Although times are changing, cable providers are still one of the most common methods of receiving internet. If you believe that cable internet is the right choice for your home or business, you still have to choose which provider is right for you. There are multiple factors to consider, including the service area, quality of service and available bandwidth.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the top three internet providers in America. Each provider is judged on its service areas, bandwidth, quality of service and available packages.
1. Comcast
It should be no shock that Comcast is on this list. As one of the largest residential internet providers in America, Comcast has been helping people get and stay connected for years.
Availability
Comcast offers service in 40 states around America. Its popular Comcast Xfinity service is typically available in large metropolitan cities. Reports suggest that Comcast serves nearly 40 percent of all residential internet customers in the United States, which is around 19 million customers.
Unfortunately, if you live in the Midwest or anywhere outside of the continental United States, Comcast isn’t available to you.
Bandwidth and Package Pricing
Comcast’s internet speeds range from 5 to 105 Mbps. Its lowest available bandwidth speed is designed for low-income families and is priced at just $10 a month. Unfortunately, this service isn’t available in all areas.
In terms of internet packages, its prices range from $29.99 to $49.99 for internet only. Of course, prices vary depending on the special offers available. Like with most cable providers, you can bundle cable and phone to get more bang for your buck. Introductory internet packages start you off with speeds of around 6 Mbps, and standard plans offer around 25 Mbps.
Extras
When you sign up with Comcast internet, you gain access to a number of features free of charge. All packages come with parental controls, Norton Security Suite and identity protection. The Constant Guard Protection Suite gives you keylogger protection and a password management system. If you’re a Comcast Xfinity member, you also get 10GB of email storage.
Quality of Service
This may be Comcast’s only true weak point. Customer reviews on the quality of service are all over the board because each area is connected to a different call center. Regardless, Comcast provides 24-hour, seven-days-a-week customer service.
2. Charter Communications
This internet provider has had a rocky past. In 2008, it declared bankruptcy and walked away from nearly $8 million in debt. Since then, it has rebounded nicely, providing quality service to numerous homes and businesses.
Availability
Charter isn’t as available as Comcast, but it can be found in 29 states. In total, it services close to 6.8 million people. The majority of its service is available in East Coast states.
Bandwidth and Package Pricing
Charter has internet packages that range from 30 to 100 Mbps. Unfortunately, Charter only has one internet package that starts at $29.99. The price of this one package increases depending on the speed of the internet you want. You can choose, however, to add phone and television to your internet package.
Extras
Charter doesn’t offer much in the way of extras. You get 10 email accounts and 2GB of storage with its internet service. It also offers its own Charter Security Suite, which is ranked average at best.
Quality of Service
Charter typically offers decent service with very little downtime. When it has downtime, it’s typically scheduled late at night when the majority of its customers are asleep. Much like Comcast, it also offers 24-hour, seven-days-a-week customer service.
3. Time Warner Cable
This company remains one of the big players in terms of cable internet service providers. Its service is typically well regarded thanks to its hybrid fiber coaxial cable, which provides faster speeds and more reliability than other providers.
Availability
Time Warner Cable serves around 15 million customers in the United States. It’s found in 29 states, and most of these are located along the East Coast. However, it offers service in some western states as well.
Bandwidth and Package Pricing
Time Warner offers six packages that just include internet. Its standard package comes with 15 Mbps, and the Ultimate 50 plan comes with 50 Mbps. Only a few select markets offer speeds of up to 75 Mbps. These speeds are truly what holds the provider back. With Charter and Comcast both offering higher speeds, it feels as if Time Warner lags behind. To top it off, prices for its packages range from $14.99 to $64.99, which is higher than what you pay for faster speeds with other providers.
Extras
The extras that come with these internet packages are all pretty standard. You get access to 30 email accounts and 5GB of free email storage. You also gain access to McAfee Internet Security Suite, which can block harmful sites and give you some parental controls.
Quality of Service
Customer support is a strong point for Time Warner. You can get into contact with its support staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When you use the online chat feature, a representative responds to you very quickly. Although its speeds may not be the fastest, its fast enough to stream movies and play games on multiple devices.