Chicago – the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois with its architecture, museums, and shopping makes sure to sweep you off your feet. When everything is great in Chicago then why not your internet services too! So if you are a Chicago resident and looking for some of the best internet service providers? No worries, because you’ve landed at just the right place.
Internet Providers in Chicago – Quick Facts
One of the most fascinating, fun, and exhilarating cities in the world has many things to offer. Let’s have a look at some of the basic facts known about Chicago’s internet service providers:
- Minimum internet speed offered by providers in Chicago: 6 Mbps
- Maximum internet speed offered by providers in Chicago: 1200 Mbps
- Chicago’s average internet speed is about 160.62 Mbps.
- 0.8% of Chicago has limited broadband access.
- 27% of Chicago has access to fiber internet.
- $19.99 is the cheapest starting price for basic broadband in Chicago.
- RCN is the cheapest service provider offering 50 Mbps internet speed.
- Xfinity is the fastest internet service provider in Chicago with a 1,200 Mbps IPBB and Fiber.
Internet Options in Chicago
Fiber Internet
Fiber internet is one of the topmost choices of people due to its great connectivity however due to its special equipment and new technology it’s not widely offered by most of the internet providers in Chicago. However, AT&T is one of the internet providers in Chicago that provides fiber internet. Not only do they offer fiber internet at great prices but the connection is also reliable and ultra-fast.
Cable Internet
Cable internet brings back the memories of old times. The cable set up is one of the oldest and this is why cable internet is widely available in Chicago. Xfinity which is one of the best internet providers in Chicago has a large coverage area, offering their services across Chicago.
Internet Protocol Broadband (IPBB)
This is a type of digital subscriber line. AT&T is a leading internet provider in Chicago, that offers IPBB service to nearly all of Chicago.
Satellite Internet
Satellite internet works great in areas that are wide and have clearer sky views but with Chicago covered majorly by sky-reaching buildings, the connection maybe a little bit problematic. However Hughes Net and Viasat are the leading internet providers in Chicago, providing smooth satellite internet service.
Fixed Wireless
With everything evolving gradually, the internet also evolved from cables to going wireless. Chicago also has service providers offering fixed wireless internet services. Here is a list of the best internet providers in Chicago that provide fixed wireless internet:
- Hughes Net
- Viasat
- EarthLink
- AT&T
- Xfinity
All of these service providers are available in different parts of the city. You have to check their availability in your area. Let’s look at their offering in detail to know why they are simply the best internet providers in Chicago!
- HughesNet HughesNet is the first satellite-based internet provider in Chicago that fulfilled the broadband criterion. It covers almost all of the areas in Chicago. HughesNet Satellite Internet plan has a starting price of $39.99 per month. They offer 25 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed. What sets them apart from other providers, is their satellite modem, which comes with a built-in WiFi router. This wireless device improves convenience as users have to manage a single internet modem for all their internet needs.
- Viasat Viasat is a high-speed satellite internet provider in Chicago. It is available in almost all the areas of Chicago. Viasat internet plans have a starting price of $49.99 per month. Their internet speeds range from 12 Mbps to 50 Mbps. Viasat stands out by being one of the few high-speed satellite internet providers in Chicago that also offer their services in rural areas. Viasat has a large coverage area as they offer their services across 50 states, offering satellite internet service to 98% of the US population.
- EarthLink EarthLink is a reliable high-speed internet provider in Chicago. They offer high-speed fiber-optic internet with a download speed of 1,000 Mbps for $99.95 per month. EarthLink internet offers the fastest fiber-optic internet connection in Chicago, with download speeds up to 1 Gbps.
- AT&T AT&T is another fiber-optic internet provider in Chicago. They are the only internet provider in Chicago which provides its customers with a high-speed DSL and fiber broadband. Covering nearly 123 million people across the U.S, They provide access to high-speed DSL via an IPBB connection, offering their services to 123 million people across the USA. AT&T offers a wide range of options that make it one of the best choices for remote employees in Chicago. It is also great for streaming and downloading as they offer the fastest possible speeds at affordable rates.
- Xfinity Xfinity is one of the best internet service providers in Chicago, known to be the best internet option for gaming. Starting price for the internet packages is $20.00 per month. Their internet speeds range from 50 – 1,200 Mbps and they offer their services to 99% of Chicago.
We have discussed the details of internet type, speeds & prices of the leading internet providers in Chicago. Now, let us move forward to discuss the most vital factor that influences users to choose the most suitable internet service provider in Chicago.
Most Economical Internet Providers in Chicago
Many people see the list of the best internet providers in Chicago but get confused in deciding one for themselves. The first and foremost aspect when deciding upon an internet service provider is setting out a budget. Once you’ve decided your budget then go for options that give the best internet service within that budget. Some of the most economical internet providers in Chicago include Xfinity, Hughes, Viasat, and AT&T. All of these internet service providers give amazing internet service with the most economical rates. Check out their website to know their latest discounts and offers as some of them offer discounts when you bundle internet with phone or TV.
