High speed internet has, without a doubt, become a staple of modern life. So much depends on its availability that it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to call it a basic necessity.
A moment’s lag in a ranked game of CS:GO can mean a huge difference in rankings, while an interrupted connection can easily ruin a business transaction. Likewise, streaming services like Netflix, Twitch, and Hulu can’t be fully enjoyed on a slow and lag-prone connection.
The common solution for gamers, businesses owners, and movie addicts alike is high speed internet. However, not all providers and packages are created equal. Price, availability, connection stability, and long-term reliability are all important factors when choosing the best internet option. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best available options.
Cox
Despite the fact that the fiber optic connection is slowly taking over, there are still some awesome cable options out there. Cox offers an excellent range of cable internet plans at reasonable prices. The speeds range from 10 Mbps with the Starter package and go up to 300 Mbps with the Internet Ultimate. Prices go from $29.99 to $79.99 per month.
Cox is widely available and has a stellar packet loss and latency record. Give Cox a thought if you live in the Midwest, South, and West and aren’t hell-bent on breaking speed records or streaming UHD videos.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Contract and no contract
- Offers low-speed plans, too
Cons:
- There are no Fios plans available in some areas
- Customer service not so great
Frontier FiOS
Frontier is a great choice for users who want ultra-fast fiber optics. Their FiOS options start at 50 Mbps with the Simply FiOS 50/50 package and go up to staggering 1,000 Mbps with Simply FiOS 1G/1G.
Frontier FiOS is famous for super-low latency and virtually zero packet loss. It’s even been ranked as one of the best options by Netflix. Additionally, their packages don’t have data caps which are still used by some other ISPs.
However, Frontier’s Achilles heel is the availability, as it is still available only in certain areas. Also, their packages tend to be a bit pricier than average.
Pros:
- Super-high speeds
- Excellent reliability
- There are no data caps
Cons:
- Available in certain areas only
- Somewhat pricier than average
Verizon Fios
All Verizon Fios plans are based on fiber connection and offer excellent reliability and connection quality. Also the price to speed ratio is excellent, with some of the lowest prices around. The Fios range starts at 100 Mbps and peaks at 940 Mbps. The basic plan will cost you $39.99 a month, while the fastest Fios Gigabit option will cost you $79.99 a month.
Verizon Fios is a great option for users who want high-speed fiber internet at an affordable price. Gamers, streamers, and freelancers can all benefit from it.
On the downside, Verizon Fios has extremely limited availability, with only the Northeast and parts of Virginia being covered.
Pros:
- Quality service
- Affordable
- Fast
Cons:
- Limited coverage
AT&T Internet
AT&T provides limited availability, but good quality of service where available. Low prices for the entry level DSL packages are another ace up AT&T’s sleeve.
Apart from the good old DSL, AT&T Internet also offers great fiber-optic options. The Internet 1000 plan is among the affordable and reliable options in its class. It will set you back $80 a month. There are no data caps with AT&T’s 1Gbps fiber plans.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Internet 100 might be interesting, as well. It offers 100 Mbps at $40 a month.
Pros:
- Reasonable pricing
- Fast and reliable
- No data caps for 1Gbps plan and all TV bundles
Cons:
- Not available in whole country
Xfinity
When it comes to pure connection speed, Xfinity delivers better than any other ISP. Their Fios plans go up to 2000 Mbps. The Gigabit Pro plan delivers the almost unreal 2000 Mbps i but it costs whopping $299.99 a month. If you do live UHD streams, this might be a good option.
The regular Gigabit plan offers 1000 Mbps and costs $70 a month. With this plan, you get 35 Mbps upload which should be enough for all regular users. The basic option is the Performance Starter pack with meager 15 Mbps and the price tag of $29.99.
Pros:
- Ultra-high speeds
- Regular packages are reasonably priced
- Good coverage
Cons:
- Not so stellar customer service
Viasat
Viasat might be the best internet option for users living in rural areas. Their program is based on satellite internet packages which are sometimes the only option for people in remote areas.
Though significantly slower than cable and fiber-optics, Viasat’s fastest plans are more than impressive for satellite internet. The basic Unlimited Bronze 12 package has the download speed of 12 Mbps and a 40GB data cap. The Unlimited Platinum 100 boasts 100 Mbps down speed with 150GB data cap. Check out Viasat’s plans.
Pros:
- Available in rural areas
- Affordable
- Reliable
Cons:
- Data caps
- Slower than cable and fiber
Conclusion
Whether you’re a gamer, streamer, freelancer, or the owner of a future Fortune 500 company, having fast and reliable internet is a must. Take your time and make sure to pick the best internet option for you.