What is the best internet provider in Alexandria?
CNET ranks Verizon Fios as Alexandria's top-rated internet service provider, and for good reason. It's got fast fiber coverage, blistering fast speeds and reasonable prices. This includes unlimited data, free equipment rental and lengthy price guarantees. It's one of CNET's top-rated internet service providers country-wide, so it makes sense it would be good in Alexandria too.
It's got less availability and fewer plans, but Ting Fiber's flat rate and fast speeds make it a solid fiber internet alternative to Verizon. If you’re looking for a variety of plans, Xfinity offers the best selection, including the cheapest internet and fastest speed in Alexandria. Xfinity’s Connect More plan starts at $35 per month for speeds up to 300 megabits per second, while the Gigabit x2 plan offers speeds up to 2,000Mbps (2 gigabits per second) at $90 per month.
For more broadband options in Alexandria, look to fixed wireless internet from Verizon 5G Home Internet or T-Mobile Home Internet. Each provider is unique regarding speeds and pricing, but all offer unlimited data, free equipment and no contract requirements.
Best internet in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia, internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ting Fiber | Fiber | $89 | 1,000Mbps | None | None | None | N/A |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($30-$50 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $60-$80 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-250Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| Verizon Fios Read full review | Fiber | $59-$120 ($35-$85 with eligible mobile plans) | 300-2000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.6 |
| Xfinity Read full review | Cable | $35-$90 | 300-2,000Mbps | $15 (optional) | 1.2TB | None or 1 year | 7 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What's the cheapest internet plan in Alexandria?
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity 300 Read full review | $35 | 300Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Xfinity 1000 Read full review | $50 | 1000Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Verizon Fios 300 Read full review | $50 | 300Mbps | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 with Auto Pay ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | None |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($30 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Alexandria
The best internet deals and the top promotions in Alexandria depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
How many members of your household use the internet?
Alexandria internet providers, such as T-Mobile and Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or other promotions for a limited time. However many, including Verizon Fios, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Fastest internet plans in Alexandria
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Gigabit x2 Read full review | $90 | 2,000Mbps | 200Mbps | 1.2TB or unlimited | Cable |
| Verizon Fios 2 Gig Read full review | $120 ($85 with eligible mobile plans) | 2300Mbps | 880Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review | $70 | 1,200Mbps | 35Mbps | 1.2TB or unlimited | Cable |
| Xfinity Gigabit Read full review | $50 | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | 1.2TB or unlimited | Cable |
| Ting Fiber | $89 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review | $80 ($45 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | 75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
| Verizon Fios 1 Gig Read full review | $100 ($65 with eligible mobile plans) | 940Mbps | 880Mbps | None | Fiber |
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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 Federal Communications Commission. 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, streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Alexandria
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. So 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 FCC.gov.
But 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 the time 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?
While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though 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 also take into account real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Alexandria, Virginia, FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Alexandria?
Verizon Fios is the best internet service provider in Alexandria. As the area’s largest fiber internet provider, Verizon Fios offers fast download and upload speeds, unlimited data and straightforward pricing that includes a price guarantee of two to four years. Verizon Fios also claimed J.D. Power’s top spot for customer satisfaction in the East region in 2023.
Is fiber internet available in Alexandria?
Fiber internet is available to only around 20% of Alexandria households, according to recent FCC data released in December 2023. Serviceability is greatest in the Braddock Heights, Saint Elmo and Eisenhower East communities, though random service areas can be found throughout the city. Verizon Fios is Alexandria's largest fiber internet provider, though Ting Fiber also contributes to the area's fiber availability.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Alexandria?
Xfinity has the cheapest internet plan in Alexandria, with service starting at $35 per month for download speeds up to 300Mbps. Xfinity also has lower introductory pricing gig service, starting at $50 per month, compared to Ting Fiber ($89) and Verizon Fios ($100).
Remember that renting Wi-Fi equipment from Xfinity may add $15 to your monthly bill, bringing the all-in price up to or higher than other Alexandria internet providers that don't have an equipment rental fee. However, the equipment fee is optional, as customers can skip it by using their own equipment.
Which internet provider in Alexandria offers the fastest plan?
Xfinity and Verizon Fios have the fastest internet plan in Alexandria, offering download speeds up to 2,000Mbps starting at $90 and $100 per month, respectively. Xfinity also offers a 1,200Mbps and 1,000Mbps plan. Other internet providers in Alexandria, including Ting Fiber and Verizon 5G Home Internet top out at or slightly below 1,000Mbps.