At a Glance
- Verizon Fios is the top-rated provider in New Jersey for speed and reliability.
- Plans range from $35 to $110 per month, with speeds up to 2,000Mbps.
- Rural areas still have high-speed options through T-Mobile Home Internet and satellite services.
Verizon Fios has emerged as the preferred choice for New Jersey residents looking for fast, reliable internet. With symmetrical speeds and a price guarantee, it outperforms competitors in both performance and value.
Verizon Fios: The Top Choice
Verizon Fios offers four plans, each with symmetrical download and upload speeds that can reach 2,000Mbps. The lowest-priced plan starts at $50 per month, while the fastest plan is $110. All plans come with unlimited data and no equipment fees, and Verizon guarantees the price for one to five years.
Customers also benefit from a price lock of up to five years, which is longer than the three-year lock offered by Xfinity. For Verizon mobile customers, the monthly cost can drop to $35.
Other Major ISPs in New Jersey
Xfinity
Xfinity’s entry-level plan begins at $40 per month, providing speeds of 100Mbps. Its highest tier reaches 1,000Mbps and costs $110. Unlike Fios, Xfinity charges for a modem and router, but it offers a broader range of packages.
Spectrum
Spectrum’s plans start at $30 per month for 100Mbps and go up to $120 for 8,000Mbps. The service is known for its wide availability, especially in suburban neighborhoods.
Optimum
Optimum’s cable/fiber bundles range from $25 to $120 per month and can deliver speeds up to 8,000Mbps in some locations. It includes a free modem but charges for a router.
Rural Internet Options
New Jersey’s rural regions still enjoy high-speed internet through several providers:
- Brightspeed took over DSL operations from CenturyLink, maintaining plans from $50 to $109 per month with speeds up to 300Mbps.
- T-Mobile Home Internet offers speeds from 133Mbps to 415Mbps, starting at $50 per month.
- Satellite services such as Starlink and Viasat provide speeds ranging from 100Mbps to 150Mbps.
Starlink’s standard service costs $120 per month and $349 to get started, but it offers free hardware during its current promotional period.
Cheapest Plans and Value
When value is the priority, Xfinity’s Essential and Essential Plus plans are hard to beat. Xfinity’s $15 plan delivers 75Mbps with unlimited data and no equipment fees, making it the cheapest option in the state.
Brightspeed’s entry-level plan at $29 per month provides 300Mbps for the first six months, while Spectrum offers a similar plan at $30 for 100Mbps.
| Provider | Starting Price | Max Download | Equipment Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios | $50 | 2,000Mbps | Free |
| Xfinity | $15 | 75Mbps | Free |
| Brightspeed | $29 | 300Mbps | Free |
| Spectrum | $30 | 100Mbps | Free |
| Verizon 5G Home | $35 | 85Mbps | Free |
The table above shows that Verizon Fios offers the highest speeds at a competitive price, while Xfinity provides the lowest entry-level cost.
Speed and Coverage
New Jersey enjoys a median download speed of 307Mbps, according to the latest Ookla data. The state boasts 100% coverage for speeds above 250Mbps, thanks to the presence of Verizon Fios, Xfinity, and Optimum.
The fastest plans available in the state include:
- Optimum 8 Gig: 8,000Mbps download, 8,000Mbps upload.
- Brightspeed 2 Gig: 2,000Mbps download and upload.
- Verizon Fios 2 Gig: 2,000Mbps download and upload.
These high-speed options are particularly attractive for businesses and households that require substantial bandwidth.
Rural Internet Options
Rural communities still have access to quality internet. T-Mobile Home Internet offers speeds up to 415Mbps with no equipment fees, and its pricing starts at $50. Satellite options like Starlink and Viasat provide speeds from 100Mbps to 150Mbps, though they come with higher monthly costs and potential latency.
Brightspeed’s rural plans maintain the same pricing structure as in urban areas, ensuring consistency across the state.
How the Recommendations Were Made
The recommendations are based on a three-step evaluation:
- Speed – Providers must offer reasonable download and upload speeds.
- Value – Plans should deliver unlimited data and competitive pricing.
- Customer Satisfaction – Ratings from the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power were considered.
Data was gathered from the Federal Communications Commission and each provider’s official website. The final selection highlights providers that score “yes” on all three criteria.
Key Takeaways
- Verizon Fios leads in speed, reliability, and price guarantees.
- Xfinity offers the lowest entry-level cost but a shorter price lock.
- Rural residents can rely on T-Mobile Home Internet and satellite services for high-speed access.
- New Jersey’s median download speed remains above 307Mbps, ranking it among the fastest states.
Overall, New Jersey’s internet landscape is robust, with multiple options that cater to both urban and rural needs. Verizon Fios remains the standout provider for those prioritizing speed, reliability, and long-term value.
