Reliable, fast internet service has become as vital as electricity to households and businesses. However navigating the array of companies and technologies offering broadband access across Massachusetts can prove daunting.
This analysis will provide an insider‘s overview of the leading wired and wireless internet providers available in the state outlining key factors like speed, availability and pricing. Read on for plain English advice to help find broadband that fits your location, usage needs and budget.
Overview of Major Broadband Companies in Massachusetts
The table below summarizes the 10 largest internet service providers delivering home broadband across MA:
| ISP | Technology | Speed Range | Service Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity from Comcast | Cable | 50 – 1000+ Mbps | 80% Statewide |
| Verizon Fios | Fiber Optic | 300 – 940+ Mbps | Eastern & Central MA |
| RCN | Cable | 50 – 330+ Mbps | Greater Boston |
| AT&T Internet | DSL & Fiber | 25 – 1000+ Mbps | Statewide |
| netBlazr | Fixed Wireless | 200 – 1000+ Mbps | Boston Metro |
| Viasat | Satellite | 12 – 100+ Mbps | Statewide |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | Cellular | 35 – 182 Mbps | Patchy, Mostly Urban |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 25 Mbps | Statewide |
| Spectrum | Cable | 100 – 1000+ Mbps | Central & Western MA |
| Starry Internet | Fixed Wireless | 200 Mbps | Boston, Cambridge |
These providers collectively offer internet access to most households across Massachusetts using cable, DSL, fiber and fixed wireless technology. However availability of specific companies varies widely town-by-town.
We‘ll now examine the speeds offered, coverage footprints and what factors impact broadband pricing for Bay State consumers.
Internet Speeds Available from Massachusetts Providers
When selecting a home or business internet provider, the download and upload speeds offered should match needs for using bandwidth-heavy apps like video streaming, gaming or video calls across multiple devices.
Fiber optic and certain cable providers deliver fastest speeds, but availability is limited outside Eastern MA. Rural Western counties often rely on moderate speed wireless or satellite:
Top Speeds – Fiber & Cable
| Provider | Max Download Speed | Max Upload Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios Gigabit Connection | 940 Mbps | 880 Mbps |
| RCN Gigabyte Internet | 1 Gbps | 50 Mbps |
| Xfinity Gigabit Pro | 2 Gbps | 2 Gbps |
| netBlazr Gigabyte | 1000 Mbps | 1000 Mbps |
Good Speeds – Cable & DSL
| Provider | Max Download Speed | Max Upload Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Gig | 1000 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| Xfinity Extreme Pro+ | 600 Mbps | 20 Mbps |
| AT&T Fiber 100 | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| AT&T Internet 75 | 75 Mbps | 20 Mbps |
Moderate Speeds – Wireless & Satellite
| Provider | Max Download Speed | Max Upload Speed |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 182 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| HughesNet Gen5 | 25 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| Viasat | 100 Mbps | 20 Mbps |
Max Advertised Speeds, Mbps = Megabits per second
Real world speeds typically range 60-80% of advertised rates according to FCC and consumer testing data. Location, network capacity and home wiring impact ability to achieve fastest rates.
Availability of Broadband Providers in Massachusetts
The map below provides a town-level view of technology availability from major wired internet providers:
Key takeaways on geographic availability:
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Xfinity has broadest infrastructure covering 80% of MA households statewide.
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Fios concentrated in Eastern & Central MA including Boston, Worcester and Springfield metro areas.
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RCN focused exclusively in Greater Boston and neighboring communities.
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Western MA rural areas have extremely limited wired providers available, typically only satellite internet from Viasat or Hughes.
Check availability at your exact address via company websites before ordering service – options vary street by street.
Cost and Pricing for Massachusetts Internet Service
Monthly costs for home internet plans range widely starting as low as $20 on up to $300 depending on speed tier:
Entry-Level Internet
| Provider | Max Speed | Avg Monthly Cost | Data Cap? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity 50 Mbps | 50 down / 10 up | $30 | Yes, 1.2 TB |
| AT&T Internet 25 | 25 down / 3 up | $55 | No cap |
| HughesNet 25 | 25 down / 3 up | $60 | Yes, 50 GB |
Gigabit Fiber
| Provider | Typical Speed | Avg Monthly Cost | Data Cap? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios Gigabit | 750 down / 750 up | $90 | No cap |
| RCN Gigabit | 800 down / 15 up | $105 | No cap |
| AT&T Fiber 1000 | 500 down / 500 up | $110 | No cap |
Costs include base rate plus equipment fees amortized over 12 months. Taxes & installation extra.
Be sure to understand total costs long-term – teaser rates often jump 20-50% for existing customers after the 1st year.
Key Tips for Comparing & Choosing Providers
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Check availability – Plug your address into provider websites to see actual speeds and prices available
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Assess usage – Estimate monthly data needs for streaming, gaming etc to pick adequate speed
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Compare total costs – Factor equipment, data overage, installation & contract break fees
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Read service terms – Review cancellation policy, guaranteed speeds and reliability guarantees
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Consider bundles – Can adding TV or wireless phone service reduce overall pricing?
I hope this comprehensive overview has broken down the complex home internet landscape across Massachusetts. Please don‘t hesitate to reach out with any other questions!
