Hey there! Looking to get connected with reliable high-speed internet at your home or business in Delaware? With more households than ever depending on the internet for work, school, entertainment and more, having the right ISP is crucial.
The good news is, Delaware has seen expanding investments in broadband infrastructure delivering faster, more widely available internet access across the state. There are a range of great options to consider from national providers with extensive networks to local companies serving specific communities.
This guide will walk you through the top 12 ISPs in Delaware. We‘ll look at the types of services offered, network technologies used, typical speeds, pricing and contracts. I‘ll also provide some tips on how to evaluate providers to find the right fit for your household.
Let‘s get started!
An Overview of Broadband Access in Delaware
As of 2021, Delaware had high broadband accessibility with 98% of the population having wired coverage available where they live. However, adoption rates trail availability, with only 80% of households actually subscribing to broadband internet service as of 2020. This leaves room for continued growth in subscribership.
Delaware‘s most connected county is New Castle, with 97% of households using broadband internet. Kent County has a subscriber rate of 85% while Sussex County lags at 75% adoption. Rural areas tend to have lower connectivity, so expanding access remains a priority.
The mean download speed in Delaware is 142 Mbps. While a 20% improvement over 2020, this still falls below the national average download speed of 177 Mbps. So faster service will be a theme as we review providers.
Xfinity from Comcast – Delaware‘s Largest Cable Internet Provider
As the nation‘s largest cable company, Comcast (under its Xfinity brand) unsurprisingly holds the greatest market share of broadband subscribers in Delaware at around 60%. Comcast has invested significantly in its cable network across Delaware, now providing speeds up to 1 Gbps to much of its service area.
Xfinity internet pricing starts at $29.99/month for the 50 Mbps plan. Bundles with TV, home phone and mobile services are also available. Xfinity hotspots provide free public WiFi access around Delaware for subscribers.
Xfinity Speeds and Pricing
| Plan | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Starter | 50 Mbps | $29.99/month |
| Performance | 100 Mbps | $59.99/month |
| Performance Pro | 200 Mbps | $69.99/month |
| Blast! | 400 Mbps | $89.99/month |
| Gigabit | 1,000 Mbps | $89.99/month |
Comcast continues to expand its Gigabit Pro multi-Gigabit service for select homes and businesses in Delaware. This fiber-based offering can deliver symmetrical speeds up to 3 Gbps.
Verizon Fios – Ultra-Fast Fiber Optic Internet
Verizon Fios stands out as one of the only providers in Delaware to offer 100% fiber-to-the-premises internet connections. Fiber optic networks provide the fastest and most reliable internet service.
Verizon Fios uses fiber optic cables with light signals to achieve symmetrical speeds up to 940 Mbps. This makes Fios great for video streaming, gaming, video conferencing and more high-bandwidth activities.
Verizon Fios availability is limited but expanding across Delaware‘s metro areas and suburbs including Newark, Wilmington, Dover, Smyrna, Middletown and Claymont.
Verizon Fios Plans and Pricing
| Plan | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 100/100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | $39.99/month |
| 300/300 Mbps | 300 Mbps | $59.99/month |
| Gigabit Connection | 940 Mbps | $79.99/month |
Bundles with Fios TV and home phone services are also available. Verizon continues to invest in extending the capabilities of its fiber network.
AT&T Internet – DSL and Fiber Broadband
AT&T provides both fiber and DSL internet across Delaware. Their fiber network delivers speeds up to 1 Gbps in areas of Wilmington, Newark, New Castle and more.
For households not yet served by fiber, AT&T offers DSL over phone lines with speeds from 10 to 100 Mbps based on location. Bundled TV packages are available including AT&T U-Verse and DirecTV.
AT&T Fiber Internet
| Plan | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Internet 300 | 300 Mbps | $55/month |
| Internet 5G | 500 Mbps | $60/month |
| Internet 1G | 1,000 Mbps | $80/month |
AT&T Internet DSL
| Plan | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Internet 10 | 10 Mbps | $40/month |
| Internet 25 | 25 Mbps | $45/month |
| Internet 50 | 50 Mbps | $50/month |
| Internet 100 | 100 Mbps | $60/month |
AT&T has worked to expand availability in rural areas through state and federal connectivity programs. Their fiber network now covers over 40% of Delaware households.
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet – A Wireless Option
T-Mobile is shaking up the home internet market by leveraging its robust 5G network to provide wireless broadband services. Download speeds range from 33 to 182 Mbps with no data caps.
This 5G router solution is quick and easy to install yourself in minutes. Service costs a flat $50/month with any taxes and fees included, and no annual contract.
T-Mobile 5G home internet is a compelling wireless option for rural areas unserved by traditional wired providers. It also provides an alternative to urban households frustrated with cable.
Early performance results show excellent speeds and reliability that can support video streaming, gaming, video calls and working from home. Keep an eye on T-Mobile as they rapidly expand 5G home internet across Delaware in 2024.
Breezeline – Cable Internet from a Regional Provider
Breezeline is a major regional ISP providing cable-based broadband services in 12 states including Delaware. They offer high-speed internet available in New Castle County, Dover, Smyrna and central Kent County.
Top-tier plans boast speeds up to 1 Gbps powered by Breezeline‘s hybrid fiber coaxial network. Breezeline also provides fiber internet and voice solutions for businesses under its Cogeco brand.
Breezeline Residential Plans
| Plan | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 60 Mbps | 60 Mbps | $29.99/month |
| 200 Mbps | 200 Mbps | $39.99/month |
| 400 Mbps | 400 Mbps | $59.99/month |
| 1 Gig | 1,000 Mbps | $79.99/month |
Breezeline allows bundling with TV and phone services. Focusing on underserved markets, Breezeline continues to expand broadband availability across its footprint.
WhyFly – A Top Local Wilmington ISP
Founded in 2000, WhyFly is a local internet provider serving homes and businesses in the Wilmington area. They operate a fixed wireless network transmitting high-speed internet between antennas on towers and buildings.
This point-to-point wireless connection allows WhyFly to provide broadband without the need to run cable on poles or underground. Availability includes downtown Wilmington, Newport, Claymont, Pike Creek, Hockessin and more.
WhyFly Residential Plans
| Plan | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Mbps | 30 Mbps | $55/month |
| 60 Mbps | 60 Mbps | $75/month |
| 120 Mbps | 120 Mbps | $95/month |
WhyFly stands out with excellent customer service from their local Delaware-based support team. The company continues to expand its fixed wireless coverage in northern New Castle County.
DirectLink – Business Fiber Optics in Wilmington
Founded in 1996, DirectLink is a Wilmington-based provider operating a high-capacity fiber optic network across northern Delaware. In addition to ultra-fast residential fiber internet, DirectLink provides enterprise connectivity, cloud solutions and colocation services.
DirectLink‘s fiber network spans over 1,600 route miles enabling speeds up to 100 Gbps. This makes their service ideal for high-bandwidth business applications like video conferencing, cloud computing and network redundancy.
For homes, DirectLink offers symmetrical fiber speeds up to 1 Gbps priced from $59.95 to $109.95 monthly. Their fiber plans also feature unlimited data and free installation. Expanding high-speed fiber access remains a priority for DirectLink.
Bloosurf – Rural Wireless Internet
Bloosurf employs a network of transmission towers to deliver wireless home internet to underserved communities across Delaware. With equipment installed at your home, you can connect to Bloosurf‘s towers up to 15 miles away.
This fixed wireless technology is capable of providing speeds up to 100 Mbps in rural areas not reached by wired broadband networks. Bloosurf focuses on improving connectivity in remote areas.
Bloosurf Residential Plans
| Plan | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Mbps | 15 Mbps | $65/month |
| 25 Mbps | 25 Mbps | $75/month |
| 50 Mbps | 50 Mbps | $120/month |
| 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | $180/month |
With month-to-month and longer-term contracts available, Bloosurf offers flexible wireless options tailored to your needs.
Satellite Internet Providers
For the most remote households and businesses in Delaware beyond the range of wired and wireless broadband networks, satellite internet providers like HughesNet and Viasat offer statewide coverage.
While satellite internet latency is high, innovations like hybrid satellite/cellular connections provide sufficient speeds for everyday web use, streaming and work needs.
Viasat‘s latest satellite internet service offers download speeds up to 100 Mbps priced from $100 to $150 monthly. HughesNet packages start at $59.99 monthly for 25 Mbps speeds.
Key Factors When Comparing Delaware Internet Providers
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Coverage – Confirm an ISP provides service to your address before ordering. Use provider coverage maps to check availability.
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Speed – Faster speeds support more simultaneous devices and usage. Gigabit fiber offers the fastest speeds.
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Data caps – Caps limit your monthly data usage. Look for unlimited data if you stream a lot.
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Contracts – Shorter contract terms offer more flexibility but longer ones often provide better rates.
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Bundles – Bundling internet with TV and phone saves money over standalone service.
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Customer service – Local ISPs like WhyFly and DirectLink provide superior support.
Internet Speed Requirements for Common Activities
When choosing the right speed plan, consider the online activities of everyone in your household. Faster speeds provide extra headroom during periods of heavy usage.
| Activity | Minimum Speed |
|---|---|
| Email, browsing, social | 5 Mbps |
| Streaming HD video | 25 Mbps |
| Video conferencing | 30 Mbps |
| Online gaming | 50 Mbps |
| 4K streaming | 25+ Mbps |
| Smart home devices | 50+ Mbps |
For households with several heavy internet users, gigabit speeds ensure the best experience.
The Outlook for Improved Connectivity in Delaware
Delaware has come a long way in expanding broadband infrastructure in recent years. But continued public and private investment is needed to bring high-speed access to remaining underserved households while meeting increasing demand overall.
State initiatives like the Delaware Broadband Fund are accelerating network deployments through grants to providers. Infrastructure legislation passed in 2021 will deliver $100 million over five years to support broadband growth in Delaware.
Areas of focus include statewide fiber expansion, rural wireless networks, increased competition and affordability, and connecting community institutions like schools and libraries.
With all the improvements underway, Delaware households can look forward to even more choice and quality when it comes to staying connected.
Finding Your Perfect Internet Match
I hope you‘ve found this overview of Delaware‘s top internet providers helpful. Comparing the options available for your address based on speed, price, service terms and other factors will help you get matched with the right ISP.
Reliable high-speed internet access is more vital than ever before for work, education and our daily lives. I‘m happy to answer any other questions as you shop for the ideal internet service in Delaware!