Our Top Picks for the Best Internet Providers in Boston, MA
Download Speed
Upto 250Mbps
Bandwidth
Unlimited
Upload Speed
–
Connection
Cable
The company delivers internet services via the cable television lines that are already installed in your home.
Monthly Cost
Upto $24.99/mo
Subscriptions
Monthly, Yearly
Trial Period
–
Customer Support
24/7 support
Line2 started out as a software app that allowed users to access multiple lines on their cell phones.
Monthly Cost
Upto $95.00/mo
Subscriptions
Monthly
Trial Period
–
Customer Support
24/7 support
Dialpad VoIP is a robust communications system with various features suitable for rapidly-growing businesses.
Download Speed
Upto 1000Mbps
Bandwidth
Upto 6000GB
Upload Speed
Upto 50Mbps
Connection
Cable
Mediacom has 5 different internet plans that various speeds so you can customize your internet service to your budget and speed requirements.
Monthly Cost
Upto $29.99/mo
Subscriptions
Monthly
Trial Period
6 months
Customer Support
24/7 support
Vonage is a company that offers solutions for businesses and their cloud communications. They offer services that are based on Voice Over Internet Protocol. They offer 3 different levels of phone service for businesses. These are available to companies no matter the size, with 1 or over 1,000 employees.
Download Speed
Upto 200Mbps
Bandwidth
Unlimited
Upload Speed
Upto 200Mbps
Connection
Fiber
Starry is an internet service provider that offers up to 200mbps, unlimited data, Wi-Fi router, expert installation, and all with no long-term contracts. They have no hidden fees, and you can pause or cancel your service at any time.
Download Speed
Upto 50Mbps
Bandwidth
Upto Unlimited
Upload Speed
–
Connection
Wireless
Rise Broadband helps keep people connected whether they live in rural or suburban areas. They provide high speed internet services and digital phone services in 16 states.
Download Speed
Upto 100Mbps
Bandwidth
Upto Unlimited
Upload Speed
Upto 10Mbps
Connection
Fiber
MCTV offers both residential and commercial broadband services.
Download Speed
Upto 1 Gbps
Bandwidth
Upto Unlimited
Upload Speed
Upto 20Mbps
Connection
Cable
Bend Broadband is a high-speed Internet provider for the area of Central Oregon. They offer reliable services in home mesh Wi-Fi with fast speeds. These plans always include every day, all day access to technical support. They even offer a 30-day money back guarantee.
Download Speed
Upto 500Mbps
Bandwidth
Upto Unlimited
Upload Speed
Upto 20Mbps
Connection
Cable
The Armstrong Group is a company that offers a wide variety of services. It is a very diverse family owned and operated business with beginnings in a construction business in Armstrong County Pennsylvania.
Download Speed
50 – 1000Mbps
Bandwidth
1280GB
Upload Speed
Upto 1000Mbps
Connection
VDSL, Fibre
Sonic operates in a limited geographical area. Though rankings vary, it is generally within the 10 largest cable and 25 largest fiber internet provider in the country, Sonic has been successful in providing a credible and reliable service in a competitive market.
Download Speed
25 – 940Mbps
Bandwidth
1280GB
Upload Speed
3 – 35Mbps
Connection
DSL, Fibre
Cox Communications is an Atlanta-based communication services provider. It offers home internet in the United States. Other products include TV, phone, and home security services.
Verizon Fios
As long as we’re talking about upload speeds and low latency, your best choice would be Verizon Fios. This ISP provides much higher upload speeds than competing companies in Boston, though you might want to check for this access in the location where you live or work.
Most sections of the city have 1-gigabit download speeds offered via Verizon’s fiber internet. These locations include Beacon Hill, Back Bay, The Greenway, West End, and Downtown in Central Boston. Allston and Charlestown in the north and Mattapan and South Dorchester in the south also have fiber internet. The rest of the city is covered by Verizon’s DSL network.
Xfinity
Xfinity by Comcast is another ISP in Boston providing high internet speeds of up to 1000 Mbps. However, you can expect that the prices are likely to be higher than other providers along with caps on data usage fixed at 1 TB. If you need more data, you’ll pay for added high-speed 50 GB of data and unlimited data plans are also available from Xfinity at $50 per month. Network congestion is another issue you might have to deal with. As for coverage, Xfinity has an extensive network serving users from North Boston in Charlestown and Hyde Park in the south.
Viasat
If fiber internet isn’t available in your area, you may want to look into satellite internet options. Although such a connection is much pricier, it’s widely available across all Boston areas. Viasat has a plan to suit almost any needs and budget.
Viasat internet plans start at $70 monthly for only 12 Mbps download speed and 360p video streaming quality. If you wish to watch videos in 1080p with the same download speed, you’ll pay a solid $200 monthly. However, higher download speeds of 30, 50, and 100 Mbps are also available. The most expensive plan costs $300 a month and offers 100 Mbps download speed with 1080p video streaming quality. All plans feature unlimited data usage and Wi-Fi. Furthermore, you get a large discount for the first three months of use. In addition to the flat monthly rate, Viasat charges $10 a month for equipment rental.
Atlantic Broadband
Atlantic Broadband’s pricing is transparent and simple. The cheapest plan is priced at $39.99 and offers a speed of up to 400 Mbps. The next plan provides up to 1000 Mbps speed and costs $59.99. That’s one of the best 1-gigabit internet offers in the Boston area. There are no data caps or hidden fees.
HughesNet
HughesNet is another satellite internet option available in Boston. The plans start at $59.99 monthly for 25 Mbps download speed. That’s cheaper than the pricing of Viasat, though the company additionally charges $14.99 on average for equipment rental. One thing to be aware of is that the contract length is two years.
Internet Service Providers in Boston, MA
Boston may be one of the oldest cities in the U.S. (390 years and counting), but they’re on the cutting edge when it comes to technology. And like any technologically advanced city, Boston has plenty of internet providers to choose from.
As the competition is high, companies constantly try to attract customers with promos and better deal. So if you reside in the area, you’re lucky. In this guide, we’ll share the rates of the best internet providers in the Boston area. Read on to find the most suitable plan with the best value.
Navigating Peak Usage Hours
Similar to most cities in Boston, you’ll notice slower internet speeds during peak usage hours that usually extend from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Network congestion is common when multiple users in your neighborhood log on around the same time like, after work, on weekends, or to catch a game. Work your way around the problem by scheduling large file downloads and uploads outside these time frames when traffic is low and you can complete your tasks quickly.
Evaluating Your Internet Needs
Most families and small businesses with five to seven users using internet bandwidth on multiple devices simultaneously will likely find that speeds above 100 Mbps are sufficient for their needs. Streaming HD videos and movies, gaming, checking emails, and surfing the internet can be easily done at these speeds.
Gigabit speeds are typically more suited for larger corporates and digital services companies who are heavily reliant on the internet for their operations. Even so, know that 1000 Mbps speeds may not guarantee high upload speeds. If you intend to upload large files regularly, you may want to check around for the best provider that enables this service. Here’s a quick look at the options in Boston.
Frequently asked questions
Although Boston is a large city, fiber internet is not yet available in all areas. Furthermore, even if fiber cable reaches your area, the maximum internet speed may be limited to 400 or 800 Mbps instead of 1000. To check the availability, you may visit the provider’s website or contact customer service. If a fiber cable can’t reach your house, you can opt for a DSL or satellite connection.
The cheapest internet provider in Boston area is Xfinity and Atlantic Broadband. The former offers better prices on slower internet speeds, while the latter is better for 1-gigabit internet. As for satellite internet, HughesNet offers better rates than Viasat but has a slightly smaller coverage area.
The cost of satellite internet is based on the cost of the required equipment. Satellites consist of expensive parts and require large investments to be sent to space. Furthermore, the signal must travel thousands of miles to reach your device from the satellite. In the case of DSL or fiber internet, the distance is much shorter. Finally, most internet providers charge additional fees for satellite equipment installation and rental.