High-speed internet is almost a necessity these days, and while NYC overall has quite a few Internet Service Providers (ISPs), depending on location, most of us are stuck with one or two options. And even if you do have more, choosing between fiber, cable, DSL, or even satellite can quickly become a grueling task. So for those moving into the city or just from the Upper East Side to Downtown, we got you covered. Here are the ISPs that have the best availability in NYC, all ranked by their quality of service.
#1. VERIZON FIOS
(fiber)
The general rule of thumb with the highly-favored Verizon FiOS is if it's available in your area, get it. It consistently tops the lists of best ISPs for its industry-leading speeds and reliability. 2.2 million residences are currently able to get the service – a number that is only expected to grow in the next few years if Verizon holds true to their proposed $1 billion investment plan to expand FiOS availability.
Plans Starting at
*For 1 yr. + taxes, equip. charges, & other fees.
Offer available for new customers only.
Plans Starting at
$39.99/month for 100/100 Mbps*
*For 1 yr. + taxes, equip. charges, & other fees.
Offer available for new customers only.
You can check out if FiOS is available to you here.
#2. OPTIMUM
(cable)
The best part about Optimum, aside from its reliability and widespread coverage in NYC, is the variety of internet plans offered. Plans start at an upload speed of 20 megabits per second and go up to 300 and in some select areas, 400. So, depending on your internet usage and location you could definitely end up saving money. Otherwise, plans for 100 Mbps (enough for a multi-user household) start at $39.99/month – the same as FiOS.
Plans Starting at
*For 1 yr. + taxes, equip. charges, & other fees.
Offer available for new customers only.
Plans Starting at
$29.99/month for 20 Mbps*
*For 1 yr. + taxes, equip. charges, & other fees.
Offer available for new customers only.
You can check out if Optimum is available to you here.
#3. SPECTRUM
(cable)
If you're not familiar with Spectrum, it's former name, Time Warner Cable, might ring a bell. TWC had a reputation for poor service and was rebranded in 2017. The name change was effective at first but has since gone down. As for services, Spectrum REALLY wants you to opt for the bundles. Their website doesn't accurately advertise the internet-only plan price, but we found that it costs $44.99/month. On the flip side, it's available in many areas throughout NYC and it's contract-free, so users can cancel anytime.
Offer available for new customers only.
One Internet-Only Plan Priced at $44.99/month for 60 Mbps*
*For 1 yr. + taxes.Offer available for new customers only.
You can check out if Spectrum is available to you here.
#4. RCN
(cable/fiber)
If RCN's services were widely available in NYC, it would definitely be higher up on this list. But alas, it's only offered in certain parts of Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. RCN offers exceptional customer support (a rarity for ISPs) and contract-free services – of which there are many. Internet speeds range from 10 Mbps for $29.99/month to 1000 Mbps for $49.99/month.
Plans Starting at
*For 1 yr. + taxes, equip. charges, & other fees.
Offer available for new customers only.
Plans Starting at
$29.99/month for 10 Mbps*
*For 1 yr. + taxes, equip. charges, & other fees.
Offer available for new customers only.
You can check out if RCN is available to you here.
#5. VERIZON
(DSL)
Verizon is back on the list, but this time for their DSL service. It's not as fast (obviously) but it's available to 97% of New Yorkers and has internet speeds up to 15 Mbps. Plans start at 24.99/month and of course, must be bundled with your home phone in order to work.
Plans Starting at
*For 1 year plus taxes & fees.
Verizon home phone service required.
Plans Starting at
$24.99/month for 0.5 - 1.0 Mbps*
*For 1 year plus taxes & fees.Verizon home phone service required.
You can check out if Verizon DSL is available to you here.
Note: Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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Content Specialist
Sandra Herrera
Sandra Herrera is a writer, editor, and graphic designer based in Brooklyn, NY.
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