Best Providence Internet Service Providers

There are a total of 4 companies providing internet service to a significant portion of Providence, Rhode Island and meet the minimum accepted broadband definition of 25 Mbps download speed. Our proprietary ranking calculation takes into account different aspects of useable download speed, upload speed and coverage area. For example, an increase of 100 Mbps download speed from 200 Mbps to 300 Mbps is much more significant for users than an increase from 1000 Mbps to 1100Mpbs. Also, for nearly all users download speed is much more important than upload speed. Our ranked ordering of internet service providers in Providence:

Rank Provider Tech Max Download Speed Max Upload Speed Availability
1CoxCable, Fiber1000 Mbps1000 Mbps98.7%
2VerizonFiber940 Mbps880 Mbps98.0%
3ViaSatSatellite100 Mbps3 Mbps100%
4HughesNetSatellite25 Mbps3 Mbps100%
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Providence RI Internet Access Options

When it comes to high speed internet availability, download speeds and overall customer satisfaction, cities with more than a single provider more often than not lead in all of these categories.
Does Providence have more than a single option at 25 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 250 Mbps and 1000 Mbps? The diagram below shows a summary:

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Broadband Internet Speeds

Curious how fast the average internet speeds in Providence are compared to Providence County? Also, curious how the speeds compare to Rhode Island overall?
Average download speeds in Providence of 43.58 Mbps are faster than the Providence County average download speeds and faster than the statewide average for Rhode Island.

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Providence Internet Access Facts

  • The average download speed in Providence is 31.6% faster than the Providence County average and 34.5% faster than the national average of 32.4 Mbps

  • The average upload speed in Providence is 11 Mbps. This is 9.2% faster than the Providence County average and 5.2% slower than the national average of 11.56 Mbps

  • Cable internet is available to 98.1% of Providence County residents

  • Fiber optic internet is available to 97.3% of Providence County residents

  • The average internet download speed in Providence County is 33.11 Mbps based upon 1774776 samples taken in the past year

  • The average download speed in Providence is 18.4% faster than the average in Rhode Island and 34.5% faster than the national average of 32.4 Mbps

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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 Providence 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 Cox as the top provider for Providence, Rhode Island.

How do the internet speeds in Providence compare to other cities in Rhode Island?

Click through to see how the Providence broadband speeds compare to these other cities throughout the state: Central Falls, East Providence, Narragansett Pier, Newport East, Valley Falls, Warwick, Westerly

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 is Mbps?

Mbps is an abbreviation for Megabits Per Second and represents the rate of data transmission. A larger value for download Mbps or upload Mbps means a file will take less time to be sent than it will with an internet connection with a lower Mbps.

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.

What locations were used in calculating broadband internet coverage for Providence, Rhode Island?

The following zip codes were used: 02901, 02902, 02903, 02904, 02905, 02906, 02907, 02908, 02909, 02910, 02911, 02912, 02918, 02919 and 02940

Who has the fastest internet service in Providence?

Cox with a download speed of 1000 Mbps provides the fastest internet service in Providence.

Is there DSL internet service near me?

Unlikely. Our records indicate there are no DSL providers that offer coverage to more than 15% of residents in Providence, Rhode Island.




Providence 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.


Cox

  • 250+ channels
  • Contour voice remote control
  • Customizable add-ons
  • Make your TV content portable with the Contour app app
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DISH

  • 290+ channels
  • Satellite coverage virtually anywhere
  • 4 video package tiers
  • Access to apps, Google assistant and 2000 hour smart DVR
Learn More

Hulu Live TV

  • 75+ channels
  • Access to premium Hulu originals
  • Includes Disney+ and ESPN+
  • 2 simultaneous streams supported on a broad array of devices
Learn More

YouTube TV

  • 85+ channels
  • Unlimited cloud DVR
  • Local network coverage
  • Sports plus, Spanish plus and premium movie add-ons
Learn More

DIRECTV stream

  • 140+ channels
  • Unlimited cloud DVR
  • Local network and sports coverage
  • Unlimited streams in-home. TV to go with the DIRECTV app
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fuboTV

  • 180+ channels
  • 1000 hours of cloud DVR
  • Local network coverage
  • Extensive sports coverage plus sports add-on packages
Learn More