace you actually need.
- 0 to 5Mbps lets you sort out the fundamentals — searching the web, sending and receiving e mail, streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps offers you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps ought to give one person adequate bandwidth to fulfill the calls for of contemporary telecommuting, video streaming and on-line gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps permits one to 2 customers to concurrently have interaction in high-bandwidth actions like videoconferencing, streaming and on-line gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps permits three or extra customers to have interaction in high-bandwidth actions on the identical time.
How CNET selected the most effective web suppliers in Connecticut
Web service suppliers are quite a few and regional. In contrast to the newest smartphone, laptop computer, router or kitchen software, it’s impractical to personally take a look at each ISP in a given metropolis. So what’s our method? We begin by researching the pricing, availability and pace info drawing on our personal historic ISP knowledge, the supplier websites and mapping info from the Federal Communications Fee at FCC.gov.
Nevertheless it doesn’t finish there. We go to the FCC’s web site to examine our knowledge and guarantee we contemplate each ISP that gives service in an space. We additionally enter native addresses on supplier web sites to search out particular choices for residents. We have a look at sources, together with the American Buyer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Energy, to guage how comfortable clients are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and costs are topic to frequent adjustments; all info supplied is correct as of publication.
As soon as now we have this localized info, we ask three most important questions:
- Does the supplier provide entry to fairly quick web speeds?
- Do clients get first rate worth for what they’re paying?
- Are clients pleased with their service?
Whereas the reply to these questions is commonly layered and sophisticated, the suppliers who come closest to “sure” on all three are those we suggest. When choosing the most affordable web service, we search for the plans with the bottom month-to-month price, although we additionally consider issues like value will increase, tools charges and contracts. Selecting the quickest web service is comparatively simple. We have a look at marketed add and obtain speeds and contemplate real-world pace knowledge from sources like Ookla and FCC studies.
What’s the ultimate phrase on web suppliers in Connecticut?
Frontier Fiber is the best choice for residence web in Connecticut because of its quick speeds (the quickest of any main ISP within the state, as much as 5,000Mbps), aggressive pricing and favorable service phrases.
Whereas many Connecticut households are serviceable for Frontier Fiber, not all are. Xfinity additionally boasts excessive availability in Connecticut and has the most affordable web plan within the state, beginning at $25 per 30 days for speeds as much as 200Mbps. Cox and Optimum, although much less broadly accessible in Connecticut than Xfinity, additionally provide low-cost plans as much as 250Mbps and 300Mbps, respectively, beginning at $40 per 30 days.
With plans beginning at $50 per 30 days, wi-fi residence web from T-Cellular or Verizon can also be a sensible broadband possibility. Nonetheless, the general worth will depend upon the accessible speeds at your handle.
Web suppliers in Connecticut FAQs
What’s the finest web service supplier in Connecticut?
Frontier Fiber has the most important fiber-optic community in Connecticut and the quickest accessible speeds, as much as 5,000Mbps. Moreover, Frontier Fiber’s competitively priced plans embrace tools rental and limitless knowledge at no additional value.
Is fiber web accessible in Connecticut?
Sure. Simply over half of Connecticut households (51%, in line with the FCC) are eligible for fiber web service. Frontier Fiber is by far the most important fiber web supplier within the state, however native ISP GoNetspeed has a good and rising fiber presence, presently accessible to round 13% of Connecticut residences.
Who’s the most affordable web supplier in Connecticut?
Xfinity has absolutely the least expensive plan, Xfinity Join Extra, which begins at $25 per 30 days for obtain speeds as much as 200Mbps. Understand that renting Wi-Fi tools will doubtless add $15 to your month-to-month invoice.
Optimum has the next beginning value at $40 per 30 days, however with speeds as much as 300Mbps and no tools rental price, it’s a greater worth than Xfinity’s Join Extra plan if it’s essential to hire your router.
Which web supplier in Connecticut affords the quickest plan?
Frontier Fiber has the quickest plan in Connecticut, providing symmetrical speeds as much as 5,000Mbps beginning at $155 per 30 days. The fiber supplier additionally has the second-fastest web plan in Connecticut, with speeds as much as 2,000Mbps beginning at $100 month-to-month.
Xfinity additionally affords a 2,000Mbps plan for across the identical value, however the cable web connection doesn’t include symmetrical add speeds such as you would get with Frontier Fiber. Add speeds with the Xfinity Gigabit x2 plan max out at 200Mbps.
