Wireless internet providers outnumber wired in the area, but Xfinity will be the best internet service provider for most in Cambridge. Xfinity's cable internet service has the best broadband coverage in Cambridge, low introductory pricing and some of the fastest download speeds available, up to 1,200 megabits per second.
Fellow cable ISP Astound offers the fastest download speeds of any local provider, up to 1,500Mbps, starting at just $55 a month, but availability is highly limited in Cambridge. Better availability would be ideal as the provider offers the fastest tier and the cheapest internet plan in Cambridge -- $20 per month for download speeds up to 300Mbps.
Like Astound, fiber provider Verizon Fios offers home internet in Cambridge but with little availability. Aside from Xfinity, your choices for broadband in Cambridge are instead likely to include fixed wireless providers Starry Internet, T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet.
Starry Internet provides a simple, low-cost internet connection if you’re moving into a building wired for service. Otherwise, look to Verizon 5G Home Internet for the best 5G speeds and value in Cambridge.
Our methodology
Cable
150 - 6,000 Mbps
$20 - $300 per month
Our take - Wherever you're or may be moving to in Cambridge, Xfinity is bound to be available, offering speeds of 300 to 1,200Mbps. All plans come with unlimited data and no contract requirements -- a rarity for Xfinity -- but expect a $15 equipment rental fee on your monthly bill if you choose to lease your modem/router.
Cable
150 - 6,000 Mbps
$20 - $300 per month
Fixed wireless
85 - 1,000 Mbps
$50 - $70 per month
Our take - Available speeds will vary (50 to 300Mbps or 85 to 1,000Mbps based on your plan), so the overall value will depend on the speeds you can get at your address. If the available speeds meet your needs, the contract-free service includes unlimited data, free equipment rental and a discount for qualifying Verizon mobile customers.
Fixed wireless
85 - 1,000 Mbps
$50 - $70 per month
Fixed wireless
50 - 1,000 Mbps
$30 - $80 per month
Our take - Starry Internet beams internet signals to the top of buildings, which are then sent along the building’s wiring to the individual units within. The technology provides a simple, convenient way to get online. If you’re moving into a building wired for Starry Internet, it’s definitely worth checking out for fast speeds and competitive pricing, including free equipment and unlimited data.
Fixed wireless
50 - 1,000 Mbps
$30 - $80 per month
Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Astound
Broadband Read full review |
Cable | $20-$55 | 300-1,500Mbps | None | None | None | 7 |
T-Mobile
Home
Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $60 ($40-$50 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
Starry
Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $40-$80 | 200-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7 |
Verizon
5G
Home
Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible 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 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
The best internet deals and the top promotions in Cambridge depend on what discounts are available then. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Cambridge internet providers, such as T-Mobile Home Internet and Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing, unlimited data or other incentives for a limited time. Many, including Starry and Verizon 5G Home Internet, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Astound
1500 Read full review |
$55 | 1,500Mbps | 50Mbps | None | Cable |
Xfinity
Gigabit
Extra Read full review |
$70 | 1,200Mbps | 40Mbps | None | Cable |
Astound
1000 Read full review |
$45 | 1,000Mbps | 10Mbps | None | Cable |
Starry
Gigabit Read full review |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 500Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
Xfinity
Gigabit Read full review |
$60 | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | None | Cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
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.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 consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What is the best internet service provider in Cambridge?
Is fiber internet available in Cambridge?
What is the cheapest internet provider in Cambridge?
Which internet provider in Cambridge offers the fastest plan?
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