Best Internet Providers in Rockford, Illinois
Our Experts
What is the best internet provider in Rockford, Illinois?
Xfinity is the best internet service provider in Rockford. That’s not because it offers incredible service -- Xfinity’s customer satisfaction scores are slightly above average -- but because it’s the only wired provider in the area. That means it has the fastest and most reliable plans, but caveats like price increases, data caps and contracts can make Xfinity feel like a cheap trick (and I don't mean the rock band from Rockford).
T-Mobile Home Internet is the best alternative to Xfinity, and it’s available to about half of Rockville, according to FCC data. (Verizon’s 5G Home Internet is an even better wireless option, but only 7% of Rockford residents can access it.) You may sacrifice some reliability with wireless internet, but it offers plenty of speed for most households.
Starlink is the best satellite internet provider in Rockford. It’s not often we recommend satellite internet in a city, but since there are few other options in Rockford, Starlink is a viable alternative. Just be prepared to pay $599 for equipment when you sign up.
Our methodology
CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Rockford across several categories. Our evaluation includes referencing a proprietary database built over years of reviewing internet services. We validate that against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also do a close read of providers' terms and conditions and, when needed, will call ISPs to verify the details.
Despite our efforts to find the most recent and accurate information, our process has some limitations you should know about. Pricing and speed data are variable: Certain addresses may qualify for different service tiers, and monthly costs may vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your particular options is to plug your address into a provider's website.
The prices, speed and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. The cards display the full range of a provider's pricing and speed across the US, according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs, while the text is specific to what's available in Rockford. The prices referenced within this article's text come from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month -- a standard industry offering. Other discounts and promotions might also be available for things like signing a term contract or bundling with multiple services.
To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.
Best internet in Rockford, Illinois
Xfinity
Best internet provider in Rockford, IL
Our take - Xfinity is the only wired internet provider in Rockford, which means it will be the best choice for most people. It has the fastest and cheapest plans in the city, but there are some caveats to look out for. You’ll need to commit to a one- or two-year contract to get the best price on most plans, and your price will increase significantly after that contract is up. Like all cable internet providers, Xfinity also has slower upload speeds, but that’s the case with all internet providers in Rockford.
T-Mobile Home Internet
Best fixed wireless internet in Rockford, IL
Our take - In Rockville, the best alternative to Xfinity is T-Mobile Home Internet, although FCC data shows it’s available only to around half of the homes in the city. Its wireless internet gets you download speeds up to 245Mbps for $60 per month, or $40 to $50 with a T-Mobile cellphone plan. That price includes all the equipment you need, and there are no data caps or contracts. That noted, wireless internet tends to be less reliable than wired internet like Xfinity.
Starlink
Best satellite internet in Rockford, IL
Our take - We’d usually recommend satellite internet only in rural areas, but since Rockford has few options outside of Xfinity, Starlink is worth considering here -- especially if you’re desperate for another option. You’ll have to purchase the satellite equipment upfront for $599, and the monthly cost isn’t cheap at $120. But Starlink provides solid speeds and doesn’t automatically increase prices after a year or two.
Rockford, Illinois, internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AT&T Internet Read full review | DSL | $55 | Up to 140Mbps | None | 1.5TB on some plans | None | 7.4 |
|
Rise Broadband Read full review | Fixed wireless | $55 | Up to 50Mbpps | None | None | None | 6.2 |
|
Starlink Read full review | Satellite | $120 | 25-220Mbps | $599 upfront | None | None | N/A |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $60 ($40-$50 with mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-300Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
|
Xfinity Read full review | Cable | $20-$100 | 150-2,000Mbps | $15 (included in most plans) | 1.2TB | Optional | 7 |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Rockford, Illinois
The internet pickings are slim in Rockford, and there aren’t many alternatives to the options listed above. Still, you might get lucky and have a few more options available at your address. Here’s every other internet provider that offers service in the city:
- Satellite internet: We already mentioned Starlink as a viable option above, but there are two other satellite internet companies available in Rockford: HughesNet and Viasat. The difference between these two and Starlink is that Starlink uses low-orbit satellites, which is able to provide faster speeds and significantly lower latency. HughesNet and Viasat also come with low data caps that make things like streaming video impractical.
- Rise Broadband: Rise Broadband offers wireless home internet for $55 per month to about half of Rockford. Speeds are significantly lower than T-Mobile or US Cellular, topping out at 50Mbps download and 15Mbps upload. Rise Broadband does offer unlimited data, but you’ll have to pay an extra $10 each month for equipment rental.
- US Cellular: US Cellular is another wireless internet provider that relies on a cellular network to deliver home internet. Depending on where you live in Rockford, you can get download speeds up to 195Mbps and upload speeds up to 50Mbps. The main downside is that there’s a 600GB data cap on its plan; for context, the average US household uses 641GB of data each month. You won’t get hit with fees after you reach this data cap, but your traffic will be deprioritized. FCC data shows that 92% of Rockford addresses have access to US Cellular home internet.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: It’s available to only 7% of homes in Rockford, but if you can get it, Verizon is a solid option for wireless internet. Its plans cost $50 to $70 monthly for speeds up to 300Mbps, but you can save $15 to $25 each month by bundling with an eligible cellphone plan. Equipment is included in the price, and Verizon currently offers a five-year price-lock guarantee -- a lifetime in the internet world.
Cheap internet options in Rockford
Rockford has some of the cheapest internet plans you’ll find anywhere in the country -- primarily due to Xfinity’s plans. Outside of Xfinity, Verizon 5G Home Internet is the only provider that has a plan available for $50 monthly or less, although T-Mobile Home Internet is available for as low as $40 a month when you bundle with an eligible cellphone plan.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Rockford?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Xfinity Connect Read full review | $20 | 150Mbps | $15 (optional) |
|
Xfinity Connect More Read full review | $35 | 300Mbps | None |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | None |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Rockford
Rockford's best internet deals and top promotions depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Rockford internet providers, such as T-Mobile Home Internet and Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including Verizon 5G Home Internet and Starlink, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is Rockford broadband?
On average, Rockford broadband is slower than you’ll find in nearby cities like Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison. Xfinity is the only provider in the city that offers gig speeds -- or any speeds over 300Mbps. For comparison, Chicago has nine plans above 1,000Mbps available in the city.
Fastest internet plans in Rockford
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Xfinity Gigabit X2 Read full review | $100 | 2,000Mbps | 200Mbps | Unlimited | Cable |
|
Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review | $85 | 1,200Mbps | 35Mbps | 1.2TB | Cable |
|
Xfinity Gigabit Read full review | $70 | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | 1.2TB | Cable |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics -- browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one person sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two people to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more people to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Rockford
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also take into account real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What's the final word on internet providers in Rockford?
Internet in Rockford is a mixed bag. On the one hand, every address in the city has access to minimum broadband speeds -- defined by the FCC as 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload. The downside is that that’s almost entirely through one provider: Xfinity. While T-Mobile Home Internet and Starlink are viable options in some areas, Xfinity is so far ahead of the competition that there isn’t actually much competition in the city.
Internet providers in Rockford FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Rockford?
Xfinity is the best internet service provider in Rockford. It’s the only provider with a wired connection in the area, so it has the fastest and most reliable speeds. Still, there are downsides to consider, like price increases, contracts, data caps and slow upload speeds.
Is fiber internet available in Rockford?
Fiber internet is available to only 1% of Rockford residents, according to FCC data. Xfinity offers fiber connections to a smattering of homes on the city's south side.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Rockford?
Xfinity is the cheapest internet provider in Rockford, with prices starting at $20 per month. That said, prices increase significantly on all Xfinity plans after a year or two.
Which internet provider in Rockford offers the fastest plan?
Xfinity offers the fastest plan in Rockford, with download speeds up to 2,000Mbps and upload speeds up to 200Mbps.
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