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What is the best internet provider in Delaware?
If you’re looking for internet service in Delaware, this guide will help you find the best option based on your needs and budget. Verizon Fios is currently CNET’s top pick for Delaware’s best internet service provider. Its symmetrical upload and download speeds, stable pricing, unlimited data and promotional offers help it outperform competing ISPs in the state. Such perks have earned Verizon Fios the top spot in J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction survey in the East region for 11 consecutive years.
Xfinity has the best selection of high-speed internet plans in Delaware, including one of the cheapest broadband options, starting at $30 monthly for download speeds up to 300 megabits per second. Mediacom is also a solid choice for cheap internet, with service starting at $20 monthly for speeds up to 250Mbps.
You’ll also find that Xfinity offers the fastest maximum download speeds in Delaware, up to 1,200Mbps, although I’d have to recommend Verizon Fios if you’re looking for reliable gigabit speeds. Verizon Fios doesn’t have the same maximum download speed potential (940Mbps), but it has much faster maximum upload speeds (880Mbps compared with Xfinity’s 35Mbps) and the reliability advantage of a 100% fiber-optic service.
Delaware internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloosurf | Fixed wireless | $65-$150 | 15-100Mbps | $10 (optional) | None | None | N/A |
| Breezeline | Cable | $20-$50 | 100-1,000Mbps | $15 (optional) | None | None | N/A |
| Hughesnet Read full review |
Satellite | $50-$100 | 50-100Mbps | $15 monthly or $300 purchase fee | Varies, 100-200GB | 2 years | 5.7 |
| Mediacom Read full review |
Cable | $20-$65 | 250-1,000Mbps | $14 | 400-3,000GB | None | 6.4 |
| Starlink Read full review |
Low-orbit satellite | $90-$120 | 20-220Mbps | $499 purchase fee | None | None | N/A |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($40-$50 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| Verizon Fios Read full review |
Fiber | $50-$90 | 300-940 | None | None | None | 7.6 |
| Viasat Read full review |
Satellite | $70-$300 | 12-100Mbps | $13 monthly or $299 upfront | Varies, 40-300GB | 2 years | 6.1 |
| Xfinity Read full review |
Cable | $30-$75 | 300-1,200Mbps | $13 (optional) | None | 2 or 3 years (optional) | 7 |
Show more (6 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Delaware
- Bloosurf: Local fixed wireless internet provider Bloosurf is a decent option for home internet in rural and suburban areas around Middletown, Bridgeville, Seaford and Oceanview. At $65 to $150 a month for speeds of 15 to 100Mbps, service is relatively expensive for the speeds you get, so be sure to explore other potential providers before signing up.
- Breezeline: Cable internet from Breezeline is fast and cheap, with plans starting at $20 a month and max speeds up to 1,000Mbps. Unfortunately, availability is highly limited in Delaware, with only around 4% of residences — mostly in parts of Middletown, Townsend and Delaware City — eligible for service.
- Mediacom: If cable internet from Xfinity is unavailable, Mediacom is likely the other option. Speeds and pricing are on par with other cable providers ($20 to $65 per month for speeds of 250 to 1,000Mbps), but all plans come with a data cap and a $14 modem rental fee.
- Satellite internet: Over 99% of Delaware has access to a wired or fixed wireless broadband connection (defined as speeds of 25Mbps down, 3Mbps up and higher), so you shouldn’t have to rely on satellite internet service. If satellite is your only practical option, Hughesnet and Viasat are almost always available, though Starlink may be the better choice for speed and data.
Cheap internet options in Delaware
Mediacom and Breezeline offer the cheapest entry-level internet plans at $20 a month for 250Mbps and 100Mbps, respectively. Mediacom holds a slight advantage over Breezeline with an 8-cent cost per Mbps compared to Breezeline’s 20 cents per Mbps. Mediacom is also more widely available than Breezeline, according to the FCC, making it more accessible.
Xfinity’s $30 Connect More plan offers three times the maximum speed of Breezeline’s entry-level plan and is available to many more households in the state. Keep in mind that renting Wi-Fi equipment may add $15 to your bill, and a term agreement may be required to get the lowest Xfinity price.
For those who qualify for the mobile discount, Verizon 5G Home Internet has the lowest all-in pricing, including equipment rental, at $35 monthly. T-Mobile Home Internet isn’t far behind, with speeds of 72 to 245Mbps for the potential all-in cost of $40 a month.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Delaware?
| Provider/plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mediacom 250 Read full review |
$20 | 250Mbps | $14 |
| Breezeline Base | $20 | 100Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Xfinity Connect More Read full review |
$30 | 200Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Verizon Fios 300 Read full review |
$50 | 300Mbps | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 50-300Mbps | None |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None |
Show more (2 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Delaware
The best internet deals and top promotions in Delaware depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Delaware internet providers, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or promotional offers for a limited time. Many, including Verizon Fios and Mediacom, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is Delaware broadband?
Recent Ookla speed test data from the first half of 2024 ranks Delaware seventh fastest overall among all US states and Washington, D.C., with median download speeds of around 250Mbps. That’s faster than the national average (243Mbps) and the neighboring states of Maryland (240Mbps) and Pennsylvania (226Mbps) but just a tick below New Jersey (also around 254Mbps, good for sixth overall).
Verizon is listed as the fastest provider in the state, with median download speeds of 269Mbps. That said, Xfinity does offer the fastest plan in the state with maximum download speeds up to 1,200Mbps and a median download speed of 237Mbps, but that’s common for cable internet providers.
Fastest internet plans in Delaware
| Provider/plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review |
$75 | 1,200Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
| Breezeline Gigafast | $50 | 1,000Mbps | 50Mbps | None | Cable |
| Mediacom 1 Gig Unlimited Read full review |
$65 | 1,000Mbps | 50Mbps | Unlimited | Cable |
| Verizon Fios 1 Gig Read full review |
$90 | 940Mbps | 880Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review |
$70 ($45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 85-1,000Mbps | 50-75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
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 and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one person sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two people to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more people to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Delaware
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. 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.
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?
The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who 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, although 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 page on how we test ISPs.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Delaware?
A fiber internet connection is often preferred, especially regarding the speeds, stable pricing, added perks and high customer satisfaction of Verizon Fios. As such, Verizon Fios is CNET’s top pick for home internet in Delaware, although it isn’t the outright cheapest, fastest or most widely available provider in the state.
Breezeline and Mediacom offer the cheapest internet plans in Delaware, starting at $20 monthly, for speeds of 100Mbps and 250Mbps, respectively. but availability is limited. Xfinity has the next cheapest plan at $30 for speeds up to 300Mbps, not to mention the fastest maximum speed (1,200Mbps) and the best availability of any non-satellite provider in the state.
Wireless internet from T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet is another practical option for broadband service. The low pricing and simple service terms make for an enticing alternative to traditional fiber and cable internet services, even if wireless internet lacks the same speed potential.
Internet providers in Delaware FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Delaware?
Verizon Fios has the best fiber-optic coverage in Delaware, the fastest upload speeds, the best record of customer satisfaction from J.D. Power in the East region, and other attributes that make it the best ISP in the state.
Xfinity has the best wired internet coverage in Delaware, along with lower pricing and faster download speeds than Verizon Fios. Still, the eventual steep price increases, potential equipment fees and possible contract requirements make Xfinity tougher to recommend in areas where Verizon Fios is also available.
Is fiber internet available in Delaware?
Nearly half (47%) of Delaware households are serviceable for fiber internet. That’s not to say coverage is widespread throughout the state. Service is largely limited to Delaware’s metro areas, including Wilmington, Dover, Middletown and Long Neck. Verizon Fios is the largest fiber internet provider in Delaware.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Delaware?
Mediacom’s cheapest plan is the most affordable at $20 monthly and it offers faster speeds of up to 250Mbps compared to other companies at this price and is much more widely available to Delaware residents.
Which internet provider in Delaware offers the fastest plan?
Xfinity’s Gigabit Extra plan offers the fastest maximum download speeds in Delaware at 1,200Mbps. Upload speeds are drastically lower (35Mbps) due to Xfinity’s use of a cable internet network. Verizon Fios offers the fastest plan considering download and upload speeds. The Fios 1 Gig plan advertises download speeds up to 940Mbps and maximum upload speeds of 880Mbps.
