What is the best internet provider in Chesapeake?
Verizon Fios is the best internet service provider in Chesapeake, according to CNET. Verizon Fios offers some of the fastest broadband in the city and stands out for its symmetrical speeds. It also has some of the most widespread coverage throughout the city. However, if it’s not available at your address, Cox, T-Mobile and Verizon’s 5G home internet service are some other great alternatives worth considering.
We’ve also found the cheapest plans and fastest speeds for providers in Chesapeake. If you’re an eligible mobile customer through T-Mobile or Verizon, you can get home internet for only $30-$50 monthly.
Cox offers the fastest plan in Chesapeake. Customers can get speeds up to 2 gigabits per second for $120 per month, but many other providers offer speeds up to 1,000Mbps if your home isn’t serviceable by Cox.
Best internet in Chesapeake
Chesapeake internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Communications Read full review |
Cable/Fiber | $30-$120 | 100-2,000Mbps | None | 1.28TB | None | 6.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($30-$50 for eligible mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon Fios Read full review |
Fiber | $50-$90 | 300-1000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.6 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 100-300Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Chesapeake?
| Provider | Starting monthly price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cox 250 Read full review |
$50 | 250Mbps | None |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($30 with eligible mobile plan) | 245Mbps | None |
| Verizon Fios 300 Read full review |
$50 | 300Mbps | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) | 300Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Chesapeake
The best internet deals and top promotions in Chesapeake depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Chesapeake internet providers, such as Cox, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including Verizon and T-Mobile, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Photo by Ferrantraite/Getty Images
Fastest internet plans in Chesapeake
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox 2 Gig Read full review |
$120 | 2,000Mbps | 100Mbps | 1.25TB | Cable |
| Cox 1 Gig Read full review |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 100Mbps | 1.25TB | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Read full review |
$70 ($45 with eligible mobile plan) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
| Verizon Fios 1 Gig Read full review |
$90 | 940Mbps | 880Mbps | None | Fiber |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, 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 Federal Communications Commission. 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.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like video conferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Chesapeake
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike with the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. 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.
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 publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
The answers to those questions are often layered and complex, but the providers who come closest to yes on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, but 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 consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and the FCC. (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 providers in Chesapeake FAQ
What is the best internet service provider in Chesapeake?
Verizon Fios is the best internet service provider in Chesapeake. This provider offers wide coverage, symmetrical speeds, unlimited data and no yearly contract. It’s the best choice for most Chesapeake residents.
Is fiber internet available in Chesapeake?
Yes. Verizon Fios is Chesapeake’s largest fiber provider, but select households might be able to access Cox’s fiber network.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Chesapeake?
T-Mobile and Verizon offer discounts for eligible mobile customers, so you might pay less and reach faster speeds with those ISPs.
Which internet provider in Chesapeake offers the fastest plan?
The fastest speed you can get in Chesapeake is 2 gigabits, which Cox offers for $120 monthly.
