Internet Buyer’s Guide for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
If you’re looking for internet in Philadelphia, this Internet Buyer’s Guide will make your search easier. Here we discuss updated information on providers, plans, prices, speeds, data caps, and more. Our information will inform you of how to compare residential and business providers available throughout the city.
Below are the Philadelphia internet providers with the greatest coverage.
| Internet Providers in Philadelphia | Type Of Internet | Coverage Availability |
|---|---|---|
| XFINITY from Comcast | Cable | 99.3% |
| Verizon Fios | Fiber | 95.3% |
| Verizon High Speed Internet | DSL | 88% |
| EarthLink | DSL | 88% |
| Viasat Internet (formerly Exede) | Satellite | 100% |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100% |
What type of internet is available in Philadelphia?
Your internet type is one of the most important aspects to consider when getting a new plan. Philadelphia is a variety to choose from, including DSL, cable, fiber-optic, and satellite.
- DSL: Often available wherever phone lines are, DSL is a commonly seen internet type and is the lowest-priced internet type in most cities, including Philadelphia.
- Cable: Cable internet can offer similar download speeds to fiber and is the most available option in Philadelphia.
- Fiber-Optic: Fiber internet is widely available in Philadelphia, offering upload speeds mirroring its download speeds — a feature ideal for those working from home or heavily streaming and gaming
- Satellite: This option is best for those without wired internet access. Satellite internet has speed going up to 35 Mbps
Each of the above internet types may not be available is each part of Philadelphia.
How do I find the cheapest internet option in Philadelphia?
While budgets may sometimes be restricting, Philadelphia has a number of providers offering low-priced plans. Of the 9 residential providers available, EarthLink, Verizon High Speed Internet and XFINITY from Comcast offer the lowest-priced plans, with plans starting at $24.95/month.
Below are low-priced internet plans in Philadelphia by speed.
| Download Speeds | Internet Provider | Type of Internet | Promotional Rates | Regular Rates | Coverage Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mbps | EarthLink | DSL | $24.95/month | $54.95/month | 88% |
| 100 Mbps | XFINITY from Comcast | Cable | $77.95/month | $77.95/month | 99.3% |
| 400 Mbps | Verizon Fios | Fiber | $59.99/month | $59.99/month | 95.3% |
| 940 Mbps | Verizon Fios | Fiber | $79.99/month | $79.99/month | 95.3% |
How Much Internet Speed Do I Need In Philadelphia?
With information technology and biotechnology on the rise in Philadelphia, fast internet at affordable prices is necessary. Everyone from young middle school students to retired veterans rely on the internet, but internet speed requirements vary person to person. Before committing to a plan, you need to know how your household and/or business size and frequent online activities impact how much speed you need.
Speeds around 25 Mbps are best for light internet users, those who mostly browse, pay bills, shop and stream once in a while, and small households of 1-2 persons. Heavier activities like frequent streaming, online gaming, and connecting a smart home will need speeds around 100 Mbps depending on the household size. You’ll need more speed when there are more people and/or devices. If multiple people have multiple devices connected and are also heavy internet users, consider speeds near 1000 Mbps.
Below are the recommended download speeds based on frequent internet activities and the residential providers in Philadelphia that offer these speeds.
| Recommended Speeds | Type of Internet Activities | Internet Providers in Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| 25+ Mbps |
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| 100+ Mbps |
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| 1000+ Mbps |
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How do I find the fastest internet in Philadelphia?
The fastest internet download speed in Philadelphia is 1000 Mbps. Although XFINITY from Comcast and Verizon Fios both offer this speed, only fiber internet is able to offer the fastest upload speed in Philadelphia, 880 Mbps. Fast upload speeds are ideal for graphic artists, remote workers who have frequent video calls, and live streamers.
Should I bundle TV or phone service in Philadelphia?
Bundling TV and/or phone service with your internet often results in monthly discounts or installation fee waivers. Triple play bundles start at $129.99/month in Philadelphia, and are offered by Verizon Fios. Most bundle providers allow customers to bundle services at anytime, allowing you to get an internet-only plan if that’s all you’re looking for.
Here are the largest residential providers in Philadelphia by coverage area that supply TV and/or phone service with your internet plan:
| Internet Providers in Philadelphia | Services | Price Range of Bundles |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios | Internet + TV | $129.99/month |
How can I compare the major internet providers in Philadelphia?
Major providers often seem to offer similar packages. It’s important to consider the following factors and questions when you’re trying to decide who offers the best plan for you.
- Price: If price is your primary concern, do the plans offered within your budget from each provider have the features you need?
- Speed: Faster speeds are offered for higher prices but there are providers who offer high speed for low prices. Compare prices for plans of the same speed to see which provider is more affordable.
- Data Caps: Consider whether each plans’ data caps is reasonable for your household and/or business. Data overage fees can get costly depending on your plan and provider.
- Contracts: Internet plans normally have contracts. Those planning to stay in Philadelphia for at least a year may benefit from signing a contract. Some providers charge a higher monthly rate for contract-free plans.
What do I need to keep in mind when moving to Philadelphia?
Home to much of the United States’ most impactful historical events, people come from all over to visit and live in Philadelphia. However, whether you’re new and moving to Philadelphia, or a long-time resident, there are a few things to keep in mind before switching internet providers.
Newcomers whose current provider is listed above can transfer their service by contacting their provider and telling them about the move. Internet providers often allow customers to transfer their service without it affecting their contract. Switching providers while in contract will most likely result in early termination fees.
Current Philadelphia residents may pay between $0-400 for early termination fees. To avoid paying these fees, consider a contract-free plan. Otherwise, internet service contracts last 1-2 years in Philadelphia.
Installation Fees in Philadelphia
An installation fee is usually charged when setting up internet service. Most providers offer self-installation kits for easy installations. Installation costs in Philadelphia vary depending on provider and property details.
How much data do you need for your home or business internet in Philadelphia?
Providers in Philadelphia offer data caps ranging from 10GB-1 TB. If you find yourself going over your current data cap, consider a plan with a 1 TB cap or no cap at all. Viasat Internet (formerly Exede) offers data cap free plans while Verizon Fios offers 1 TB data cap. One way to know how much data you use per month is to look at your usage of recent internet bills or by contacting the provider.
What are the most-connected neighborhoods in Philadelphia?
Most of Philadelphia has access to 3-4 internet providers at a time, with cable and fiber internet being the most predominant connection types. The most-connected neighborhoods are between University City and Cedar Park, where there is access to five providers. Residents often choose between XFINITY from Comcast and Verizon High Speed Internet, as they’re the most available providers in Philadelphia.
