Top Internet Providers in Michigan
Spectrum - Best Overall Provider
Spectrum
offers widespread high-speed internet
coverage in Michigan, making it accessible to many residents. The Michigan internet providers are known for their fair pricing and a range of speed tiers. offers widespread high-speed internet coverage in Michigan, making it accessible to many residents. The Michigan internet providers are known for their fair pricing and a range of speed tiers.
AT&T Fiber - Best Fiber Internet
Fiber-optic internet
is the gold standard for speed and reliability, and AT&T Fiber
provides this option to a significant portion of Michigan households.
WideOpenWest (WOW) - Best Affordable Internet
WOW offers competitive pricing, with plans starting at just $20 a month for 100Mbps.
They also provide a gigabit plan at an excellent value of $50 a month for speeds up
to 1Gbps.
Frontier - Best Rural Internet
In rural areas where wired connections are limited,
Frontier Internet,
which uses a DSL network,
maybe the best available option for reliable and consistent service.
Xfinity - Best Plan Selection
Xfinity stands out for
its range of plan options, with six standard plans and a unique prepaid internet plan. They also offer a
low-cost plan for qualifying households.
Additional Michigan Internet Providers
| Internet Provider |
Connection Type |
Monthly Cost Range |
Speed Range |
Monthly Data Cap |
Contract |
| AT&T Fiber |
Fiber-Optic |
$55 to $180/month |
300 to 5000 Mbps |
None |
None |
| AT&T Internet |
Copper (DSL) |
$55/month |
10 to 100 Mbps |
1.5 TB |
None |
| Frontier Fiber |
Fiber-Optic |
$50 to $155/month |
500 to 5000 Mbps |
None |
None |
| Frontier Internet |
Copper (DSL) |
$50/month |
Varies |
None |
None |
Rural and 5G Home Internet Options
In rural areas where wired connections may not reach, wireless internet becomes a crucial alternative.
Here are some internet providers Michigan to consider in rural areas.
-
HughesNet -
Offers speeds of 25Mbps down and 3Mbps up, with pricing ranging from $50 to $150 a month for 15GB to 100GB of data.
-
Mercury Broadband -
Provides faster speeds (30Mbps to 150Mbps) and higher data allowances compared to
satellite internet,
with pricing ranging from $50 to $100 a month.
-
Starlink -
Offers speeds of 250Mbps or higher in certain areas, but initial costs can be high, with a $600 start-up fee and a $120 monthly charge.
-
T-Mobile Home Internet -
Offers broadband coverage across much of the state, with speeds ranging from 72Mbps to 245Mbps,
priced at $50 a month with unlimited data and no contracts.
-
Viasat -
Provides higher potential speeds compared to HughesNet, with download speeds of 50Mbps or higher.
Pricing starts at $70 to $300 a month, with rate increases after three months.
Michigan Broadband Overview
According to FCC data, West Michigan broadband
speeds of 25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up are available to 100% of Michigan households, but satellite internet skews this number,
as only 87% of residences can access broadband speeds through wired cable, DSL, or fiber-optic connections.
Internet Pricing in Michigan
WOW and Xfinity offer the cheapest internet plans among major ISPs in Michigan. For added savings, using your own Wi-Fi
equipment can help you avoid rental fees. If you can't get WOW or Xfinity, expect to pay at least $50 to $60 a month for
service from AT&T, Frontier, Spectrum, T-Mobile 5G, and Verizon 5G, though none come with excessive fees.
Internet for Low-Income Households in Michigan
The Affordable Connectivity Program offers up to $30 a month ($75 on Tribal lands) for qualifying Michigan residents to
use towards home internet service. Various Michigan internet providers also offer low-income plans that, when combined
with the ACP credit, may be available at a net cost of $0.
Affordable Internet Providers in Michigan
| Internet Plan |
Starting Cost |
Maximum Download Speed |
Equipment Fee |
| Access from AT&T |
$30/month |
100 Mbps |
None |
| Spectrum Internet Assist |
$18/month |
30 Mbps |
None |
| Xfinity Internet Essentials |
$10-$30/month |
50 to 100 Mbps |
None |
Internet Speed in Michigan
Internet Michigan offers gigabit download speeds through providers like AT&T Fiber, Spectrum, WOW, and Xfinity.
However, upload speeds are often limited, with fiber-optic internet being the exception. Recent speed test
reports by Ookla ranked Michigan 22nd for fastest download speeds at 182Mbps, with Xfinity being the fastest
provider, averaging speeds of 236Mbps. Upload speeds ranked 36th at around 20Mbps.
Conclusion
Choosing the right internet provider in Michigan is a significant decision that should not be taken lightly.
Factors such as availability, speed, pricing, and your specific needs will play a crucial role in making this
decision. By considering the information provided in this guide, you can make an informed choice that aligns
with your budget and online requirements. Whether you're a die-hard Wolverine or Spartan, one thing is certain:
access to reliable internet is essential in the Great Lakes State.
