Boston's internet combines cable, fiber, and fixed wireless across a dense, older city. Coverage is generally good, but older building wiring can cap what some addresses get.
What the Public Data Says
City-level speeds vary by provider and technology more than by any single average. For how Boston compares nationally, the Ookla Speedtest Global Index and BroadbandNow publish metro-level availability and speed data, and the FCC's Measuring Broadband America program tracks real-world US broadband performance. These are more reliable than any single test for comparing neighborhoods.
Major Internet Providers in Boston
Major providers include Xfinity (cable), Verizon Fios (fiber), Astound (formerly RCN, cable/fiber), Starry (fixed wireless), and T-Mobile/Verizon 5G home.
| Connection Type | Typical Download Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber | 300 Mbps – 1 Gbps+ | Verizon Fios, Astound in wired areas |
| Cable | 100 Mbps – 1.2 Gbps | Xfinity — the dominant cable option |
| Fixed wireless / 5G | 50 – 300 Mbps | Starry, T-Mobile, Verizon |
Old Buildings, New Options
Boston's older housing stock means some buildings only have cable, but Verizon Fios and fixed-wireless (Starry) give alternatives. Test wired at your address and compare with your plan.
How to Test Your Speed in Boston
The number that matters is your own connection, at your address. Run a speed test on a wired Ethernet connection, with other devices paused, at a couple of different times of day. Then compare your result with your plan's advertised speed. If it's consistently well below, read why your speed is lower than your plan and work through our slow internet guide before you call your provider.
See how other cities compare in our city internet speed index, or compare countries in the global index.