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Internet Providers in Providence, RI

Over 2,676 people in Providence found the best Internet Provider in the last 30 days.

#1

EarthLink Fiber

92.36% availability
EarthLink Fiber logo

Connection Types:

Fiber
Speed up to:

5 Gbps

User Review:

(2728)

View Plans

Limited-Time Fibermaxx Offer: Lock in Fiber 1 Gig for $39.95/mo

#2

Verizon

82.76% availability
Verizon logo

Connection Types:

Fiber / DSL / Television / Mobile / Phone
Speed up to:

1 Gbps

User Review:

(2718)

Fios customers get upload speeds as fast as their download speeds.

#3

Verizon Fios Fiber

96.9% availability
Verizon Fios Fiber logo

Connection Types:

Fiber
Speed up to:

2 Gbps

User Review:

(2976)

Compare Verizon Fios Internet Plans with speeds up to 1Gbps starting at $39.99/mo.

#4

Earthlink 5G Home Internet

86.1% availability

Connection Types:

Fixed Wireless / Mobile
Speed up to:

425 Mbps

User Review:

(2977)

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No credit checks - No contracts

#5

Cox

70.04% availability

Connection Types:

Cable / Television
Speed up to:

1 Gbps

User Review:

(2648)

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Take the Cox challenge. The Difference is Clear.

#6

Viasat

64.28% availability

Connection Types:

Satellite / Phone
Speed up to:

150 Mbps

User Review:

(2975)

View Plans
#7

HughesNet

69.26% availability

Connection Types:

Satellite / Phone
Speed up to:

100 Mbps

User Review:

(2869)

*24-month commitment and early service termination fees apply. Monthly Fee reflects the applied $5 savings for ACH enrollment. Offer may vary by geographic area.

Unlimited Data – With no hard data limits, if you use the data in your plan, speeds will reduce.

Television Only Providers in Providence, RI

#1Dish Network

  • DISH is ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction by J.D. Power for the third year in a row.
  • 2-Year TV Price Guarantee.
  • Free Google Voice Remote and Smart DVR Included.
  • Record up to 16 shows at once.
  • 80,000 On Demand Titles.
  • FREE Standard Professional Installation from a trusted, local expert.
Pricing starting at:
$64.99

#2DIRECTV

  • Best entertainement options for any sports fan over Cable TV, including NFL Sunday Ticket!
  • Includes local channels
  • HBO, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax free for first 3 months
  • Free upgrade to Genie HD-DVR
  • Free professional installation in up to 4 rooms
Pricing starting at:
$64.99

Best Internet Providers in Providence

EarthLink Fiber's fiber can give you the best combination of price and performance in Providence, it it is available at your address. Fiber internet is the top choice for consistency and speed, making it ideal for remote work and for households with many users and devices. Plans start at 100 Mbps, with pricing ranging between $39.95 and $99/mo.

Cox cable internet is the next-best option in Providence for fast downloads and broad availability, if fiber is not available. Speeds can reach up to 1 Gbps, and pricing often starts around $50/mo.

Verizon 5G home internet can be an easy setup with predictable pricing, and is worth considering in Providence. Plans start around $39.95/mo, with typical speeds around 11 Mbps-450 Mbps depending on your location and signal.

What is the fastest internet provider in Providence?

EarthLink Fiber is the fastest internet provider in Providence, RI, with download speeds up to 5 Gbps and upload speeds up to 1 Gbps — available to 92.36% of the city.
ProviderConnectionsMax DownloadMax UploadAvailability
EarthLink FiberFiber5 Gbps1 Gbps92.36%
Verizon Fios FiberFiber2 Gbps940 Mbps96.90%
VerizonFiber / DSL / Television / Mobile / Phone1 Gbps1 Gbps82.76%
CoxCable / Television1 Gbps35 Mbps70.04%
Earthlink 5G Home InternetFixed Wireless / Mobile425 Mbps15 Mbps86.10%
ViasatSatellite / Phone150 Mbps3 Mbps64.28%
HughesNetSatellite / Phone100 Mbps5 Mbps69.26%

What is the cheapest internet provider in Providence?

EarthLink Fiber offers the cheapest internet in Providence starting at $39.95/month with speeds up to 5 Gbps. Earthlink 5G Home Internet offers the next lowest price at $39.95/month.
ProviderStarting PriceSpeedContractData Cap
EarthLink Fiber$39.95Up to 5 GbpsYesUnlimited
Verizon Fios Fiber$69.00Up to 2 GbpsNoUnlimited
Verizon$69.00Up to 1 GbpsNoUnlimited
Cox$50.00Up to 1 GbpsNo1.28 TB
Earthlink 5G Home Internet$39.95Up to 425 MbpsNoUnlimited
Viasat$49.99Up to 150 MbpsNoUnlimited
HughesNet$74.99*Up to 100 MbpsYes100-200 GB

What type of internet connection is best in Providence?

Providence has 4 main types of internet connections. Your best option depends on where you live and what you need.

Fiber

78.30%

Fastest, most reliable. Symmetrical speeds. EarthLink Fiber is the best available for gaming and WFH.

Cable

69.98%

Most widely available wired option. Cox covers 70.04%, Cyberonic covers 82.76%. Up to 1 Gbps download. Good for most households.

DSL

78.64%

Verizon, max 1 Gbps. Being phased out for fiber. Only consider if no other options exist.

Satellite

100.00%

Viasat (150 Mbps), HughesNet (100 Mbps). Higher latency. Last resort for most Providence residents.

Providence, RI - Internet Connection and Coverage Map

Providence, RI has a total of 15 internet providers including  8 Fiber providers, 2 Cable providers, 5 DSL providers and 2 Satellite providers.

Compare Internet Providers in Providence, RI by Coverage Area

All 15 internet providers serving Providence by coverage area. This is the most comprehensive provider comparison available for the city — no competitor lists more than 8 providers with coverage data.

ProviderMax DownloadMax UploadInternet ConnectionCoverage
1.Verizon Fios Fiber2 Gbps940 MbpsFiber96.90%
2.EarthLink Fiber5 Gbps1 GbpsFiber92.36%
3.Earthlink 5G Home Internet425 Mbps15 MbpsFixed Wireless / Mobile86.10%
4.Verizon1 Gbps1 GbpsFiber / DSL / Television / Mobile / Phone82.76%
5.Cyberonic11 Mbps11 MbpsFiber / Cable / DSL / Fixed Wireless82.76%
6.Cox1 Gbps35 MbpsCable / Television70.04%
7.HughesNet100 Mbps5 MbpsSatellite / Phone69.26%
8.Viasat150 Mbps3 MbpsSatellite / Phone64.28%
9.Global Capacity6 Mbps~DSL1.54%
10.Broadview Networks~~DSL~
11.T-Mobile~~Fixed Wireless / Mobile~
12.Level 3 Communications~~Fiber / DSL~
13.Zayo Group~~Fiber / Fixed Wireless~
14.Cogent Communications~~Fiber~
15.Lightower Fiber Networks~~Fiber~

Is there financial assistance for internet service in Providence?

Yes. Providence residents may qualify for free or discounted internet service through the federal Lifeline program, or provider-specific, low-income, affordable internet plans.

Federal Program

Lifeline

An FCC program that provides up to a $9.25/mo discount on internet service to eligible low-income households at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Provider Program

Verizon Forward

Up to $30 off/mo for eligible Fios or 5G home for qualifying households. Verizon Forward includes 12 months of job resources & skills training.

Provider Program

Cox Communications Connect2Compete

$9.95/mo for up to 100 Mbps for qualifying households. Cox Communications Connect2Compete includes Wi-Fi modem & EasyConnect self-install.

Frequently Asked Questions about Providence

EarthLink Fiber is the best internet provider in Providence, RI, based on speed and pricing. It's Fiber internet reaches speeds up to 5 Gbps, and plans start at $39.95. When comparing providers and plans, keep in mind how you use the internet and how many others in your household use it. High-demand activities, like streaming and working from home, and multiple users will require faster speeds to avoid buffering and poor performance.

There are 15 internet providers in Providence, RI. Residents have a variety of service options, including fiber, cable, DSL and satellite.

EarthLink Fiber offers the cheapest internet plans that start at $39.95. Note that some pricing may be promotional or tied to autopay and paperless billing. If it is promotional pricing, your monthly bill will likely go up when the promo ends.

EarthLink Fiber has the fastest speeds in Providence, with a top download speed of 5 Gbps. Faster speeds provide more bandwidth for work-from-home activities (like video conferencing), online gaming, 4K video streaming, and households with multiple users and devices.

Yes, fiber internet is available in Providence. We recommend fiber internet for its fast symmetrical (equal) download and upload speeds, low latency for real-time activities like gaming and video calls, and its stability and resilience to interference. Fiber availability varies by address.

Yes. Providence residents could get assistance to reduce internet costs through various programs. Verizon Forward has eligible Fios or 5G home with up to $30 off/mo. Cox Communications Connect2Compete offers $9.95/mo for up to 100 Mbps. Since the ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program) ended in 2024, eligible households may take advantage of the federal Lifeline program, which provides up to $9.25/month in discounts.

If it's available in Providence, fiber internet is the best internet option for online gaming. Fiber offers the fastest download and upload speeds, but more importantly, it offers very low latency, which is important for fast-paced games that rely on stability and quick response times.

Yes, 5G home internet is available in Providence. 5G home internet offers competitive pricing and easy self-installation, since it doesn't rely on new or existing wired infrastructure. Average download speeds for 5G home internet are between 200 and 300 Mbps, which is plenty for remote work, streaming HD and 4K content, and households of 2-4 users, depending on activity.

The average download speed in Providence is 158 Mbps. For comparison, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband internet as having a download speed of 100 Mbps and an upload speed of 20 Mbps. Go to TestMySpeed and run an internet speed test to see how fast your internet connection is compared to speeds in Providence, RI.

Verizon Fios Fiber, EarthLink Fiber, Earthlink 5G Home Internet, Verizon, and Cox offer internet in Providence, RI.

Internet Providers in Nearby Cities

Cranston, RI East Providence, RI Pawtucket, RI Central Falls, RI North Seekonk, MA Valley Falls, RI Greenville, RI Warwick, RI Attleboro, MA Harmony, RI Cumberland Hill, RI Chepachet, RI Ocean Grove, MA Woonsocket, RI Clayville, RI Somerset, MA Foster Center, RI Harrisville, RI Norton Center, MA Pascoag, RI Tiverton, RI Fall River, MA Mansfield Center, MA Greene, RI Melville, RI

Free wireless internet access points in Providence

Fox Point Library
90 Ives St., Providence, Ri 02906
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 331-0390
Knight Memorial Library
275 Elmwood Ave., Providence, Ri 02907
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 467-2625
Mayor Salvatore Mancini Union Free Library
1810 Mineral Spring Avenue
Providence, RI 02904
(401) 353-5600
Mount Pleasant Library
315 Academy Ave., Providence, Ri 02908
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 272-0106
Olneyville Library
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 421-4084
Providence Public Library
150 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 455-8000
Rochambeau Library
708 Hope Street Providence, Ri 02906
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 272-3780
Smith Hill Library
31 Candace Street Providence, Ri 02908
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 272-4140
South Providence Library
441 Prairie Avenue Providence, Ri 02905
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 467-2619
Wanskuck Library
233 Veazie Street Providence, Ri 02904
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 274-4145
Washington Park Library
1316 Broad Street Providence, Ri 02905
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 781-3136

How We Research Internet Providers

BroadbandSearch is committed to providing accurate and current internet provider data so you can choose the provider and service in your area that best suits your needs and budget. Here is how we source and verify the information we provide:

Data Sources

We pull provider data from FCC Broadband Data Collection filings, the NTIA National Broadband Map, U.S. Census Bureau data, and direct provider disclosures.

Coverage

Availability percentages represent estimated households that can order service, based on FCC Form 477 data and provider-reported service areas.

Reviews

Aggregated reviews from verified BroadbandSearch users. Ratings are based on speed performance, reliability, customer service, and value.

Updates

We review pricing monthly and coverage is updated quarterly with new FCC data. Last updated: March 19, 2026.

BroadbandSearch earns commissions from some providers. These partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial recommendations. Learn more about our data sources →