Best Internet Providers in Virginia - CNET
- Prices: $50 – $120 per month
- Speeds: 300 – 2,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts, free equipment with gig service
- Prices: $20 – $300 per month
- Speeds: 75 – 6,000Mbps
- Key Info: Data caps on some plans, lots of plan options, solid customer satisfaction numbers
- Prices: $50 per month
- Speeds: 72 – 245Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, equipment included, no contracts, no additional fees
- Prices: $19-$89 per month
- Speeds: 5-1,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts
- Prices: $50 – $70 per month
- Speeds: 85 – 1,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts, free equipment, 50% discount for qualifying Verizon mobile customers
Virginia is for lovers — of fast internet speeds. The southern state formerly held the distinction of having the fastest internet speeds in the country, at a whopping average of 13.7 megabits per second. But that was in 2014, and we’ve come a long way since then! Old Dominion now sees median download speeds of about 191Mbps, according to Ookla, placing it in a respectable 18th place among the 50 states and neighboring District of Columbia regarding internet speeds.
Two of its cities fare even better on Ookla’s rankings, with Chesapeake ranking 15th among the 100 most populous US cities with median download speeds of about 229Mbps and Virginia Beach, the birthplace of hip-hop legend Pharrell Williams, at 16th with median speeds of approximately 228Mbps. Norfolk can be found further down in the rankings at 64th, with median download speeds of about 193Mbps. (Side note: We have internet guides for Richmond and Washington, DC.)
Who is the best internet provider overall in Virginia?
CNET examines customer service, speed, pricing and overall value before recommending the best broadband in your area. Virginia can thank its small selection of large internet service providers for its high median speeds. But the one ISP that rises above the rest in the state is Verizon, whose Fios boasts the highest speeds of about 232Mbps and even faster in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. It’s partly why CNET selects Verizon Fios as the best overall ISP in Virginia. It should be an easy choice if you can access its excellent fiber offering — mostly available in Virginia’s cities and the DC area. But if Verizon Fios is unavailable in your area, fret not. Virginians can also get online through T-Mobile, Xfinity, Cox, satellite internet providers and smaller ISPs.
Best internet options in Virginia
You’ll be limited in your choice of ISP based on where you live. The below list should make choosing among your available choices a bit easier. All prices listed on this page reflect available discounts for setting up paperless billing. If you decide not to go with automatic monthly payments, your price will be higher.
Note: The prices, speeds and features detailed in the article text may differ from those listed in the product detail cards, representing providers’ national offerings. Your particular internet service options — including prices and speeds — depend on your address and may differ from those detailed here.
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Product details
While Verizon offers three ways to connect online in Virginia — DSL, 5G and fiber — it’s Verizon Fios, the company’s 100% fiber internet service, that gets our top recommendation for internet access in the state. It’s no wonder: not only is Fios fast, but it’s also loved by customers, as shown by a recent survey.
Availability: Fios is only available in the eastern parts of Virginia: the DC area, Winchester, Culpeper, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Chester, Petersburg, Newport News, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.
Plans and pricing: Verizon Fios has three tiers: a 300Mbps plan for $50 per month, 500Mbps for $70 and 940Mbps for $90.
Fees and service details: Verizon Fios has no data caps, contracts or equipment fees.
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Product details
For those who don’t have access to Verizon Fios, connecting through Xfinity is the next sure bet, as it offers a range of plans at great introductory prices.
Availability: About 44% of Virginian households have access to Xfinity services. Its coverage area includes most of the DC area (aside from Centreville and Burke), Winchester, Culpeper, Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, Lynchburg, Emporia, South Hill, Chase City, South Boston, Danville, Martinsville, Blacksburg, Galax, Bluefield, Chilhowie and Big Stone Gap.
Plans and pricing: Xfinity offers six plans in Virginia with a $10 discount for autopay and paperless billing: 200Mbps for $25 a month, 400Mbps for $35, 800Mbps for $60, 1,000Mbps for $70, 1,200Mbps for $80 and 2,000Mbps for $120. With the exemption of the 2,000Mbps plan, these prices last for the first 12 to 36 months, depending on the plan.
Fees and service details: Xfinity doesn’t cap data, but there’s an optional $15 fee for a router and modem. The 800, 1,000 and 1,200Mbps plans require a one-year contract.