Networking

The thing that makes the Internet the Internet is that everything connects. And the reason that everything connects is because almost everything on the Internet has an address. An Ethernet port that connects a computer to the network has what’s called a “MAC” address. A host computer is reachable via an IP address. And servers each have a URL so they can be contacted.  All of these forms of address are the result of what are called protocols. Protocols, the central achievement of the Internet, are an agreement about how things will be addressed so that everything can to be reached. They are protocols because they are not owned by anyone, they are agreed to by everyone who wants to participate, and they are universal. But human beings don’t have a protocol on the Internet. To the extent that people on the Internet connect to one another as people, it is only via private databases. People only interact to the extent that one party, the owner of that database, allows them to interact. Facebook is the social graph of people’s identities, created and kept inside a private database. Twitter is the information graph of people’s interests, created and kept inside a private database.  For all intents and purposes, humans don’t exist as individuals on social networks. Their identities are the creation of advertising databases, phantoms of the daydreams of a computer program.
Tiernan Ray for ZDNet
The same is true for identities inside of Snap and Pinterest and Tik Tok and LinkedIn and everywhere else that people’s identities are formed. To the extent that interaction with others — and particularly individual control over those interactions — forms a core part of one’s identity, no one has an identity on the Internet except what is created inside those private social databases.  The stakes are high for identity, because Facebook, in particular, but others as well, view identity as the last frontier to replace the Internet with something of their own creation. On Facebook’s Q2 conference call last month, founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg described what he coined the “metaverse,” a world that sounds like a replacement for the Internet:  So what is the metaverse? It’s a virtual environment where you can be present with people in digital spaces. And you can kind of think about this as an embodied Internet that you’re inside of rather than just looking at, and we believe that this is going to be the successor to the mobile Internet. You’re going to be able to access the metaverse from all different devices and different levels of fidelity, from apps on phones and PCs to immersive virtual and augmented reality devices. Within the metaverse, you’re going to be able to hang out, play games with friends, work, create, and more. You’re basically going to be able to do everything that you can on the Internet today as well as some things that don’t make sense on the Internet today like dancing. The defining quality of the metaverse is presence, which is this feeling that you’re really there with another person or in another place. Creation, avatars, and digital objects are going to be central to how we express ourselves. This is going to lead to entirely new experiences and economic opportunities. Just like that, Facebook will redefine connecting to one another as being inside — deep inside — a Facebook reality.

Given the rather stark prospect of the metaverse as a single Internet controlled by one company, one wonders, Why should it be the case that the open arrangement of the Internet doesn’t extend to the one area of humans’ participation that is arguably most important to each individual, their identity? And by extension, why doesn’t the Internet have a personal protocol to ensure connectivity between people just as it does between computers?  Also: Physics explains why there is no information on social media The simplest answer is that the people who created the Internet didn’t foresee that it would be used for social activities. They didn’t foresee it, so they didn’t build it. “I totally missed the entire world of social networks,” said Leonard Kleinrock, one of the key inventors of the Internet, in a recent talk via Zoom to a small audience.  Kleinrock sent the first packets of data over the Internet from his laboratory at UCLA in 1969. “I was still thinking of computers talking to each other, maybe people talking to computers, but not people talking to people,” Kleinrock reflected. Kleinrock was speaking as the guest in a forum last month, the Collective[i] Forecast, which is organized by Collective[i], which bills itself as “an AI platform designed to optimize B2B sales.” No one, said Kleinrock, in the early days expected anything like social, or even email, which got underway shortly after the first packets were sent, in 1972.  “Nobody saw email, nobody saw YouTube, nobody saw the Web, nobody saw peer-to-peer transfer, nobody saw blockchain,” said Kleinrock. “It came in a surprising way, and as soon as it hit, it became contagious, explosive, and very quickly almost dominated the network.” “I totally missed the entire world of social networks,” says Leonard Kleinrock, one of the key inventors of the Internet. “I was still thinking of computers talking to each other, maybe people talking to computers, but not people talking to people.”
Collective[i]
As a consequence of that blind spot by Kleinrock and others, the network never developed what might have been a personal protocol. Kleinrock, looking back, regards the lack of built-in authentication of people as one of the failings of the Internet. The Internet, he said, should have built in both file authentication and “strong user authentication.” The latter would make sure that ‘If you’re talking to me, you’ve got to prove it’s you.” For lack of a protocol, social media stepped in to fill the void.  Numerous effects have flowed from that role of social, including many pernicious ones.  One bad effect is that social media is an island that exists inside the Internet, a gatekeeper of interconnection. People cannot connect to one another unless they subscribe to a given service. The same presumption of universal connectivity between machines doesn’t exist between people. In fact, the only way for users of a service such as Facebook to alert users of a service such as Twitter, and vice versa, is for both users to back off to a service that is actually open and ubiquitous, email.   Also: Exclusive: Internet pioneer Kleinrock returns to fix what ails the internet A larger implication is privacy. Every user of a social network signs on to give vast control over personal information to social media, with potentially disastrous consequences, as seen in the Cambridge Analytica scandal. There is no lever by which an individual can negotiate with social media companies for what they would like as the treatment of their information — precisely because within a social network, a person’s information belongs not to them, but to the operator of that private database. “When’s the last time Facebook asked you what privacy protocol you would like applied to you?” Kleinrock pointed out in his talk. “Industry is abusing its power right now.” When individuals want to avoid mis-use of information, such as rampant cookie tracking, their only hope is that another large corporation, such as Apple, will start a fight with social media, and that the outcome may be to the user’s benefit.  The implications of that privacy wormhole stretch far beyond social media. The lack of a personal protocol means every new personal tech gadget is similarly appropriating your personal information without consent.  As Shoshana Zuboff writes in The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, Google’s Nest thermostat “comes with a ‘privacy policy,’ a ‘terms-of-service agreement, and an ‘end-user licensing agreement’,” each of which gather all kinds of personal information.  “Nest takes little responsibility for the security of the information it collects and none for how the other companies in its ecosystem will put those data to use.” With a personal protocol, it is conceivable users could be given some control in the form of deliberate consent to such terms.A third implication of the lack of a personal protocol is the relative lack of competition in social networks. As seen by the collapse of Google’s Google+ effort, building a competitive social graph to vie with Facebook’s social graph is a losing proposition.  Never mind that Twitter is competition for Facebook, and so is Pinterest, and Snap and LinkedIn, etc., and all of them are competing for the same eyeballs. They may have different styles, but they don’t ensure diversity in social. The services all tend toward a certain sameness, a formula meant to shape behavior to sell advertising.  Collectively, there is little to no information on social media, and that is a direct consequence of the fact that social media doesn’t have enough competition in the absence of an open protocol. Legislators and regulators have tried to draught legislation to undo the stanglehold of Facebook and the rest on social, but that’s unlikely to achieve much. A surer form of breaking the oligopoly would be to continue the unfinished business of the Internet. A personal protocol, like every other protocol on the Internet, could allow for multiple different social graphs and interest graphs. Each one would each have to solicit the interest of users and bargain for their information. By definition, those users’ information would be portable, since it would belong to them, not to a database. That would allow movement between social networks, which could result in greater diversity and greater connectedness of individuals.   The question is whether anything can be done at this point in time, given the enormous momentum behind Facebook and the rest. There have been efforts over the years to develop something like an open social media protocol. For example, the OpenSocial working group was active in the World Wide Web Consortium, the W3C, from 2014 to 2017 as an effort to develop a programming interface by which applications could move between different social networks, known as the Social Web. The effort was ended in early 2018. The social networks that supported OpenSocial, moreover, went away or withered, including Google+ and MySpace. Remember Friendster?  Some work on a form of OpenSocial seems to have continued on an open-source effort called the Social Hub and the Fediverse. It appears to be in the hands of a very small group of devotees, with little momentum at present.  Newer efforts suggest the appetite is still there for alternatives. The W3C has a federated identity community group that claims it “will both support federated identity and prevent untransparent, uncontrollable tracking of users across the web.”  The W3C is also working on something called the Metaverse, which the organization describes as an effort to “bridge virtual worlds by designing and promoting protocols for identity, social graphs, inventory, and more.” It’s totally separate from Zuckerberg’s metaverse.   A third initiative is the portable personal data preferences effort, which seeks to “define a way for users to express preferences regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of their personal information.” Kleinrock, in the same talk at the Collective[i] Forecast, laid out what a social protocol should like. It would have a heavy emphasis on the control by an individual of their own personal information: It should be possible for you to articulate what privacy policy you want. You’d be able to say, in some simple language, not a thirty page document, I don’t want you to take my contact database, I don’t want you to track my behavior on the Web, I’ll allow you to do this and not that. And you get a simple graphical picture as to what you’re allowed. And then the industry group comes and says, this is the privacy policy I’m applying. If it fits, fine. If it doesn’t, you negotiate. If you can’t negotiate, you walk. What I’m asking for is a customized privacy policy for every user. And the industry says, what are you talking about, we can’t afford to have a unique privacy policy for every user. And I say, baloney, they already feed you adds which are perfectly customized to you. It sounds simple, but there are major hurdles. One is what’s known as Metcalfe’s Law, coined by Bob Metcalfe, the inventor of Ethernet, and the University of Texas at Austin professor of innovation.  “It’s my point of view that the most important new fact about the human condition is that we are now connected,” says Bob Metcalfe, inventor of the ethernet networking standard. 
Collective[i]
Metcalfe’s Law says that the value of a computer network increases as the square of the number of nodes that it can connect. Metcalfe was talking about nodes as computers, but think of nodes in the case of social media as being people. (In fact, Metcalfe has shown how his Law perfectly describes the exponential growth of social networking.) With 1.91 billion daily users on Facebook, and hundreds of millions of people on all the other social networks, there is a built-in momentum that acts as intertia against a new protocol luring users away from the private databases. That momentum is what Metcalfe refers to as “network effects,” the centrifical force that keeps participants in a network from leaving. No one has proven that network effects can not be undone or reversed. However, as Kleinrock said during his forum, there is the additional challenge that changing Internet infrastructure is harder now that the Internet has built into it certain usage patterns and infrastructure dependency. “It’s really hard, when you have billions of people out there, to change a) their behavior; or b) the rules by which they operate or the protocols they use,” said Kleinrock. “The legacy system is huge.””In the early days of the Arpanet, we had a totally clean sheet. We had it very easy. Now it’s very difficult to make those changes.”Again, the stakes are high. As Metcalfe pointed out during an appearance in another Collective[i] Forecast forum, “It’s my point of view that the most important new fact about the human condition is that we are now connected.” “In fifty years, more than half the human race has gone onto the Internet,” said Metcalfe. “More of us need to focus on studying connectivity per se.” As things stand, humans on the Internet don’t really exist in cyberspace as individuals. They exist as the creation of advertising machines to monetize a manufactured identity by monopolizing information. Humans exist as phantoms, daydreams of a computer program. More

A new report from Gartner has predicted a revenue growth of 39% for the worldwide 5G network infrastructure market in 2021. The estimated $19.1 billion in revenue will far surpass 2020’s figure of $13.7 billion, according to Gartner. Michael Porowski, senior principal research analyst at Gartner, said the COVID-19 pandemic “spiked demand for optimized and ultrafast broadband connectivity to support work-from-home and bandwidth-hungry applications, such as streaming video, online gaming and social media applications.” “Business and customer demand is an influencing factor in this growth. As consumers return to the office, they will continue to upgrade or switch to gigabit fiber to the home service as connectivity has become an essential remote work service,” said Porowski. “Users will also increasingly scrutinize CSPs for both office and remote work needs.”The shift corresponded with an acceleration in 5G development in 2020 and 2021 thanks to communications service providers (CSPs) in mature markets. Gartner found that 5G accounted for 39% of the total revenue brought in from wireless infrastructure this year. The report also noted that investment in other wireless infrastructure is waning “rapidly” across “all regions” as CSPs shift to 5G small cells.Through increased adoption of dynamic spectrum sharing and millimeter wave base stations, CSPs across North America will reach $4.3 billion in 5G revenue in 2021, up from $2.9 billion last year. CSPs in Western Europe are taking a different tack, focusing on licensing spectrum, modernizing mobile core infrastructure and navigating regulatory processes as they slowly grow 5G revenue from $794 million in 2020 to nearly $2 billion in 2021. 

Gartner added that the Greater China region would still retain its top spot, with $9.1 billion in 2021 through 5G revenue.By 2024, Gartner predicts that 60% of CSPs will provide commercializable 5G services.Gartner researchers also touted the 10-Gigabit-capable symmetric-PON (XGS-PON) technology, which they believe will be used by 60% of the Tier-1 CSPs by 2025. More

Internet bills are infamous for being riddled with hidden fees and additional costs. Some are avoidable, while others are industry standard. Either way, subscribers should know that the promotional monthly cost for internet service is never the full story. This guide is meant to demystify the most common additional charges and help you understand your internet fees.

Installation and activation fees

$10-$200

Your largest bill is likely your first one. Setting up internet service often comes with a few starter fees. Sometimes providers will include an activation fee in the installation costs, others might charge separately. Activation fees are typically around $10. If you opt to purchase your internet service over the phone instead of online, there’s a fair chance the agent will waive some initial fees.Installing your internet service costs money, too. Installation fees can cost up to $200. Self-installation is the cheaper end of the spectrum — it’s free with providers like CenturyLink but could cost you as much as $35 with AT&T. If you self-install, you’ll receive everything in the mail and follow instructions to plug in and connect your service. Professional installations are sometimes required and always more expensive ($50-$200). Many promotional packages for new customers waive the installation fees, and if you don’t see a deal online, we’d recommend calling a representative.

Equipment rental fee

$5 to $15

You’ll need a router and modem if you want your internet service to be wireless so you can connect any device via Wi-Fi. If you choose to rent this equipment from your internet provider, you’ll be paying an additional monthly equipment fee. The cost usually falls between $5 and $15. Or you can invest in your own wireless router to save money in the long run, and likely experience a smoother internet connection. Routers communicate on radio-like frequencies, so if all your neighbors are renting the same router from the local internet provider, there’s a local increase in traffic.

Recovery fee

$1 to $4 per month

A recovery fee is more unique and may be hidden among other fees and taxes. As Patrick Ward, Editor-In-Chief of High Speed Experts explained it: “One of the most pernicious tactics is framing line items as ‘taxes’ or ‘government’ fees to misdirect consumer outrage such as ‘internet cost recovery fees’. This particular fee goes towards maintenance and expansion of broadband networks which sounds great in theory, until you consider that’s the idea of paying an initial bill for internet in the first place.” The cost can range from $1-$4 per month, but internet packages have recently been leaving it off the docket after customer backlash. 

Data overage fees

$10+

You’ll only be charged a data overage fee if you go over your monthly internet data allotment. Ward told us that, “overage fees have surged in recent years. While ISPs claim they are put in place to reduce congestion, consumer advocates hypothesize it’s a way for ISPs to offset their losses as consumers switch from traditional TV/Cable to streaming services.”The more demanding internet activity your household performs, such as video streaming, the larger the data allotment you’ll need. You’ll usually get a few courtesy warnings when you go over, but will eventually be charged about $10 for every additional 50 GB. 

Late payment fee

Varies

Missing or delayed monthly payments will often result in a fee on the next bill. Most providers allow a few days slack if you’ve forgotten to pay your bill. After about a week or longer, a late fee will be applied, ranging from $10 to $25 or a percentage of the bill. We recommend setting up automatic payments online, so you’ll never miss a bill. Some providers may offer a small discount for opting paperless, too.

Early termination fees

Varies

If you’re moving or switching internet providers, breaking that contract could be costly. You may have to pay the remainder of the months your contract has left, or be charged a flat rate upwards of $300. Worried about commitment? Many providers offer no-contract plans at a higher monthly price, and some internet providers, like Spectrum, don’t require contracts at all. Before signing a contract, consider how long you’ll need the internet service and what it might cost you to cancel early — the monthly savings of a contract might not outweigh the cost of breaking that contract if you need to cancel. More

Verizon Fios and Spectrum are two popular internet service providers that overlap services in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. If you live in this region of the United States, you might find yourself comparing Verizon Fios vs Spectrum to find the best internet service. We’ve put both providers to the test in this comparative guide.One of the first decisions you’ll need to make to choose between Verizon Fios and Spectrum is whether you want cable vs fiber. Fiber internet is a newer technology that is generally considered to be faster and more reliable. However, that doesn’t mean you should rule out cable right away. There’s much more to each of these internet service providers.Verizon Fios vs Spectrum overviewVerizon FiosSpectrumJ.D. Power Rating5/52/5Bundles withCable TV, PhoneCable TV, Phone# of states serviced941Speed range100 – 940Mbps100 – 940MbpsInternet typeFiberCableOther features100% fiber-optic2-year price guaranteeExcellent customer service ratingsNo data cap$500 contract buyout30-day money-back guaranteePrice rangeFrom $40/mo.From $50/mo.Contract lengthNoneNoneCustomer serviceDon’t underestimate the value of customer service. When you sign up with an internet service provider, you’re also committing to their customer service department. This will affect your experience every time you pay your bill, log in online, or call to troubleshoot an issue. Unfortunately, most internet service providers tend to have a reputation for poor customer service once you’ve been locked into a contract.The good news is that both Verizon Fios and Spectrum score above average in customer service. But if we had to choose a winner, Verizon comes out on top in this area. J.D. Power rates the provider as one of the best in customer service, in addition to awards and recognition from many other industry evaluators.Speed packagesSpeed packagesVerizon FiosSpectrum100, 300, or 940Mbps100, 200, or 940MbpsVerizon Fios and Spectrum offer comparable speed packages. Each provider has created packages with three main tiers, depending on the bandwidth you need.The Verizon Fios speed packages start at 100Mbps for individuals with three or fewer devices. This plan is great for browsing and streaming if you don’t plan to have multiple people in the house online at once. The mid-tier package sits at 300Mbps, for larger families with more devices. Finally, the Fios Gigabit Connection offers speeds of up to 940Mbps and can handle an astounding 100 devices. If your household consists of multiple family members and a wide array of smart devices, this is the high-speed plan for you.Spectrum also offers three speed packages. The Standard Internet package comes in at 100Mbps, while the Spectrum Internet Ultra package hits 200Mbps. Finally, the Spectrum Internet GIG package reaches speeds of 940Mbps.

Something to note: Verizon Fios offers fiber optic internet, while Spectrum can only currently provide cable. While the advertised speeds of these packages are similar, fiber internet is known for providing more reliable speed, especially during peak hours.Bundling optionsIn addition to providing internet services, both Verizon Fios and Spectrum offer cable TV and phone services. If you’re an existing customer and you wish to sign up for more than one service at once, you may be able to save money on your monthly internet bill by bundling.Verizon Fios provides numerous perks for customers who opt for a bundle. In addition to receiving internet, TV, and phone services, you’ll get a two-year price guarantee, one free year of Disney+, and a $100 Visa prepaid gift card. Pricing starts at $74.99/mo. However, these bundles require a two-year commitment with monthly autopay.Spectrum also offers bundles, but they aren’t quite as attractive. You’ll get internet service, a set number of TV channels, and home phone service starting at $89.98 per month. However, Spectrum only requires a minimum 12-month commitment to take advantage of these deals.So, Which is Right for Me?If you…Then you should go with:Here’s why:Value customer service…Verizon FiosVerizon Fios was voted best internet service provider by J.D. Power in its 2019 Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study.I don’t live in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic…SpectrumSpectrum offers service in 41 states, while Verizon Fios is only available in 9.Need reliable speed…Verizon FiosVerizon Fios offers fiber optic internet, which is generally known to be more reliable and won’t slow down during high traffic times.How to compare internet companiesBefore you can even look at internet service providers, you need to determine which ones offer service in your area. For example, Verizon Fios only provides fiber internet to nine states, while Spectrum currently services 41 states. Once you’ve confirmed what the options are at your residence, you’ll be able to make a selection from these providers. Pro tip: Use Allconnect to see which providers are available in your area.Choose a speed packageHow many people are in your house? Do you run a lot of smart devices? These are important questions to answer before you choose a speed package. If you choose a plan that’s too slow, you might soon become frustrated with how long it takes to load a web page or stream video content. On the other hand, there probably isn’t a good reason to pay for the fastest speed package if you live alone and don’t have many devices. The good news is that most internet service providers will allow you to upgrade your speed at just about any time, should you change your mind. More

Verizon Fios and Spectrum are two popular internet service providers that overlap services in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. If you live in this region of the United States, you might find yourself comparing Verizon Fios vs Spectrum to find the best internet service. We’ve put both providers to the test in this comparative guide.One of the first decisions you’ll need to make to choose between Verizon Fios and Spectrum is whether you want cable vs fiber. Fiber internet is a newer technology that is generally considered to be faster and more reliable. However, that doesn’t mean you should rule out cable right away. There’s much more to each of these internet service providers.Verizon Fios vs Spectrum overviewVerizon FiosSpectrumJ.D. Power Rating5/52/5Bundles withCable TV, PhoneCable TV, Phone# of states serviced941Speed range100 – 940Mbps100 – 940MbpsInternet typeFiberCableOther features100% fiber-optic2-year price guaranteeExcellent customer service ratingsNo data cap$500 contract buyout30-day money-back guaranteePrice rangeFrom $40/mo.From $50/mo.Contract lengthNoneNoneCustomer serviceDon’t underestimate the value of customer service. When you sign up with an internet service provider, you’re also committing to their customer service department. This will affect your experience every time you pay your bill, log in online, or call to troubleshoot an issue. Unfortunately, most internet service providers tend to have a reputation for poor customer service once you’ve been locked into a contract.The good news is that both Verizon Fios and Spectrum score above average in customer service. But if we had to choose a winner, Verizon comes out on top in this area. J.D. Power rates the provider as one of the best in customer service, in addition to awards and recognition from many other industry evaluators.Speed packagesSpeed packagesVerizon FiosSpectrum100, 300, or 940Mbps100, 200, or 940MbpsVerizon Fios and Spectrum offer comparable speed packages. Each provider has created packages with three main tiers, depending on the bandwidth you need.The Verizon Fios speed packages start at 100Mbps for individuals with three or fewer devices. This plan is great for browsing and streaming if you don’t plan to have multiple people in the house online at once. The mid-tier package sits at 300Mbps, for larger families with more devices. Finally, the Fios Gigabit Connection offers speeds of up to 940Mbps and can handle an astounding 100 devices. If your household consists of multiple family members and a wide array of smart devices, this is the high-speed plan for you.Spectrum also offers three speed packages. The Standard Internet package comes in at 100Mbps, while the Spectrum Internet Ultra package hits 200Mbps. Finally, the Spectrum Internet GIG package reaches speeds of 940Mbps.

Something to note: Verizon Fios offers fiber optic internet, while Spectrum can only currently provide cable. While the advertised speeds of these packages are similar, fiber internet is known for providing more reliable speed, especially during peak hours.Bundling optionsIn addition to providing internet services, both Verizon Fios and Spectrum offer cable TV and phone services. If you’re an existing customer and you wish to sign up for more than one service at once, you may be able to save money on your monthly internet bill by bundling.Verizon Fios provides numerous perks for customers who opt for a bundle. In addition to receiving internet, TV, and phone services, you’ll get a two-year price guarantee, one free year of Disney+, and a $100 Visa prepaid gift card. Pricing starts at $74.99/mo. However, these bundles require a two-year commitment with monthly autopay.Spectrum also offers bundles, but they aren’t quite as attractive. You’ll get internet service, a set number of TV channels, and home phone service starting at $89.98 per month. However, Spectrum only requires a minimum 12-month commitment to take advantage of these deals.So, Which is Right for Me?If you…Then you should go with:Here’s why:Value customer service…Verizon FiosVerizon Fios was voted best internet service provider by J.D. Power in its 2019 Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study.I don’t live in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic…SpectrumSpectrum offers service in 41 states, while Verizon Fios is only available in 9.Need reliable speed…Verizon FiosVerizon Fios offers fiber optic internet, which is generally known to be more reliable and won’t slow down during high traffic times.How to compare internet companiesBefore you can even look at internet service providers, you need to determine which ones offer service in your area. For example, Verizon Fios only provides fiber internet to nine states, while Spectrum currently services 41 states. Once you’ve confirmed what the options are at your residence, you’ll be able to make a selection from these providers. Pro tip: Use Allconnect to see which providers are available in your area.Choose a speed packageHow many people are in your house? Do you run a lot of smart devices? These are important questions to answer before you choose a speed package. If you choose a plan that’s too slow, you might soon become frustrated with how long it takes to load a web page or stream video content. On the other hand, there probably isn’t a good reason to pay for the fastest speed package if you live alone and don’t have many devices. The good news is that most internet service providers will allow you to upgrade your speed at just about any time, should you change your mind. More

Residents of Los Angeles enjoy a vast array of internet options, more than what’s typically available in rural areas of America.  Angelenos have access to broadband, fiber optic cable, and generally some of the highest-performing internet around as well as a bounty of provider options. Whether you want to use your internet to stream shows, work from home, connect using video chat or all of the above, there is a standout provider in LA to meet your needs. We’ve rounded up the best internet providers in Los Angeles in a few important categories to help you narrow the field. The three best internet providers in Los AngelesThe best Los Angeles internet providers: summed upAT&TStarrySpectrumDefining traitSuper Fast DownloadsAffordable with No Hidden FeesGood BundlesConnection typeDSL, Fiber OpticFixed WirelessCableDownload speeds (Mbps)DSL: 0.2-100 Mbps Fiber: 100-1,000 MbpsFixed Wireless: Up to 200 MbpsCable: 100- 940 MbpsPrices starting at$49.99/month$50/month$49.99/monthContract lengthNo annual contractNo annual contractNo annual contractData cap1 TBNoneNone

Best download speeds

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AT&T has some of the fastest download speeds on the market, with a connection speed up to 1,000Mbps and an upload speed up to 35Mbps on their fiber internet network.Even users who are on the company’s DSL internet enjoy fast download speeds. The service’s connection speed reaches up to 100Mbps — some of the fastest DSL internet we’ve seen. We’ve awarded it the best for downloads, because you’ll notice a speed difference over other providers even if fiber is not yet available in Los Angeles. The 1 TB of data per month offer should also keep the entire family streaming, downloading and uploading work documents, and connecting with the household virtual stable, even when everyone is connected at the same time. AT&T requires no annual contract for internet service in Los Angeles, but the introductory price only lasts for 12 months of your service. As of May 4th, 2020, internet prices start at just under $50/month, with internet and TV bundles beginning at $79.98/month.

View Now at AT&T

Best affordable internet

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This small internet company offers consistent, all-in pricing with no long-term obligation, making it perfect for most renters on a budget. Starry Internet covers about 2 million households in the Los Angeles area, and they also do business in NYC, Boston, D.C., and Denver. The company charges $50 flat, with no added fees, and no introductory period. While other companies may offer a similar price model for the first 12 months, Starry customers continue to pay the same monthly charges. Included in the $50 monthly fees are the wireless router, 24/7 customer service, all fees and taxes, and up to 200 Mbps speed.No long-term contracts are required, and there is no data cap. Starry only deals with internet service, so there are no bundles available, which makes the company a good option for customers who do not need cable TV and only care about reliable streaming speeds. 

View Now at Starry Internet

Best internet, cable, and phone packages

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If you want internet, cable, and a landline, Spectrum helps you get the most bang for your buck. For less than $100 per month, you can get all three major services. If you’re willing to commit to 24-months of service, you can get bundles for under $90. The company doesn’t require contracts and signing up for a bundle with Spectrum qualifies you for their contract buy-out program. That means if you’re stuck in a contract with another provider, Spectrum will pay the fees associated with early cancellation, up to $500. With internet speeds that start at 100Mbps, you can rest assured that your household can stream and video chat at the same time. The most affordable Spectrum package offers more than 125 cable channels – more than most other major competitors in Los Angeles. 

View Now at Charter Spectrum

How we found the best internet providers in Los AngelesHere are the primary factors we considered when recommending internet providers in Los Angeles.Coverage: AT&T, Verizon, and Spectrum have some of the broadest internet coverage in Los Angeles. While other internet providers, such as Frontier or HughesNet, may also offer fast service or great prices – they only cover very select areas of Los Angeles. We stuck to the providers most relevant to a wider audience. Value: We also considered the value of each internet service. We considered each provider’s offerings, the range of speeds, intro pricing periods, data caps, and other services important to the average internet user. Customer Satisfaction: The companies we’ve chosen are rated very highly by the J.D. Power Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Survey (AT&T and Spectrum) and TrustPilot (Starry Internet). Los Angeles internet FAQ 

Who offers fiber-optic internet in Los Angeles?

AT&T, Frontier, Sonic, Spectrum, and Race Communications all offer fiber-optic internet service in Los Angeles.

What is the fastest internet in LA?

AT&T and Sonic have the fastest internet in Los Angeles with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps (or 1 Gbps).

What internet providers are available in Los Angeles?

LA has more than a dozen internet providers, some with more availability throughout the city than others. AT&T and Spectrum have the broadest coverage areas. The best way to determine if a provider is available in your neighborhood is to use the provider’s website to “Check Availability” at your address. More

Residents of Los Angeles enjoy a vast array of internet options, more than what’s typically available in rural areas of America.  Angelenos have access to broadband, fiber optic cable, and generally some of the highest-performing internet around as well as a bounty of provider options. Whether you want to use your internet to stream shows, work from home, connect using video chat or all of the above, there is a standout provider in LA to meet your needs. We’ve rounded up the best internet providers in Los Angeles in a few important categories to help you narrow the field. The three best internet providers in Los AngelesThe best Los Angeles internet providers: summed upAT&TStarrySpectrumDefining traitSuper Fast DownloadsAffordable with No Hidden FeesGood BundlesConnection typeDSL, Fiber OpticFixed WirelessCableDownload speeds (Mbps)DSL: 0.2-100 Mbps Fiber: 100-1,000 MbpsFixed Wireless: Up to 200 MbpsCable: 100- 940 MbpsPrices starting at$49.99/month$50/month$49.99/monthContract lengthNo annual contractNo annual contractNo annual contractData cap1 TBNoneNone

Best download speeds

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AT&T has some of the fastest download speeds on the market, with a connection speed up to 1,000Mbps and an upload speed up to 35Mbps on their fiber internet network.Even users who are on the company’s DSL internet enjoy fast download speeds. The service’s connection speed reaches up to 100Mbps — some of the fastest DSL internet we’ve seen. We’ve awarded it the best for downloads, because you’ll notice a speed difference over other providers even if fiber is not yet available in Los Angeles. The 1 TB of data per month offer should also keep the entire family streaming, downloading and uploading work documents, and connecting with the household virtual stable, even when everyone is connected at the same time. AT&T requires no annual contract for internet service in Los Angeles, but the introductory price only lasts for 12 months of your service. As of May 4th, 2020, internet prices start at just under $50/month, with internet and TV bundles beginning at $79.98/month.

Best affordable internet

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This small internet company offers consistent, all-in pricing with no long-term obligation, making it perfect for most renters on a budget. Starry Internet covers about 2 million households in the Los Angeles area, and they also do business in NYC, Boston, D.C., and Denver. The company charges $50 flat, with no added fees, and no introductory period. While other companies may offer a similar price model for the first 12 months, Starry customers continue to pay the same monthly charges. Included in the $50 monthly fees are the wireless router, 24/7 customer service, all fees and taxes, and up to 200 Mbps speed.No long-term contracts are required, and there is no data cap. Starry only deals with internet service, so there are no bundles available, which makes the company a good option for customers who do not need cable TV and only care about reliable streaming speeds. 

Best internet, cable, and phone packages

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If you want internet, cable, and a landline, Spectrum helps you get the most bang for your buck. For less than $100 per month, you can get all three major services. If you’re willing to commit to 24-months of service, you can get bundles for under $90. The company doesn’t require contracts and signing up for a bundle with Spectrum qualifies you for their contract buy-out program. That means if you’re stuck in a contract with another provider, Spectrum will pay the fees associated with early cancellation, up to $500. With internet speeds that start at 100Mbps, you can rest assured that your household can stream and video chat at the same time. The most affordable Spectrum package offers more than 125 cable channels – more than most other major competitors in Los Angeles. 

How we found the best internet providers in Los AngelesHere are the primary factors we considered when recommending internet providers in Los Angeles.Coverage: AT&T, Verizon, and Spectrum have some of the broadest internet coverage in Los Angeles. While other internet providers, such as Frontier or HughesNet, may also offer fast service or great prices – they only cover very select areas of Los Angeles. We stuck to the providers most relevant to a wider audience. Value: We also considered the value of each internet service. We considered each provider’s offerings, the range of speeds, intro pricing periods, data caps, and other services important to the average internet user. Customer Satisfaction: The companies we’ve chosen are rated very highly by the J.D. Power Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Survey (AT&T and Spectrum) and TrustPilot (Starry Internet). Los Angeles internet FAQ 

Who offers fiber-optic internet in Los Angeles?

AT&T, Frontier, Sonic, Spectrum, and Race Communications all offer fiber-optic internet service in Los Angeles.

What is the fastest internet in LA?

AT&T and Sonic have the fastest internet in Los Angeles with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps (or 1 Gbps).

What internet providers are available in Los Angeles?

LA has more than a dozen internet providers, some with more availability throughout the city than others. AT&T and Spectrum have the broadest coverage areas. The best way to determine if a provider is available in your neighborhood is to use the provider’s website to “Check Availability” at your address. More

Fort Worth is known as the city; “where the west begins.” However, it’s no longer a small Texas town of the Old West — there are nearly one million residents living in Fort Worth. While you can still find remnants of its past, such as the Log Cabin Village, Fort Worth has become a modern and vibrant city with high-speed internet available throughout.If you’re moving to Fort Worth, Texas or you’re ready to comparison shop the best local internet providers, you may find this review helpful. We’ve analyzed several of the top Fort Worth internet providers to give you guidance on which broadband service plans may work best for you.

The three best internet providers in Fort Worth

AT&T – Best for Fastest Internet SpeedsFrontier – Best for PriceSpectrum – Best for No Commitments

AT&TFrontierSpectrumDefining traitFastest Internet SpeedsBest PriceBest for No CommitmentsConnection typeFiberDSLDSLDownload speeds (Mbps)100 Mbps300 Mbps1000 Mbps6 Mbps25 Mbps115 Mbps200 MbpsPrices starting at$50 per month$27.99 per month$49.99 per monthContract length12 months24 monthsNoneData cap1 TB or unlimitedNoneNone

Fastest internet speeds

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If your household has several family members who stream videos, shop online and web chat at once, high-speed internet is essential. Without it, your family can experience slow page loads and lag times when streaming music or movies. Fortunately, AT&T offers fiber optic internet service in Fort Worth so that you can take advantage of the fastest speeds in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.Price: Fort Worth AT&T internet prices start at $50 per month for 100 or 300 Mbps download speeds. The fastest tier comes in at $70 per month.Speed and Data: AT&T Fiber in Fort Worth is available at three speeds: 100 or 300 Mbps with a data limit of 1 TB, or 1000 Mbps download speeds with no data cap.Plans/Packages: Fort Worth residents also have the option to bundle fiber optic internet and TV for $79.99 per month the first year, although that price jumps to $121 per month the second year.Contract Options: AT&T internet in Fort Worth requires a minimum 12-month service agreement for internet service. If you add TV to the bundle, the TV portion of the agreement comes with a longer, two-year agreement.

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Best internet price

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Frontier Communications makes our list of the best Fort Worth internet providers for its low prices. Besides high-speed internet, the company provides satellite television through Direct TV and phone services. Frontier claims its internet speeds are faster than those of cable internet providers because you won’t have to share the broadband connection with neighbors — Frontier directly wires internet to your home.Price: Internet prices from Frontier are the lowest in our Fort Worth internet review. Plans start at $27.99 per month for 6 Mbps download speeds, which is adequate for a small number of connected devices and light internet use. Upgrade to 25 Mbps for $34.99 or up to 115 Mbps starting at $44.99 per month.Speed and Data: Frontier offers three speed options in Fort Worth: 6, 25, or 115 Mbps. As an added bonus, Frontier does not cap or throttle the data on any of its internet plans.Plans/Packages: Frontier currently offers three internet bundles to Fort Worth residents. The first is a Double Play bundle for $37.99 per month, which includes internet and digital phone with unlimited nationwide calls. The Triple Play bundle adds over 250 Direct TV channels for $105.99 per month. For even more channels (over 340), you can choose the Triple Play bundle for $122.99.Contract Options: Accessing Frontier’s low rates requires a 24-month commitment.

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Best for no commitments

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Spectrum may be the best choice if you prefer not to fuss with the fine print. This Fort Worth internet provider does not lock you into a long-term contract to access their internet services. You also won’t be limited by data caps or speed throttling on your internet plan.Price: Spectrum offers 200 Mbps speeds for $49.99 per month to Fort Worth area residents. Spectrum also offers free access to hotspots nationwide so you can connect your phone, tablet, or other devices to the network wherever you may be.Speed and Data: Speeds vary according to zip code, but expect to surf somewhere between 100 Mbps to 200 Mbps.Plans/Packages: Besides internet service, you can add Spectrum TV for live streaming of your favorite channels. Download the Spectrum TV app to take advantage of your TV subscription anywhere.Contract Options: Spectrum won’t lock you into a contract, so you can enjoy your service for as long as you need. Internet prices are guaranteed for one year but are subject to increase after the introductory 12-month period.

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How we found the best internet providers in Fort Worth

We analyzed a dozen companies to find the best internet providers in Fort Worth. Some of the key features we looked for include:Coverage: The winners in our Fort Worth internet review offered good coverage for the area. We wanted to ensure the plans reviewed are available to as many readers as possible.Value. We reviewed pricing and features of many Fort Worth internet providers to compare speeds, data caps, packages available, and contract lengths to decide on which internet providers in Fort Worth provide area customers the best value.Customer Satisfaction. Customer experience is a significant factor in determining the winners. We reviewed satisfaction ratings from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) and J.D. Power. The bulk of the internet service providers don’t score well in customer satisfaction, so analyzing each internet provider individually and comparing them to industry averages provides a better picture of which broadband companies are most responsive to customer service issues.

Is 6 Mbps enough for gaming?

If you’re the only connected device to your broadband router, 6 Mbps may be just enough to stream a high-definition game or video. To be safe, you may want to upgrade to 25 Mbps or higher so you avoid lag time, especially if you’d like to connect more than one device.

How fast is internet service in Fort Worth?

Depending on the neighborhood, you’ll have access to speeds ranging between 6 Mbps to 1000 Mbps.

What is a data cap?

Many internet providers limit how much bandwidth you use to download large files, stream movies, listen to music, or video chat. Data cap limits are usually included in the fine print. Some internet providers may not have a data cap, but may slow down or throttle your internet speed to limit how much data you’re using. More