What are the best internet providers in Springfield?
With fast, symmetrical speeds and easy-to-understand pricing that includes equipment rental, unlimited data, and no set markups. AT&T Fiber offers the best value of any Internet provider in Springfield. The 100% fiber optic provider boasts some of the fastest internet speeds in Springfield (up to 5,000 Mbit/s) and offers a variety of plans from 300 to 2,000 Mbps.
Xfinity also offers a negligible amount of fiber service to Springfield, but the provider primarily uses a cable internet network. As a result, maximum speeds are slower (especially when it comes to upload speeds), but Xfinity offers download speeds of up to 1,200Mbps in most areas. Xfinity also offers the cheapest internet plans in Springfield, starting at $20 per month with download speeds up to 75Mbps.
For broadband alternatives to AT&T and Xfinity, consider fixed wireless service from T-Mobile Home Internet, Rise Broadband, or Verizon 5G Home Internet. T-Mobile Home Internet is probably your best option, as it’s faster than Rise Broadband and has much better coverage than Verizon 5G Home Internet in Springfield.
CNET recommends the best internet service in Springfield across a variety of 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 displays the full range of prices 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 Springfield. 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 Springfield, Illinois
300 – 5,000 Mbps
$55 – $250 per month
Our view – AT&T Fiber isn’t the cheapest, but it offers a lot of value. The service doesn’t come with all the benefits from Xfinity, including free equipment rental, unlimited data, no contracts, and no setup price increases.
300 – 5,000 Mbps
$55 – $250 per month
75 – 2,000 Mbps
$20 – $120 per month
Our view – Xfinity is a great choice if you want to use the internet in some areas of Springfield where AT&T Fiber isn’t available, or if you’re looking for a low-cost internet connection. Services start at $20 per month (less than half the price of AT&T Fiber’s lowest plan) and offer download speeds of up to 75Mbps. Equipment rental may add $15 to your bill, but faster Xfinity plans may include equipment rental at no additional charge.
75 – 2,000 Mbps
$20 – $120 per month
fixed wireless
72~245 Mbps
$60 per month
Our view – T-Mobile home internet is probably a decent, hassle-free internet option if you can get by with speeds between 72 and 245Mbps. There are no contracts, data caps or equipment fees, and eligible mobile customers can receive an extra $10 or $20 off their monthly home internet bill.
fixed wireless
72~245 Mbps
$60 per month
Springfield, IL Internet Provider Comparison
provider | internet technology | Monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment costs | data limit | contract | CNET review score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AT&T |
DSL, fiber | DSL $55, Fiber $55-$225 | 10-100Mbps DSL, 300-5,000Mbps Fiber | none | none | none | 7.4 |
The rise of broadband |
fixed wireless | $55 | 25-50Mbps | $ 10 | none | none | 6.2 |
T-Mobile Home Internet |
fixed wireless | $60 ($40-$50 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 | $20-$85 | 75-1,200Mbps | $15 (included in most plans) | 1.2TB | 1-2 years (optional) | 7 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to Find Internet Sales and Promotions in Springfield
The best internet deals and top promotions in Springfield depend on the discounts available during the period. Most sales have a short shelf life, but we check frequently for the latest offers.
Springfield internet providers such as T-Mobile Home Internet and Xfinity may offer lower introductory prices and other incentives, such as free equipment rental for a limited time. Other services, such as AT&T Fiber and Rise Broadband, have the same standard rates throughout the year.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
Fastest Internet Plans in Springfield
plan | starting price | maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | data limit | connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AT&T Internet 5000 |
$225 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | none | fiber |
AT&T Internet 2000 |
$125 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | none | fiber |
Xfinity Gigabit Extra |
$85 | 1,200Mbps | 35Mbps | 1.2TB | cable |
AT&T Internet 1000 |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | none | fiber |
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 Springfield, Illinois
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 based on 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Internet Providers in Springfield, IL
Who is the best internet service provider in Springfield?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet service provider in Springfield. AT&T Fiber, the region’s largest fiber internet provider, offers a variety of speeds ranging from 300 to 5,000 Mbps. All plans include symmetrical upload and download speeds, unlimited data, and free equipment rental. AT&T Fiber’s speed, pricing, and simple service terms have earned the provider high customer satisfaction ratings from the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power in recent years.
Is fiber optic internet available in Springfield?
The latest FCC data from June 2023 shows that just over 43% of Springfield households, or approximately 28,800 households, have access to fiber internet. AT&T Fiber is Springfield’s largest fiber-optic internet provider and is responsible for the majority of fiber-optic coverage throughout the area.
Where is the cheapest internet provider in Springfield?
Xfinity offers the cheapest internet service in Springfield, with plans starting at $20 and $35 with download speeds up to 75 Mbps and 200 Mbps, respectively. T-Mobile Home Internet could be the next cheapest internet provider, but only if you combine it with mobile bundle discounts that drop monthly rates to $40 or $50.
Which internet provider offers the fastest plans in Springfield?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest internet plans in Springfield with speeds up to 5,000Mbps. Other speed tiers range from 300 to 2,000Mbps. AT&T Fiber plans feature symmetrical upload and download speeds, which is a unique benefit of fiber internet service. Xfinity offers download speeds of up to 1,200 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps in Springfield, but maximum upload speeds are significantly lower at 35 Mbps.