Best Internet Providers in Richmond, VA
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Top 9 Internet Service Providers in Richmond, VA
1. AT&T
29.5% Available
2. EarthLink
80.6% Available
3. Verizon
79.2% Available
4. Xfinity
98.5% Available
5. Viasat
100% Available
6. HughesNet
100% Available
7. Starlink
100% Available
8. Verizon
17.5% Available
9. Always ON
50.1% Available
Best Internet Providers in Richmond
If you live in Richmond, fiber internet is a great choice. EarthLink Fiber and Verizon Fios are the top fiber providers here. Both offer fast download speeds up to 940 Mbps. Coverage is pretty good, too. EarthLink Fiber covers 80.6% of the area, while Verizon Fios covers 79.2%.
If fiber isn't an option, consider cable internet. Xfinity is the main cable provider in Richmond, covering an impressive 98.5% of the city. They offer speeds up to 1.2 Gbps, which is great for streaming, gaming, or just browsing the web smoothly.
For those looking into wireless options, Verizon 5G Home Internet is available in the area. It covers 17.5% of Richmond and isn't as fast as fiber or cable, with max speeds of 50 Mbps, but it's a decent pick if you're within their coverage zone.
Lastly, if you're considering DSL, Verizon High Speed Internet offers it in some parts of the city. Keep in mind, its coverage is limited to just 1.7%, and speeds go up to 10 Mbps, which might be on the slower side for some users.
Happy internet hunting!
Richmond COVID-19 Internet Resources for Low-Income Families
Computers and internet service are increasingly essential to academic and professional growth, but not all households are able to access this technology. The lack of access to the technology needed to get ahead in life disproportionately holds low-income families in Richmond back, a social disparity known as the digital divide. We put together the following lists of digital resources to help financially struggling families in Richmond access affordable computers, internet, and educational programming:
Discounted Distance Learning Devices in Richmond
- Richmond Public Schools: If your child is enrolled in Richmond Public Schools, all you need to do is call the front office to find out how to access a free laptop. Public schools in Richmond offer one free Chromebook to each student enrolled in the county system. The county also provides maintenance for these devices at several locations around the district.
- PCs for People: PCs for People is a charitable organization providing low-income families with affordable computers starting at $100 through the online store. To qualify for PCs for People computers, you need to prove enrollment in a government assistance program or show that you live under the 200 percent poverty level.
- University of Richmond: If you’re actively enrolled at the University of Richmond, you don’t need to buy a new laptop to keep up with your assignments. The university runs a loaner laptop program for students who cannot afford their computers. You can check out these laptops for a maximum of two weeks at a time.
You can also shop for a refurbished computer from a tech store in the Richmond area. The following stores offer affordable, recycled computers that have been refurbished to perform like new:
Remote Learning Programs and Virtual Child Care Centers in Richmond
- Richmond Public Schools: Learning doesn’t only happen in the school building, and Richmond Public Schools is ready to support growing minds no matter where they are. Students in Richmond can access the public school system’s online learning resources, including everything from e-books to virtual tours of local museums. These resources are available to anyone and don’t require a student ID number.
- Creative Bug: Done in partnership with the Richmond Public Library, Creative Bug provides young people with an extensive collection of free online art classes. Students will need their library card numbers to access these courses, but the organization covers a wide range of arts and crafts, including oil painting, knitting, and craftbooking.
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA): Are you the parent of a young, budding artist? Help your creative learner grow those skills by exploring the VMFA’s free online Resource Center for learning. Students interested in the arts can find craft projects, museum tours, and classes covering an array of art-related topics.
- Making a Difference for You (MAD4YU): Whether you’re looking for academic, professional, or technological support, MAD4YU exists to serve low-income and marginalized communities. Students can access free online tutoring and find out more information by emailing info@mad4yuinc.org.
Free Wireless Internet Access in Richmond
- WiFiMap.io Map of Wi-Fi Hotspots in Richmond
- Richmond Public Library Branch Locations
- Commonwealth Connect Wi-Fi Hot Spot Map
The Richmond Public Library system makes free Wi-Fi available at all of its branches, including the following locations:
- Richmond Main Branch Library — 101 E. Franklin St.
- East End Library — 1200 N. 25th St.
- Hull Street Library — 1400 Hull St.
- Ginter Park Library — 1200 Westbrook Ave.
- Westover Hills — 1408 Westover Hills Blvd.
Thanks to free public Wi-Fi, Richmond families who lack internet access at home can stay connected. Use our free Wi-Fi coverage map to learn more about the locations offering free, publicly available internet throughout Virginia’s capital:
Free Wireless Internet Access in Richmond, VA
Internet Provider Store Locations in Richmond
Fastest Richmond Internet Providers
Connection Type |
Internet Providers |
Download Speeds Up To |
Upload Speeds Up To |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fiber |
Verizon Fios |
940 Mbps |
880 Mbps |
79.2% |
EarthLink Fiber |
940 Mbps |
880 Mbps |
80.6% |
|
|
Cable |
Xfinity |
1.2 Gbps |
35 Mbps |
98.5% |
Mediacom |
1 Gbps |
50 Mbps |
0.1% |
|
|
DSL |
Verizon High Speed Internet |
10 Mbps |
1 Mbps |
1.7% |
|
Fixed Wireless |
AT&T Internet Air |
225 Mbps |
30 Mbps |
29.5% |
Verizon 5G Home Internet |
50 Mbps |
4 Mbps |
17.5% |
|
|
Satellite |
Starlink |
220 Mbps |
25 Mbps |
100% |
Viasat Internet |
150 Mbps |
3 Mbps |
100% |
Compare Internet Providers in Nearby Cities:
Ashland, Chester, Chesterfield, Glen Allen, Hanover, Henrico, Manakin Sabot, Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Sandston
Average download speed in Richmond:
145 Mbps
Based on 74,300 speed tests
Internet Values of Richmond Providers
| Providers | Connection Type | Plan Price | Download Speeds Up To | Internet Value | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EarthLink Fiber | Fiber | $189.95 per month | 5 Gbps | $0.04 per Mbps | 866-671-3918 |
| Verizon Fios | Fiber | $109.99 per month | 2.3 Gbps | $0.05 per Mbps | 866-498-5878 |
| Mediacom | Cable | $59.99 per month | 1 Gbps | $0.06 per Mbps | 855-958-4458 |
| Xfinity | Cable | $65 per month | 1 Gbps | $0.07 per Mbps | 844-982-3173 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | Fixed | $70 per month | 300 Mbps | $0.23 per Mbps | 866-498-5878 |
| AT&T Internet Air | Fixed | $60 per month | 225 Mbps | $0.27 per Mbps | 855-957-4313 |
| Hughesnet | Satellite | $64.99 per month | 100 Mbps | $0.65 per Mbps | 855-958-4319 |
| Viasat Internet | Satellite | $99.99 per month | 150 Mbps | $0.67 per Mbps | 844-983-3105 |
| Verizon High Speed Internet | DSL | $40 per month | 15 Mbps | $2.67 per Mbps | 866-498-5878 |
Best Internet Provider in Richmond
- AT&T - 5g internet up to 225 Mbps
- EarthLink - Most Fiber availability
- Verizon - Fiber up to 940 Mbps
- Xfinity - Fast download speeds in Richmond and most Cable availability
- Viasat - Most internet coverage in Richmond
- HughesNet - Another great satellite internet alternative for those who can't get Cable, Fiber, or DSL
- Starlink - Widely available
- Verizon - 5g internet up to 50 Mbps
- Always ON - Fixed wireless up to 150 Mbps
Internet Fees in Richmond
| Common Providers in Richmond | Early Termination Fees | Setup and Installation Fees | Late Payment Fees | Equipment Replacement Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EarthLink Fiber | N/A | $79.95 | 14 Days Then Deactivation | $6.95 per month |
| Verizon Fios | N/A | $99 | $9 | $15 per month |
| Xfinity | N/A | $89.99 | Up to $10 | $14 per month |
How Much Speed Do I Need?
25+ Mbps
- Web Surfing & Email
- HD Streaming
- Supports 1-2 Devices
- Ideal for 1-2 people
100+ Mbps
- Ultra HD (4K) Streaming
- Low Lag Online Gaming
- Supports 3-5 Devices
- Ideal for 2-6 people
1 Gig
- Multi 4K HD Streaming
- No Lag Online Gaming
- Supports more than 5 Devices
- Ideal for 6+ people
An Overview of Internet Providers in Richmond By Connection
| Provider | Connection | Download speeds up to | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | Cable | 1.2 Gbps | 98% |
| Verizon | DSL | 15 Mbps | 2% |
| Verizon | Fiber | 2.3 Gbps | 79% |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | 100% |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | 100% |
| AT&T | 5G Internet | 225 Mbps | 30% |
| EarthLink | Fiber | 5 Gbps | 81% |
| Starlink | Satellite | 220 Mbps | 100% |
| Verizon | 5G Internet | 300 Mbps | 18% |
| Always ON | Fixed Wireless | 25 Mbps | 50% |
Popular Zip Codes in Richmond, VA:
Internet Availability by Connection Type in Richmond
Internet service providers in Richmond use different methods for connecting their customers to the web. Connection types matter, so choose wisely. Fiber is generally the fastest and most reliable option, followed by cable, DSL and 5G home internet.
Fiber - 99%
Cable - 2%
DSL - 2%
What is Mbps?
Mbps is the abbreviation for megabits per second, and it also appears written as Mbits/sec. Internet providers use megabits per second to measure speeds. Broadband speeds are 25 Mbps or faster. Learn more about Mbps.
Who is InMyArea.com?
InMyArea.com is a 5 star rated internet service provider comparison and home services website. Read more about InMyArea.com.
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