Internet Service Providers in Rockford

Rockford, Illinois, might have an undeserved reputation for not being a great place to live, but it tends to be something of a diamond in the rough. The city is steeped in history, making it an interesting place to settle down. Finding the best internet service providers in Rockford shouldn’t be difficult. What companies should you consider, and what do you need to know before deciding on internet service for your home?

Internet Service Providers Near Me in Rockford

Rockford might not be the biggest city in Illinois, but nearly 150,000 people call it home. That means you’ve got plenty of options to choose from when you’re hunting for internet service providers. Xfinity, AT&T and Earthlink lead the pack in terms of coverage availability. If they aren’t available in your neighborhood, you’ve also got companies like Frontier, Mediacom, Rise Broadband, Viasat and HughesNet to choose from, so all your bases are covered no matter what part of Rockford you live in.

Cheapest Internet Providers in Rockford

If you don’t need the fastest internet speed in the city, there are plenty of budget-friendly options for you to choose from. Earthlink offers plans starting at $24.95 with rates starting at 15 Mbps. Xfinity’s base plan offers speeds up to 100 Mbps for $29.99 per month. AT&T’s base plan costs $30 a month but starts at rates around 5 Mbps. Frontier’s base plan isn’t as fast, with speeds topping out at 45 Mbps, but it will set you back $44.99 a month. 

High-Speed Internet Options in Rockford

If you need more than just basic internet, you’ve got plenty of options to choose from. Xfinity’s fastest plan offers speeds up to 987 Mbps. Mediacom provides cable internet with speeds of up to 1 Gbps, but its service is available in only a small fraction of the city. Earthlink also offers rates up to 1 Gbps at prices starting at $49.95 per month. Xfinity has the best coverage, but not necessarily the best speeds. If they’re available in your area, Mediacom or Earthlink are better options. 

How Many Residential Internet Providers Service Rockford?

This can vary depending on your exact location within the Rockford city limits. However, in general, there are eight different companies that provide residential internet services. These include: 

• Xfinity
• AT&T
• Earthlink
• Mediacom
• HughesNet
• Viasat
• RiseBroadband
• Frontier

What Is the Best Internet Provider for Streaming?

Streaming has become more important than ever in 2020, with everyone staying home and social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Streaming services rely on fast internet. If you don’t have a fast enough download speed, you’ll be watching your favorite movies and shows in fits and starts, broken up by buffering and video-audio desync. With that in mind, high-speed fiber internet like you can get from Xfinity or Mediacom will be your best option for streaming. 

Which Is Better: Viasat or HughesNet?

Even in the more remote areas where wired internet isn’t an option, you aren’t entirely cut off from the world wide web. Satellite internet isn’t the fastest, but you can connect nearly anywhere. Of the two available in Rockford, which is better — Viasat or HughesNet? Viasat offers faster downloads with speeds up to 100 Mbps. Its less expensive plans aren’t as fast, however. HughesNet caps out at 25 Mbps, and you have a limited amount of data every month. Overall, Viasat is the better option of the two. 

Rockford may be well known for its challenges, but if you’ve got a decent internet connection in Illinois, you don’t need much else.