Internet providers in Ithaca, NY
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Best overall
Prices from
$49.99
per month
Speeds up to
1,000
Mbps
for 12 mos with Auto Pay.
Best multi-connection option
Prices from
$49.99
per month
Speeds up to
1,000
Mbps
Best fixed wireless coverage
Prices from
$60.00
per month
Speeds up to
245
Mbps
Why trust our broadband experts
Allconnect’s team of broadband experts regularly reviews the top internet service providers in the U.S., scrutinizing each company under a rigorous scoring system to help our readers make informed internet purchases. We keep our data points accurate and up to date based on thorough research and partnership communications. Our content is not directed by partners. Visit our full methodology page and advertising disclosure to learn more.
Ithaca is a small but noteworthy college town on the Finger Lakes in western New York. Home to just over 30,000 locals, along with Cornell University and Ithaca College, Ithaca is also known for more than 100 miles of waterfalls within 10 miles of its downtown.
Whether you’re living in Ithaca to attend college or to stay for its natural beauty, you’ll want reliable home internet for work and entertainment. Options for home Wi-Fi are more limited in a town of Ithaca’s size, but you can still find internet plans to suit your streaming and browsing needs, with prices ranging from $25/mo. to $250/mo.
Continue reading to compare the top internet service providers in Ithaca, or enter your address on this page to explore options in your area.
Best internet providers in Ithaca, NY
- Spectrum: Best overall
- Verizon: Best multi-connection option
- Viasat: Best availability
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Best fixed wireless coverage
Ithaca internet comparison
Despite its size, Ithaca is home to a number of top internet providers. Depending on where you live in the city or surrounding area, you may have access to cable, fixed wireless, satellite, DSL or even fiber connections of up to 5 GB.
Here’s an overview of our top four picks for internet providers in Ithaca.
| Provider | Starting price range* | Download speed range | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | $49.99–$79.99/mo. | 300–1,000 Mbps | Cable |
| Verizon | $24.99–$64.99/mo. | 300–1,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Viasat | $49.99–$249.99/mo. | 25–150 Mbps | Satellite |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | $60/mo. | 72–245 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.
How to choose a provider in Ithaca
Home Wi-Fi plans are built to suit a range of different users, which means pricing and plan features vary significantly from one provider to the next. To help you narrow down your search and choose the best fit for an Ithaca internet provider, focus on the following important factors:
- Your home Wi-Fi habits: Home internet comes in a wide range of bandwidths and connection speeds. To avoid overpaying or getting a laggy connection, you have to assess how your household uses the internet. For basic browsing and email on a few devices, you can probably get by with less than 300 Mbps. However, if you do a lot of gaming or 4K streaming on 10 or more devices, you may need gigabit connection speeds.
- The plan’s fine print: Chances are, there will be a few hidden costs on your monthly bill. Ithaca internet providers often charge extra for equipment or installation, and you may pay taxes on your monthly fee. Be sure to check the fine print to understand what you’ll actually pay each month.
- Ways to get more: If home internet options are stretching your budget, consider bundling services to secure monthly discounts, or take advantage of other plan perks and promotions.
Ithaca internet provider reviews
Spectrum – Best overall
If you’re looking for a widely available, reliable high-speed connection in Ithaca, Spectrum is your best bet. Its cable network reaches most homes in the area and offers download speeds of up to 1 GB. Spectrum plans have no contracts or data caps with affordable starting prices. However, beware of slow upload speeds and big price jumps after the first year.
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5.
Read our full Spectrum review.
Verizon – Best multi-connection option
Verizon offers several connection options in the Ithaca market, but performance varies significantly depending on what’s available at your home. Verizon’s DSL service is slow, but its Fios fiber connections and 5G Home fixed wireless are excellent choices for home internet. Verizon’s cellular customers can nab big discounts for bundling, and Verizon often offers significant plan pers for signing up.
Overall score: 4 out of 5.
Read our full Verizon Fios review and Verizon 5G Home review.
Viasat – Best availability
Viasat may not offer the same speed as other providers on this list, but it’s an option almost anywhere in the U.S. Its top speed of 150 Mbps is faster than many other satellite internet providers. Keep in mind that you’ll need to install a satellite dish on your property, and your initial price will only be good for three months before it jumps significantly.
Overall score: 2.1 out of 5.
Read our full Viasat review.
T-Mobile Home Internet – Best fixed wireless coverage
T-Mobile boasts the largest 5G network in the nation, and it’s rapidly expanding access to 5G home Wi-Fi. T-Mobile offers straightforward pricing on one simple plan, with big discounts for cellular customers. There are no added equipment fees or taxes — just a one-time setup fee of $35.
Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.
Read our full T-Mobile review.
Cheap internet in Ithaca
Internet providers in Ithaca offer several options for affordable home Wi-Fi plans. It’s possible to get up to 300 Mbps for as low as $24.99/mo. by bundling home internet with cell service from Verizon, though availability for Fios fiber plans is limited in Ithaca. For other cheap internet options, check out T-Mobile and Spectrum.
| Plan | Price* | Download speed | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | $24.99–$44.99/mo. | 300 Mbps | Fiber |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | $40/mo.** | 72–245 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
| Spectrum | $49.99/mo. | 300 Mbps | Cable |
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.
Fastest internet in Ithaca
If you’re willing to pay a bit more, you can tap into some impressive home Wi-Fi speeds from internet service providers in Ithaca. Verizon’s 2 GB Fios fiber plan is the fastest option in the area, but it’s not currently available for very many residents. Spectrum and Verizon 5G Home are much more likely options, and both offer gigabit download speeds.
| Plan | Price* | Download speed | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios | $64.99/mo. | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Spectrum | $79.99/mo. | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home | $60–$80/mo. | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
Ithaca internet technology
Several factors can impact your internet performance, but nothing is more important than the type of connection you choose. You may have access to any of the following from internet providers in Ithaca:
- Fiber internet: Nothing beats fiber internet for top speeds and reliability. Fiber-optic cables allow for maximum bandwidth and symmetrical upload and download speeds for lag-free connections. If you do a lot of online gaming, 4K streaming or Zoom meetings, fiber is the best choice — but it may not be available in your area.
- Cable: Cable internet is still far more widely available than fiber, and it offers gigabit download speeds in many areas. However, its upload speeds are much slower, and performance tends to lag when you have more than 10 connected devices.
- Fixed wireless: Cellular networks offer wireless connections that often reach where wired cable or fiber lines can’t, and 5G technology has made this a much more viable option for home internet. Download speeds can compete with cable, but fixed wireless does tend to lag when network traffic gets high.
- DSL: Phone lines were once a common option for home internet connections, but many providers are phasing out this technology due to its slow speed and variable performance. Still, a few Ithaca internet providers offer DSL where other options aren’t yet available.
- Satellite: When all else fails, you can almost always find a satellite internet provider offering service in your area. Download speeds top out around 150 Mbps, and you’ll pay more to have satellite equipment included, but it’s a good option for rural customers.
Ithaca internet FAQs
What is the cheapest Wi-Fi in Ithaca, NY?
Internet service providers in Ithaca offer several options for cheap home internet, but Verizon offers some of the most affordable plans for customers who bundle cell and internet plans. Its Fios fiber network has limited availability, but you can get connected for as low as $24.99/mo.
Which Wi-Fi speed is best for home?
To choose the right internet speed for your home, you need to assess how you typically use the internet. For browsing, email and light streaming on a few devices, you may only need around 100 Mbps. However, once you have above 10 devices active at one time and start streaming or gaming heavily, you may need 500 Mbps or more. Learn more about home Wi-Fi options with our guide to home internet speeds.
Is 5G good for home internet?
5G fixed wireless can be a great option for home internet, with download speeds of up to 1 GB in some cases. Note that upload speeds will be much slower, and 5G networks may get bogged down when demand is high.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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