Best Reviewed
ISPs
- Best ISP Verizon FiOS *Est. $50
- Best cable broadband ISP Cox Cable *Est. $35
- Best regional cable broadband ISP Wow! Cable *Est. $40
- Best DSL ISP EarthLink DSL *Est. $30
- Best dial-up ISP EarthLink Dial-up *Est. $15
- Free dial-up NetZero/Juno Dial-up *Est. $0
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- Cheap for a broadband ISP
- Free modem and wireless router if you order online
- Nine email accounts
- 24/7 phone support
- Wi-Fi access available with more expensive plans
- Not available in all areas
- Internet security software costs $6 extra per month
Verizon was the first company to introduce slower and cheaper DSL. Its budget-friendly service runs at a downstream speed of up to 1 Mbps and costs $10 less per month if you have Verizon home phone service. You get nine email accounts and 24/7 phone support; if you order online, you also get a free modem and wireless router. If you prefer cable Internet service, Cox Cable (*Est. $35 per month) earns good ratings from customers.
Verizon is included in the latest ConsumerReports.org survey of high-speed ISPs conducted in 2010. We also looked at the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates customer survey and user reviews at BroadbandReports.com.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org ranks high-speed ISPs -- including Verizon DSL -- based on responses to a 2010 survey. About 70,000 people with Internet service responded, rating their ISPs on factors such as reliability, value, customer support and connection speed. Results can be viewed only by subscribers.
Review: Internet Service Ratings, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, May 2011
In J.D. Power's 2010 customer satisfaction survey, ISPs are rated on overall satisfaction, performance and reliability, cost of service, customer service, billing, and offerings and promotions. The survey divides the U.S. by region, and Verizon is ranked first in the East.
Review: High Speed Internet Service Provider Ratings, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, Oct. 28, 2010
Verizon DSL earns a six-month average customer score of 63 percent and wins a Bronze Star award. Scores are highest in connection reliability and value, and lowest in technical support.
Review: All Reviews of Verizon Online DSL, Contributors to BroadbandReports.com, As of Oct. 2011
ISPs Runners Up:
3 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: BroadbandReports.com…
2 picks by top review sites.