Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
The internet pickings are slim in Rockford, and there aren’t many alternatives to the options listed above. Still, you might get lucky and have a few more options available at your address. Here’s every other internet provider that offers service in the city:
Rockford has some of the cheapest internet plans you’ll find anywhere in the country -- primarily due to Xfinity’s plans. Outside of Xfinity, Verizon 5G Home Internet is the only provider that has a plan available for $50 monthly or less, although T-Mobile Home Internet is available for as low as $40 a month when you bundle with an eligible cellphone plan.
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
---|---|---|---|
Xfinity Connect Read full review | $20 | 150Mbps | $15 (optional) |
Xfinity Connect More Read full review | $35 | 300Mbps | None |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Rockford's best internet deals and top promotions 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?
Rockford internet providers, such as T-Mobile Home Internet and Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including Verizon 5G Home Internet and Starlink, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
On average, Rockford broadband is slower than you’ll find in nearby cities like Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison. Xfinity is the only provider in the city that offers gig speeds -- or any speeds over 300Mbps. For comparison, Chicago has nine plans above 1,000Mbps available in the city.
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xfinity Gigabit X2 Read full review | $100 | 2,000Mbps | 200Mbps | Unlimited | Cable |
Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review | $85 | 1,200Mbps | 35Mbps | 1.2TB | Cable |
Xfinity Gigabit Read full review | $70 | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | 1.2TB | Cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
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 FCC. 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.
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 the Federal Communications Commission at 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:
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. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet in Rockford is a mixed bag. On the one hand, every address in the city has access to minimum broadband speeds -- defined by the FCC as 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload. The downside is that that’s almost entirely through one provider: Xfinity. While T-Mobile Home Internet and Starlink are viable options in some areas, Xfinity is so far ahead of the competition that there isn’t actually much competition in the city.
What is the best internet service provider in Rockford?
Xfinity is the best internet service provider in Rockford. It’s the only provider with a wired connection in the area, so it has the fastest and most reliable speeds. Still, there are downsides to consider, like price increases, contracts, data caps and slow upload speeds.
Is fiber internet available in Rockford?
Fiber internet is available to only 1% of Rockford residents, according to FCC data. Xfinity offers fiber connections to a smattering of homes on the city's south side.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Rockford?
Xfinity is the cheapest internet provider in Rockford, with prices starting at $20 per month. That said, prices increase significantly on all Xfinity plans after a year or two.
Which internet provider in Rockford offers the fastest plan?
Xfinity offers the fastest plan in Rockford, with download speeds up to 2,000Mbps and upload speeds up to 200Mbps.
Source: cnet.com