The best business internet service in November
Picking a business Internet service provider is a big decision. With so much conflicting and biased information out there, it can be unclear which service is best for your business. That's where I come in.
I have done ample research on five of the best business Internet services available to date. In my research, I have found exactly which features are crucial to compare.
Price and high-speed Internet service are the first two qualities to think about when making a decision. After that, it's necessary to break down technical details to determine which service works best for your unique business. Read on for details.
- Comcast Business: Between $70-500 per month
- Spectrum Business: Between $50-250 per month
- Cox Business: Between $40-330 per month
- AT&T Business: Between $60-300 per month
- Verizon Business: Between $69-249 per month
- CenturyLink Business: Between $45-155 per month
- Frontier Business: Between $56-240 per month
Best business internet
Comcast Business Internet
- Download
- 25-1,000 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $69.96-499.95
Comcast Business Internet Only Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Starter Internet | 25 Mbps | $69.96 | ||
Internet 100 | 100 Mbps | $109.90 | ||
Internet 200 | 200 Mbps | $134.90 | ||
Internet 300 | 300 Mbps | $169.90 | ||
Internet 1 Gig | 1000 Mbps | $499.95 |
Comcast Business Phone Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Business Voice | Unlimited | $69.99 |
Spectrum Business Internet
- Download
- 200-940 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $50-250
Spectrum Business Internet Only Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet 200 | 200 Mbps | $49.99 | ||
Internet 600 | 600 Mbps | $94.99 | ||
Internet Gig | 940 Mbps | $249.99 |
Spectrum Business Phone Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Business Voice | Unlimited | $69.99 |
Cox Business Internet
- Download
- 25-300 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $40-330
Cox Business Internet Only Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet 25 | 25 Mbps | $40.00 | ||
Internet 50 | 50 Mbps | $70.00 | ||
Internet 100 | 100 Mbps | $130.00 | ||
Internet 200 | 200 Mbps | $190.00 | ||
Internet 300 | 300 Mbps | $330.00 |
Cox Business Phone Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Business Voice | Unlimited | $69.99 |
AT&T Business Internet
- Download
- 100-1,000 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $60-300
AT&T Business Internet Only Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet 100 | 100 Mbps | $60.00 | ||
Internet 300 | 300 Mbps | $110.00 | ||
Internet 200 | 200 Mbps | $200.00 | ||
Internet 500 | 500 Mbps | $200.00 | ||
Internet 1000 | 1000 Mbps | $300.00 |
AT&T Business Phone Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Business Voice | Unlimited | $69.99 |
Verizon Business Internet
- Download
- 100-940 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $69-249
Verizon Business Internet Only Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FiOS Internet 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | $69.00 | ||
FiOS Internet 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps | $129.00 | ||
FiOS Internet 940 Mbps | 940 Mbps | $249.00 |
Verizon Business Phone Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Business Voice | Unlimited | $69.99 |
CenturyLink Business Internet
- Download
- 40-940 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $45-155
CenturyLink Business Internet Only Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet 40 | 40 Mbps | $44.99 | ||
Internet 100 | 100 Mbps | $74.99 | ||
Internet 200 | 200 Mbps | $74.99 | ||
Internet 500 | 500 Mbps | $104.99 | ||
Fiber Gigabit | 940 Mbps | $154.99 |
CenturyLink Business Phone Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Business Voice | Unlimited | $69.99 |
Frontier Business Internet
- Download
- 100-940 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $56-240
Frontier Business Internet Only Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FiOS Internet 100/100 | 100 Mbps | $55.99 | ||
FiOS Internet 500/500 | 500 Mbps | $95.99 | ||
FiOS Internet Gig | 940 Mbps | $239.99 |
Frontier Business Phone Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Business Voice | Unlimited | $69.99 |
Business internet by ZIP code
Business internet connection types
Cable internet
Cable operates over digital cable TV lines in your home instead of phone lines. Cable modems are considered broadband. Cable Internet is cheaper than both Fiber-Optic cables and Ethernet cables; plus, it is quicker than DSL.
Fiber optic internet
Fiber is one of the fastest methods of Internet connection. It can reach speeds up to 1Gbps, up to 25 times faster than cable and DSL over longer distances. If you have an Internet-based business and Fiber Optic is available near you, it may be the best option. Fiber optic Internet has been faster than Ethernet in the past, but Ethernet seems to have caught up. It is made up of optically pure glass that carries digital information with light instead of electricity.
DSL internet
DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Lines. DSL service is a broadband service offered by many business Internet providers. Ultimately, DSL lets the consumer use their house phone lines to transmit telephone and data communication, according to EDB. This allows you to talk on the phone and surf the Internet at the same time. Because DSL connections weaken as they go farther away, the consumer must be a certain distance from the business Internet service for a solid connection.
Satellite internet
Satellite is often offered in more rural areas where DSL and cable are not. Satellite Internet signals are transmitted via satellites in outer space, allowing their service to reach anywhere with a satellite.
Compare business internet plans & packages
| Provider | Download | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cox Business | 25-300 Mbps | $40.00-330.00 |
| CenturyLink Business | 40-940 Mbps | $44.99-154.99 |
| Spectrum Business | 200-940 Mbps | $49.99-249.99 |
| Frontier Business | 100-940 Mbps | $55.99-239.99 |
| AT&T Business | 100-1,000 Mbps | $60.00-300.00 |
| Verizon Business | 100-940 Mbps | $69.00-249.00 |
| Comcast Business | 25-1,000 Mbps | $69.96-499.95 |
 Viasat Business | 35-100 Mbps | $175.00-500.00 |
Business internet terminology
There are some technical terms you should know before you jump down the rabbit hole of Internet for business.
- IP is an abbreviation you'll see often when researching Internet connections. It stands for Internet Protocol. IP addresses are a set of numbers that connect you to a specific website. Each set of numbers has a set of code words, which is the name of the website you're trying to reach. The website name is a just a readable form of the IP address for humans called an URL.
- URL - Stands for Universal Resource locator. It is another name for a website's IP code name: the name of a website.
- DNS - stands for Domain Name Server. Its function is to look up the URL you've typed in or clicked on and determine its IP address. Once it has done so, the data is broken down into packets of a sort.
- Cloud-based services - In the Internet world, cloud-based services are just another word for Internet-based services.
- Routers - are devices that receive each packet. The router receives and then sends each packet to the router closest to your destination, assuming too many people aren't using it.
- Modems - are devices that enable computers to transmit data over. Some companies charge for modem and router installation while others provide the service for free.
- Uptime - is the percentage of time your business Internet service provider is reliably up and running.
- Downtime - is the percentage of time your Internet server is not up and running reliably.
Once you have an idea of how the Internet works, you'll want to think about connections. Every business Internet service operates using specific types of Internet connections. Learning about these types will help you to determine which one offers suitable speeds for your business. First, here are some terms to note:
- Bandwidth - is the size of the channel or cable that data is transmitted through.
- Data cap - is a cap on the amount of data your service allows you to use in a month.
Considerations when comparing business internet providers
There are a number of questions you should ask yourself on the search for Internet access for your large or small business. For example, which services provide Internet access in your area?
1. What types of connections and services are available in my area?
There are many different types of connections to think about when searching for wireless Internet for your business. According to CNN Money, broadband service users exceeded an average download speed of 50Mbps this year in the U.S.
Unfortunately, download speeds and high-speed or private connections may be limited by your location. If you want a VPN service for online privacy and Internet safety, for example, you'll have to see if there is one available in your area. Fortunately, that's easy to do. You can compare Internet providers by zip code.
2. How important is Internet reliability to my business?
Downtime can cost businesses up to $16 million in productivity and revenue per year. This doesn't include how angry your customers will be when your service crashes. If your business relies heavily on the Internet to function, uptime reliability may be the most important issue to consider.
Some business Internet providers even include a Service Level Agreement (SLA). This annual contract promises a certain amount of uptime annually for your service. If you have a business that relies heavily on the Internet's ability to function, you may want an SLA along with your service. The following uptime calculator will tell you exactly how much downtime per day, week, month, or year your service offers based on their percentage of uptime.
3. How important is Internet speed to my business?
US Internet speeds have more than tripled since 2011, according to the FCC. The rise in streaming services like HBO-Go, Netflix and Hulu has helped this process significantly. These days, wireless Internet services offer a range from 10Mbps to 1Gbps with Fiber-Optic cables and Ethernet cables. With such a huge range, it can be really difficult to know what you need. Your plan's specific speed should depend on a number of things.
- Determine how many users will be active regularly on your business Internet service.
- Think about what internet tasks your employees will perform most: downloads, uploads, video streaming, etc.
These considerations will help you pick the right connection via the perfect service for you. They will help balance cost, speed and reliability of Internet for your business. Fiber Internet may be the fastest and most reliable, but maybe you'd be just fine with basic Cable Internet provider or DSL service. Making this determination could save you a lot of money in the long run.
4. Do I want to purchase a TV, Internet, and phone bundle?
It's vital to consider the costs of each service vs. their reliability and speed. How much can you afford? Is there a budget you must abide by? Some services offer up to six plans to choose from while others offer only two. Prices start at around $69.99, which is considered cheap. Most Internet services also offer business phone service and Internet bundles in an annual contract along with TV.
A TV, Internet, and phone bundle allow you to purchase the Internet, phone service, and/or TV services for one fair monthly fee. Some Internet service providers offer customizable bundles to suit your business's unique needs. For example, you can pick specific TV channel packs to suit your business. If you don't want a channel pack, you can go with a simple phone and Internet service.
5. Will I need to submit a credit review?
Depending on what connection you're purchasing from which Internet service provider, you may have to undergo a credit review. If you don't think you can pass a credit review, you should look into a service that is not currently requiring them.
For example, Spectrum does not require a credit check to purchase an annual contract. You should check a credit repair company if you're having trouble with your credit.
Other factors
- Customer Service - Customer service and support options should not be overlooked when determining which business ISP (Internet Service Provider) to use. Some providers offer live chat while others only offer a phone number and email address. You'll want to make sure there is always someone to help with malfunctions or a downtime emergency.
- Commitment Period - How much of a commitment does each business Internet service require? Many business Internet service providers require that your sign a 1-2 year contract when you sign up for their service. Keep this in mind. If you end up hating your service, it may cost you to switch before your contract is up.
- Additional Charges and Fees - There are various additional charges and fees to consider when choosing a business Internet service provider. Installation fees, data caps, routers, modems and early termination fees can end up costing you much more than you bargained for. Fees are usually subject to change, to it's important to pay attention. Make sure you know exactly what your bill will look like before you make a purchase. Also, make sure you know what your early termination fee will be if you don't like the service. If the company doesn't offer this information up front, they may not be the best choice.
Business internet providers FAQs
Can you get business internet at home?
Yes you can get a business internet connection at home. However, as business internet can be more expensive you can compare high speed residential options to see if that would be enough for your home business needs.
Why is business internet more expensive?
With business internet there's more demand, as there's more people using the service. So you'll need a high speed connection, plus more additional features to work for your business.
What type of internet connection is best for businesses?
Cable is a reliable stable internet connection that offers good speeds for uploading and downloading, which is great for most businesses. If cable isn't right for your business you still have the option of satellite internet, fiber, and DSL.
Recap
It can be extremely difficult to fathom making a decision on a business Internet service provider. This article is meant to direct you to the service that is perfect for your unique business needs.
Now that you know how the Internet works and what to consider before choosing a service for your business, you may need to learn a little more.
For instance, are you concerned about Internet privacy? If so, then read our ultimate guide to Internet Safety and Online Privacy.
