Top 5 Internet Service Providers in Chicago in 2023 – Check Now

Best internet in Chicago? AT&T Fiber tops the list with super-fast speeds and easy prices. If you cannot get that, Rise Broadband, Verizon 5G Home Internet, and Xfinity are good choices too.

Looking for the cheapest? Xfinity’s Connect plan gives you a 75-megabits-per-second connection for just $20 a month; the best deal in the Windy City.

Need super speed? AT&T Fiber’s got you covered with up to 5,000Mbps for $250 a month, and no worries about data limits or contracts.

What is the best internet in Chicago for 2023

AT&T is working hard to give the best internet service. They introduced faster plans in lots of cities, reaching over 7 million customers, and they plan to grow more. Recently, they expanded to Kentucky’s Oldham County and started offering 5G home internet, called AT&T Internet Air, in 16 states.

If you are in one of the 21 states with AT&T and can get their fiber plans (for about 20 million customers), you are in luck. It is a great deal with a strong connection. However, not everyone in AT&T’s service area can get fiber. Some use fixed wireless or a DSL hybrid, which is not as good for slower speeds and not as good value.

Rise Broadband

Living in the countryside does not mean you cannot have good internet. If you are checking what is available, think about fixed wireless.

With fixed wireless, internet signals travel from towers to a small antenna at your home. Your modem changes these signals into the internet you use for watching videos and browsing. It is like satellite internet, but without the long delays, strict data limits, or needing a dish. Now, imagine speeds from 25 to 100 megabits per second, unlimited data, and mesh Wi-Fi; that is Rise Broadband.

It may not be the fastest or cheapest, but Rise Broadband offers good Wi-Fi and low delays, even supporting online gaming (unless there is a storm between your home and the wireless tower).

Verizon 5G Home Internet

Verizon 5G Home Internet started in 2018 and has become more widely available. They introduced their 5G Ultra Wideband network in 2022, bringing Verizon 5G Home Internet to about 900 cities. While Verizon Fios (their fiber-optic internet) is great, but only in the Northeast, 5G is more widespread. According to Verizon’s report, in the second quarter of 2023, about 2.3 million people are using Verizon 5G Home Internet.

Unlike regular internet that uses wires, like fibre or cable, Verizon 5G Home Internet is wireless. Your home gets the internet through a receiver that catches Verizon’s signal and turns it into a Wi-Fi network.

Read More: Verizon 5G Home Internet Review: 7 Things to Know before you Singup

Xfinity Internet

Xfinity Internet is from Comcast, a big media and tech company. In late 2022, they said Xfinity would get faster in about 36 cities right away and even more by 2025. They also started using DOCSIS 4.0 tech, making over 40 places have faster internet. This summer, the fastest Xfinity internet, Gigabit Pro, got even faster; from 6 gigabits per second to 10Gbps.

So, what is the deal for you? Xfinity is the biggest cable internet provider in the country, but does that mean it is the best? They offer lots of internet speeds, but with so many choices, it can get a bit confusing.

Other internet options in Chicago

Air Wans: Air Wans is a simple fixed wireless option for people in the rural parts of Illinois and Indiana near Chicago. Prices go from $50 to $100 a month, and there are no contracts, data limits, slowing down, or price hikes after the first year. It is basic and clear for home internet.

The catch is that Air Wans is not very fast, with speeds ranging from 3 to 15Mbps for both downloads and uploads combined. That is slower than most, not up to broadband levels, and not our top recommendation. If you have other options, check those out first.

Astound Broadband: Astound Broadband from New Jersey is growing in Chicago, buying cable infrastructure from WideOpenWest and RCN. This lets them provide home internet in much of the city and nearby areas.

Google Fiber Webpass: In some buildings around greater Chicago, they set up Google Fiber Webpass. It uses a special wireless antenna to give super-fast internet. The speed can be really fast, but it depends on where you live. It costs $63 each month for a whole year or $70 each month with no long commitment. You can check on Google’s Webpass map to see if your building can get it.

Satellite Internet: To get satellite internet, you put a dish outside your home to connect with satellites up in the sky. Companies like HughesNet, Viasat, and maybe Starlink offer this. But usually, it costs a lot, the speed is slow, and there are limits on how much you can use. Only think about it if you do not have other choices, and for most of Chicago, there are better options.

Read More: HughesNet Internet Connections Plans & Pricing 2023,Check Availability

Affordable Internet Choices in Chicago

If you are looking for a budget-friendly internet plan in Chicago, you should not have to pay more than about $20 per month. Xfinity’s Connect plan is a good option, and it is available in many places. It gives you speeds of 75Mbps for downloading and 10Mbps for uploading, all for $20 per month.

For the best value among the cheaper plans in the Chicago area, check out Astound Broadband’s 300Mbps plan. When you look at the cost for each Mbps (a way to see if it is a good deal), it is over 8 cents. Compare that to 33 cents for Xfinity’s Connect plan and just over 18 cents for AT&T Fiber 300.

Most big providers also have discounted plans for low-income customers through the Affordable Connectivity Program. It is a government program that helps eligible people save $30 on their monthly internet bill. You can get all the details on the FCC’s website.

How to find internet promotions and deals in Chicago

To find the best internet deals and incredible promotions in Chicago, you need to see what discounts are around at that time. Deals usually do not last long, but we keep an eye out for the newest ones.

Providers like Xfinity and Rise Broadband in Chicago might give you lower prices when you start or throw in extras for streaming, but it is only for a short time. On the other hand, some, like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, keep their regular prices the same all year.

Read More: T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Review: Plans, Prices And Speed 2023

People May Ask

Which internet is the best in Chicago?

For most homes in Chicago, AT&T Fiber is the top choice because it has even speeds and easy pricing. If AT&T Fiber isn’t an option, Rise Broadband, Verizon 5G Home Internet, and Xfinity are also good choices.

Can I get fibre Internet in Chicago?

The main provider for fiber internet in Chicago is AT&T, offering speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. Earthlink also has fiber internet with speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. Smaller providers like Upstream and Everywhere Wireless also have gigabit fiber plans in Chicago.

How fast is the Internet in Chicago?

The main broadband providers in Chicago are XFINITY, AT&T, and Astound Broadband. Comcast gives cable broadband with speeds up to 200 Mbps for most homes. AT&T has fiber optic broadband in many parts of Chicago, with speeds up to 1 Gbps.

Is 5G good in Chicago?

In Chicago, T-Mobile has reliable and fast mid-band 5G coverage all over the city. Verizon is a close second, especially with many high-band 5G around Chicago, mainly for their wireless home internet service.