Internet Providers in Reading, PA
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Residential Internet Statistics for Reading, PA
| Internet Providers: | 10 |
|---|---|
| Internet Plans: | 26 |
| Fastest Speed Available: | 1,000 Mbps |
| Average Plan Price: | $67.4 |
Most Popular Residential Internet Providers in Reading, Pennsylvania
96.1% Available
15 Mbps
Download
1 Mbps
Upload
92.6% Available
1,000 Mbps
Download
35 Mbps
Upload
2.3% Available
Call For Speed Availability
Internet Access in Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading has only two major broadband network options to understand — coaxial cable (99.26% coverage) and DSL (98.08% availability). Cable broadband service is generally provided from TV corporations via their pre-existing coaxial copper TV cables on utility poles or buried in the road. DSL, similarly, is sent over phone wires. The vast majority of Reading neighborhoods and addresses can access both cable service and/or DSL from two alternating telecom companies.
Coverage from the two biggest providers, Viasat Internet and HughesNet, generally, will overlap. As a result, the decision between Viasat and HughesNet is common.
2-3 Internet options per block isn't a high level of choice compared to other areas, but it's sufficient to improve performance and pricing in neighborhoods with provider overlap. Choice can vary depending on your neighborhood.
The packages displayed here are collected manually by our research staff. The 61 Internet packages shown are the most current out of 446 packages we've seen in Reading to date.
Aside from the Internet options listed above, Verizon High Speed Internet provides a third option for wired broadband in 96 percent of Reading. Wireless choices are available. However, wired providers virtually always have better pricing for the speed. As detailed in the map below, the majority of Reading residents can get service from wired broadband.
- There are 26 internet providers in Reading with 10 of those offering residential service
- Reading is the 280th most connected city in Pennsylvania ahead of Temple and Leesport, but behind Blandon, Mohnton, and Birdsboro.
- Explore internet access for communities within Reading: Wyomissing, West Reading, Shillington, Laureldale, West Lawn, Sinking Spring, and Mount Penn
- The fastest zip code in Reading for April 2021 is 19608. (see all below).
Internet Statistics 2021
2.3% of consumers in Reading
4,000 People Only have access to 1 or fewer wired internet providers available at their address.This data is calculated from FCC datasets which providers are legally required to supply twice a year. We further validate this data for accuracy.
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Summary Of Fastest Internet Providers In Reading, Pennsylvania
| Provider | Speed | Type | Time To Download 1 GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Electric Cablevision | 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 8s |
| Blue Ridge Communications | 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 8s |
| Windstream | 1,000 Mbps | Fiber | 8s |
| XFINITY from Comcast | 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 8s |
| Windstream | 300 Mbps | DSL | 27s |
| Viasat Internet | 50 Mbps | Satellite | 2m 43s |
| HughesNet | 25 Mbps | Satellite | 5m 27s |
| Frontier Communications | Call For Speed Availability | DSL | 4m 33s |
Summary of Internet Providers Availability in Reading, Pennsylvania
- Xfinity - Cable - 92.6% Availability in Reading - Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
- Service Electric Cablevision - Cable - 15.8% Availability in Reading - Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
- Blue Ridge - Cable - 14.0% Availability in Reading - Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
- Windstream - DSL - 4.5% Availability in Reading - Speeds up to 300 Mbps
- Frontier - DSL - 2.3% Availability in Reading - Call For Speed Availability
- Windstream - Fiber - 1.1% Availability in Reading - Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
- Viasat - Satellite - 100.0% Availability in Reading - Speeds up to 50 Mbps
- HughesNet - Satellite - 100.0% Availability in Reading - Speeds up to 25 Mbps
Internet Providers in Nearby Cities
Internet Provider Competition Map For Reading
The “Connected” metric is a citywide average based on FCC data showing the density of broadband options at the census block level.
This statistic is drawn from the population in census blocks not served by at least one wired broadband provider.
This coverage statistic is based on a mix of FCC and private provider reporting in the past two quarters.
Zip-based speed averages are calculated from M-Labs consumer speed tests run by IP addresses in the area.
25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload is the minimum speed for an Internet connection to be classified as “Broadband” by the FCC.
Broadband Access for Education in Reading
Alvernia University and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks are the largest universities in Reading. For the 5,756 combined students living in the area, fast broadband access is a must for obtaining educational materials and conducting research. Both universities have 3-4 internet providers at the average address within two miles of either campus. Alvernia University students that live near campus can expect to get downstream speeds of around 74.2 Mbps, according to speed test data in the Alvernia University zip. Speeds close to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks average out to 115.4 Mbps over 16,832 tests run in the past year. FCC and US Government reports frequently cite the need to improve internet service access for college and high school students. There is a strong correlation between increased high-speed broadband access and increased education/employment opportunities, especially in small cities and rural areas.
Data Cap Issues and Cord Cutting Around Reading
Data collected by our researchers shows that common providers in the area place a limit on data use for their home Internet connections. Data caps are disliked because subscribers see them as a tactic for limiting streaming. Providers explain they are a reasonable strategy for managing network traffic. In either case, the issue is the same: streaming video, which can use one to seven Gigabytes/hr.
Internet access in Reading neighborhoods
We have compiled data about Internet availability across these neighborhoods within Reading: Wyomissing, West Reading, Shillington, Laureldale, West Lawn, Sinking Spring, Mount Penn.
Summary Of Internet Providers In Reading
Compare Reading to the 5 largest cities in the US
Customer Reviews of Internet Providers in Reading
Service Electric Cablevision and PenTeleData - Often the best choice
Service Electric Cablevision (SECV) says it was the first cable provider in the United States and it tries to keep-up even though it is a regional family owned company in the backyard of Comcast. PenTeleData (PTD) provides Internet for SECV. SECV is generally the fastest Internet service provider in its footprint. Its pricing and services are similar to Comcast XFinity and FIOS (which is generally in the more urban markets near the more rural SECV service areas). Overall, SECV or Comcast are the only real residential broadband choices in our area, and where you live determines which is available. Businesses, governmental, and non-profits have more options available, including service directly from PTD. PTD has been a good value for my residential Internet service for more than 20 years, beginning with the Zenith proprietary cable modem service before DOCSIS.