Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Although Annapolis could be seen as mainly a clash between Xfinity versus Verizon Fios, there are a few other options beyond the two others (Astound Broadband and T-Mobile Home Internet) we highlighted above.
Verizon Fios is our pick for the best internet provider in Annapolis, but residents have some decent options. Xfinity covers the area to the tune of 99% coverage, so your plan options won't be lacking. If you want to save money, Verizon and T-Mobile offer discounts if you bundle home internet service with certain phone plans. Finally, households in the select portions of northern Annapolis can turn to Astound Broadband for the area's best cheap internet rates.
How many members of your household use the internet?
The average starting rate for internet service in Annapolis is a decent $50 per month. That's slightly cheaper than its Maryland neighbor Baltimore, which rings in at an average starting price of $51 monthly. Even more impressive are the cheapest rates of $20-$25 per month, from Astound, which come with decent download speeds 341Mbps. Comparatively, one of Baltimore's cheapest providers, Port Networks, features maximum download speeds of 100Mbps.
I just mentioned that Astound offers monthly broadband plans for $20. Xfinity starts at $35 for 300Mbps, and it also has a $50 monthly plan ($115 after one year) that'll get you 1,000Mbps, and Astound offers a 600Mbps tier for $45 per month. Let's not forget that T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet offer decent discounts to eligible mobile plan customers, bringing those monthly costs down to $30 and $45, respectively.
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | Contract |
---|---|---|---|---|
Astound Broadband 300 Read full review | $20 | 300Mbps | $13 | None |
Xfinity Connect More Read full review | $35 ($79 after 24 months) | 300Mbps | $15 (optional) | None |
Verizon Fios 300 Read full review | $50 ($35 with eligible phone plans) | 300Mbps | None | None |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($35 with eligible phone plans) | 300Mbps | None | None |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $65 ($30 with eligible phone plans) | 245Mbps | None | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Recent Ookla speed test data shows Annapolis with median download speeds around 242Mbps. That's not bad. For context, Baltimore notched an average of 226Mbps and the state of Maryland averages 244Mbps. Also, FCC broadband data for Annapolis shows that 99.7% of Annapolis households can access broadband speeds of 100Mbps down and 20Mbps up. Again, that's slightly higher than the rest of the state at 96%.
Decent speeds can be found in Annapolis, but residents won't find some of the snazzy, multi-gig internet plans you'll find in Google Fiber cities, for example. The top speed in the area is 2,000Mbps, which you'll find with Xfinity via cable internet connection. Verizon Fios' top speed (1,000Mbps) doesn't match that, but as a fiber connection, its upload speed of 880Mbps out paces the 115Mbps upload speeds of its competitors. That makes a huge difference for all you remote workers and gamers out there.
Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Contract |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xfinity Gigabit X2 Read full review | 2,000Mbps | 206Mbps | $90 ($120 after 12 months | None | None |
Astound Broadband 1.2 Gig Read full review | 1,500Mbps | 25Mbps | $20 ($65 after 6 months) | None | None |
Xfinity Gigabit Read full review | 1,000Mbps | 23Mbps | $75 ($109 after 24 months) | None | None |
Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review | 1,000Mbps | 41Mbps | $80 ($119 after 24 months) | None | None |
Verizon Fios 1 Gig Read full review | 940Mbps | 880Mbps | $90 ($65 with eligible phone plans) | None | None |
Astound Broadband Gig Read full review | 940Mbps | 65Mbps | $20 ($55 after 6 months) | None | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
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. 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.
It doesn’t end there: We use 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 publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
The answers to those questions are often layered and complex, but the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although 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 consider 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.
In Annapolis, our first recommendation is to look to Verizon Fios. If those symmetrical fiber speeds aren't available at your address, you can still get plenty of pep from the cable connections of Xfinity and Astound Broadband. If you don't have multiple users at home, consider T-Mobile and Verizon as 5G home internet alternatives, especially if you can bundle them with an eligible cellphone plan for a deeper discount.
What's the cheapest internet in Annapolis?
Astound Broadband offers 300Mbps for $20 per month. Xfinity's offering is close behind on $35 for the same speed.
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Which internet provider in Annapolis offers the fastest plan?
Astound Broadband and Xfinity offer plans with maximum download speeds of 1,500Mbps and 2,000Mbps, respectively. Verizon Fios offers the fastest upload speeds, with a gigabit plan featuring 880Mbps up.
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Is fiber internet available in Annapolis?
Yes. Verizon Fios is the biggest force in fiber home internet in Annapolis. Xfinity offers some fiber-to-the-home service, but it requires a site survey, is much more expensive than Verizon Fios and therefore an unlikely option for most in the city.
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Source: cnet.com