10 Best High-Speed Internet Providers for Small Businesses of 2024

Business internet should be— fast, reasonably priced, and reliable.

Fast business internet connections increase productivity and customer satisfaction.

As a rule of thumb, always go to a business internet provider that won't run your pockets dry or give you a crappy unreliable internet connection.

Here are the 10-best business internet providers with unbeatable internet plans in 2022.

What Are The Best Business Internet Providers?

Here’s the list of all my recommended internet service providers for small businesses.

• Google fiber
• Verizon
• AT&T
• Century link
• Viasat
• Frontier
• Comcast
• Spectrum
• Ooma connect
• Cox communication

1. Google Fiber

Overall best ISP available

Google Fiber provides high-speed broadband services to businesses through fiber optic cables. It has edged out the competition by delivering gigabit-speed internet at lower prices.

To put it all in perspective, AT&T charges $150 per month for its gigabit plan, Verizon Fios charges $240 per month, while on the other hand, Google Fiber is only charging $100 per month for its asymmetrical 2-gigabit plan.

All plans have upload speeds of up to 1 Gbps which is more than enough for video conferencing and transferring large files.

Be sure to check out if Google Fibre is available in your area. Its availability is lacking compared to the competition.

Key Features

• 100% fiber: Google Fiber utilizes only fiber optics to deliver its internet. Your business gets up to 12x faster downloads and up to 77x faster uploads compared to cable internet.
• Disruptive low prices: You'll only pay seven cents per megabit for the 1 Gig plan and only five cents per megabit for the 2 Gig plan.
• Unlimited data: With Google Fiber, you've no reason to worry about exceeding your data cap. Both plans don't have any data limits.
• No annual contracts: You pay at the end of each month. Your business has the freedom to cancel subscriptions at any time.
• No hidden fees: You only pay the advertised prices, nothing less, nothing more. Prices don't change depending on your area. There are no equipment fees.

Pros

• Most affordable gigabit internet.
• Speeds of up to 2000 Mbps.
• No contracts.
• Unlimited access.
• 24/7 customer support
• 99.9% uptime
• A free Wi-Fi 6 compatible router

Cons

• Limited availability.
• Only two plans.

Pricing

Google Fiber offers 1 Gig and 2 Gig plans at $70 and $100 per month.

2. Verizon

Most Reliable And Good Customer Reputation

Verizon Fios utilizes fiber optics to deliver high-speed internet directly to your business premises.

The fastest Fios plan has maximum speeds of up to 940 Mbps for downloads and 880 Mbps for uploads. Now your business can transfer large files in minutes and run data-heavy cloud software smoothly.

On top of that, Verizon offers 5G Business Internet plans with speeds of up to 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps, and 400 Mbps priced at $69/month, $99/month, and $199/month.

The most obvious downside of Verizon internet plans is the annual contract shoved down your throat for a better deal. Also, look out for shady fees.

Key Features

Reliability: Verizon assures its customers a 99.99% uptime guarantee.

Ultra-fast speeds: You can now enjoy seamless video conferencing and quick file transfers with Verizon Fios.

Pros

• 99.99% Uptime.
• Fiber connections.
• 24/7 phone support.

Cons

• Limited fiber availability.
• Expensive compared to the competition.

Pricing

Verizon Fios' business plans range from $69/month to $249/month.

Prices come with a guarantee of up to 3 years.

3. AT&T

The ISP with the fastest internet speeds

Currently, AT&T has the fastest business internet plans on the market. The ISP has business internet plans starting from 50 Mbps to the ultimate 10 Gbps.

I like its 500 Mbps symmetrical speed plan tailored for small businesses priced at $60 per month.

All data plans are unlimited with no data caps. There are no equipment or activation fees.

Customers report high satisfaction with the AT&T internet services.

The downside is that availability of fiber plans in some areas is limited.

Key Features

• Hyper-gig internet speeds: AT&T dedicated plans have maximum speeds of up to 10 Gbps— no other internet provider on this list can claim the same. The symmetrical 1-gigabit fiber plan is more than enough for small businesses.
• Reliable: AT&T promises a 99.9% reliability rate. Do your business without ever worrying about any downtime.
• No hidden fees: There are no mundane charges like equipment or activation fees.
• Unlimited: Do your business with peace of mind. No more worrying about exceeding your monthly usage limits.

Pros

• Prices remain the same regardless of your area.
• Lightning speed internet.
• Wider coverage.
• Reliable.
• Unlimited data.
• No annual contracts.

Cons

• Expensive fast plans.
• Fiber is not available everywhere.

Pricing

AT&T offers an internet plan at $60/month dedicated to small businesses with a reliable connection of up to symmetrical 500 Mbps.

I find the prices for hyper-gig plans of 2 Gbps, 5 Gbps, and 1 Tbps are too high and unsustainable for a small business.

4. CenturyLink

Cheapest High-Speed Internet Plans

For businesses looking for fast internet service and would like to save money, Centurylink has got your back. For only $65 per month, your business will have a reliable internet connection with internet speeds of up to 940 Mbps.

CenturyLink advertises a reliability rate of 99.9%. Uptime is very important for businesses that depend on the internet for their daily operations.

Both plans don’t require you to commit to an annual contract. There are no cancellation fees. But you still have to sign a Centurylink High-Speed Internet Subscriber Agreement before you get an internet connection.

On top of the advertised monthly service rates, you’ll also have to pay leased equipment rates, taxes, and surcharges. Read the fine print.

Key Features

• High-speed: CenturyLink delivers internet with a speed of up to 940 Mbps.
• Cheapest: Get your business connected for only $65 per month. The plan has a maximum speed of 940 Mbps.
• No annual contracts: No need for your business to enter a long-term commitment with CenturyLink— terminate your subscriptions as soon as you want to. There are no termination charges.
• Unlimited internet: CenturyLink does not impose internet usage limits on its internet plans.

Pros

• Most affordable plans.
• Fiber connections.
• 24/7 technical support.
• Unlimited internet.
• No contracts.
• 99.9% uptime for the fiber plan.
• Free modem and installation for the fiber plan.

Cons

• Low-rated customer service.
• Slow DSL speeds.
• Limited fiber availability.
• No static IP addresses.

Pricing

Centurylink link has only two plans tailored to meet the needs of small businesses. The prices are $50/month and $60/month.

5. Viasat

Tailored for Rural and Remote Areas

Viasat has connected remote towns with the rest of the world. Businesses can surf the internet and acquire new knowledge. Heck, they can even trade online.

Viasat’s Unlimited Platinum 100 delivers download speeds of up to 100 Mbps. With this internet, businesses can handle considerable daily web traffic. Availability is limited.

Metered business plans available in many rural areas deliver speeds of up to 35 Mbps allowing small businesses to light online activity such as sending emails or browsing the web.

It’s good to know that Viasat prioritizes your business over residential customers. Even if too many users were to jump online at the same time. Your business bandwidth remains the same.

Viasat provides three persistent IP addresses per business plan. Remote employees can safely connect with your business.

Key Features

• Available everywhere: Viasat covers 96% of the US with broadband internet.
• High-speed broadband internet: Federal Communications (FCC) defines broadband as an always-on connection that provides 25Mbps download speeds and 3Mbps upload speeds. Viasat exceeds that definition by a margin with its 100Mbps plan.
• Unlimited internet access: All Viasat’s businesses have no limits. There’s no need to worry about overusing the business internet or paying extra money to get rid of data caps.
• No hidden costs: You only pay the service rate and equipment lease charges.

Pros

• Impressive satellite internet speeds.
• A lot of data plans choose.
• Unlimited internet.
• Tolerable data caps.
• Priority connection.
• Persistent IP addresses.
• No hidden fees.
• Quick installation.
• 96% US availability.

Cons

• Quite expensive compared to internet speeds.
• Annual contracts.
• High termination fees.
• High latency.

Pricing

Prices range from $49.99/month to $149.99/month.

Some prices may be promotional, so make sure to check out with the provider the actual prices after a certain period.

6. Frontier

Affordable High-Speed Internet

Frontier delivers the same fiber speeds other business internet service providers are delivering. It edges competition by keeping its prices low.

For only $49.99 per month, your business can subscribe to the 300Mbps plan with symmetrical speeds. With this speed, you can comfortably send bulk emails, browse the web, carry out POS transactions in a brick and mortar store, etc.

For $89.99 per month, you get symmetrical speeds of up to 700Mbps. You can effortlessly transfer large files and do heavy cloud backups.

The final package comes at $149.99 per month. With speeds of up to 940 Mbps, only the sky's the limit. You can run multiple eCommerce sites, do smooth live streams, multi-device file uploads, etc.

All Frontier’s fiber plans come with a free Business Suite package. It includes SmartVoice and a Wi-Fi-enabled phone, free 200GB cloud backup, and multi-device security.

The only dirt I’ve managed to dig up on Frontier is its low customer satisfaction and latency issues. Also, as with many other business internet service providers on this list, Frontier’s fiber optic internet is not available everywhere.

If customer satisfaction is not your priority, then subscribe to Frontier.

Key Features

• Fast speeds: Frontier delivers symmetrical internet from 300 Mbps to 940Mbps/880Mbps.
• No contract: You can cancel your subscription at any time.
• Technical assistance: Free help whenever you need it. Frontier makes sure that their knowledgeable and polite staff help you whenever your internet starts misbehaving.
• 2-year price guarantee: That’s two years of peace of mind. No sudden price hikes.
• Reliability: Frontier boasts a 99.9% uptime. An internet outage means lower productivity and loss of profits.

Pros

• Affordable fiber pricing.
• Unlimited internet.
• 24/7 technical support.
• DSL options.

Cons

• DSL offers maximum speeds of only 25 Mbps.
• Not-so-great customer care reputation.

Pricing

Prices may vary depending on your location. Make sure to check availability and pricing in your area.

7. Comcast

High-speed internet with nice add-ons

Comcast employs DSL, hybrid, and fiber technology to deliver high-speed internet. It covers most of the urban US.

Comcast business internet has positive customer reviews online and scores high in customer satisfaction surveys. A lot of internet service providers have terrible reputations.

Businesses have unlimited access to numerous Wi-Fi hotspots spread all over the US. You also get the 4G LTE wireless internet backup, power surge protection for up to four devices, and remote business Wi-Fi management.

The only red flag for Comcast is its high pricing.

Comcast charges $514.90 per month for a gigabit plan. Almost all of its competitors charge below $250 per month. Even worse, Comcast's maximum upload speed is only 35 Mbps.

Key Features

• Fast speeds: Comcast uses its cable network to deliver high-speed internet. You can also get symmetrical speeds with a fiber connection.
• 24/7 Technical Assistance: You always have polite men and women on standby to help with any technical issues your business might stumble upon regarding their services.
• Unlimited data: There are no data usage limits. Do your business without ever holding back.

Pros

• 4G LTE backup
• Power surge protection for four devices.
• Numerous hotspots across the country.
• Remote business Wi-Fi management.
• 25/7 support.
• Fast and reliable.

Cons

• Limited availability.
• Poor customer service reputation.
• Hidden pricing.
• Highest priced fiber internet.

Pricing

8. Spectrum

Fast And Widely Available Cable Internet

Spectrum is a good choice if you're not after long-term commitments. All packages come with absolutely no contract whatsoever. You're in total control.

Terminate your subscription whenever you want to without paying any charges.

Despite the low upload speeds, which are a no-no for businesses running data-heavy cloud software, Spectrum delivers pretty decent download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps.

Also, their pricing will not force your business to file for bankruptcy. All plans come under $100 per month.

Since Spectrum utilizes existing cable lines to deliver internet, availability is not an issue. Spectrum might still not be available in some places, and the internet speed may only be 100 Mbps. The Wi-Fi speed may vary too. Make sure to research more about your area.

Key Features

• Fast business internet: Despite Spectrum having one of the lowest upload speeds, I find its download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps more than acceptable.
• No contracts: With Spectrum business plans, there’s no to sign the dotted line to access any of its plans. You have the total freedom of bailing out at any time.
• Unlimited internet plans: Give your employees the freedom they need. Let them work without worrying about exceeding usage limits and incurring further costs.

Pros

• Fast internet.
• 24/7 support.
• Low starting price.
• Zero data caps.

Cons

• Limited fiber internet.
• Low customer satisfaction scores.
• Slow upload speeds.
• Price increase after one year.

Pricing

9. Ooma Connect

Fast LTE Internet

You get guaranteed prices and free equipment if you sign a three-year contract.

Ooma Connect has the lowest starting price at only $29.99 per month. Also, you don’t need technical personnel to install the new connection. Your employees can quickly master the process and have internet running in no time.

Ooma has data caps on their internet plans. Ooma reduces the speed of your internet once you reach your data cap.

The default speed for streaming videos is 500 Kbps.

Regardless, Ooma Connect is still a good fit for businesses looking for wireless LTE internet.

Key Features

• Unlimited data: Ooma Connect has two unlimited internet plans. The tricky part is they both come with data caps.
• Pricing: The first plan costs $29.99 per month. One of the lowest, but with only a 10GB data allowance, you might need to think twice before committing. The positive thing is you don’t have to sign any contract to get this plan.
• Speed: While not the fastest plan, Ooma Connect’s LTE internet has speeds of up to 75 Mbps.

Pros

• Quiet affordable.
• Zero contracts.
• 24/7 support.

Cons

• Prices skyrocket after a year.
• Expensive gigabit plans.
• Limited fiber.
• Poor customer satisfaction record.
• Slow upload speeds.

Pricing

Hardware is charged at retail price.

10. Cox Communications

Widely Available High-Speed Internet

Cox communication is the fourth largest provider of cable internet service in the US based on coverage area, which means the chances of it being available in your city are high.

Prices change depending on your business's location. Other data plans are not available in some cities. In some cities, a 500 Mbps plan costs $369 a month. $369 for a plan with 5OO Mbps download speeds and 35 Mbps upload speeds is too much and unacceptable.

Read the fine print before committing your resources. The miscellaneous fees include a $360 fee for early contract termination, a $10 fee for every 50 GB used after exceeding your data cap, $100 as an installation fee, and a $13 per month equipment lease.

Key Features

• Robust security: Get advanced business internet security powered by Mcafee and Malblock.
• Business hotspots: Businesses with remote employees have access to over 3 million Wi-Fi hotspots across the US.
• 24/7 Business internet support: Get the help you need when you need it.
• Separated Wi-Fi: Give your customers Wi-Fi without putting your business at a cyber-attack risk. Have your employees connected to a more secure private Wi-Fi.

Pros

• Fast download speeds.
• 24/7 customer support.
• 99% uptime.
• Backup plan.

Cons

• Price changes depending on location.
• Data caps.
• Limited availability.
• Poor customer reputation.

Pricing

Prices vary depending on your location. In some places, the Cox Internet Ultimate 5OO costs up to $369.

Types of High-Speed Business Internet: Fiber, Cable, and More

As technology advances, humanity continues to find new ways of communicating, for example, the internet.

The internet is a network of interconnected computers. Different methods and technologies are employed to make these connections possible. Let’s look at the four most popular ones.

1. Fiber

Optical fibers transfer data in the form of light.

Information is transmitted as fast as the speed of light. Hence fiber internet is the fastest internet on this planet. For this exact reason, fiber cables have been laid on the bottom of the ocean to allow intercontinental internet connections.

Fiber is way ahead in terms of speed compared to other types of transmission.

A fiber connection is immune to electromagnetic interference and supports a high bandwidth. The uptime rate is 99.999%.

ISPs employ fiber technology to deliver symmetrical gigabit-speed internet.

2. Cable

This form of broadband internet utilizes the same infrastructure as cable television.

Connectivity is established from the internet service provider to the client via coaxial copper wires.

Cable has download speeds of up to 1 gigabits per second and uploads from 384 kilobits per second to more than 50 Mbps.

3. DSL

DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. It transmits internet connections via telephone lines.

You can connect to the internet while making a phone call because DSL internet uses high frequencies compared to audio frequencies.

The asymmetrical internet speeds range from 256 Kbps to 100 Mbps. Gigabit speeds are possible and have already been achieved. Scientists at Bell Labs have even reached symmetrical gigabit speeds!

4. Satellite

ISPs utilize communication satellites in Earth's orbit to transmit data. Modern satellite internet connects end-users via geostationary satellites that offer relatively faster connections.

Also, companies like Starlink are building new satellite internet constellations in low-earth orbit to enable low latency and high-speed internet from space.

Currently, satellite internet has maximum download and upload speeds of 1,000 Mbps.

How To Choose The Best Internet Service Provider

All this jargon talk can fool you into believing that you're not capable of choosing the right internet provider for your business. No, it isn't that hard.

Write down your business internet needs and compare them with features of plans offered by internet providers in your area. Select an internet provider that has features that match your needs. It is as simple as that.

Here are six points to guide you to make the correct choice.

1. Type of Internet Connection

How fast does your business need to go to operate at optimal levels? If speed is at the top of the hierarchy of your needs, choose an ISP with fiber plans.

Businesses in remote locations should opt for satellite internet.

2. Download And Upload Speeds Plus Latency

For your business to be able to transfer large files quickly, you need to subscribe to an ISP with high download and upload speeds.

Some activities like video conferencing and transferring large amounts of data from your device require fast upload speeds and low latency.

Look for an ISP with fiber plans.

3. Fair Usage Policy

Some internet service providers have data caps on their plans. Customers who exceed their allocated monthly usage limit face monetary punishments or end up with their internet speed throttled down.

Data usage limits prevent customers from overusing the shared bandwidth. At least that's the rationale pushed forward by ISPs.

Regardless, data usage limits are bad for business, and your business should avoid these ISPs if possible.

4. Be Aware of Hidden Costs

ISPs tend to bury miscellaneous charges in the fine print. These may include equipment lease fees, installation charges, surcharges, early termination charges, etc.

Ideally, go for the internet service providers that do not include these extra charges.

If you are not careful, your business might spend more money than the initial budget.

5. Look Out For Promotions

ISPs face fierce competition when it comes to winning new customers. Periodically they offer shiny deals to lure in new customers. Take advantage of that.

The most common promo is reducing prices for new customers who sign an annual contract.

Other goodies ISPs often use are internet security packages, national-wide Wi-Fi hotspots, free equipment, etc.

6. 24/7 Customer Support

Your business will need someone to call when the internet connection starts tripping.

Make sure the internet service provider you're investing your money in to provide your business with the internet has your needs at heart.

For a business that completely halts its operations when downtime occurs, having someone to call for help 24/7 is an important asset.

Speed And Bandwidth: How Much Do I Need?

Speed and bandwidth, do they differ, or are they different sides of the same coin?

First of all, let's look at their definitions. Bandwidth is the total amount of data that can pass through a connection. Speed is the rate of data transmission.

A good analogy would be a river. Bandwidth is the amount of water passing through the river. And speed is the rate at which the water is rushing through the river.

Certain activities are carried out well at a certain speed and bandwidth. For example, a 4K quality one-on-one Zoom call requires a minimum bandwidth of 1.5 Mbps to 3 Mbps. A small business of 10 employees needs a minimum upload speed of 30 Mbps.

Ideally, your business needs 1,000 Mbps in download speeds and 3 – 100 Mbps in upload speeds. Of course, it all depends on the specific needs of your business.

High-Speed Internet FAQ

Which High-Speed Internet Service Provider Should I Choose?

Hopefully, this article has been instrumental in your decision-making process. But here are quick recommendations based on your business needs.

Businesses running data-heavy cloud apps or running eCommerce businesses should opt for ISPs with symmetrical fiber speeds. I highly recommend Google Fiber— lightning speed and most affordable gigabit plans. If Google Fiber is not available in your area, I vouch for AT&T and Verizon Fios.

For businesses operating in remote areas, availability is always an issue. I recommend a satellite internet provider. In this case, Viasat. Ooma Connect LTE internet can be an option too.
Price-conscious businesses should go CenturyLink. Frontier comes second in terms of affordability. If you're price conscious but still want gigabit internet, Google Fiber is your ISP.

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