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Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
According to CNET, AT&T Fiber is the leading internet provider in Madison, thanks to its ultrafast speeds up to 5000Mbps, wide availability and transparent pricing. Spectrum is another reliable choice, offering citywide coverage and 500Mbps plans starting at $50 per month, though prices increase significantly after the first year. Wireless internet options from AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are also available across Madison, making them flexible alternatives, especially when bundled with a cellphone plan.
Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AT&T Fiber Read full review |
Fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
AT&T Internet Air Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $60 | 40-140Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
Spectrum Read full review |
Cable | $30-$70 | 100Mbps-1,000Mbps | Free modem; $10 router (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
TDS Telecom | Fiber | $40-$50 | 600-1,000Mbps | $12 | None | Two years | N/A |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 for eligible mobile customers) | 87-415Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
US Cellular | Fixed wireless | $60 | Up to 195Mbps | Varies | 600GB | Equipment installment plan contract may apply | N/A |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 | 50Mbps-250Mbps (varies by location) | None | None | None | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
There isn’t a ton of ISP competition in Madison. Most residents will be weighing the decision between AT&T Fiber or Spectrum cable. Spectrum has some tempting introductory deals, while AT&T’s fiber service offers reasonable pricing and fast upload speeds to go with the download speeds. Live in the area around Madison? Check into fiber from TDS Telecom.
The average starting price for internet service in Madison is around $50, but there are ways to shave some bucks off that figure. Bargain hunters can look to bundle phone plans with home internet service to get deals. For example, with T-Mobile, you can get down to $35 a month. TDS Telecom offers 600Mbps speeds for as low as $60 a month for the first two years. Most Madison residents will be looking at around $50 for decent speeds.
Spectrum’s 500Mbps plans start at $50 a month. Meanwhile, AT&T’s fiber plans start at $55 a month, which is still budget-friendly, especially considering the company’s assurance that it won’t hike your fee after the first year. If you’re in a surrounding community, look into TDS Telecom’s fiber plans starting at $40 a month for the first two years.
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | Contract |
---|---|---|---|---|
TDS Telecom | $40 | 600Mbps (varies by location) | $12 | None |
Spectrum Internet Premier Read full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) | None |
US Cellular | $60 | Up to 195Mbps | Varies | Equipment installment plan contract may apply |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with cellular plan) | 80Mbps | None | None |
AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review |
$55 | 300Mbps | None | None |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with cellular plan) | 318Mbps | None | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
The ISPs in Madison run the gamut when it comes to speeds. Speedtest by Ookla calculates Madison’s median download speed for fixed internet at a respectable 318Mbps. Depending on your location, service from the likes of T-Mobile, Verizon or US Cellular may be fast or slow. Spectrum’s cable plans cover a lot of ground from 300Mbps on up to near-gig speeds. AT&T Fiber brings the heat with multi-gigabit fiber plans, although many people will opt to save money and stick with 1,000Mbps or below. If you’re eyeing that speed level, see if TDS services your address with its 1,000Mbps plan for $50 a month. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
On the other hand, you may be an intense gamer. Or maybe you’re uploading huge files. Maybe you share your internet connection with several other people who are just as demanding as you are. It might be time to shop for a multi-gig plan. In Madison, that means AT&T Fiber, which offers speeds of up to 5,000Mbps in some parts of town. It comes with a hefty price tag of $245 a month. Too much? Check out the 2,000Mbps plan instead for $145.
Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Contract |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AT&T Fiber 5000 Read full review |
5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | $245 | None | None |
AT&T Fiber 2000 Read full review |
2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | $145 | None | None |
AT&T Fiber 1000 Read full review |
1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $80 | None | None |
TDS Telecom | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $50 | None | None |
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review |
1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | $70 | None | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. What’s our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and speed information that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data 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:
The answer to those questions is 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, although 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 FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
One of the biggest challenges with picking an ISP in Madison is the patchwork nature of coverage from the leading providers. Yes, AT&T Fiber is fast, but what if it doesn’t service your address? Your next option will likely be Spectrum for a cable connection but don’t count out fixed wireless from Verizon or T-Mobile. If you’re in a good location for one of those, you might find you’re happy with the speeds and even happier with the phone bundle discount. Finally, TDS Telecom is worth a look for residents of surrounding communities who want fast, reliable fiber.
Is fiber internet available in Madison?
Yes. AT&T Fiber is the main mover and shaker within the city limits of Madison. Speeds hit 5,000Mbps in some spots, but less expensive plans at the 1,000Mbps and 2,000Mbps tiers will satisfy most people. If you live on the outskirts of Madison, look into TDS Telecom’s fiber offerings. Some affordable introductory deals from TDS will get you going with fiber.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Madison?
A tight budget shouldn’t stand in the way of getting online. T-Mobile and Verizon’s bundle deals put fixed wireless internet well within reach. Spectrum starts at $30 monthly but only gives you 100Mbps, and AT&T Fiber’s lowest-level 300Mbps fiber plan at $55 a month is a decent deal for fiber.
Which internet provider in Madison offers the fastest plan?
It’s not available everywhere in Madison, but AT&T Fiber steamrolls the competition with a 5,000Mbps plan for $245 a month. That puts it on the high end for residential plan speeds. Ask yourself if you really need that kind of download and upload speed before paying the premium monthly fee.
Is AT&T or Spectrum better in Madison?
AT&T and Spectrum are the two home internet heavy hitters in Madison. AT&T Fiber has fast download and upload speeds, making it ideal for gamers, remote workers and households with multiple heavy internet users. AT&T DSL is pokey by comparison. Spectrum enters the fray with many plans, but it can’t match AT&T Fiber’s 5,000Mbps maximum download speeds (available in some areas). Cable upload speeds are also significantly slower. Spectrum can still be a steady and affordable choice, especially if fiber isn’t an option. Check out CNET’s comparison between AT&T and Spectrum for more details.