What are the best internet providers in Reading?
Xfinity is the premier internet service provider in Reading, Pennsylvania.This is mainly because it is the only viable wired internet option in the area. As the area’s primary broadband source, Xfinity offers the cheapest internet in Redding ($25 per month for speeds up to 150 megabits per second) and the fastest internet at up to 2,000 Mbps.
If you’re looking for an Xfinity alternative in Reading, unfortunately there aren’t many options. Frontier offers DSL internet in parts of Redding, but its speeds are probably below what would qualify as broadband, and its $65/month pricing is more than you’d pay for Xfinity’s 800Mbps max .
Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet wireless internet are the only reasonable broadband options aside from Xfinity in Reading. Verizon 5G home internet has better price and speed potential, and T-Mobile home internet boasts better coverage. Both providers offer bundle discounts with their mobile services.
CNET recommends the leading and best internet services across multiple categories, considering speed, pricing, customer service, and overall value. Our evaluations include reference to a proprietary database built over many years of reviewing Internet services. Verify against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. He also carefully reads the provider’s terms and conditions, and if necessary, he calls the ISP to find out more.
While we strive to find the most up-to-date and accurate information, there are some limitations to our process that you should be aware of. Price and speed data is subject to change. Certain addresses may have different tiers of service, and monthly costs may vary even within the same city. The best way to identify a particular option is to enter the address on the provider’s website.
In addition, the prices, speeds, and other information listed on the provider cards above and below may differ from what our research reveals. The card shows you the full range of rates and speeds from providers across the United States, based on a database of plan information provided directly by your ISP, but the text is specific to what’s available in Reading. The prices referenced within the body of this article are based on our research and include discounts for setting up automatic monthly payments, an industry standard service. Other discounts and promotions may also be available, such as signing up for a fixed term contract or bundling multiple services.
For more information on how we vet internet providers, please see our full methodology page.
Best Internet in Reading, Pennsylvania
150～6,000 Mbps
$20 – $300 per month
Our view – A lack of local competition makes Xfinity the best internet provider in Reading, but even if there are other ISPs available, Xfinity will still stand out as a top choice. Xfinity has low introductory prices and fast speeds, especially for a cable internet provider. A $15 equipment rental fee may apply and a 1-year commitment may be required to receive the lowest price.
150～6,000 Mbps
$20 – $300 per month
fixed wireless
85 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $70 per month
Our view – If you’re looking for an Xfinity alternative, check to see if your address is compatible with Verizon 5G Home Internet. At 50-300 Mbps or 85-1,000 Mbps depending on the plan you choose, the speed potential is higher than T-Mobile Home Internet, but the starting price is $10 less.
fixed wireless
85 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $70 per month
fixed wireless
72～245 Mbps
$60 per month
Our view – While Verizon 5G Home Internet is a better value for fixed wireless Internet in Redding, more local households will now have access to T-Mobile Home Internet. Speeds are slow, ranging from 72 to 245Mbps, and prices can be higher than Verizon at $60 per month. Still, if you’re looking for an Xfinity alternative, this service is worth checking out.
fixed wireless
72～245 Mbps
$60 per month
Comparison of Internet Providers in Reading, Pennsylvania
| provider | internet technology | Monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment costs | data limit | contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
frontier |
DSL | $65 | Indeterminate | none | none | none | 6.3 |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet |
fixed wireless | $60 ($40 on eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | none | none | none | 7.4 |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet |
fixed wireless | $50 to $70 ($35 to $45 on eligible mobile plans) | 50～1,000Mbps | none | none | none | 7.2 |
|
Xfinity |
cable | $25 – $100 | 150-2,000Mbps | $15 (optional) | none | 1 year (optional) | 7 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Reading?
| plan | starting price | maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Xfinity Connect |
$25 | 150Mbps | $15 (optional) |
|
Xfinity Connect Details |
$35 | 300Mbps | $15 (optional) |
|
xfinity first |
$45 | 500Mbps | $15 (optional) |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet |
$50 ($35 on eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | none |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet |
$60 ($40 on eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | none |
See more (1 results)
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet sales and promotions in Reading
The best internet deals and top promotions in Reading depend on the discounts available during the period. Most sales have a short shelf life, but we check frequently for the latest offers.
Reading internet providers like T-Mobile Home Internet and Xfinity may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Other services like Verizon 5G Home Internet and Frontier have the same standard pricing throughout the year.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
Fastest internet plans in Reading
| plan | starting price | maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | data limit | connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Xfinity Gigabit x2 |
100 dollars | 2,000Mbps | 200Mbps | none | cable |
|
Xfinity Gigabit Extra |
$80 | 1,200Mbps | 35Mbps | none | cable |
|
xfinity gigabit |
$60 | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | 1.2TB | cable |
|
Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet |
$70 ($45 on eligible mobile plans) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | none | fixed wireless |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet connectivity plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that supports video conferencing, streaming video, and gaming, you’ll enjoy a better experience with a more robust connection. According to the FCC, here’s a summary of recommended minimum download speeds for various applications: Please note that these are just guidelines and internet speed, service and performance will vary depending on connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide to the internet speed you actually need.
- At 0-5Mbps, you can tackle basic tasks like browsing the Internet, sending and receiving emails, and streaming low-quality videos.
- 5-40Mbps allows for higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40-100Mbps provides a single user with enough bandwidth to meet the demands of modern work-from-home, video streaming, and online gaming.
- 100-500Mbps allows one or two users to simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- 500-1,000Mbps allows three or more users to participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How CNET chooses the best internet providers in Reading, Pennsylvania
There are many Internet service providers and they vary by region. Unlike the latest smartphones, laptops, routers, and kitchen tools, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a particular city. So what is our approach? First, we research pricing, availability, and speed information using our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC.gov).
But that’s not the end. We went to the FCC’s website and checked the data to ensure we considered all ISPs serving the area. Also, enter your local address on the provider’s website to find specific options for residents. Consult sources such as the US Customer Satisfaction Index and his JD Power to rate how satisfied customers are with their ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices may change frequently. All information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once you have this localized information, ask three main questions:
- Does your provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting value for their money?
- Are your customers satisfied with your service?
The answers to these questions are often layered and complex, but the provider that comes closest to a “yes” to all three is recommended. When choosing the cheapest internet service, look for the plan with the lowest monthly fee, although you also consider factors such as markups, equipment fees, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively easy. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider actual speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To find out more about our process, please visit our How We Test ISPs page.
Internet Providers in Reading, Pennsylvania Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best internet service provider in Reading?
The only wired broadband provider available in the area, Xfinity is the best internet provider in Reading, Pennsylvania. Xfinity has the highest availability and plan variety in Redding, including some of the cheapest and fastest internet plans in the area.
Is fiber internet available in Reading?
Fiber internet is not available in Reading, Pennsylvania, according to the latest FCC data. Two of the nation’s largest fiber-optic internet providers, Frontier and Verizon, are available in Redding, but neither offers fiber-optic service in the area. Xfinity also offers fiber internet in some areas, but Reading isn’t one of them.
Where is the cheapest internet provider in Reading?
Xfinity offers the cheapest internet plans in Redding, starting at $25 per month with download speeds up to 150Mbps. Xfinity offers two additional plans at starting prices that are lower than the standard price of Verizon 5G Home Internet or T-Mobile Home Internet. Xfinity Connect More and Xfinity Fast start at $35 and $45 per month and offer speeds up to 300 Mbps and 500 Mbps, respectively.
Which internet provider offers the fastest plans in Reading?
Xfinity is the only provider that offers read speeds of over 1Gbps. Xfinity Gigabit Extra has a maximum download speed of 1,200Mbps, while the Gigabit x2 plan has a maximum download speed of 2,000Mbps. Verizon 5G home internet has a maximum speed of up to 1,000 Mbps, but your actual speed may be lower, as plans advertise a range of 85 to 1,000 Mbps.
