Internet Service Providers in Maine
Known for its lobster fisheries, rocky coastline and wild blueberries, Maine is a beautiful state to call home. But the sheer number of internet providers makes finding the right one overwhelming. Luckily, there are several excellent internet service providers in Maine, with several offering affordable monthly rates.
Internet Providers Near Me in Maine
The number of internet service providers in Maine depends on which county you live in. Perry County has a mere eight providers, while Portland County tops the list with over 20. If you live in Perry County, you can choose from:
- Spectrum
- T-Mobile
- Viasat
- HughesNet
- Pioneer Wireless
- Trailrunner LLC
- Consolidated Communications
- Great Works Internet (GWI)
In Portland County, you can also access:
- Redzone
- EarthLink
- Verizon
- Xfinity
- Premium Choice Broadband
- GoNetspeed
- TK Networks
- Fidium Fiber
- AiroComm
- TDS Telecom
- ispMint
- Breezeline
- Unlimitedville
- Bee Line Cable
- Aroostook Technologies Inc.
- Lincolnville Telephone Company
- Axiom
- Rivah.net
- Chebeague.net
Some of these are large companies, while others are small, local internet service providers.
Cheapest Internet Providers in Maine
The cost of different internet service providers in Maine will vary depending on which part of the state you call home. In general, however, the cheapest options are:
- Xfinity ($34.99/month)
- EarthLink ($39.95/month)
- Spectrum ($49.99/month)
- Viasat ($49.99/month)
- HughesNet ($49.99/month)
It’s essential to look into each plan closely to make sure there aren’t any hidden taxes or fees. The prices vary by city and even zip code. Of course, many coffee shops, libraries and universities across the state also offer free internet access, so you can always rely on them while you look for internet service providers in Maine.
High-Speed Internet Options in Maine
The official definition of high-speed internet is a download speed of 25 Mbps, although that’s rather slow by today’s standards. The fastest internet service providers in Maine offer much higher speeds.
Some of the fastest internet speeds in the state come from Xfinity, a cable network with average download speeds of 131.5 Mbps. Spectrum’s average download speeds hover around 119.3 Mbps. TDS Telecom comes in third place at roughly half the rate, with download speeds of 50.8 Mbps.
Does Maine Have Good Internet Service?
In general, Maine does have good internet service. According to a U.S. Census Bureau survey between 2017 and 2021, 86% of Maine households have a broadband internet connection, compared to 85% of the country. Cumberland County has some of the best broadband coverage in the state, with 99.9% of the county having internet access.
Can You Get Fiber Optic Internet in Maine?
Fiber isn’t available everywhere in Maine, but its reach is expanding. There are currently four fiber internet providers covering almost 13% of the state. Your options are Great Works Internet, Lincolnville Telephone Company, Pioneer Broadband and Consolidated Communications. The average speed ranges from 100 Mbps for Lincolnville Telephone Company to 860 Mbps for GWI.
What Is a Good Internet Speed?
There are two main metrics for measuring internet speed — upload and download speeds. For downloads, you’ll need at least 100 Mbps to watch ultra-HD videos, download large files, easily attend remote meetings and play multiplayer online games. A solid upload speed is at least 10 Mbps.
You can use an internet speed test to determine your internet connection speed. It may vary throughout the day depending on how many people are online.
Finding the Right Provider in Maine
Not all internet service providers in Maine are equal and you’ll need to shop around to figure out which one works best for you. Consider price, connection speed and contract lengths when looking for a provider.