While there’s a limited number of internet providers in Richmond, you have a good selection to choose from. The best internet providers in Richmond are Xfinity and Verizon, with T-Mobile Home Internet as a good alternative. Xfinity offers the most coverage and is available to 97 percent of the city. Verizon is a bit behind, offering coverage to nearly 82 percent of households.
Fastest Internet Providers in Richmond
Verizon overall has the fastest internet in Richmond, thanks to their fiber internet service, Verizon Fios. In fact, Verizon offers multiple forms of internet, with the two most prominent being fiber internet, branded as Verizon Fios, and DSL internet, branded as Verizon High Speed Internet. Their DSL name belies the fact that you can only get download speeds up to 15 Mbps and upload speeds up to 1 Mbps. Verizon Fios, on the other hand, can get download speeds up to 940 Mbps and upload speeds up to 880 Mbps.
Xfinity will be your fastest option where Verizon Fios isn’t available. Xfinity offers the fastest download speeds in the city (up to 1,200 Mbps), but upload speeds are limited to 35 Mbps with their cable internet. Xfinity also offers fiber internet with up to 2,000 Mbps in download and upload speeds, but you won’t have access to it unless you live east of the Oakwood Cemetery.
T-Mobile recently deployed it’s 5G and LTE-powered internet service, T-Mobile Home Internet. Currently, most customers get speeds around 100 Mbps and higher. We expect speed to increase as T-Mobile continues to expand its 5G network.
Cheapest Internet in Richmond
Truth be told, Xfinity has the lowest-priced plan in Richmond, offering up to 50 Mbps for $19.99 a month. However, if you’re looking for the best deals, Verizon Fios is your best choice. Verizon Fios pricing starts at $39.99 a month for download and upload speeds up to 200 Mbps. Xfinity charges $34.99 a month for half the speed (up to 100 Mbps). Expect to pay around $80 a month if you want a gigabit plan. Verizon Fios offers up to 940 Mbps for $79.99 a month, while Xfinity charges $74.99 per month for up to 800 Mbps and $84.99 a month for up to 1,200 Mbps.
Comparing Xfinity and Verizon
If you have access to Verizon Fios, don’t waste time comparing it to Xfinity. Verizon Fios is the better option whether you want an internet-only plan or to bundle services. Verizon Fios offers more TV channels and faster internet speeds than Xfinity. What puts Xfinity over the edge for some users are their promotions and perks like access to Xfinity’s nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots. Click on “View Plans & Pricing” next to each provider to see which promotions are currently available.
Digital Equity Programs in Richmond
Richmond residents can access free Wi-Fi hotspots at several public libraries, elementary, and middle schools. These hotspots are accessible whether you’re inside or outside the buildings. Be sure to visit the interactive map of publicly available hotspots created by the Commonwealth Connect Team and Virginia Tech. Affordable home internet is available through programs such as LifeLine and the Emergency Broadband Benefit. Be sure to contact Verizon or Xfinity to see if you qualify for their discounted rates.
Download Speeds up to:*6 Gbps*Not all internet speeds available in all areas.
