Best Internet Providers in Rhode Island

What is the best internet provider in Rhode Island?

Verizon Fios is our pick for best internet service provider in Rhode Island, with its 100% fiber-optic internet, fast upload and download speeds, competitive pricing and customer-friendly service terms. J.D. Power has also ranked Verizon Fios first in customer satisfaction in the East region for over a decade.

Cox is another solid choice for home internet in Rhode Island and is available just about everywhere in the state. Availability is Cox’s one major advantage over Verizon Fios, as the two ISPs are closely matched in pricing, download speeds and service terms.

Both providers have a starting price of approximately $50 per month, but you’ll get a slightly faster connection with Verizon Fios. Local provider i3 Broadband has a lower starting price of $40 per month, but availability is much more limited comparatively.

Aside from Verizon Fios, Cox and possibly i3 Broadband, wireless internet from Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet are the only other practical internet options in Rhode Island. If you can qualify for the mobile bundle discount with either, it would be the best source of cheap internet in the state.

Best internet providers in Rhode Island

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

What other internet options are there in Rhode Island?

Verizon (Fios and 5G Home Internet), Cox and T-Mobile Home Internet are the main broadband options available in Rhode Island. Local provider i3 Broadband offers cable internet service to Warren, Bristol and the surrounding areas, but total coverage only reaches around 5% of Rhode Island households, per the FCC.

Satellite internet from Hughesnet, Viasat and possibly Starlink is available throughout the state, but with cable, fiber and fixed wireless connections covering more than 99% of Rhode Island residences, there’s no need to resort to the slow speeds and limited data that come with satellite internet.

Internet breakdown by city in Rhode Island

It’s hard to cover the broadband options of an entire state and give individual cities the attention they deserve. That’s why we also compile lists of the best internet providers in cities across the US, including those in Rhode Island. We check internet connection types, max speeds and cheapest providers. Check back later if you don’t find the city you’re looking for below. We’re working on adding more locations every week.

Cheap internet options in Rhode Island

Unless you qualify for a mobile bundle discount with Verizon or T-Mobile, i3 Broadband has the cheapest internet plan in Rhode Island, starting at $40 per month for speeds up to 250Mbps. Service from Verizon Fios and Cox starts at as low as $35, as does Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet without the bundle discount.

What’s the cheapest internet plan in Rhode Island?

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

How to find internet deals and promotions in Rhode Island

The best internet deals and top promotions in Rhode Island depend on what discounts are available during a given period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.

Rhode Island internet providers, such as Cox, may offer lower introductory pricing or special for a limited time. Many, including Verizon Fios and i3 Broadband, run the same standard pricing year-round.

For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

How fast is Rhode Island broadband?

Despite the limited ISP choices in Rhode Island, recent Ookla speed test data shows that median download speeds in the state are faster than most at 257Mbps. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) That’s higher than the national average of 213Mbps and faster than Florida (240Mbps) among all US states and Washington, DC.

Verizon Fios, Cox and i3 Broadband offer gigabit service in Rhode Island with speeds up to 940Mbps or higher. Speeds up to 1,000Mbps may also be available from Verizon 5G Home Internet.

Fastest internet plans in Rhode Island

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

What’s a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines; internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

• 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
• 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and video conferencing.
• 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
• 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
• 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Rhode Island

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. Our approach is to start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

In addition, we review the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes. All information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

1. Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
2. Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
3. Are customers happy with their service?

While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

What is the final word on internet providers in Rhode Island?

Your internet options in Rhode Island will likely come down to Verizon Fios or Cox, although a small portion of the state may also choose cable internet from i3 Broadband.

Verizon Fios is easier to recommend thanks to the 100% fiber connection, faster upload speeds and better perks, including free equipment rental, unlimited data, no contract requirements and signup bonus offers. Not all Rhode Island residents are serviceable for Verizon Fios, however. Cox has the availability advantage, extending coverage to nearly every address in the state.

Those looking for an alternative to Verizon Fios or Cox may want to consider fixed wireless internet from Verizon 5G Home Internet or T-Mobile Home Internet. Verizon has potentially faster speeds, up to 1,000Mbps, available in select areas, but T-Mobile has better coverage in Rhode Island.

Internet providers in Rhode Island FAQs