As a tech geek born and raised in Rhode Island, people often ask me for advice on choosing a home internet provider. With so many options confusing things, I‘ve put together this comprehensive guide to help compare your best options based on pricing, availability, reputations and more.
My goal is to save you headaches and money by breaking down exactly what Xfinity, Verizon and others offer across different Rhode Island cities and towns. I‘ll provide pros and cons of cable, DSL and satellite connections to fit different speeds and budgets. By the end, you‘ll know where to get the fastest internet speeds at home while avoiding overpaying.
Let‘s dive in and find the right ISP for your needs as neighbors navigating Rhode Island‘s internet landscape together…
Overview of Top Providers
First, what are Rhode Islanders‘ main options for home internet service? I track this closely and the leading providers stack up like this:
Big National Brands
Cable companies like Xfinity and Cox dominate much of Rhode Island. Telecom giant Verizon offers faster fiber in limited areas. Newer players like T-Mobile‘s 5G home service compete by replacing wires completely.
Local Options
We also have some homegrown Rhode Island internet ventures like Full Channel, RI Net and FirstLight active around parts of the state. Don‘t ignore them!
Rural/Budget Considerations
Those in remote areas rely more on satellite internet from Viasat or HughesNet. And people focused more on savings turn to DSL provider Frontier.
So those represent the 10 largest internet providers across Rhode Island, but it still leaves that nagging question…which option is best for me?
Below I break down key decision factors to match different ISP offerings with your home‘s needs and budget…
Comparison Overview
| Provider | Connectivity | Avg Speed Range | Starting Price | Best For… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | Cable | 200-1200 Mbps | $20-300/mo | Wide availability |
| Verizon Fios | Fiber | 200-940 Mbps | $39-79/mo | Fastest speeds |
| Cox | Cable | 100-1000 Mbps | $66-119/mo | Bundles |
| T-Mobile 5G Home | Cellular | 35-182 Mbps | $50/mo | Flexibility |
| Full Channel | Fiber/Wireless | 25-1000 Mbps | $55-80/mo | Local brand |
| Frontier | DSL | 25-115 Mbps | $38-65/mo | Budget pricing |
| RI Net | Fiber/Wireless | 100-1000 Mbps | $55-80/mo | Local brand |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 25 Mbps | $60-150/mo | Rural areas |
| Viasat Exede | Satellite | 12-100 Mbps | $70-150/mo | Rural areas |
| FirstLight | Fiber | 300-1000 Mbps | $70-100/mo | Reliability |
What To Consider When Comparing Providers
Beyond just speeds and price, here are key factors I advise friends to think over:
1. Availability At Your Address
- Your location shapes viable options – use address look-ups to confirm
- Rural areas lean towards satellite and DSL due to less wiring
2. Connection Type
- Cable, DSL, fiber, wireless and satellite all differ in speeds
- Fiber is fastest but availability lags; wireless flexibility but reliability challenges
3. Contract Terms
- Watch out for early termination fees to avoid penalties if moving
- Many providers charge up to $10-15 per unfilled contract month
4. Data Caps
- Most cable options are unlimited data; satellite caps usage with overage fees
I‘ll dig deeper into how Rhode Island‘s top internet providers compare across these decision criteria next…
Xfinity: Rhode Island‘s Cable & Availability Leader
In terms of sheer number of locations served, Xfinity tops Rhode Island. There‘s a reason you see their signs and orange street wiring blanketing neighborhoods.
Strengths
- Widest availability with 200-1200 Mbps speeds
- Unlimited data and no contracts
- Free access to xFi WiFi hotspots
- Bundling discounts on TV & phone
Limitations
- Monthly prices exceed smaller brands
- Peak speeds vary and can lag advertised rates
Xfinity leverages Comcast infrastructure to reach most residents statewide. I generally suggest Xfinity first when friends don‘t want the complication of limited choice or availability.
Tip: Actual Xfinity speeds fluctuate widely based on neighborhood. Don‘t expect true gigabit fiber performance.
Verizon Fios: Rhode Island‘s Fiber Speed Leader
Verizon began rolling out Fios fiber years back and has expanded briskly when state laws eased infrastructure rules. Fios offers a high-performance fiber alternative to Xfinity and Cox’s cable dominance around Rhode Island’s population centers.
For those needing the fastest internet speeds available, Verizon Fios brings fiber straight to homes and businesses registering a solid 940 Mbps in testing.
Highlights
- Blazing fast 940 Mbps fiber speeds
- 100% fiber network
- Consistent reliability
Limitations
- Still expanding availability
- Requires professional installation
- Bundle pricing best value
Fios ranks among the fastest internet providers in Rhode Island given complete end-to-end fiber wiring. For things like video streaming, gaming and running a home office, Fios performs impressively.
Just double check Fios reaches your neighborhood since availability lags cable a bit as Verizon expands into new metro blocks and neighborhoods.
Cox Communications: Cable & WiFi Hotspots
Filling much of Newport and southern Rhode Island, Cox stands #2 behind Xfinity in cable and broadband availability:
Positives
- Gigabit speeds matching Xfinity
- 650,000+ WiFi hotspots around Rhode Island
- Discounts when bundling TV & phone
Downsides
- High standalone pricing
- Sparse availability outside their regions
Cox interestingly blankets much of Rhode Island with WiFi hotspots to tap when away from home. Bring your laptop to a McDonald‘s or hotel lobby and there‘s a good chance you‘ll see a Cox hotspot option for free public WiFi through your home plan.
For cord cutters and streamers fed up with Xfinity, check if Cox reaches your address at next-level gigabit rates.
T-Mobile Home Internet: A Wireless Disruptor
Cell phone networks like Verizon‘s 4G/5G cover vast areas without traditional cable wiring. Capitalizing on this, T-Mobile now offers dedicated home internet by leveraging their deep wireless infrastructure.
The T-Mobile 5G gateway receiver brings speedy internet on the go or at home for $50 monthly – no cables required.
Advantages
- Impressive 182 Mbps average speeds
- Tap into free T-Mobile WiFi hotspots
- No contracts and straightforward pricing
Considerations
- Still new with availability gaps
- Can‘t yet match fastest cable speeds
- Performance varies on usage levels
I love that T-Mobile Home Internet simplifies things with no bundles, contracts or install charges. Their LTE and 5G signals also minimize dead zones if the power or cable Internet goes down.
For renters and cord cutters, it‘s appealing to ditch wires. I suggest checking their coverage map for 5G signals at your address before signing up.
Satellite Internet: Rural Rhode Island & Budget Options
In rural areas lacking cable and fiber, satellite internet bridges gaps traditional providers miss. Brands like Viasat, HughesNet and newly SpaceX‘s Starlink beam internet from orbit registering respectable speeds.
Benefits
- Available virtually everywhere
- Decent speeds starting at 25 Mbps
- Won‘t fluctuate by weather
Tradeoffs
- Large antennas required
- Daily data allowances
- Laggy for online gaming & video
I track satellite internet closely given their importance for rural access. Historically, satellites struggled in heavy rain and snow but new generations now power through storms. Just expect slower speeds and metered use.
For basic web access though in remote regions, satellite stands leagues better than old DSL. HughesNet and Viasat bring essential connectivity to distant corners of Rhode Island other providers overlook.
Choosing Where to Start Your Search
As a fellow Rhode Island resident, I know picking your perfect internet provider feels overwhelming. My advice? Simply start matching options to your address‘s availability.
The internet infrastructure present in your area filters viable choices immediately. I‘d advise plugging your address into sites like Allconnect.com to illustrate available providers.
From there you can request quotes and compare factors like:
- Internet Speeds
- Data Caps
- Contract Length
- Bundling Options
- Customer Satisfaction
Matching availability with preferences for speed, flexibility and pricing makes an ideal home internet provider rise to the top.
And I‘m always happy to offer suggestions in the comments based on first-hand Rhode Island ISP experiences across rural suburbs and city centers!
Let me know how else I can save fellow Ocean Staters time and money getting connected.
