Internet Types

Cable Internet: Providers, Speeds & Availability

Cable internet runs over the same coaxial network as cable TV and is the most widely deployed wired broadband in America — 23,065 of 31,409 ZIP codes per FCC data. Downloads reach 1–2 Gbps with entry promos from about $25/mo, though uploads trail fiber significantly.

What is cable internet?

Cable internet is broadband delivered over hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) networks using the DOCSIS standard. Fiber carries the signal to your neighborhood; coax covers the last stretch to your home. Modern DOCSIS 3.1 networks advertise 1–2 Gbps downloads, but uploads typically run 20–250 Mbps, and speeds can dip at peak hours because neighborhoods share capacity.

Top cable providers

Xfinity

  • Plans from $45/mo*
  • 8,807 ZIP codes · 41 states (FCC)
  • Up to 10 Gbps · Cable & Fiber

Spectrum

  • Plans from $30/mo*
  • 9,674 ZIP codes · 42 states (FCC)
  • Up to 1 Gbps · Cable Internet

Cox (now Spectrum)

  • Plans from $30/mo*
  • 1,166 ZIP codes · 19 states (FCC)
  • Up to 2 Gbps · Fiber-powered

Optimum

  • Plans from $40/mo*
  • 2,189 ZIP codes · 21 states (FCC)
  • Up to 8 Gbps · Cable & Fiber

Mediacom

  • Plans from $30/mo*
  • 1,458 ZIP codes · 22 states (FCC)
  • Up to 2 Gbps · Cable Internet

Sparklight

  • Plans from $24.95/mo*
  • 676 ZIP codes · 22 states (FCC)
  • Up to 1 Gbps · Cable & Fiber

Breezeline

  • Plans from $30/mo*
  • 799 ZIP codes · 13 states (FCC)
  • Up to 1 Gbps · Cable & Fiber

Astound Broadband

  • Plans from $45/mo*
  • 1,313 ZIP codes · 13 states (FCC)
  • Up to 5 Gbps · Cable & Fiber

* Indicative starting prices; they vary by address and carry the provider’s own terms (promo length, Auto Pay), shown on each provider’s profile.

Cable internet pricing

Cable’s signature move is the first-year promo: entry pricing from about $25 to $45/mo that steps up once the promotional period ends. Two counters: price-lock plans (Optimum up to 5 years on eligible plans, Midco 3, Mediacom 2, and Spectrum up to 3 when you bundle services) and no-cap providers like Spectrum that keep the real cost close to the sticker.

See every cable internet provider at your address:

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Frequently asked questions

Is cable internet good enough for streaming and gaming?
Yes for almost everyone — 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps down handles 4K streaming and gaming easily. The limits show in uploads (20–35 Mbps on many tiers), which matter for streaming yourself, video calls, and cloud backups. If you upload heavily, prefer fiber.
Who is the largest cable internet provider?
By FCC ZIP-code footprint (Dec 2024): Spectrum covers 9,674 ZIPs and Xfinity 8,807 — together they pass a majority of U.S. homes. Cox, Optimum, Mediacom, Sparklight, Breezeline, and Astound anchor their own regions.
Why does my cable bill go up after a year?
Almost all cable pricing is promotional for 12–24 months, after which the standard rate applies — typically $20–$35/mo higher. Mark the promo end date; renegotiating or switching at that point is normal and expected.

Keep reading

Best Internet Providers of 2026How Much Is Internet?How to Switch ProvidersAll providers

Coverage statistics: FCC Broadband Data Collection, Dec 2024 vintage (residential filings; ZIP counts reflect at least one provider of this technology per ZIP) — broadbandmap.fcc.gov. Pricing is indicative and varies by address.

Find Your Perfect Internet Plan

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