Importance Score: 15 / 100 🟠
What is the Best Internet Provider in Ithaca?
For those seeking the best internet service provider in Ithaca, New York, FASTNET recommends Spectrum. This provider is recognized for its broad availability, rapid speeds, and clear pricing. Spectrum’s internet offerings in Ithaca include three plans – 100 Mbps, 500 Mbps, and 1,000 Mbps – presenting considerable value in the area with unlimited data and a modem included at no extra cost. A router is not provided.
Verizon Fios is also a strong contender, providing complimentary equipment rental, unlimited data, and a long-term price guarantee with each plan. However, its reach in Ithaca is limited. Verizon’s wireless home internet presents broader availability and many advantages similar to Verizon Fios, though speed consistency may vary.
For individuals exploring high-speed internet alternatives, particularly in Ithaca’s rural outskirts, T-Mobile Home Internet is a leading option. This service features free equipment, unlimited data, and no contracts, securing your rate for the duration of your service.
Spectrum, T-Mobile Home Internet, and both Verizon services provide plans around $50 monthly with autopay discounts. However, Spectrum delivers greater speed for the cost, making it a superior pick for economical internet. Spectrum also boasts the quickest download speeds in Ithaca, peaking at 1,000 Mbps, closely followed by Verizon Fios with a 940 Mbps plan. Verizon Fios outpaces Spectrum in upload speeds, reaching up to 880 Mbps compared to Spectrum’s 35 Mbps.
Ithaca, New York, Internet Providers Compared
| Provider | Internet Technology | Monthly Price Range | Speed Range | Monthly Equipment Costs | Data Cap | Contract | FASTNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Read full review |
Cable | $30-$70 | 100-1,000Mbps | $10 (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 with eligible mobile plans) | 87-415Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| Verizon Fios Read full review |
Fiber | $50-$90 ($35-$75 with eligible mobile plans) | 300-940Mbops | None | None | None | 7.6 |
Show more (0 item)
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Source: FASTNET analysis of provider data.
What’s the Cheapest Internet Plan in Ithaca?
| Plan | Starting Price | Max Download Speed | Monthly Equipment Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Advantage Read full review |
$30 | 100Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Spectrum Internet Premier Read full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Verizon Fios 300 Read full review |
$50 | 300Mbps | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | None |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 318Mbps | None |
Show more (0 item)
Source: FASTNET analysis of provider data.
How to Find Internet Deals and Promotions in Ithaca
The prime internet deals and leading promotions in Ithaca fluctuate based on current discounts. Many deals are temporary, but we consistently monitor for the latest offerings.
Internet providers in Ithaca, like Verizon Fios, may present reduced initial rates or promotional gifts for limited periods. However, numerous providers, including Spectrum and T-Mobile Home Internet, maintain consistent standard pricing throughout the year.
For a broader selection of promotions, consult our guide on top internet deals.
Fastest Internet Plans in Ithaca
| Plan | Starting Price | Max Download Speed | Max Upload Speed | Data Cap | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review |
$70 ($55 with eligible mobile plans) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
| Verizon Fios 1 Gig Read full review |
$90 ($75 with eligible mobile plans) | 940Mbps | 880Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Spectrum Internet Premier Read full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | 20Mbps | None | Cable |
| Verizon Fios 500 Read full review |
$70 | 500Mbps | 500Mbps | None | Fiber |
| T-Mobile Home Internet All-In Read full review |
$70 ($45 with eligible mobile plans) | 415Mbps | 55Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
Show more (1 item)
Source: FASTNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a Good Internet Speed?
Presently, most internet plans accommodate fundamental productivity and communication needs. For activities such as video conferencing, streaming, or gaming, a more robust connection enhances the user experience. The FCC provides guidelines for minimum recommended download speeds for various applications, noting these are estimates and actual performance can fluctuate based on connection type, provider, and location.
Further details are available in our guide on necessary internet speeds.
- 0 to 5 Mbps supports basic online activities like browsing, email, and low-resolution video streaming.
- 5 to 40 Mbps enables enhanced video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps suitably addresses the bandwidth demands of modern remote work, streaming, and online gaming for a single user.
- 100 to 500 Mbps allows for simultaneous high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming and gaming for one to two users.
- 500 to 1,000 Mbps accommodates high-bandwidth usage for three or more concurrent users.
How FASTNET Chose the Best Internet Providers in Ithaca
Internet service providers are numerous, especially regionally. Unlike consumer electronics, direct testing of every ISP in a city is impractical. Our method begins with researching pricing, availability, and speed data from our ISP history, provider websites, and FCC mapping data from FCC.gov.
Our process extends to verifying data on the FCC website to ensure our assessments include all providers in an area. We also use local addresses on provider websites to pinpoint resident-specific offerings. To gauge customer satisfaction, we consider sources like the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power. ISP plans and costs are dynamic; all details are current as of publication.
With this localized information, we focus on three core questions:
- Does the provider deliver sufficiently fast internet speeds?
- Is the service a good value for the price?
- Are customers satisfied with the service quality?
Answers are often nuanced, but providers aligning closest with “yes” to all three are recommended. For the most affordable internet, we prioritize plans with the lowest monthly costs, also considering potential price increases, equipment charges and contracts. Identifying the fastest internet is clearer: we analyze advertised speeds and real-world speed metrics from resources like Ookla and FCC reports. (FASTNET’s parent company, Ziff Davis, also owns Ookla.)
For a deeper understanding of our methodology, please visit our page detailing how we test ISPs.
Internet Providers in Ithaca, New York, FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Ithaca?
Spectrum is considered the leading internet service provider in Ithaca, largely because of its widespread high-speed internet availability and its competitive pricing on fast connections and simple service terms. Spectrum’s speed options in Ithaca span from 100 to 1,000 Mbps. All plans include a modem without rental fees, unlimited data, and no contract requirements.
Is fiber internet available in Ithaca?
Fiber internet service is accessible to roughly 22% of Ithaca, affecting around 3,500 households, based on recent FCC data. Service availability is highest in southeast Ithaca, especially in neighborhoods along Six Mile Creek and south of Cornell University. Verizon Fios is the primary fiber internet provider within Ithaca.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Ithaca?
Spectrum is the most affordable internet provider in Ithaca, offering starting rates at $30 per month for 100 Mbps download speeds. Beyond this entry-level plan, many internet providers in Ithaca start around $50 per month. Even in this price range, Spectrum delivers faster speeds for the money, up to 500 Mbps, although a router rental adds $10 monthly.
It’s worth considering that Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet, while having slower maximum speeds than Spectrum, both provide mobile plan discounts, potentially reducing costs to $35 per month. Additionally, there are no equipment fees for either, and both offer longer price guarantees than Spectrum – T-Mobile secures your monthly rate for as long as you maintain service.
Which internet provider in Ithaca offers the fastest plan?
Spectrum provides the top-tier speed plan in Ithaca, advertising maximum download speeds of 1,000 Mbps. Verizon 5G Home Internet also promotes peak download speeds of 1,000 Mbps, but this represents the upper limit of a range that could vary from 50 to 1,000 Mbps.
Verizon Fios features a 940 Mbps plan in Ithaca. While slightly slower than Spectrum’s highest speed plan in download speed, Verizon Fios’s 940 Mbps plan includes upload speeds up to 880 Mbps, significantly faster than Spectrum’s 35 Mbps maximum upload speed.