The Top 10 Internet Providers in Rhode Island – A Detailed Overview

Reliable, high-speed internet has become a necessity for most Rhode Island households. With so many of us working from home, streaming movies in 4K, and operating smart home devices, having a solid internet connection is crucial.

But with so many internet service providers (ISPs) in Rhode Island, how do you determine which company offers the best service for your needs and budget?

I‘ve compiled this comprehensive guide to analyze Rhode Island‘s top 10 internet providers. I‘ll give you an in-depth look at essential factors like availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction ratings for each major ISP.

By the end, you‘ll have the knowledge to confidently choose the perfect internet provider for your household!

How I Evaluate and Rank Rhode Island‘s Top Internet Providers

When comparing ISPs, I focus on five key criteria:

• Availability – Which parts of Rhode Island does the provider service? Do they offer widespread coverage, or only certain cities?

• Speeds – Maximum download/upload speeds available. Faster is better for supporting multiple connected devices.

• Pricing – What are the monthly costs for key plans? Does the provider run frequent promos and discounts?

• Data Caps – Is there a limit on how much data you can use before overage charges kick in?

• Customer Satisfaction – How do real-world customers rate the ISP for reliability, speeds and support?

Using these criteria, let’s dive into the 10 best ISPs serving Rhode Island residents…

1. Verizon Fios – Best Overall Internet Provider in Rhode Island

Verizon Fios tops our list, offering the winning combo of widespread availability, blazing speeds and great customer satisfaction.

Here’s a quick rundown of Verizon Fios service details:

• Technology: 100% fiber-optic connections
• Availability: Parts of Providence, Newport, Bristol, Warwick and more
• Speeds: Up to 940 Mbps download / 880 Mbps upload
• Pricing: Starts at $39.99/month for 200 Mbps plan
• Data Caps: None for most plans
• Customer Satisfaction: 63 out of 100 (JD Power)

Verizon Fios leverages fiber-optic lines that provide super fast and consistent speeds, even during peak congestion times. While they don’t have 100% statewide coverage, they do serve many heavily populated areas.

Availability is concentrated in places like Providence, Cranston, Newport, Warwick and Pawtucket. Use Verizon’s address lookup tool to see if they can service your home.

Speed Options and Pricing

While exact plans vary by location, most areas have a choice of the following Fios speed tiers:

As you can see, Fios offers blazing fast maximum speeds along with competitive pricing. Most plans don’t impose data caps, allowing unlimited data usage.

If Fios services your area, they should be strongly considered thanks to their outstanding mix of fiber-powered speed, availability and customer satisfaction.

2. Cox Communications – Top Cable Internet Option

Cox Communications takes second place, offering cable internet service with competitive speeds and pricing. Here are the vital stats for Cox:

• Technology: Coaxial cable internet
• Availability: Much of Rhode Island except rural northern areas
• Speeds: Up to 1 Gigabit (1,000 Mbps)
• Pricing: Starts at $59.99/month
• Data Caps: 1 TB
• Customer Satisfaction: 63 out of 100 (ACSI)

Cox relies on widespread hybrid fiber-coaxial cable lines across central and southern Rhode Island. Availability is solid for major cities like Providence, Warwick, Cranston and Newport. Those in rural northern and western regions of the state may not be able to get Cox, unfortunately.

If your address is serviceable, Cox lets you choose between plans offering download speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 1 Gigabit (1,000 Mbps). Their max gigabit speeds match Verizon Fios, but availability isn’t as comprehensive.

Speed Options and Pricing

Here’s an overview of Cox download/upload speed tiers and current starting prices:

With cable infrastructure, Cox manages to match Verizon’s 940 Mbps top speeds at only a slightly higher $99 monthly rate. Mid-range plans are affordably priced too.

Note that all Cox plans carry a 1 TB (1,000 GB) monthly data cap. You pay $10 for each additional 50 GB block thereafter. Caps are looser than satellite internet, but still warrant monitoring.

For cable connectivity with competitive gigabit pricing, Cox Communications is a strong contender as your ISP.

3. Xfinity from Comcast – Speedy Cable Internet

In third place we have Xfinity internet from Comcast, which uses a mix of fiber and coaxial cable lines. Here are the quick facts on their service:

• Technology: Cable internet
• Availability: Much of Rhode Island
• Speeds: Up to 1.2 Gbps
• Pricing: Starts at $29.99/month
• Data Caps: 1.2 TB data cap
• Customer Satisfaction: 62 out of 100 (ACSI)

You’ll find Xfinity coverage almost anywhere Cox Communications is available, including Providence, North Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket and Newport. More rural northern and western regions are likely out of luck, however.

Xfinity’s max speeds come in at a blistering fast 1.2 Gigabits (1,200 Mbps). Standard plans start around $29.99 per month for 60 Mbps and climb to $299 monthly for gigabit speeds.

Here’s a sampling of Comcast Xfinity monthly plan pricing:

Bundling Xfinity’s internet with their Xfinity Mobile cell phone service nets nice monthly discounts. You can also save by getting TV and internet bundles rather than internet alone.

Xfinity’s fast gigabit internet comes at a steep price. But their mid-tier plans offer solid speeds at reasonable monthly rates comparative to cable rivals. Xfinity merits strong consideration if they service your locality.

4. T-Mobile Home Internet – Top Rated 5G Service

T-Mobile grabs fourth place by leveraging fast 5G networks to deliver home wireless internet without cables. Here’s what you need to know about T-Mobile Home Internet:

• Technology: 5G home internet
• Availability: Parts of Providence, Warwick, Cranston
• Speeds: 33-182+ Mbps
• Pricing: $50/month flat
• Data Caps: None
• Customer Satisfaction: Not Rated Yet

T-Mobile Home Internet is perfect if you want scorching fast speeds with no contracts, taxes, fees or hidden charges. While availability remains limited, their 5G service area is rapidly growing.

T-Mobile now covers many households across Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Newport, Warwick, Cranston and surrounding communities. Check availability at your address on their homepage.

$50 nets you unlimited data each month at speeds ranging from 33 Mbps to 182+ Mbps depending on proximity to a 5G tower. That’s an unbeatable value.

T-Mobile doesn’t have extensive statewide reach right now. But with average speeds handily beating cable and impressive pricing, we rank them as a top internet provider to consider.

5. HughesNet – Top Satellite Internet Option

HughesNet grabs fifth place in our Rhode Island internet provider rankings as the leading satellite internet option. Key advantages include wide availability and competitive pricing:

• Technology: Satellite internet
• Availability: 96% of Rhode Island
• Speeds: 25 Mbps
• Pricing: $59.99 and up
• Data Caps: 10-50GB limits
• Customer Satisfaction: 58 out of 100 (JD Power)

Residents across nearly all of Rhode Island can get HughesNet satellite internet. While satellite connectivity can’t match fiber and cable speeds, HughesNet offers respectable 25 Mbps performance.

That bandwidth allows smooth video streaming, music and web browsing for many households. Data usage is restricted to 10GB, 20GB or 50GB monthly limits depending on your plan selected. Going over your limit prompts speed slowdowns or overage fees.

HughesNet plans fall within a reasonable $59.99 to $149.99 per month price range. Locking in service for longer terms nets bigger discounts off regular rates.

Below are HughesNet’s current plan speed and pricing details:

While satellite internet has higher latency than cable and fiber, HughesNet remains a great solution for rural Rhode Islanders without access to those options. Reasonable speeds and availability make HughesNet fifth best ISP overall.

6. Viasat Internet – Satellite Internet Alternative

Viasat takes sixth place in our rankings as another satellite internet option striving to compete with leading cable and fiber providers:

• Technology: Satellite internet
• Availability: 100% of Rhode Island
• Speeds: 12-100 Mbps
• Pricing: $50-$150/month
• Data Caps: 40-150+ GB limits
• Customer Satisfaction: 58 out of 100

Viasat (formerly Exede Internet) pitches itself as high-speed satellite internet through advertising 100 Mbps plans. But that maximum speed is an optimistic scenario. Real-world Viasat users see speeds in the 10-25 Mbps range – similar to HughesNet.

Starting Viasat plans also carry tight 40 or 100 GB monthly data limits before your speeds throttle or overages fees kick in. Top-tier plans offer 150GB+ limits compared to HughesNet’s 50GB ceiling.

Pricing runs from $50 up to $150 monthly, depending on data limits selected:

Viasat plans entice with higher speed claims and increased data limits. But real-world performance lags behind fiber, cable and 5G options in our top five. Viasat is still a great satellite pick for rural users without other availability.

7. AT&T Internet – Decent DSL & Fiber Option

AT&T Internet comes in at #7 by offering fiber connectivity in select Rhode Island neighborhoods:

• Technology: Fiber and DSL internet
• Availability: Parts of Providence, Newport, Warwick
• Speeds: Up to 1 Gbps fiber speeds promised
• Pricing: Starts at $55/month
• Data Caps: 1 TB monthly limits
• Customer Satisfaction: 62 out of 100

Gigabit AT&T Fiber is available on a limited basis to certain Providence, Newport, Warwick and nearby community addresses. Availability isn’t great, but 1000 Mbps speeds make AT&T Fiber enticing where offered.

More households can get slower AT&T Internet DSL plans with 5 to 100 Mbps bandwidth. While DSL can’t match fiber, it beats old copper wire phone internet.

Bundling cellular service, TV or other AT&T services earns monthly discounts off retail rates. But beware contracts, fees and potential first-year price hikes. Customer service reviews also lag Verizon and Cox.

Those factors limit AT&T to seventh in our Rhode Island ISP rankings. But the high speeds of AT&T Fiber plant them firmly as a competitive option for residents of cities with availability.

8-10. Additional Rhode Island Internet Providers

Our last three Rhode Island internet provider picks earn spots by offering services niche ISPs can’t match.

#8. Starry Internet harnesses point-to-point fixed wireless beams to deliver 200 Mbps speeds across parts of Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls.

Their $50 unlimited data monthly fee is enticing. But we can’t rank Starry higher given their early limited availability. Keep tabs on their expansion.

#9 FiberCast also leverages fixed point-to-point wireless tech to provide 100 Mbps internet primarily across northern Rhode Island. They advertise unlimited data and competitive $75 monthly pricing.

Lastly regional ISP #10 Independence Wireless uses fixed 4G/5G antennas to offer rural users wireless residential internet without cable or fiber. Speeds reach 50 Mbps for $60 per month – reasonable for remote users.

I hope this guide equips you to compare and contrast Rhode Island’s top internet providers with essential data like availability, speeds and pricing.

But deciding the RIGHT internet service provider ultimately depends on factors like:

• Which providers actually service your EXACT address?
• Bandwidth needs based on how much streaming or households devices you run
• Whether your household requires unlimited data
• If bundling other services (like mobile phone) impacts pricing
• Preferred contract terms – prepaid, monthly with no contract, annual subscription etc.

My advice is to start by checking availability from the top providers I recommend above using your home address. Jot down which companies can actually connect service to your home.

Next, compare their plan pricing and speeds to your household’s expected bandwidth needs. A family of five streaming Netflix and gaming needs faster speeds and unlimited data compared to a single user browsing occasionally.

Finally, look for promotional discounts and ways to bundle additional services with an ISP to potentially lower your monthly costs.

Follow this process to zero in on the perfect match between Rhode Island internet provider and home connectivity requirements!

The 3 Best Internet Providers in Rhode Island Are:

1. Verizon Fios – Comprehensive fiber-optic coverage across many cities with exemplary 940 Mbps speeds and good customer satisfaction.
2. Cox – Cox cable internet nearly matches Verizon’s fast speeds while offering slightly wider availability. Competitive pricing too.
3. Xfinity – Comcast Xfinity cables power speedy gigabit connections across much of Rhode Island for reasonable fees.

I hope this comprehensive guide of Rhode Island‘s top 10 internet providers assists you in getting connected with confidence! Let me know if you have any other questions.