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What is the best internet provider in Springfield, Massachusetts?
If you’re looking for good internet service but don’t feel overwhelmed by the options in your area, CNET has you covered. While competition in the broadband space is increasing, there are still many places where there are few, if any, choices outside of a single, fixed-line provider. Such is the case in Springfield, Massachusetts, where Xfinity is CNET’s pick for best internet provider —largely because it is the only wired high-speed provider in much of the area.
To be fair, Xfinity stands out for more than just availability. It offers some of the fastest speeds of any cable provider — up to 2,000 Mbps in Springfield, the fastest available in the area — and is one of the least expensive ISPs, with speeds of up to 200 Mbps starting at $30 per month, the cheapest rate for internet in Springfield. Plans currently come with unlimited data and other perks, though a contract may be required to get the lowest price, and there may be a $15 fee if you rent a router.
Spectrum’s cable internet could be an alternative to Xfinity in Springfield, but with only 2% coverage in the area, I wouldn’t count on it. Fixed wireless, on the other hand, is much more widely available through both Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet.
You’ll probably get slightly better speeds with T-Mobile, but both carriers offer unlimited data, free equipment rentals, no contract requirements, and a potential discount for bundling with cellular service. The benefits are tempting, but you’ll want to see what speeds you can get before deciding whether either is a viable replacement for Xfinity.
CNET considers speeds, price, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Springfield in many categories. Our evaluation involves cross-referencing a proprietary database built up over years of reviewing internet services. We validate that against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also carefully read providers’ terms and conditions and, if necessary, call ISPs to verify details.
Despite our efforts to find the most up-to-date and accurate information, our process has some limitations that you should be aware of. Pricing and speed data are variable: certain addresses may qualify for different levels of service, and monthly fees can vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your specific options is to enter your address on a provider’s website.
Also, the prices, speeds, and other information listed above and in the provider maps below may differ from what we found in our research. The maps show the full range of prices and speeds from a provider in the U.S., according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs, while the text is specific to what’s available in Springfield. The prices referenced in the text of this article are from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month — a standard offering in the industry. Other discounts and promotions may also be available for things like signing an installment contract or bundling multiple services.
Want to learn more about how we evaluate ISPs? Visit our full methodology page.
Best internet in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts, Internet Providers Compared
| Supplier | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data limit | Contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Read the full review | Cable | $50-$80 | 300-1,000 Mbps | $7 (optional) | No | No | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $60 ($40-$50 with qualifying mobile plans) | 72-245 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $60-$80 ($50-$70 with qualifying mobile plans) | 100-300 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.2 |
| Xfinity Read the full review | Cable | $30-$120 | 75-2,000 Mbps | $15 (optional) | No | 1 year (optional) | 7 |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Springfield?
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
How to Find Internet Deals and Promotions in Springfield
The best internet deals and top promotions in Springfield depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly search for the latest offers.
Internet providers in Springfield, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, many providers, including Verizon 5G Home Internet, Spectrum, and T-Mobile Home Internet, maintain the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more comprehensive overview of all offers, please consult our guide to the best online deals.
Fastest Internet Plans in Springfield
| Plan | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data limit | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Gigabit x2 Read the full review | $120 | 2,000 Mbps | 200 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read the full review | $80 | 1,200 Mbps | 35 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read the full review | $80 | 1,000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Xfinity Gigabit Read the full review | $70 | 1,000 Mbps | 20 Mbps | No | Cable |
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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 Picked the Best Internet Providers in Springfield, Massachusetts
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 based on our own historical ISP data, the providers’ websites, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at 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 carrier 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 it comes to 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 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.
Internet Providers in Springfield, Massachusetts, Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best internet provider in Springfield?
Xfinity is the best internet provider in Springfield, Massachusetts, because of its wide availability, fast speeds, and low introductory prices. In much of Springfield, Xfinity is the only fixed internet provider.
Is fiber optic internet available in Springfield?
According to the most recent FCC data, fiber optic internet is currently not available in Springfield, Massachusetts. Fiber optic internet is available just north of Chicopee, but not within the city limits of Springfield.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Springfield?
Xfinity has the lowest introductory internet rate in Springfield at $25 per month for download speeds up to 150Mbps. The plan includes unlimited data, but equipment rentals add $15 to your bill. Other low-cost Xfinity plans start at $35 and $45 per month for speeds up to 300 and 500Mbps, respectively.
Which internet provider in Springfield offers the fastest plan?
Xfinity offers the fastest internet plan in Springfield with download speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps starting at $100 per month. This speed is impressive considering many cable internet providers only offer max speeds of around 1,000 Mbps. However, as a cable provider, Xfinity’s upload speeds are slower than its download speeds. However, Xfinity offers max upload speeds of 200 with its 2,000 Mbps plan, much faster than the upload speeds of all major cable providers.
