Compare Internet Providers in 46283 Indianapolis, IN

Before you can start to compare internet plans, you’ll need to know which type of internet services are available. Indianapolis internet providers can provide several different technologies, all of which have different strengths.

DSL Internet

DSL is an older internet technology than cable or fiber internet and had its heyday back in the 1990s. DSL internet service runs through the same copper wiring as landline telephone signals. DSL is much slower than most cable connections and all fiber connections. The chief reason most DSL customers choose DSL is because no cable or fiber infrastructure serves their homes. Still, DSL is ten times faster than dial-up internet.

Cable Internet

Cable internet transmits your internet data along the same cables that carry cable television. In recent years, cable technology has improved by leaps and bounds. Today, cable internet plans can sometimes provide download speeds as fast as those of many fiber plans. Cable’s upload speeds, however, will always be much lower than upload speeds for fiber.

Fiber Internet

Fiber internet sends data through fiber optic lines. Traveling as pulses of light, fiber signals are far faster than previous internet signals. One crucial advantage of fiber internet is that its upload speeds are the same as download speeds. All non-fiber internet types are very lopsided, with download speeds much greater than their upload speeds. Fiber’s fast upload speeds mean that real-time activities such as videoconferencing and multiplayer gaming can take place with lightning swiftness and no delays or glitches. The fastest fiber plans are more expensive, naturally, so consider how much speed you need if fiber is available for you. Top fiber internet providers in Indianapolis are AT&T Fiber, MetroNet and Earthlink.

Satellite Internet

If you’re on the fringes of Indianapolis or in Marion County’s more rural areas, you may want to consider satellite service. Though satellite service is much slower than most cable or fiber, it sometimes can compete with DSL, depending on the speeds of each. You can still do most common internet activities through satellite internet. The great benefits of satellite service are coverage and reliability. Any home in America that has a clear view of the southern sky can get satellite internet service. If you have gamers in your household, you should know that multiplayer gaming is not usually recommended for satellite. Most satellite plans have data allowances, and real-time gaming consumes too much data to be ideal for satellite service. Satellite also is known for latency, or a small delay in signal. Latency doesn’t affect most internet activities but can cause glitches in gaming or videoconferencing. In promising recent developments, HughesNet’s Fusion plans have created the first low-latency satellite service.

Overall Best Internet Provider in Indianapolis

AT&T Fiber and Xfinity cable internet stand out as the best providers in Indy. AT&T Fiber is far faster than the competition, with speeds up to 5000 Mbps (5 Gig Internet plan) for $180/month. But if that price is too much for your budget, AT&T Fiber’s first-tier plan offers up to 300 Mbps for $55/month. Xfinity’s cable offers good potential speed up to 1200 Mbps at only $80/month. And Xfinity boasts one of the lowest prices in the nation for its Performance Starter plan, with up to 50 Gbps for only $20/month.

Fastest Internet Provider in Indianapolis

AT&T Fiber’s 5 Gig Plan is Indy’s fastest home internet. It’s not available everywhere in the city, but if you want top speed, AT&T Fiber is your choice.  Just as importantly, fiber offers equal download and upload speeds for the best experience in gaming, videoconferencing and large file uploads. You can also get fast download and upload speeds from fiber providers Earthlink and Metronet. Metronet deserves special mention because they have a first tier fiber plan of up to 100 Mbps for only $39.95/month.

Most Affordable Internet Provider in Indianapolis

Xfinity definitely takes the prize for the most affordable internet, for their rather mind-blowing $20/month plan in their cable service. But MetroNet’s fiber plan for only $39.99/month is still much lower than most fiber plans across the country, and those symmetrical speeds can make a big difference.

How fast should my internet speed be?

How much speed you need depends on your primary internet activities, and on how many internet users there are in your home. Realtime gamers who like to play for hours a day will want a symmetrical-speed, low-latency connection such as fiber. For homes with several devices streaming movies at once, you will need high download speed but may not care as much about high upload speed. Test your current internet speed here. If you mostly like to browse the web and you’re in a one or two-person household, 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload will support you pretty well. If you need to videoconference for work, think in the range of 50-100 Mbps download and 12 Mbps or more upload. If you have multiple users streaming movies, videoconferencing, or gaming, you may want to consider the faster cable and fiber speeds of at least 100 Mbps.

What internet speed do I need for remote work?

If your remote work is mostly audio calls, such as customer service work, your speed requirements won’t be too high. You will be fine with a reliable connection and 25 Mbps download/3Mbps upload speed. Even some slower speeds will be acceptable to remote employers: check with your employer to know for sure. If you work a job that includes frequent videoconferencing, consider getting at least 100 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed. Large file uploads will also be easier if you have higher upload speeds, so consider fiber if you create or transfer lots of video or graphics.

How fast should my internet be for multiplayer gaming?

For real-time gaming, both your upload and download speed must be fast. Multiplayer gaming also requires low latency (under 40 milliseconds). Your best choice by far will be fiber internet, especially if you have more than one gamer in the home. A cable internet provider may work perfectly well, though, if their speed is high and latency is low.

How can I get low-cost or free internet in Indianapolis?

Unfortunately, though Hoosiers have many choices for Indianapolis internet providers, not everyone can afford an internet plan. Only 74% of Indianapolis households have internet, leaving over 80,000 households without internet access. The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) of 2022 was created to help more people access the opportunities that come with high speed internet. In our digital world, the internet can provide remote jobs, education, and the ability to see doctors from home. That’s why the federal government is trying to make it possible for everyone to get broadband connections. The Affordable Connectivity Plan offers qualified applicants relief of $30/month on an internet plan. Check to see if you qualify for reduced-cost internet here. Do you know someone who is just starting their internet journey and needs access to both a computer and an internet connection? Don’t forget to tell them that the Indianapolis Public Library provides free access!