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Top 10 Internet Providers in Massachusetts

Portable black USB CDMA 3G internet modem with adjustable antenna

Top 10 Internet Providers in Massachusetts

Massachusetts offers an enviable lifestyle and great work-life balance, so it’s no surprise that The Bay State has plenty of options for high-speed internet connectivity.

Network coverage varies across the state. In recent years, the State of Massachusetts has made meaningful investments in its telecommunications infrastructure, particularly fiber internet connectivity.

This has made it easier to find great value internet for your home, even in the Boondocks!

Here is a roundup of the top 10 internet providers in Massachusetts with high-speed internet solutions for your home or business that include DSL, fiber, Fixed wireless, and satellite internet. 

1. Xfinity

Xfinity logo at a retail store exterior.

Comcast’s Xfinity is one of the leading ISPs for Massachusetts and provides cable and fiber internet packages throughout the state. In addition to their internet-only packages, Xfinity offers television, cellular, and landline deals.

In Massachusetts, Xfinity has eight internet-only plans, which start at $29.99 per month. However, this is promotional pricing for new customers, and prices rise long-term unless you can renegotiate a better deal. Prices include Wi-Fi equipment, but you’ll have to pay an $89.99 installation fee.

Packages have a 1.2 terabyte cap, which is unlikely to be exhausted by most households, and Xfinity is not known to use throttling. 

As the sponsor of the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Xfinity has a big presence in Massachusetts and over 80% coverage. This means that most households in the state can use this ISP. 

Base price (monthly)$29.99 (cable) / $299.99 (fiber)
Type of connectionCable / Fiber 
Max. download speed300 Mbps to 1.2 Gbps (cable) / up to 6 Gbps (fiber)
Locations available include:Mansfield
Springfield
Brockton
Saugus
Holyoke
Danvers
Malden
Leominster
Burlington
Methuen

2. AT&T 

AT&T 5G logo on an service van

ATT delivers internet through a hybrid fiber or copper network.

One of America’s leading Telco, AT& also happens to be among the top internet providers in Massachusetts. Though it’s not the largest broadband internet provider by coverage in MA, it has made noteworthy investments in increasing its coverage in the state. 

You can choose between fiber and DSL packages with the potential to enjoy speeds of up to 5 Gbps, depending on your location. Internet-only packages start at $55 per month and are unlimited. Prices rise after the initial contract period expires. If you have a low income, inquire about AT&T’s internet, TV and landline phone bundles for qualifying MA residents. 

Base price (monthly)$55 DSL and fiber)
Type of connectionDSL / Fiber 
Max. download speed25 Mbps (DSL) / 300 Mbps to 5 Gbps (fiber)
Locations available include:Springfield 
Everett
Mansfield
Malden
Boston
Milford
Marlborough
Waltham
Fall River

3. Verizon Fios

Verizon Fios’ 100% fiber network has significant coverage in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. If you live within MA, you can take advantage of speeds that are reportedly 25X faster than cable. 

With Verizon Fios, you’ll benefit from some of the fastest speeds in the state. This fiber internet has almost equal upload/download speeds, and the data allowance is uncapped. Fiber is an excellent choice because of its massive bandwidth, meaning a smart home or busy household with many devices can stream or game freely. 

Verizon Fios internet-only packages start at $59.99 monthly with a $99.99 setup fee and rental charges for your Wi-Fi equipment. A No Annual Contract Plan allows you to pay upfront for your data, with no credit check, deposit, or long-term contact.

Base price (monthly)$59.99
Type of connectionFiber/DSL
Max. download speed1 Gbps
Locations available include:Westford
Leominster
Boston
Worcester
Foxborough
Reading 
Canton

4. Viasat

Viasat sign logo on the company's headquarters in San Jose, CA.

Viasat provides high-speed home internet services and secure networking solutions.

If you’re in a rural or remote part of Massachusetts, your options for internet connectivity are likely to be limited. Satellite internet from Viasat could be viable as it is an established ISP with coverage across all 50 states.

One limitation of satellite internet is the lower speed connectivity speed. This is mainly due to the distance the satellite signal travels to get to your property. It’s possible to get up to 100 Mbps on the fastest plans, but the slowest plan has a speed of 12 Mbps. 

Prices start at $19.99 per month for the first six months. Viasat does use data caps and throttling with a maximum monthly data limit of 150 GB before throttling kicks in. 

Base price (monthly)$19.99
Type of connectionSatellite
Max. download speed100 Mbps 
Locations available include:Massachusetts-wide (especially remote and rural areas)

5. netBlazr

Greater Boston business owners and residents can benefit from a local ISP that provides Gigabit internet with great customer service. netBlazr is a grassroots startup that provides fixed wireless internet connectivity by installing antennas on the roofs of buildings across Boston. The company’s fiber internet headend provides high-speed connectivity to the growing mesh network. 

It’s a great option if you have an apartment in a building with access to a fast and reliable internet service. netBlazr ‘s no-contract, fixed-price packages include free installation. Prices start at $39.95.

Base price (monthly)$39.95
Type of connectionFixed Wireless
Max. download speedUp to 1 Gbps
Locations available include:Greater Boston

6. RCN

Residents Communication Network, or RCN Internet, joins the list of reputable internet providers in Massachusetts. This cable internet provider has limited but longstanding coverage in Boston MA. Aside from Boston, there are only six other service coverage areas, including Chicago and parts of Pennsylvania. With internet speeds of up to 155 Mbps, you can enjoy cost-effective home internet that includes equipment like modems and routers. 

RCN plans start at $29.99 per month and are contract-free. Speeds span 100 Mbps to Gigabit internet. The company also provides webmail and 24/7 customer support. 

Base price (monthly)$29.99
Type of connectionFiber
Max. download speed1 Gbps
Locations available include:Boston only

7. T-Mobile Home Internet

T mobile logo illuminated with magenta lights

Over 1 million people actively use T-Mobile home internet service that costs $50/month.

T-Mobile Home Internet is one of the leading mobile internet providers. It has special routers that allow MA residents to use its expansive network for high-speed mobile internet – in the home. With mobile internet costs falling and 4G/LTE and 5G speeds comparable to DSL and cable, T-Mobile Home internet is a much more cost-effective choice for home internet than satellite. 

T-Mobile Home internet has speeds of up to 182 Mbps with no data caps, throttling or installation costs. The flat fee of $50 per month also holds steady.

Base price (monthly)$50
Type of connectionCellular 
Max. download speed182 Mbps 
Locations available include:Cellular coverage throughout Delaware

8. HughesNet

HughesNet is another alternative for rural folks looking for internet providers in Massachusetts. This company specializes in satellite-based rural internet solutions, meaning that the coverage is extensive. As specialists in rural internet, their prices are competitive, but speeds are slow.

HughesNet’s prices start at $54.99 for just 15GB of data, which is costly considering the average American family uses over 500GB per month.100 GB goes for $149.99. Download speed is 25 Mbps, irrespective of the package you choose. 

Base price (monthly)$54.99
Type of connectionSatellite
Max. download speed25 Mbps
Locations available include:Massachusetts-wide (especially remote and rural areas)

9. Spectrum

Owned by Charter Communications, Spectrum Internet provides cable internet across Massachusetts. They offer simple packages with three tiers of internet access (Standard, Ultra, and GIG) and monthly rates that include your home Wi-Fi router. An Internet-only plan from Spectrum starts at $49.99. There is an additional $49.99 charge for installation, though you can reduce this to $19.99 if you self-install. Introductory prices are for new customers, but you can renegotiate a new deal at the end of your contract period.  

Base price (monthly)$49.99
Type of connectionCable
Max. download speed300 Mbps to 1 Gbps
Locations available include:Adams
Athol
Boston 
Brookfield
Charlton
Cheshire
Chicopee
Clarksburg
Dalton
East Brookfield
East Longmeadow
Groton
Hadley
New Bedforde
Oakham
Orange
Oxford
Southampton
Southbridge
Spencer
Uxbridge
Wales
Boylston
Westport
Wilbraham
Williams
Worcester

10. Cox

cox communications homepage

Cox Communications fiber based network is known for its speed and reliability.

Cox Communications is a leading US telecommunications and cable TV company. They provide cable and fiber internet packages for MA residents and have at least seven internet-only plans. Fiber home broadband is mostly available in urban areas with a strong fiber backbone, with plans starting at $49.99 for 1 Gbps speed.

Cox also offers a competitively priced pay-as-you-go internet called StraightUp Prepaid Internet. For $50 per month, you can get a cable-based 100 Mbps internet connection, including equipment and installation. You have 30 days to decide whether to use their internet or cancel your service, at no charge.

Base price (monthly)$49.99 
Type of connectionCable / Fiber
Max. download speed100 Mbps to 1 Gbps (cable) 
Locations available include:Boston
Brockton
Cambridge
Chicopee
Fall River
Haverhill
Lawrence
Lowell
Lynn
Malden
Medford
New Bedford
Newton
Quincy
Revere
Somerville
Springfield
Waltham
Worcester

Summary of the Top 10 Internet Providers in Massachusetts

RankISP
#1Xfinity
#2AT&T
#3Verizon Fios
#4Viasat
#5netBlazr
#6RCN
#7T-Mobile Home Internet
#8HughesNet
#9Spectrum
#10Cox

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Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of Massachusetts residents have access to broadband internet?

8 out of the 14 counties in Massachusetts have 98% broadband internet coverage, but 6 counties including some of the most deprived parts of the state, are without extensive broadband internet access. Overall, only 63% of Massachusetts households have high-speed internet access. 45% of residents live in an area with only a single ISP available.

What is fixed wireless internet?

Fixed wireless internet is a broadband internet solution that delivers connectivity wirelessly via a point-to-point link between antennas. This alternative to cable, DSL, and fiber, uses a mesh network of wireless links with multiple antennas set up on the roofs of buildings. The network usually has a fiber backhaul that contributes to its speed and superior bandwidth. Fixed link wireless internet is a solution that performs equally in population-dense urban areas and rural or remote locations. Its simplicity and limited infrastructure lead to lower operating costs and prices for customers.

What is satellite internet?

Satellite internet uses communication satellites in low orbit to provide high-speed internet connectivity across the world. A variety of ISPs use geostationary satellites to deliver internet access to customers via transceiver equipment that uses frequency bands that can penetrate the ionosphere. 

 

A limitation of satellite internet connectivity is its potential for high latency because of its distance from the earth. Satellite internet signals can weaken as they pass through the atmospheric layers of the earth and often have to be amplified to transmit data accurately. However, the newest low latency satellite internet technology can achieve connection speeds of over 506 Mbps.

Which companies provide internet in Boston, MA?

There are at least 10 ISPs in Boston, including some great local options. The Broadband internet providers in Boston, Massachusetts are: 

  • Xfinity
  • Verizon Fios
  • RCN
  • AT&T
  • HughesNet 
  • Viasat
  • netBlazr
  • T-Mobile Home Internet
  • Astound
  • Spectrum

What is Fiber To The Home (FTTH)?

Optical fiber is set to overtake the conventional copper wire as the main mode of broadband internet connectivity. However, an entirely new telecommunications infrastructure with a fiber backbone and last-mile connectivity to properties is required to realize this.

 

Fiber To The Home is a term that is used to describe the delivery of fiber internet from a central junction to a residential property. ISPs install a fiber connection that reaches the outside wall of the property. The homeowner can access fiber internet by using an ethernet connection to a router. Telecommunications companies can also use FTTH to provide ‘triple play’ connectivity that includes internet, telephone, and television service. 

Where is fiber internet coverage in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has an extensive middle-mile fiber network. ISP who provide fiber to the home (FTTH) solutions can access this network to provide last-mile coverage as it is open-source. 

The MassBroadband 123  Network is a Massachusetts middle-mile network that connects over 120 communities in west and north central MA including Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire Counties, and Worcester County. 1,200 miles of fiber has been laid to serve over 400,000 households and over one million MA residents.

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