What is the best internet provider in Columbia?
CNET recommends Verizon Fios as the top internet provider for most households in Columbia, Maryland, thanks to its symmetrical speeds, ultra-fast connectivity and straightforward pricing. Verizon Fios is widely available in the area, offering reliable speeds, unlimited data and included equipment with all plans. However, if you prefer cable or fixed wireless, providers like Xfinity or T-Mobile may better meet your needs.
For those seeking the most affordable or fastest options, CNET suggests considering Xfinity Connect and Xfinity Gigabit Extra. Xfinity Connect costs $35 per month for speeds up to 300Mbps and includes unlimited data. For more speed, Xfinity Gigabit Extra offers 1.2Gbps download speeds for $85 per month.
Best internet in Columbia, Maryland, in 2024
Columbia internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediacom Read full review |
Cable | $20-$60 | 250-1,000Mbps | $14 modem | 350-3,000GB | None | 6.4 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50 ($35 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $60-$80 ($35-$45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 50-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| Verizon Fios Read full review |
Fiber | $50-$90 | 300-940Mbps | None | None | None | 7.6 |
| Xfinity Read full review |
Cable | $35-$85 | 300-1,200Mbps | $15-$25 (optional) | None | 1 year on some plans | 7 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Columbia?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Connect Read full review |
$35 | 300Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Mediacom Prime Internet 250 Read full review |
$20 | 250Mbps | $14 |
| Xfinity Connect More Read full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Fios 300 | $50 | 300Mbps | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Read full review |
$60 ($35 for eligible phone customers) | 300Mbps | None |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 for eligible phone customers) | 245Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Columbia
The best internet deals and top promotions in Columbia depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Columbia internet providers, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, however, such as Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Fastest internet plans in Columbia
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review |
$70 | 1,200Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
| Mediacom 1 Gig Read full review |
$60 | 1,000Mbps | 50Mbps | 3,000GB | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Read full review |
$80 ($45 for eligible phone customers) | 1,000Mbps | 50Mbps | None | Fixed Wireless |
| Xfinity Gigabit Read full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | None | Cable |
| Fios 1 Gig | $90 | 940Mbps | 880Mbps | None | Fiber |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines — and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics — browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Columbia
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Columbia FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Columbia?
Verizon Fios is our top pick for internet service in Columbia. This fiber provider offers large serviceability in the area, along with fast speeds and reasonable prices.
Is fiber internet available in Columbia?
What is the cheapest internet provider in Columbia?
Xfinity Connect is the cheapest internet plan in Columbia, costing $35 per month for speeds up to 300Mbps.
Which internet provider in Columbia offers the fastest plan?
The fastest speed available in Columbia is 1.2 gigabits — or 1,200Mbps — which is offered by Xfinity for $85 monthly.
