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May 23, 2023 — 5 min read
While actual speeds have nearly doubled over the past five years, Americans are getting just 139/41 Mbps on average.
Key findings
- Google Fiber earned the top Allconnect score with speeds of 174/141 Mbps and average latency time of 42 milliseconds (ms).
- Astound Broadband provides the fastest download speeds on average at 194 Mbps.
- According to speed test results, the average internet speed in the U.S. is 139 Mbps download and 41 Mbps upload.
Internet speeds in the U.S. have been on a steady climb over the past decade. In 2017, download speeds across the country averaged 76 Mbps; today, that number is all the way up to 139 Mbps. That speed explosion is due to a number of factors: a growing fiber network, billions of federal dollars invested in expanding rural broadband, and government assistance programs to help make high-speed internet more affordable to low-income households.
But the internet speed you get at home still depends on where you live — and what providers you have access to. After analyzing over 200 million speed test results taken between January 2022 and April 2023, we found that the fastest internet providers are still the ones that primarily use a fiber network.
What are the fast internet providers right now?
- To find the fastest internet providers overall, we weighted the speed test results as follows: 60% for download speed, 30% for upload speed, and 10% for latency.
- Google Fiber earned our top spot overall, with nearly symmetrical speeds of 174/141 Mbps and average latency time of 42 milliseconds (ms).
- With the exception of Xfinity, every provider in our top five utilizes a fiber network.
Fastest internet providers by download and upload speed
- The fastest home internet provider by download speed is Astound Broadband. The company offers fiber and cable internet services in California, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Chicago, and parts of the East Coast.
- ISPs that provide fiber or cable internet exclusively fared the best. Xfinity, Breezeline, Google Fiber, and Frontier rounded out the top five.
- Major fiber providers like and Verizon didn’t make the top 10 for download speeds, primarily because many subscribers still use their slower DSL services.
- Every ISP in the top 10 for upload speeds was a fiber internet provider. Fiber internet offers symmetrical speeds — download and upload speeds are exactly the same.
- According to speed test results, the average internet speed in the U.S. is 139 Mbps download and 41 Mbps upload.
Which internet providers advertise the fastest speeds?
- Internet providers continue to increase their maximum speeds, with Ziply Fiber now offering 10 Gbps in some areas.
- ISPs like Xfinity and Mediacom promise to deliver 10 Gbps speeds over new 10G platform that utilizes existing cable networks.
- With a 10,000 Mbps plan, you’d be able to stream around 2,000 movies on Netflix at the same time in full HD.
| Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Monthly price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ziply Fiber | 10,000 Mbps | 10,000 Mbps | $300.00/mo. |
| Xfinity | 6,000 Mbps | 6,000 Mbps | $299.95/mo. |
| Frontier Fiber | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | $154.99/mo.*** |
| WOW! Internet | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | $190.00/mo. |
| AT&T Fiber Internet | 4,700 Mbps | 4,700 Mbps | $180.00/mo. |
| Google Fiber | 2,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | $100.00/mo. |
| Verizon Fios | 940 Mbps | 880 Mbps | $89.99/mo. |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of 05/23/23.
**Rate requires paperless billing. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Speed may not be available in your area. Maximum download/upload speed of up to 940 Mbps via a wired connection.
***per month w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Max wired speed 5000/5000. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary. One-time charges apply. 05/23/23.
How much speed do you really need?
You’ve probably heard a lot about “gig speeds” in recent years, but not everyone needs those kinds of supercharged internet plans. In fact, with average speeds of 139 Mbps download and 41 Mbps upload, most people in the U.S. are a long way from gig-speed territory.
How much speed you need largely depends on how many devices you’ll have connected to the internet at one time. The Federal Communication Commission’s current definition of broadband internet is 25/3 Mbps, but it recently proposed raising that standard to 100/20 Mbps.
For most households, 100/20 Mbps will be a good target to aim for. It’s important to remember that when ISPs advertise their speeds, they’re referring to speeds they can deliver through a wired connection — that is, hooked up through an Ethernet cable. If you’re connecting through Wi-Fi — which most of us are — you can expect those advertised speeds to be cut in half. That means on a 200 Mbps plan, you’ll be working with around 100 Mbps on your smartphone or tablet.
How can I get faster internet?
If your internet is on the slow side, there are a few things you can do to help speed it up:
- Take a speed test and compare the results with the plan you’re paying for. If your speed test is significantly lower, try the following steps and retake the test.
- Reboot your modem and router. It sounds simple, but sometimes giving your system a hard reset allows your router’s software to clear any temporarily stored data that might be slowing it down.
- Move your router to a clear, elevated spot. Wi-Fi can get cut off by material like concrete and bricks and if your router is on the floor, it will have trouble spreading its signal to every area of the home.
- Purchase a new Wi-Fi router. If you’ve had your router for more than a few years, it might be holding back your internet speeds. You can also ask your ISP for an equipment upgrade if you’re leasing your old router.
- Find a faster internet plan. If nothing else is working, upgrading your internet plan may be your last option.
Our methodology
For this report, the Allconnect team analyzed internal data from over 130,000 speed tests in the United States collected between June 2020 to March 2023.
For this report, the Allconnect team analyzed internal data from over 200 million speed tests in the United States collected between January 2022 to April 2023. We listed every provider with a minimum of 140K speed test results. To create our Allconnect speed scores, we weighted the speed test results as follows: 60% for download speed, 30% for upload speed, and 10% for latency.
Learn more about our research
The bottom line
We’re hearing a lot about fast internet speeds these days. And while actual speeds have nearly doubled over the past five years, Americans are getting just 139/41 Mbps on average — a long way from the new 10,000 Mbps plans that providers are launching in some areas. To learn more about the state of broadband in the U.S., check out Allconnect’s Research Hub for our latest reports.
For researchers and journalists
If you would like to know more about this topic, we can assist you. Our experts can help you dig deeper into the data.
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Written by:
Joe SupanPrincipal Writer, Broadband Content
Joe Supan is a principal writer for Allconnect and CNET. He has helped build the proprietary metrics used on Allconnect’s review pages, utilizing thousands of data points to help readers navigate these complex… Read more
Edited by:
Robin LaytonEditor, Broadband Content
Read bio
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FAQs
What’s the fastest internet provider? We analyzed millions of speed tests to find out. | Allconnect? ›
Google Fiber earned the top
What is the fastest internet provider? Xfinity holds the title for fastest national ISP, with its Gigabit Pro service featuring speeds up to 6,000Mbps in select areas.
What is the fastest internet speed available to the public? ›The fastest broadband internet service usually comes with 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) download speeds or higher. The price should be around $100 per month or less if you want a good deal.
Which internet connection provides the fastest bandwidth? ›Fiber internet is the fastest internet you can get. It uses bundled fiber-optic strands wrapped in a reflective case to transmit large amounts of data with light signals. Most fiber internet plans give you 1,000 Mbps speeds, although some providers can get you speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps or even 6,000 Mbps.
Where is the fastest internet in the US? ›- District of Columbia - 473.80 Mbps.
- Delaware - 469.70 Mbps.
- Washington - 451.00 Mbps.
- Rhode Island - 433.30 Mbps.
- Pennsylvania - 430.80 Mbps.
- New Jersey - 427.80 Mbps.
- Texas - 425.90 Mbps.
- Georgia - 414.90 Mbps.
We can say that internet speeds such as 7G or 8G are provided in Norway. Norway's top telecom service provider 'Telenor' increased the speed of personal internet usage in September last year. There are a total of three telecom companies in Norway, including Telenor, which have established their own mobile network.
What is high speed internet for all Biden? ›To further lower costs, in May 2022, President Biden and Vice President Harris announced commitments from internet service providers across the country to offer high-speed plans that are fully covered by the Affordable Connectivity Program—meaning millions of working families can now get high-speed internet without ...
How fast is Starlink internet? ›How fast will Starlink internet be? Starlink promises download speeds of 20–100 Mbps, but some customers have seen speeds slower than 50 Mbps—and some even saw speeds faster than 150 Mbps. Because SpaceX is still launching satellites and building base stations, it's hard to nail down just how fast Starlink will be.
Is 5G the fastest internet? ›5G can be significantly faster than 4G, delivering up to 20 Gigabits-per-second (Gbps) peak data rates and 100+ Megabits-per-second (Mbps) average data rates. 5G has more capacity than 4G. 5G is designed to support a 100x increase in traffic capacity and network efficiency. 5G has lower latency than 4G.
What is the fastest network technology? ›Data Transfer Technology: Different data transfer technologies come with different inherent speeds. For example, fiber optic cables are the fastest data transfer medium, followed by cable and 5G. Location: Some internet types, like 5G, experience reduced speed if you are farther away from the connection tower.
What is the fastest Internet backbone? ›
Scientists at the United States Department of Energy's (DOE) science network will hereon have access to the world's fastest internet. The DOE's Energy Science Network, ESnet, has now been upgraded to ESnet6, boasting a bandwidth of 46 Terabits per second (Tbps), enhancing the network's connectivity to new levels.
What is the fastest network speed that fiber has reached? ›- The fastest fiber-optic cable speed offered in a business gigabit network service today is 100 Gbps.
- Actual fiber-optic cable speed may be compromised by the quality of network controllers, cabling and hubs/routers; read/write speeds, available memory; and other factors.
Google Fiber is the fastest internet provider, followed by Verizon and Xfinity. Let's get right to the point: Google Fiber is the fastest internet provider in the United States.
What is the maximum Internet speed in USA? ›For example, the United States has only the 15th-fastest mobile speeds at 110.07 Mbps and the 13th fastest broadband speeds at 203.81 Mbps, though average internet download speeds vary substantially from state to state. For the complete speed listing for every country tested, see the table below.
Which US state has the best internet? ›Here's their full list of 50 U.S. states and internet index rankings in 2022. New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York deliver the best value for internet services.
How fast is the military's internet? ›While a consumer's 4G LTE smartphone will routinely post download speeds in the range of 8 to 9 Mbps, the military's commercial satellite network used for mobile network access posts a top speed of less than 0.5 Mbps.
How do I get NASA WiFi? ›NASA-CONNECT & Personal Devices
You can connect your personal devices to the NASA guest “NASA-Connect” WiFi by registering your device through the NASA Self-Registration portal at https://srp.nasa.gov.
The NASA Acquisition Internet Service (NAIS) is a service provided by the NASA in order to disseminate information about NASA procurements.
Does 10G exist? ›The Xfinity 10G Network is the new brand for our next-generation network. The Xfinity 10G Network delivers a powerful connection to our customers that will continue to get smarter, faster, more reliable, and secure.
Is Japan using 8G? ›Other nations, including Japan, Hong Kong, and Sweden, also give their citizens access to the quick Internet. While several nations offer useful Internet, they have not yet introduced 7G or 8G networks.
Does 6G already exist? ›
What is 6G and how soon will we be using it? Sixth-generation wireless technology, or 6G as it is currently known, may not exist yet, but it is in development and will eventually take over from 5G. 6G has the potential to lead us into a new era of wireless technology and transform the world.
How fast is the White House internet? ›Are these plans fast? Yes – they offer a minimum of 100 Mbps download speed, which is fast enough for a typical family of 4 to video conference, stream movies or TV, and more.
How do you qualify for bidens internet plan? ›- Medicaid.
- SNAP.
- WIC.
- Supplemental Security Income.
- Federal Public Housing Assistance.
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.
- National School Lunch Program.
- Federal Pell Grants.
Notwithstanding this progress, the Report finds that approximately 19 million Americans—6 percent of the population—still lack access to fixed broadband service at threshold speeds. In rural areas, nearly one-fourth of the population —14.5 million people—lack access to this service.
What are the disadvantages of Starlink? ›- Customer Service.
- Limited Availability.
- Price.
- Network Congestion.
- Complicated DIY Installation.
- Weather Sensitivity and Reliability.
- Being an Early Adopter.
- Conclusion.
How long does it take to get Starlink after making a deposit? Most people are stuck on the Starlink waitlist for between 3-12 months. However, some people have been on the waitlist for multiple years. It varies based on the demand and capacity in your area.
Will Starlink be free? ›Once you have completed the setup process, you will be able to enjoy Starlink's fast and reliable internet for free. The free service is limited to 50 GB of data per month with speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
Will 5G replace fiber to the home? ›5G isn't going to replace wired internet anytime soon. 5G is the 5th generation in cellular networks. The first generation began in the 1990s when cellular networks were being established. The second generation began with the first text messages.
Is fiber faster than 5G? ›The most important one is speed. Fiber optic internet has a much higher bandwidth than a 5G network does. Thus, this makes it possible for users to download files faster and stream video without any issues.
Can I use 5G to replace home internet? ›5G for your home Wi-Fi
If 5G Home is available at your location, it could replace your current home internet connection. Its ultra-powerful performance means that everyone in your household can use their devices, all at the same time.
Where is the strongest internet? ›
| # | Country | Average Internet Speed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monaco | 319.59 Mbps |
| 2 | Singapore | 300.83 Mbps |
| 3 | Chile | 298.5 Mbps |
| 4 | Hong Kong | 292.21 Mbps |
The best type of internet is fiber-optic internet because it's extremely efficient, reliable, and fast. In most cases, fiber tops out at 1,000 Mbps for both download and upload speeds.
What is the fastest internet speed without fiber optic? ›| Connection type | Download speed range | Upload speed range |
|---|---|---|
| DSL | 5 to 35 Mbps | 1 to 10 Mbps |
| Cable | 10 to 500 Mbps | 5 to 50 Mbps |
| Fiber | 250 to 1,000 Mbps | 250 to 1,000 Mbps |
Cable is certainly faster and more reliable than DSL or satellite internet, and it's available in more areas than fiber-to-the-home internet services.
What is faster than fiber? ›With fiber, a latency between the buildings would be 1,594 millisecond or 1,594 microsecond. Yes, microwave is 50% faster than fiber.
What is the strongest WIFI company? ›AT&T is our Best Overall ISP and places first in our Best Fiber ISPs of 2023 rating.
What is the average internet speed on Earth? ›What is the Global Average Internet Speed? For mobile internet, the global average download speed is 30.78 Mbps. The average upload speed is 8.55 Mbps. For fixed broadband connections, the average download speed is 67.25 Mbps.
What is the slowest internet speed in the world? ›Turkmenistan has the slowest broadband in the world with an average speed of just 0.77Mbps. It would take over 14 hours to download a 5GB movie file in Turkmenistan while someone in Iceland could do it in just over three minutes.
How fast is Japan's internet? ›| Rank | Country | Download Speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Japan | 31.23 |
| 26 | Taiwan | 30.58 |
| 27 | Romania | 28.55 |
| 28 | United Kingdom | 28.51 |
- Xfinity – Best availability. Up to 200 Mbps for $25.00/mo.* ...
- Spectrum – Low equipment costs. Up to 300 Mbps for $49.99/mo.* ...
- Mediacom – Cheapest internet plan. Up to 100 Mbps for $19.99/mo.* ...
- WOW! – Runner-up cheapest plan. ...
- AT&T – Cheapest fiber plans. Up to 300 Mbps for $55.00/mo.*
What state has the most fiber optic internet? ›
According to August 2018 data, New Jersey was the U.S. state with the fastest internet connection with an average connection speed of 52 Mbps. Montana ranked last with an average connection speed of 20.3 Mbps.
Is Starlink the fastest internet? ›Starlink only promises speeds up to 300 Mbps, but "up to," as with all internet service providers, doesn't mean you'll experience that top speed most of the time. Ookla even reports that most Starlink plans are delivering only around 53 Mbps.
How fast is 400 Mbps? ›400 Mbps stands for 400 Megabits per second, but the download speeds visible on our browser are Megabytes. So when you subscribe to a 400 Mbps plan, you can expect download speeds anywhere between 45-50 MB/s, and upload speeds depend on your service provider's plan.
Is 300 Mbps good? ›For most households with three or four people living together, a 300 Mbps internet download is enough for the various uses ranging from online gaming, streaming, and general browsing. According to the Tech21Centry website, 300 Mbps can download a 5-Gigabyte movie file in only 2.2 minutes.
How long is the Starlink waiting list? ›How long does it take to get Starlink after making a deposit? Most people are stuck on the Starlink waitlist for between 3-12 months. However, some people have been on the waitlist for multiple years. It varies based on the demand and capacity in your area.
How much is Starlink per month? ›Starlink internet costs $110 per month with a $599 one-time equipment fee. Starlink RV internet costs $135 per month with an up-front $599 equipment fee. Starlink Business costs $500 per month with a $2,500 one-time equipment fee.
Is there a 10G network? ›The 10G platform is a combination of technologies that will deliver internet speeds 10 times faster than today's networks. Not only does 10G provide faster symmetrical speeds, but also lower latencies, enhanced reliability and better security in a scalable manner.
Is there 6G yet? ›Next-gen mobile internet — 6G — will launch in 2030, telecom bosses say, even as 5G adoption remains low. Executives at some of the world's largest telecommunications and technology firms told CNBC that 6G, the next generation of mobile internet after 5G, is likely to launch in 2030.
Is 1000 Mbps worth it? ›Is 1000 Mbps internet worth it? Gigabit internet (1,000 Mbps) can be worth it if you have a household or office with many connected devices or if you need to do activities that require a high bandwidth on a regular basis. Such activities include streaming, gaming, and uploading video content.
Do I need 1000 Mbps internet? ›
If you have a house full of power users: 200-1000 Mbps (one gigabit) If you have multiple users in your household who regularly stream, download large files, play and download games, and stream content in ultra HD resolutions such as 4k, you're going to need to pull out the big guns to keep everyone satisfied.
Is 900 Mbps fast internet? ›With a download speed of 900Mbps, you can do almost anything you'd like to do at the same time on the internet, on multiple devices at the same time. For instance, you can watch online video on 36 devices at the same time in ultra-HD (4K) quality.
Is 600 Mbps worth it? ›600 Mbps is more than sufficient for a single or 2-3 users. And for large families and mid-sized firms having 8-10 members, an internet speed of 600 Mbps can take care of all data-related needs in 2023.
How fast is 1 gig internet? ›Gigabit-level service provides speeds around 900 megabits per second, so an extended family (up to 12 people) could stream 4K content to each of their own devices at the same time and still stay under that limit.
How many devices can 500 Mbps support? ›A download speed of 500Mbps allows you to stream ultra-HD video on 20 devices at the same time, or download a HD movie in 1 minute. If you're using a broadband internet connection with download speeds of 500Mbps, you can comfortably stream ultra-HD quality video on up to 20 devices at the same time.