The best internet providers in Washington, DC

What are the best internet providers in Washington, D.C.?

If you are in Washington, D.C., there are three major Internet service provider options: Astound Broadband, Verizon Fios and Xfinity- and wireless Internet for T-Mobile and regional ISPs, as well as Starry Internet and DC access. But which one makes the most sense for your home? It depends on what is available at your address. Verizon Fios is the choice of CNET Washington, DC’s best internet provider For symmetric upload and download speed and direct terms of service. Verizon offers four planning options (three in some regions), ranging from $50 to $110 per month.

If your priority is your priority, Xfinity offers impressive 1 and 2 gibit plans for $60 and $95, respectively, without data caps. Don’t worry if you’re not within Xfinity’s coverage – amazing or Starry may cover your area at a solid pace at a competitive price. If you are looking for the cheapest internet in Washington, D.C., check out Astound’s 300 megabit plan for $30 per month in a second plan.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other Internet providers in Washington, DC

• DC Access: This local internet provider was founded in 1999 to serve Capitol Hill and the Adams Morgan community. Its plan is more expensive, slower than its big competitors, and it costs $99 to install, but no contract is required.
• Satellite Internet: Of course, anywhere you live, you can choose from satellite Internet in Hughesnet, Viasat or Starlink. But this shouldn’t be your first choice – high prices and slower, the available options are cheaper and faster.
• T-Mobile Home Internet: Some DC residents may have access to T-Mobile’s home broadband options. Plans range from $50 to $70, with all offering speeds ranging from 87Mbps to 415Mbps, and their plan differences are related to customer service and Wi-Fi hardware.

Cheap Internet Options in Washington, DC

For the most affordable internet service in the nation’s capital, the price is $20 per month. This promotional price will last 24 months, but save incredible savings. AsTound also offers overall best value with its $55, 1,500Mbps plan, but the same caveat applies.

What is the cheapest internet plan in Washington, D.C.?

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Washington, DC

The best internet deals and top promotions in DC depend on the discounts available during this period. Most transactions are short-lived, but we often look for the latest quotes.

Washington, DC, Internet providers such as XFINITY and ASTOUND broadband may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming accessories for a limited time. However, others, including Verizon, run the same standard pricing throughout the year.

For a wider list of promotions, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

How fast is broadband in Washington, DC?

According to Ookla speed test data, Federal City sat near a backpack compared to other parts of the country, while the median download speed in other parts of the country was about 267Mbps. (Disclosure: Ookla belongs to the same parent company of CNET and Ziff Davis.

The fastest download speeds you find in the capital are available via Xfinity and Verizon Fios, which are available in 2,000Mbps plans for $95 per month and $110 per month, respectively. For high speeds at lower prices, it was shocking that the 1,500Mbps plan was offered for the first 24 months for $55.

Fastest Internet Plan in Washington, DC

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What is good internet speed?

Most Internet connectivity programs can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you are looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming videos, or games, you will get better experience and have a stronger connection. According to the FCC, this is an overview of the minimum download speeds recommended for various applications. Note that these are just guides – Internet speed, services and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

• 0 to 5Mbps allows you to solve the basics – browse the internet, send and receive emails, and stream low-quality video.
• 5 to 40Mbps provides you with higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
• 40 to 100Mbps should provide a user with enough bandwidth to meet the needs of modern remote office, video streaming and online gaming.
• 100 to 500Mbps allows one to perform high bandwidth activities for two users simultaneously, such as video conferencing, streaming and gaming.
• 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high bandwidth activities simultaneously.

For more information, see our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

How CNET chooses the best internet provider in Washington, D.C.

There are numerous and regional Internet service providers. Unlike the latest smartphones, laptops, routers, or kitchen tools, it is impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what is our method? We begin by looking at pricing, availability and speed information, leveraging our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and information from the FCC.Gov FCC.

But that’s not over. We visit the FCC’s website to check our data and make sure we consider all ISPs that provide services in a certain area. We also enter a local address on the provider’s website to find specific options for residents. We look at resources including the U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to evaluate how satisfied ISP services have with customers. ISP plans and prices change frequently; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once this local information is obtained, we ask three main questions:

1. Can providers access reasonable and fast internet speeds?
2. Do customers get decent value for the money they pay?
3. Are customers satisfied with their service?

Although the answers to these questions are often layered and complex, the three we recommend are closest to the provider of “yes”. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the lowest monthly plan, although we also consider issues such as price increase, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We view upload and download speeds on ads and consider actual speed data from sources such as Ookla and FCC reports.

To explore our process more deeply, visit our test ISP page.

What is the last sentence of the Washington, D.C. Internet provider?

The District of Columbia offers some options for choosing an internet provider, including many at affordable prices. For most urban residents, the choice will boil down to Verizon Fios, Astound or Xfinity, which are competitive in price and speed.

Internet providers in DC FAQ