Cable Internet Service Providers
Over the past couple of years, broadband cable Internet has become the preferred form of high speed Internet access for most residential users. With speeds up to 6.0 Mbps in a very affordable price range, cable Internet provides the fastest available download speeds.
Broadband Internet service comes into your home through the same cable network that provides your TV service. This means that, in nearly every instance, your Internet service provider will always be the same company that provides your cable TV service.
Listed below are the four biggest cable Internet companies and a brief over of their service offerings, including starting prices, download / upload speeds, special offers, and area of coverage.
Comcast Cable Internet
Online Price: $19.99/mo. for the first 3 mo.*
Comcast is the largest cable Internet provider in the U.S., and also recently became the largest ISP when they finally passed AT&T in total number of subscribers. The company has been implementing several improvements to their service in order to compete with fiber optic connections provided by Verizon and AT&T. This has improved their download speeds considerably and in some areas Comcast boosts of speeds up to 50 Mbps, although such connections are a bit pricey. They are working to make their PowerBoost™ enchancements available to as many of their subscribers as possible, and at much lower rates.
Download Speeds: up to 12 Mbps with PowerBoost™
Read our full Comcast Internet Review for more details.
Comcast is also offering a free Motorola wireless modem and $100 Cash Back when you sign up for their Internet service online. If you sign up for the Comcast Triple Play, you can get high speed Internet, digital cable television, and digital phone service all in one package - plus get up to $225 cash back.
Time Warner Cable Internet
Online Price: $34.95/mo. for the first 12 mo.*
Download Speeds: up to 5 Mbps in most areas
Read our full Time Warner Internet Review for more details.
New customers will receive a free wireless modem with Time Warner's Road Runner Internet service. You can also bundle up all three of Time Warner's services (Internet, TV & Phone) for the rate of $124.85/mo. when you sign up for new service online.
Cox Cable Internet
Online Price: $19.95/mo. for the first 3 mo.*
Download Speeds: up to 6 Mbps
Read our full Cox Internet Review for more details.
When you sign up online, you can get a free Motorola modem plus a free Fast Connect Kit for self-installation.
Charter Cable Internet
Online Price: $24.99/mo. for the first 6 mo.*
Download Speeds: up to 5 Mbps
Read our full Charter Internet Review for more details.
Charter is offering $50 cash back and a free Motorola modem to new customers that sign up online. Also, you can bundle Charter's Internet, cable TV and digital phone service and get up to $150 cash back.
Another recent advancement in broadband cable technology has been the development of wireless networking for the home. Although you will still need a physical cable connection coming into your residence, that cable will be connected to a wireless router. Cable Internet customers will then be able to connect multiple computers located anywhere in their home to their broadband cable connection.
One big way to save money on your cable Internet bill is to get a bundled offer from your cable service provider. Typically, they will charge you less for each service when you sign up for broadband Internet, cable TV, and digital phone service as part of a bundled plan.
To compare broadband Cable Internet with other forms of high speed Internet, return to our home page and check into DSL, Fiber or Satellite connections.