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What is the best internet provider in Columbia?
If you’re a resident of Columbia, Maryland, and you’re looking for the best internet provider, this guide will help. CNET has reviewed available providers in the area, and our broadband experts will help you choose the right plan for you, depending on your needs and budget. For most households, CNET recommends Verizon Fio’s as the best internet provider in Columbia — thanks to its symmetrical speeds, blazing fast connectivity and flat rates. Verizon Fios is also available throughout the region with good internet speeds and all plans come with unlimited data and devices. However, if you prefer to stay connected to a cable or fixed wireless network, Xfinity or T-Mobile may be a better fit for your home broadband needs.
Looking for the fastest or cheapest plan in this Maryland city? Check out Xfinity Connect and Xfinity Gigabit Extra. Xfinity Connect costs $25 per month and reaches speeds of up to 150 megabits per second and includes unlimited data. For high-speed bandwidth, Xfinity Gigabit Extra offers 1.2 gigabit download speeds for $70 per month.
Best internet in Columbia, Maryland, in 2024
Internet providers in Columbia compared
| Supplier | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data limit | Contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediacom Read the full review |
Cable | $35-$70 | 100-1,000 Mbps | $14 modem | 350-3,000 GB | No | 6.4 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless connection | $60 ($40 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) | 72-245 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless connection | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 50-1,000 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.2 |
| Verizon Fio’s Read the full review |
Fiber | $50-$90 | 300-940 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.6 |
| Xfinity Read the full review |
Cable | $25-$70 | 150-1,200 Mbps | $15-$25 (optional) | No | 1 year on some plans | 7 |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Columbia?
| Supplier | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity connection Read the full review |
$25 | 150 Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Mediacom Prime Internet 100 Read the full review |
$35 | 100 Mbps | $14 |
| Xfinity Connect More Read the full review |
$30 | 300 Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Fios 300 | $50 | 300 Mbps | No |
| Verizon 5G Home Read the full review |
$50 ($35 for eligible phone customers) | 300 Mbps | No |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$60 ($40 for eligible phone customers) | 245 Mbps | No |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
How to find online deals and promotions in Columbia
The best internet deals and top promotions in Columbia depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly search for the latest offers.
ISPs in Columbia, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, others, such as Verizon, maintain the same standard prices year-round.
For a more comprehensive overview of all promotions, check out our guide to the best online deals.
Fastest internet plans in Columbia
| Supplier | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data limit | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read the full review |
$70 | 1,200 Mbps | 35 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Mediacom 1 Gig Read the full review |
$55 | 1,000 Mbps | 50 Mbps | 3,000 GB | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Read the full review |
$70 ($45 for eligible phone customers) | 1,000 Mbps | 50 Mbps | No | Fixed wireless |
| Xfinity Gigabit Read the full review |
$70 | 1,000 Mbps | 20 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Fios 1 Gig | $90 | 940 Mbps | 880 Mbps | No | Fiber |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet plans now can handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that’s suitable for video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s a look at the recommended minimum download speeds for different applications, according to the FCCPlease note that these are guidelines only and that Internet speed, service, and performance vary by connection type, provider, and address.
For more information, check out our guide to how much internet speed you really need.
- With 0 to 5 Mbps you can perform basic tasks: surfing the web, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality videos.
- 5 to 40 Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should provide enough bandwidth for a single user to meet the demands of modern teleworking, video streaming, and online gaming.
- With 100 to 500 Mbps, one or two users can simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- With 500 to 1,000 Mbps, three or more users can participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How CNET Chose the Best Internet Providers in Columbia
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router, or kitchen utensil, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So how do we approach this? We start by examining pricing, availability, and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the providers’ websites, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission on FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t stop there. We go to the FCC website to check our data and make sure we account for every ISP that offers service in an area. We also enter local addresses into provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to evaluate how satisfied customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and pricing are subject to frequent change; all information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask ourselves three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get value for their money?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answers to these questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” to all three questions are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fees, though we also consider things like price increases, equipment costs, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds, and also consider real-world speed data from sources such as Ookla And FCC Reports.
If you would like to take a more detailed look at our process, please visit our How We Test ISPs page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Providers in Columbia
What is the best internet provider in Columbia?
Verizon Fios is our top pick for internet service in Columbia. This fiber optic provider offers great service in the area, along with fast speeds and reasonable prices.
Is fiber optic internet available in Columbia?
What is the cheapest internet provider in Columbia?
Xfinity Connect is the cheapest internet plan in Colombia, costing $25 per month for speeds up to 150 Mbps.
Which internet provider in Columbia offers the fastest plan?
The fastest speed available in Columbia is 1.2 gigabits (or 1200 Mbps). This speed is offered by Xfinity for $80 per month.
