Internet in Chicago at a glance
- Top providers
- AT&T Fiber, Astound (RCN), Xfinity, T-Mobile 5G
- Fastest option
- AT&T Fiber — symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gig
- Cheapest starting price
- Astound from ~$30/mo; AT&T Fiber from $34/mo
- Fiber availability
- Fiber ~33% of the city — AT&T Fiber and Astound (RCN) fiber
- Connection types
- Fiber, cable, 5G fixed wireless, satellite
In Chicago, AT&T Fiber is the top pick for speed (symmetrical up to 5 Gig), the locally-loved Astound (RCN) offers fiber and cable in many neighborhoods, and Xfinity is the near-universal cable provider serving virtually every address.
Chicago's fiber covers about a third of the city. AT&T Fiber is strongest away from the core (weaker in the Loop, Near West Side, Near South Side). Astound (Powered by RCN) — a longtime local favorite — offers fiber notably on the Near North Side, Loop, West Loop and Near South Side, plus widely-available cable across the North Side and parts of the South Side. Xfinity is the ubiquitous cable fallback at virtually any address.
📞 Fastest way to get connected in Chicago
Availability changes street by street — especially fiber. The quickest way to know exactly what's at your address (and lock in today's promotions) is to call a free advisor at (844) 933-1065. No obligation, and they'll check every provider for your specific Chicago address in minutes.
Internet providers available in Chicago
Here's a snapshot of the main internet providers serving Chicago, Illinois. Because availability is address-specific, call (844) 933-1065 to confirm what's at your exact location.
| Provider | Type | Top speed | From* | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Fiber & 5G Air | Up to 5 Gig | $34/mo | Fiber ~33% of the city; Air elsewhere |
| Astound (RCN) | Cable/Fiber | Up to 1.5 Gig | $30/mo | fiber in the Near North Side, Loop & West Loop; cable across the North Side |
| Xfinity | Cable | Up to 2 Gig | $40/mo | virtually every address |
| EarthLink | Fiber | Up to 5 Gig | $40/mo | parts of the city |
| T-Mobile 5G Home | 5G | Up to ~415 Mbps | $35/mo | Citywide |
| Verizon 5G Home | 5G | Up to 1 Gig | $35/mo | Parts of city |
| Satellite (Starlink/Viasat) | Satellite | Up to ~350 Mbps | $50/mo | Everywhere |
*Starting/promotional prices with typical conditions, illustrative and varying by address. Promotions change frequently — confirm current pricing by phone.
Chicago provider breakdown
AT&T
AT&T offers two products in Chicago: AT&T Fiber — fast symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gig from ~$34/mo, covering ~33% of the city, weaker in the Loop and Near West/South Sides — and AT&T Internet Air (5G) where fiber hasn't reached. Avoid the older AT&T Internet (DSL/IPBB); fiber is the one to get. No annual contract, reward cards.
📞 Call about AT&T — (844) 933-1065Astound (RCN)
Astound Broadband (RCN) is a well-regarded Chicago provider known for fair pricing and solid speeds, often around $30/mo for 300 Mbps — fiber in the Near North Side, Loop & West Loop; cable across the North Side. Offers both cable and fiber depending on the address.
📞 Call about Astound (RCN) — (844) 933-1065Xfinity
The most widely available wired option in Chicago, covering virtually every address, with speeds up to 2 Gig and a free mobile line for 12 months with qualifying internet. (1.2 TB data cap in most markets.)
📞 Call about Xfinity — (844) 933-1065EarthLink
EarthLink offers fiber in Chicago (parts of the city) with multi-gig speeds, no data caps, and no promotional price hikes after year one — a clean-terms fiber alternative.
📞 Call about EarthLink — (844) 933-1065T-Mobile 5G Home
Nationwide 5G home internet, available across Chicago. $35/mo with AutoPay and a T-Mobile voice line, no contract, no equipment fees, and a 5-year price guarantee.
📞 Call about T-Mobile 5G Home — (844) 933-1065Verizon 5G Home
A wireless alternative in Chicago, from $35/mo with a Verizon mobile plan, plus a multi-year price guarantee and gift-card offers.
📞 Call about Verizon 5G Home — (844) 933-1065Satellite (Starlink/Viasat)
Available anywhere as a fallback. Rarely the first choice in a well-served city, but an option for addresses wired and 5G providers don't reach. Starlink now offers speeds up to ~350 Mbps with no data caps.
📞 Call about Satellite (Starlink/Viasat) — (844) 933-1065Talk to a free Chicago advisor now
Check availability at your exact address and lock in today's promotions — free, no obligation, 7 days a week.
📞 Call (844) 933-1065Choosing the best internet in Chicago
For most Chicago households:
- Want the fastest? Check AT&T Fiber (symmetrical up to 5 Gig) — strongest outside the downtown core.
- Downtown / North Side? Astound (RCN) fiber is a local favorite, often available where AT&T isn't.
- No fiber, or want the free mobile line? Xfinity serves virtually every address.
Fiber availability shifts block to block, so call a free advisor at (844) 933-1065 to check your exact address.
Bundling internet in Chicago
In Chicago, Xfinity's free mobile line for 12 months and AT&T's fiber-plus-wireless discount are the strongest bundles, while Astound offers competitive standalone pricing. T-Mobile and Verizon customers can bundle their 5G home internet with their phone plans. For the full picture, see our complete bundling guide, internet + mobile, and free mobile line deals.
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Frequently asked questions
AT&T Fiber is the top pick for speed (symmetrical up to 5 Gig), Astound (RCN) is a local favorite offering fiber and cable, and Xfinity is the most widely available (cable to virtually every address). The best for you depends on your exact address — call (844) 933-1065 to check.
Yes, to about a third of the city — AT&T Fiber (strongest outside the core) and Astound (RCN) fiber (Near North Side, Loop, West Loop, Near South Side). EarthLink also offers fiber. Confirm fiber for your exact address.
Astound starts around $30/month (300 Mbps), AT&T Fiber around $34, Xfinity around $40–$55, and T-Mobile/Verizon 5G around $35. Multi-gig plans cost more. Confirm current rates for your address.
Astound's low entry price, Xfinity's free mobile line for 12 months, and AT&T Fiber's reward card are standout deals. Call a free advisor to find the best deal for your address.
Yes — several providers in Chicago offer no-contract plans, including T-Mobile 5G Home, Verizon, and the major fiber and cable providers. Call to see which reach your home.