Chicago, the largest city in Illinois with a population of over 2.6 million is a hub of tech. Millions of people depend on high-speed connectivity for learning, business, and all types of daily activities. According to the official report of the US Census Bureau, about 85.9% of the households in Chicago have broadband internet access. That’s why it is important for users to select the right internet provider because one wrong decision and you will be stuck with a frustrating connection.
Even though a good portion of the city population has internet access, according to the Chicago Government Digital Equity Plan 2023, about 15% or 172,000 people still lack any type of internet. However, things are changing fast as the government in collaboration with ISPs is increasing the internet coverage aggressively. the natural question then arises, “Which is the best internet provider in Chicago?”
That’s what we are going to find out in this Internet Providers Chicago blog. We will discuss all major ISPs, and analyze their plans, speeds, prices, and customer satisfaction to help you make an informed decision. So, let’s start.
- AT&T Fiber Is The Best Internet Provider In Chicago
- AT&T And EarthLink Are The Fastest Internet Provider In Chicago
- Astound Broadband And Xfinity Are The Cheapest Internet Providers In Chicago
- Other Top Chicago Internet Providers
- Internet Availability In Chicago
- Internet Customer Satisfaction Staus In Chicago 2024
- How Much Is Internet In Chicago Per Month?
- Does Chicago Have Free Wi-Fi?
- Quick Facts And Demographic Insights About Chicago Internet
- Wrapping Up
AT&T Fiber Is The Best Internet Provider In Chicago
AT&T is the best internet provider in Chicago as per our research at GetInternetDeal.
Not only in Chicago, but in the entire country AT&T always ranks among the top 5 ISPs. It is also the third largest fixed wireless internet provider in the country. In Chicago, AT&T offers fiber internet speeds ranging from 300 Mbps to 5000 Mbps. However, the availability of the 5 Gig plan is limited and you can only find it in certain areas.
The price of AT&T internet plans in Chicago starts from $55 per month for 300 Mbps speed and goes as high as $80 per month for 1 Gig and $180/mo for the 5 Gig plan. All the plans come with no data caps and contracts. So, there are no overage charges or early termination fees for fiber plans. According to our research at GetInternetDeal, the 1 Gig plan is the best internet option in Chicago by AT&T.
In Chicago, AT&T also provides numerous customer benefits and additional perks. For example, when you order their subscription online the company will provide a free $150 gift card and pay the full early termination fee of your previous internet provider.
Apart from fiberoptics, AT&T also offers IPBB internet (high-speed DSL). Three IPBB plans are available for customers with speeds of 25 Mbps, 50 Mbps, and 100 Mbps.
The following table gives a breakdown of all AT&T Chicago internet plans:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Speed | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber Internet 300 | $55.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber Internet 500 | $65.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber Internet 1000 | $80.00/mo. | 1000 Mbps | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber Internet 2000 | $145.00/mo. | 2000 Mbps | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber Internet 5000 | $245.00/mo. | 5000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Internet 25 | $60/mo. | 25 Mbps | IPBB |
| Internet 50 | $60/mo. | 50 Mbps | IPBB |
| Internet 100 | $60/mo. | 100 Mbps | IPBB |
AT&T And EarthLink Are The Fastest Internet Provider In Chicago
Both AT&T and EarthLink hold the top place for the fastest internet provider in Chicago. Both companies offer multi-gigabit speeds of up to 5 Gig. The average speed of both companies in Chicago is 3,673 Mbps.
Metronet also has a 5 Gig speed in Chicago but due to its very limited availability, we aren’t including it in the list.
Astound Broadband And Xfinity Are The Cheapest Internet Providers In Chicago
As of 2024, Astound is the cheapest internet provider in Chicago, while Xfinity is the second cheapest ISP. Let’s discuss both of them in detail.
Astound Internet In Chicago: Detailed Review And Breakdown
Astound is among the major internet providers in Chicago. The ISP has coverage of about 4.33%, which means that about 409,160 people can access its internet. In total, Astound offers 4 high-speed home internet plans in Chicago. The speeds range from basic 300 Mbps and go to a maximum of 1500 Mbps.
The Astound 300 Mbps plan is the cheapest in Chicago with a price of just $20 per month. On the other hand, the 1500 Mbps internet deal has a price tag of $55/mo. The company also offers a 2-year price guarantee.
Like AT&T, Astound also provides additional perks to its customers. For example, with all high-speed internet plans, you get a free $100 gift card. Plus, by using the coupon code “SCHOOL1” you can get 50% off on professional installation fees and 1 month free internet.
The table below depicts all the plans and pricing details:
| Astound Internet Chicago | |
| Plan (Speed) | Standard Price |
| 300 Mbps | $20/mo. |
| 600 Mbps | $35/mo. |
| 1000 Mbps | $45/mo. |
| 1500 Mbps | $55/mo. |
Xfinity Internet Chicago: Breakdown of Plans And Pricing
In terms of price, Xfinity is also the cheapest internet service provider. Xfinity also has a $20 per month plan, however, its speed is only half of Astound and has a maximum download speed of 150 Mbps. Plus, Xfinity does not have pure fiber plans, rather it provides its connectivity via coaxial cables.
Xfinity is a giant in the US telecom industry and has coverage in 35 states across the country. Seven Xfinity plans are available in Chicago. Like I stated above the most basic plan is named “Connect” and has a price of $20 per month. The maximum Speed of Xfinity in the city is 1200 Mbps which is available to customers for a price of $120 per month.
A downside of Xfinity is that their plans have a data cap of 1.2TB and require a 1-year contract. Their data overage charges are $10 for every 50 GB.
Here is a breakdown of their internet plans and pricing:
| West Region | |||
| Plans | Starting Price | Max Speed | Type |
| Internet Essentials | $9.95/mo.* | 50 Mbps | Coaxial-cable |
| Internet Essentials Plus | $29.95/mo.* | 100 Mbps | Coaxial-cable |
| Connect | $19.99/mo. | 150 Mbps | Coaxial-cable |
| Connect More | $30.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | Coaxial-cable |
| Fast | $50.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | Coaxial-cable |
| Superfast | $60.00/mo. | 800 Mbps | Coaxial-cable |
| Gigabit | $65.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Coaxial-cable |
| Gigabit Extra | $70.00/mo. | 1,200 Mbps | Coaxial-cable |
| Gigabit X2 | $120.00/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | Coaxial-cable |
Other Top Chicago Internet Providers
In addition to Astound and Xfinity, there are other affordable internet options in Chicago. Providers like EarthLink and Rise also offer very reliable and competitive plans. Let’s briefly review these other top Chicago internet providers.
EarthLink:
EarthLink is among the oldest ISPs in the country and spans 48 states across the country, including Illinois. This makes it an even bigger ISP than Xfinity.
In Chicago, EarthLink provides 6 internet plans. The speeds start from 100 Mbps and range up to 5 Gig. However, the prices of EarthLink are a little bit higher than other competitors. The price of the 100 Mbps home internet plan is $59.95/mo and customers can get the 5 Gig plan for $189.95/mo.
Although there are no data caps, the company often binds its customers in yearly contracts and if you cancel their subscription before or during the contract, you will have to pay an early termination fee of $200.
| EarthLink Fiber Internet Plans | ||
| Plans | Starting Price | Max Speed |
| Fiber 100 | $59.95/mo | 45 Mbps |
| Fiber 300 | $69.95/mo | 300 Mbps |
| Fiber 500 | $79.95/mo | 500 Mbps |
| Fiber 1 Gig | $89.95/mo | 1 Gbps |
| Fiber 2 Gig | $129.95/mo | 2 Gbps |
| Fiber 5 Gig | $189.95/mo. | 5 Gbps |
Google Fiber:
Google Fiber has recently expanded its operations in Chicago and is a relatively new player in the market. Currently, Gfiber is only providing the 1 Gig fiber plan in Chicago. The company charges $63 per month for this plan and offers no data caps or contracts.
Even though the company has remarkable customer satisfaction, the availability of this ISP is very limited in Chicago so it is not much appealing to Chicago customers.
Rise Broadband:
Unlike other ISPs on this list, Rise Broadband is a regional provider. Rise offers a maximum speed of 250 Mbps via fixed wireless infrastructure. The plan is available for $45 per month and comes with a free installation fee. The company also provides internet with no data caps. This makes rise a good choice for rural internet where other major ISPs are not available.
Internet Availability In Chicago
As I mentioned in the introduction of this blog, the internet availability in Chicago is about $85.9%, which is good but not too good. This is because a lot of cities in Texas and in other states have higher availability ratios. For example, in Houston, the internet availability is 98.6%.
The availability of fiber-optic Internet service in Chicago is about 31.54%, which is quite low. On the other hand, cable internet is available in a whopping 98.49% of the city. Moreover, the average fiber internet speed in Chicago is 3,769 Mbps, while for cable the average speed is less than half and is around 1620 Mbps. The map below shows the coverage area of fiber internet in the city. All the areas in green color have 100 fiber availability, while yellow and red may or may not have fiber optic connectivity.
About 2,308,949 people or 24.44% of the city population have access to AT&T fiber internet services. The average speed of AT&T is very close to the city average and stands at 3,673 Mbps. Similarly, EarthLink is also available to 24.44%, or 2,308,949 people in Chicago.
According to the Chicago Digital Equity Plan 2023, the median income of Chicago residents is about $35,000 annually, which explains why every 1 in 4 persons lack internet access.
The following table gives internet availability by Zipcode::
| Zip Code | Internet Coverage |
|---|---|
| 60612 | 29.96% |
| 60608 | 7.22% |
| 60607 | 45.94% |
| 60624 | 0.21% |
| 60623 | 10.56% |
| 60661 | 58.07% |
| 60642 | 80.34% |
| 60622 | 99.27% |
| 60606 | 59.31% |
| 60605 | 53.42% |
Internet Customer Satisfaction Staus In Chicago 2024
The internet customer satisfaction status is at an average when compared with other cities. As I mentioned earlier, a lot of people can’t afford high-speed internet due to low income. In fact, according to a survey, 20% of the households with annual income less than $20,000 do not have any type of internet.
However, the Chicago government is investing heavily to minimize the digital divide. For instance, in June 2020, the government launched the Chicago Connected program, in which it invested $50 million to expand K-12 broadband access and provide internet to 100,000 students. Likewise in 2022, the Chicago administration invested $6 million to install free WiFi in parks and libraries.
The overall city internet satisfaction is one thing, but what about individual ISPs? How are they performing? Let’s find out.
In the official 2024 American Customer Satisfaction Index report, AT&T scored 80/100, which is the highest out of all ISPs. However, the company saw no improvement as in 2023 it scored the same. On the contrary, Xfinity performed below average with a score of 75/100 which is a 3% improvement from last year’s 73/100 score.
Similarly, in J.D Power 2023 report, AT&T topped the list with a score of 732/1000. Xfinity scored 735/100. These scores are consistent with the SCSI report.
How Much Is Internet In Chicago Per Month?
The average monthly internet bill in Chicago is approximately $61.15 for a standard 60 Mbps connection. This cost can vary depending on the provider and the desired internet speed.
Does Chicago Have Free Wi-Fi?
Yes, Chicago offers free Wi-Fi in various public spaces, including parks, libraries, and transportation hubs. The city has been expanding its free Wi-Fi network to ensure that residents and visitors have access to the internet, promoting digital inclusion.
Key locations with free Wi-Fi include:
- Millennium Park
- Chicago Public Library branches
- O’Hare and Midway airports
- CTA buses and trains
Quick Facts And Demographic Insights About Chicago Internet
Internet Access:
About 8% of the households do not have any type of internet-connected device.
Internet Access In Relation To Age Group:
90% of the people between the ages of 18-24 have high-speed internet, while only 70% of people above 75 years can use the internet.
City Infrastructure:
In a survey, 1/3rd participants said that the internet in the city is unreliable. Additionally, 42% of people claimed that the internet is too expensive for them.
Wrapping Up
AT&T Fiber emerges as the best overall provider, offering unparalleled speed and reliability. For budget-conscious consumers, Astound Broadband and Xfinity provide affordable plans without compromising on quality.
As Chicago continues to grow as a tech hub, the demand for high-speed, reliable internet will only increase. By considering the options outlined in this review, residents can make informed decisions to stay connected in the Windy City.
