Who is our top ranked provider in Ellicott City MD? [Updated]

Best Ellicott City Internet Service Providers

Ellicott City, MD has a total of 5 options for high speed internet providers that meet the minimum broadband download speed of 25 Mbps. It can be understandably confusing when trying to determine which of these broadband providers to choose. Hopefully we can eliminate some of the guesswork for you by applying our ranking algorithm to those 5 internet service options in Ellicott City. The calculation we perform considers the download connection speed, upload connection speed, population covered and overall value provided by each company. Based upon that calculation, our top choice for Ellicott City is Xfinity. A summary of all the results:

Rank	Provider	Tech	Max Download Speed	Max Upload Speed	Availability
1	Xfinity	Cable	987 Mbps	35 Mbps	96.8%
2	Verizon	Fiber	940 Mbps	880 Mbps	96.9%
3	InfoPathways	wireless	25 Mbps	10 Mbps	90.5%
4	ViaSat	Satellite	100 Mbps	3 Mbps	100%
5	HughesNet	Satellite	25 Mbps	3 Mbps	100%

Ellicott City MD Internet Access Options

Studies have shown that the competition from having two or more broadband internet providers in a community leads to lower prices and better overall service.
The chart below graphs the segment of the population which has a choice of internet providers at four different ranges of download speeds.

Broadband Internet Speeds

For most users, the average download speed of their internet service is more important than their upload speed. However, upload speed plays at least some role for all users.
Average upload speeds in Ellicott City of 8.79 Mbps are faster than the Howard County upload speeds and slower than the statewide average for Maryland.

Ellicott City Internet Access Facts

Cable internet is available to 96.3% of the Ellicott City population
Fiber optic internet is available to 96.1% of Ellicott City residents
There are 5 residential internet providers in Ellicott City, MD providing service to at least 15% of the city
The average download speed in Ellicott City is 56.1% faster than the Howard County average and 29% faster than the national average of 32.4 Mbps
The average internet download speed in Ellicott City is 41.8 Mbps based upon 289192 measurements taken in the last 12 months
DSL internet is available to 93.6% of Ellicott City residents

Internet Access Technologies

DSL, Cable, Fiber and Fixed Wireless are four common types of technology used to provide internet access. The following chart shows the percentage of Ellicott City residents who have access to each of these technology types.

Internet Service FAQs

Who has the best internet service near me?

Our proprietary algorithm that takes into consideration download speed, upload speed, availability and overall value ranks Xfinity as the top provider for Ellicott City, Maryland.

Who has the fastest internet service in Ellicott City?

Xfinity with a download speed of 987 Mbps provides the fastest internet service in Ellicott City.

What locations were used in calculating broadband internet coverage for Ellicott City, Maryland?

The following zip codes were used: 21041, 21042, 21043, 21045, 21104 and 21163

How do the internet speeds in Ellicott City compare to other cities in Maryland?

Click through to see how the Ellicott City broadband speeds compare to these other cities throughout the state: Boonsboro, Brandywine, Cambridge, Charlestown, Chevy Chase View, Cockeysville, Reisterstown

Is there fiber internet service near me?

Yes, there is 1 fiber internet provider in Ellicott City - Verizon.

What is DSL internet service?

DSL provides internet service via phone lines but at speeds typically 100x or more than old fashioned dial-up service over those same phone lines. Download speeds are typically slower than cable, but DSL is more likely to be available in a remote location than cable.

Which internet service provider offers the most coverage in Ellicott City, Maryland?

Verizon provides broadband internet service to 96.9% of Ellicott City.

What is cable internet service?

Cable internet service streams data through the same coaxial cables used for cable television. In nearly all instances cable internet will be faster than DSL. Cable internet is available to nearly 90% of Americans but does not have as much coverage in remote areas as DSL.

What download speed do I need to stream movies?

For HD movies and shows Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu all recommend a minimum of 5 Mbps. Streaming 4K/UHD content requires a minimum of 25 Mbps for Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu.

Ellicott City Cable TV, Satellite TV and Streaming Services

Our ranking of internet service plans can make choosing a new provider fairly easy. Selecting a TV provider is more difficult as additional variables are involved. If you are a heavy TV viewer and/or watch in multiple rooms at the same time, a traditional cable TV package or satellite TV provider may be the best option for you. However, if you live in a rental property or a heavily wooded area, satellite TV may not be a viable option. Streaming TV packages can be a good option for many, especially if your internet plan does not have a data limit. Read through the pros and cons of the various TV packages available to you and chose the best match to your viewing needs.