More than a million Internet service providers are available in the world, which provide Internet to specific regions. So choosing the fastest internet provider is much harder if you do not know which criteria you will have to follow.
Usually, checking the internet speed seems like the most practical and easiest way to determine the fastest internet provider, but it is not the only factor to check. Users must overlook latency, coverage area, and customer service to get the fastest internet speed in 2023.
The methodology of determining the fastest internet providers
This is the methodology used to determine the fastest internet providers.
By measuring the internet speed
Usually, the easiest and most popular way to determine the fastest internet provider is by measuring their internet speed. Most of the time, this measurement is done in a unit called Mbps and determined by using special software and tools. The more download and upload speed a provider has, it will be faster.
Testing a lot of samples
No provider can provide high-speed internet consistently for a long time. That’s why, when measuring the Internet speed, they have to check a large number of samples. Important factors like network congestion, latency, ping, etc. are also measured for this purpose.
The more consistent internet provider with better internet is faster. To determine the best internet provider, Speedtest Intelligence completed a study in Q1 2023. To complete the study, they measured more than 10,000 internet connections.
The average speed of the connection
After taking a lot of samples, a calculation is completed to get the average speed of the internet connection. It is done with this formula:
Addition of all measured connections /Total number of connections
A ranking is provided for the connection
After checking the average, a ranking is provided. Usually, the provider with the highest average gets the highest spot in the ranking, and the provider with the lowest average gets the lowest spot in the ranking.
Additional factors of determining the fastest internet
Some extra factors are also checked that affect the ranking to determine the fastest internet provider. They are:
What kind of connection are users using?
The Internet can be provided to users’ homes in multiple ways. Usually, fiber optics and cable are mostly used for home services. On the other hand, when providing internet to a corporation or an area with mass users, DSL or satellite is used.
These different types of connections provide different types of internet speeds, even when they are provided by the same provider. That’s why, while providing rankings, this factor is checked and considered.
The location of the users
While users look for the fastest internet, the distance between them and the provider is also a big factor. Also, major cities always get better internet. That’s why location is also an important factor in determining fast internet speed.
Ookla conducted a study and found that the average download speed in New Jersey is 140.2 Mbps, whereas Alaska was getting only 31.2 Mbps with the same network provider.
Internet speed testing time
While checking the internet speed, the speed test companies also consider the speed at different times of the day. Usually, users get faster internet in off-peak hours and slow internet in peak hours. Peak hours mean that time of the day when the number of internet users increases.
As a result, the bandwidth is also used more, and thus the internet speed is decreased. The average internet speed in the USA during the peak hour is about 34 Mbps, whereas in off-peak hours it increases to 42 Mbps.
A report provided by OpenSignal shows that in India, the average internet speed at 1 AM is 41 Mbps. However, it gets reduced to 35 Mbps at 9 p.m., which is a peak hour for the internet.
Explanation of the criteria used to evaluate the providers
- The download and upload speeds of the internet
To evaluate the provider, the user must check the download and upload. The provider with better internet will always have better download and upload speeds. The Federal Communications Commission in the USA has provided data on download and upload speeds in the USA, and they say that the download speed is 25 Mbps and the upload speed is 3 Mbps.
- Latency
For Internet users and providers, it is a very common word. When users use the internet, they take action, and the internet connections respond to these actions. The required time for the response is latency.
The less latency users get, the better the internet experience they receive. For online gamers, video conferences, or online marketing employees, better latency is always required. Usually, good internet providers try to provide 30 pings or latency for online gaming and 110 pings for video conferencing.
- The size of the area that the internet provider covers
Usually, better internet provides internet in a wide range of areas. It is because when providers cannot provide a good internet experience to their customers, their users start decreasing. As a result, covering a vast area is not profitable for them at all. So they start decreasing their coverage areas.
- The price of packages
The price of the packages the internet provider offers is also an important factor for users. The price can change depending on the speed offered, the area covered, the type of connection, the bandwidth, and other things like FTP or cache speed. This price also changes depending on whether the connection is at home or in a business.
- Customer service
It is also an important criterion when evaluating the provider. It covers the installation process, availability, and technical support for the users. A better Internet provider can cover all of these criteria perfectly, so they have better customer satisfaction.
What does MBPS speed mean?
The full form of Mbps is megabits per second. It is the unit that is used to count the internet speed. For instance, if an internet service provider offers a 30 Mbps download speed, it means that users can use the internet connection to download 30 megabits of data every second.
The 10 Fastest Internet Providers in 2023
These are the top 10 fastest internet providers in 2023.
01. Verizon Fios
They are one of the best internet providers in the world. Their speed range is 200 Mbps to 940 Mbps. They provide optical fiber connections to their users. This network provider is greatly renowned for its customer service.
They provide free routers to their customers and don’t charge for installation. Their customer says this provider has 99% reliability with no data cap. They also provide a 100-dollar prepaid card that has special plans for their customers. However, their only drawback is that their coverage area is smaller than that of other renowned internet providers.
You may be interested to read: How to Apply for Verizon Wireless Service Online? Guideline & Package!
02. Xfinity
It is also one of the best providers of fast internet, with speeds ranging from 15 Mbps to 2000 Mbps. Their price range is between $29.99 and 299.95. They provide internet access through a cable connection. One of the special features they provide is Xfinity Flex, which is an online movie streaming platform.
They also provide six months of Amazon Music to their users. Though some of their customers mentioned getting limited speed at the peak hour, when they contacted customer service for this issue, they did not get a satisfactory response.
03. AT&T Internet
This network provider provides 10 to 1000 Mbps of internet speed. However, their price is very low ($35–$60 per month), which is very satisfactory to their users.
They provide both fiber-optic and DSL connections to their home users. Users can also get $200 Visa Reward Cards, which provide special internet plans. However, users mentioned they were not satisfied with this provider’s customer service.
Read to know: AT&T Unlimited Hotspot Plans & Price Details!
04. Google Fiber
It is also a very good network provider with fast speeds. Their highest speed is 1000 Mbps, with an average cost of 70 to 100 dollars per month. They provide fiber optic connections so their users do not get any data cap and 99.99% availability. They also provide free installation for their customers. Their coverage area is limited, which is their biggest drawback.
05. Cox Communications
This internet provider provides 10 to 940 Mbps of internet speed, which is very helpful for home connections. Their price range is also not much ($29.99 to $129.99). They provide cable connections to their users, which also have panoramic wifi coverage.
This provider also does not ask for annual contact with their users. They can provide a 50-dollar prepaid card that has special plans. However, as customers have mentioned, some of their plans have hidden fees, and their customer service was not very satisfactory for them.
06. Spectrum
This network provider offers internet speeds between 100 and 940 Mbps. Their customers greatly appreciate their pricing, which ranges from $49.99 to $109.99 per month. For its residential customers, it provides fiber-optic connections.
They provide free modems to their customers, and users can cancel their plans whenever they want. Customers, however, expressed dissatisfaction with this provider’s customer service. Customers’ opinions of their customer service are mixed; some claim there are long wait periods and unfriendly employees.
Read to know: How to Spectrum Internet Pay Bill Online & Phone Number?
07. Optimum
It offers a very good network with quick speeds. Their maximum speed ranges from 300 to 940 Mbps, with a monthly cost of $35 to $65 on average. They provide fiber-optic connections, which have a 99.99% availability rate and no data limit for their customers.
When consumers choose certain plans, they also receive a $100 Amazon gift card. While their consumers are happy with their service, their sole flaw is the size of their coverage area.
08. CenturyLink
The internet speed that this network provider offers ranges from 15 to 940 Mbps. Their customers greatly appreciate their pricing, which ranges from $49 to $65 per month. For its residential customers, it provides both fiber-optic and DSL connections.
Moreover, they provide a unique “Price for Life” service that enables consumers to continue paying the same monthly rates up to the point at which they cancel their membership. Also, they do not skimp on any aspect of speed for their clients.
09. Windstream
It provides a great network at rapid speeds. Its maximum speed spans from 25 to 1000 Mbps, and its typical monthly price is between $25 and $75. They provide consumers with DSL and fiber-optic connections with a 99.99% availability rate and no usage cap.
With a $50 Kinetic Visa Prepaprovide, customers may choose 30-day satisfaction-guaranteed programs. Also, they provide a 30-day money-back guarantee so that customers may test their internet. The extent of their coverage area is their only shortcoming, even though their customers are content with their service.
10. HughesNet
They are among the top internet service providers worldwide. They have a $59.99 to $149.99 Mbps speed range. They provide their customers with optical fiber connections. The level of customer support offered by this network provider is well-regarded. Customers get free routers from them, and installation is also free.
According to their client, this supplier is 99% reliable and has no data limit. They also provide a $50 prepaid card with unique strategies for their clients. However, its limited coverage compared to other well-known internet providers is its sole flaw.
Faq
How fast will the internet be in 2030?
No one can exactly say how fast the internet will be at that time. However, one thing is sure: it will be much higher than this time. Even reaching 10 terabytes will not be impossible.
What is the future of the fastest internet speed?
No one can predict the future of the fastest internet speed, but it knows no bounds. Every day, engineers and researchers try their best to increase the speed of the internet to get better data exchange. They are researching fiber optics and 5G internet to provide better internet service.
How fast is NASA Wi-Fi?
The speed of NASA’s wifi is 622 Mbps. However, a typical ISP does not provide it. Rather, it uses special technology called the Space network. This technology can provide a much faster wifi speed than conventional wifi internet providers.
Conclusion
The most practical and straightforward method to find the fastest internet provider typically involves measuring internet speed, but this is not the only thing to consider. Customers who want the quickest internet speed in 2023 must check latency, coverage area, and customer service. That’s why providers like AT&T Internet, Spectrum, Optimum, Google Fiber, etc are renowned for their jobs.
