What is the best internet provider in Virginia?
Virginia has impressive average internet speeds, largely due to its limited selection of major service providers. Verizon stands out as the state’s top ISP, with its FIOS service delivering median speeds of 235 megabits per second – and even faster speeds in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. That’s partly whyVerizon Fios is CNET’s top pick for the best Internet provider in Virginia. It should be an easy choice if you can access the excellent fiber service available primarily in Virginia’s cities and the Washington, DC area. If you’re outside the Verizon Fios coverage area, don’t fret. Virginia residents also have alternatives such as T MobilePresent XfinityPresent CoxSatellite Internet providers and smaller ISPs.
Best Internet Options in Virginia
Rural Internet Options in Virginia
| Provider | Connection type | Price range | Speed range | Data cap | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightspeed | DSL | $50 | Up to 40 Mbps | Unlimited | Charlottesville area and along the southern border |
| Hughesnet Read the full review |
Satellites | $50-$90 | 15-100 Mbps | 100-200GB | Entire state |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 with eligible phone plans) | 72-245 Mbps | None | Entire state |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible phone plans) | 50-1000 Mbps | None | Entire state |
| Viasat Read the full review |
Satellites | $50-$300 | 25-100 Mbps | 40-300GB | Entire state |
Show more (1 article)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Virginia broadband at a glance
Virginia is for lovers of fast internet speeds. The southern state used to hold the distinction of having that Fastest internet speeds in the countrywith an impressive average of 13.7 megabits per second. That was 2014 and the state has come a long way since then. In the old Dominion, average download speeds are now around 214 Mbit/s, so Ooklaplacing it at a respectable 18th place among the 50 states and neighbors Washington, D.Cregarding internet speeds. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
In Ookla’s rankings, one of its cities fared even better, with Chesapeake coming in at No. 2 among the 100 most populous U.S. cities with median download speeds of about 285 Mbps. Virginia Beach was in the top half at 31st speed with average speeds of about 246 Mbps. Norfolk can be found further down the rankings at 72nd place, with median download speeds of around 209 Mbps.
Every Virginian has access to internet speeds of at least 25 Mbps, according to the Federal Communication Commission. However, this is likely due to expensive options from satellite internet providers Hughesnet and Viasat. Speeds in the state are solid overall, with median download speeds of about 203 Mbps. Virginia is likely getting a boost of about 45% of its households having access to fiber internet at speeds of 250 Mbps (particularly in cities like Chesapeake and Virginia Beach) and a much smaller fraction of 10% giving access to speeds of 1,000 Mbps and a much smaller fraction.
Internet Breakdown of City in Virginia
It’s difficult to cover an entire state’s broadband options and give individual areas the attention they deserve. That’s why we also compile lists of the best internet providers in cities across the US, including those in Virginia. We cover details like internet connection types, maximum speeds and cheapest providers. Check back later if you don’t find the city you’re looking for below. We’re working on adding more locations every week.
Internet prices in Virginia
The starting price for internet service in Virginia varies depending on your home. People in rural areas have to pay a premium for slower speeds. For a ballpark, expect to pay around $50 per month to get online. However, cheaper plans are available from Xfinity. Existing customers of certain T-Mobile or Verizon plans can receive discounted rates on theirs 5G Home Internet Offers.
Future of Broadband in Virginia
More Virginians will soon have access to high-speed internet, WDBJ reports, thanks to a $1.4 billion investment from the federal government’s broadband, access and deployment program. The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration estimates 364,156 Virginia homes and small businesses lack access to high-speed internet, but is that number accurate? The FCC wants Virginians’ input, they say Virginia Mercury. Separately, Verizon announced it would install more than 120 miles of fiber optic cable in Caroline County and Greensville County, expanding access to 3,000 homes and businesses. Wric Reports.
How CNET picked the best Internet providers in Virginia
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest one SmartphonePresent laptopPresent routers or kitchen toolIt is impractical to personally test every ISP in a particular city. What is our approach? We start by researching pricing, availability and speed information, Fcc.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC website to check our data and make sure we’re considering every ISP that offers service in an area. We also enter local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for local residents. To evaluate how happy customers are with ISP service, we look at sources such as the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes. All information provided is correct at the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonable internet speeds?
- Are customers getting fair value for what they pay?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answer to these questions is often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” to all three are the ones we recommend.
To explore our process in more detail, visit our page at How we test ISPs.
Internet in Virginia FAQs
Does Virginia have good internet?
It depends on where you live, but many Virginians can access good internet. The median download speed is around 203 Mbps. OoklaPutting Virginia in a respectable 20th place among the 50 states and neighboring District of Columbia in terms of internet speeds. You can access high-speed fiber internet if you live in a city, particularly Chesapeake, Richmond and Virginia Beach.
Is Verizon or Xfinity better for internet in Virginia?
