Internet Service Providers in Madison
If you have recently moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and are still looking for a reliable internet service provider, look no further. We’ve put together a comprehensive list of the fastest and most affordable providers in the area. Explore the options below and find the service that works best for your needs and interests.
Internet Providers Near Me in Madison
The Madison area has eight relevant providers that offer residential internet:
- AT&T: Fiber and DSL internet
- Earthlink: Fiber and DSL internet
- Spectrum: Fiber and cable internet
- Viasat: Satellite internet
- HughesNet: Satellite internet
- T-Mobile: Fixed wireless internet
- CenturyLink: Fiber, DSL and fixed wireless internet
- Frontier: Fiber, DSL and copper-based internet
The types of internet each company provides should partly influence your decision. Any way to simplify your search will help you find the best provider more quickly.
Cheapest Internet Providers in Madison
Price is consistently among the top factors when choosing a provider, so you should know the most affordable options in the Madison area.
- Frontier: $29.99 -$74.99
- HughesNet: $39.99 -$149.99
- EarthLink: $49.95-$99.95
- Spectrum: $49.99-$152.97
- Viasat: $49.99-$199.99
- T-Mobile: $50-$55
- CenturyLink: $50-$105
- AT&T: $55-$180
The established brand names have the highest starting prices, while lesser-known companies are less expensive. This pattern is no coincidence, as the more expensive brands also provide the fastest speeds.
High-Speed Internet Options in Madison
Speed is the other most important quality you need to consider. Maximum download speed is the number you want to look for:
- AT&T: 1,000 Megabits per second (Mbps)
- CenturyLink: 940 Mbps
- T-Mobile: 115 Mbps
- Spectrum: 100 Mbps
- Viasat: 100 Mbps
- Earthlink: 75 Mbps
- HughesNet: 25 Mbps
- Frontier: 24 Mbps
All the above speeds are sufficient for basic internet activities, like online shopping, browsing social media and using streaming services. Triple-digit speeds allow for complex online gaming, near-instant downloads and streaming on multiple devices. AT&T can accommodate just about any internet activity.
What Internet Is Available in Madison?
Each of the eight internet service providers in Madison covers a different range. Here is each provider’s availability, by percentage:
- HughesNet: 100% availability
- Viasat: 100% availability
- Spectrum: 99.4% availability
- AT&T: 88.3% availability
- CenturyLink: 87.3% availability
- EarthLink: 86.8% availability
- T-Mobile: 27% availability
- Frontier: 3.7% availability
The most prominent fiber, cable and DSL networks cover much of the greater Madison area, while the two satellite networks have full coverage. Frontier’s service is only available in certain parts of the city. Keep these numbers in mind during your search.
What Kinds of Internet Are Available in Madison?
Madison offers six primary types of internet. While they all have the same objective of giving your house a fast and secure connection, the process differs between types.
- Fiber: A network of fiber-optic cables delivers data over long distances.
- Fixed wireless: Data travels through an established hardwired network to a tower, which sends the data through the air.
- DSL: It uses existing telephone lines to transmit data.
- Cable: Data goes through coaxial wires into a house’s modem, which sends the information around the house through an ethernet cable.
- Satellite: Waves of data travel back and forth between satellite dishes and the satellites orbiting Earth.
- Copper: Data passes through electrical signals in copper cables.
Your home’s exact location could influence which provider you choose. For example, satellite and fixed wireless are usually better options for people who live in rural areas and can’t install cable networks in their homes.
How Many Internet Providers Are Available in Madison?
Madison has eight prominent companies that provide residential internet service, and a vast majority of the surrounding area has full access to two or more providers. According to FCC data, only about 1% of the local population has access to one or no providers, so you should have multiple options to choose from.
Internet Service Providers in Wisconsin by City
Kenosha internet service providers