Best Internet Providers in Newark, New Jersey

What is the best internet provider in Newark, New Jersey?

CNET’s pick for the best internet provider in Newark is Optimal. It has wide coverage and fast connectivity that goes up to 8,000 megabits per second in certain locations. However, if Optimum doesn’t operate in your area, Verizon Fios or Newark Fiber may be good alternatives.

We’ve also found the best options if you’re looking for the lowest prices or the fastest speeds. The cheapest internet in Newark is Optimum’s 300 megabits per second offering for $40 per month. The fastest internet speed in Newark also comes from Optimum, which offers fiber optic speeds of up to 8,000 Mbps.

Best internet in Newark, New Jersey

Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.

Other available internet providers in Newark, New Jersey

• Satellite internet: Starlink, Viasat, and Hughesnet offer satellite internet alternatives for homes that don’t have a faster or cheaper broadband option. This usually means rural or remote households. In Newark, you should look into fiber, cable, or fixed wireless options before switching to satellite, with its high prices and variable speeds.
• Verizon 5G Home Internet: In parts of Newark where Verizon doesn’t offer Fios, you might find the 5G home internet option available instead. Speeds max out at 300 Mbps in the city, though Verizon does offer Gig downloads nationwide in some parts of its coverage areas. This makes a lot of sense if you’re a Verizon customer looking for a bundle with a phone plan to bring your home internet down to $35 per month. Otherwise, plans start at $50 per month for speeds up to 100 Mbps in Newark.

Cheap Internet Options in Newark, New Jersey

Optimum’s entry-level cable and fiber plans offer 300 Mbps downloads for $30 per month. Fiber is better due to its symmetrical speeds, but some addresses in Newark will find that cable is the only Optimum option. Most broadband plans, including the Verizon Fios 300 Mbps plan, start at $50 per month. Verizon has a better reputation for customer service than Optimum, which may persuade you to pay more.

Verizon’s extensive fiber coverage in Newark will likely send customers to Fios rather than 5G home internet. However, T-Mobile offers a discount on home internet when bundled with a qualifying phone plan. That can reduce your home internet costs by as much as $40 per month.

Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.

How to Find Online Deals and Promotions in Newark, New Jersey

The best internet deals and top promotions of Newark depend on what discounts are available at the time. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly search for the latest offers.

Internet providers in Newark, such as Optimum and T-Mobile, may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, many providers, including Verizon Fios and Newark Fiber, maintain the same standard prices year-round.

For a more comprehensive overview of all promotions, check out our guide to the best online deals.

How fast is the internet in Newark?

Newark delivered a median fixed internet download speed of nearly 282 Mbps in a recent test Ookla Speed ​​Test Report. That’s slightly better than the U.S. average of about 242 Mbps. Ookla shows that Optimum and Verizon are neck and neck as Newark’s fastest providers. The city’s average speed is similar to New York City’s, but slightly slower than Jersey City’s 283 Mbps and Patersons 314Mbps. Speed ​​tests vary widely depending on broadband technology, network demand, equipment and location, so your results may vary.

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 Newark, New Jersey

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router, or kitchen utensil, it’s impractical to personally test every Internet service provider in a given city. So how do we approach this? To start, we use a proprietary price, availability, and speed database based on our own historical ISP data, partner data, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

But it doesn’t stop there. We use the FCC website to review 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 consider real-world speed data from sources like 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.

What’s the final word on internet providers in Newark, New Jersey?

Optimum’s fiber upgrades and fast speeds make it a tempting option for Newark residents looking for home internet. However, ongoing concerns about Optimum’s customer service may be reason enough to persuade customers to choose Verizon Fios as a fiber alternative. Check out our head-to-head comparison of Optimum vs. Verizon Fios. Apartment dwellers should look for fast and affordable Newark Fiber.

Internet Providers in Newark, New Jersey, Frequently Asked Questions