Advertiser Disclosure: We may earn commissions when you buy through links on our site. Learn more

Brightspeed vs. Bayfield Wireless

Which is better where you live? Coverage, speed, price and customer ratings, side by side

Whether you’re researching Brightspeed vs. Bayfield Wireless internet service at your current address, comparing internet options for potential locations, or just researching alternatives, this detailed comparison will help you understand which provider best suits you.

Which is better, Brightspeed or Bayfield Wireless?

Brightspeed is faster and available to more people. Where both are offered (about 15,425 people), Brightspeed has the faster top speed for 56% of homes.

FasterBrightspeedTop speed 2,000 Mbps vs 1,000 Mbps; faster for 56% of homes where both are offered.
Cheaper to startToo close to callBoth start at about the same price: $49 and $52.95 a month.
Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (76 and 0).
Available to more peopleBrightspeed13.5 million people in 20 states, vs 18,083 in 1 state.
Brightspeed
Price: $39.99 - $109.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 2,000 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL, fiber, and fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): 3 of 5 stars (76)

View Plans

Bayfield Wireless
Price: $52.95 - $119.95 / mo.
Speed: 100 - 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): No rating yet (0)

View Plans

Brightspeed vs. Bayfield Wireless at a glance

Measure Brightspeed Bayfield Wireless
Available to13.5 million people in 20 states18,083 people in 1 state
Main technologyDSL 88%, fiber 43%, fixed wireless 4%Fixed wireless 100%
Top download speed filed with the FCC2,000 Mbps1,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list2,000 Mbps down, 2,000 Mbps up100 Mbps down, 15 Mbps up
Starting price$49 a month$52.95 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years$1,176 (200 Mbps plan)$1,271 (25 Mbps plan)
Customer rating3.1 of 5 (76 reviews)No reviews yet
Rated for speed3.0 of 5No reviews yet
Rated for price3.4 of 5No reviews yet
Where both are offeredAbout 15,425 people (85% of Bayfield Wireless's area); Brightspeed is faster for 56% of them

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where Brightspeed and Bayfield Wireless are available

Brightspeed and Bayfield Wireless have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Both Providers Available | Brightspeed Available | Bayfield Wireless Available | No Coverage

Brightspeed currently offers internet service in 7,784 cities and 827 counties across 20 states, reaching approximately 13,910,106 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Raleigh, NC; St. Louis, MO; and New York, NY. By comparison, Bayfield Wireless serves 18,083 residents in 19 cities and 2 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as Ashland, WI; Washburn, WI; and Bayfield, WI.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: Brightspeed coverage map and Bayfield Wireless coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether Brightspeed, Bayfield Wireless or both are offered at your home.

Brightspeed vs. Bayfield Wireless Speeds and Technology

Brightspeed and Bayfield Wireless utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Brightspeed offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 779 Mbps compared to Bayfield Wireless’s average speed of 256 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Brightspeed’s premium Fiber service reaches 41.3% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Bayfield Wireless’s top-tier fixed wireless is available to 100.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Brightspeed vs. Bayfield Wireless Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Brightspeed and Bayfield Wireless, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

Brightspeed Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Fiber 200 Mbps$49.00200 Mbps200 MbpsFiber
Fiber 300 Mbps$49.00300 Mbps300 MbpsFiber
Internet 100 Mbps$65.00100 MbpsNot listedDSL
Fiber 500 Mbps$79.00500 Mbps500 MbpsFiber
Fiber 1 Gig$39.99 ($79.00 regular price)1000 Mbps1000 MbpsFiber
Fiber 2 Gig$49.99 ($109.00 regular price)2000 Mbps2000 MbpsFiber

Sourced directly from Brightspeed's FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband label data, last verified November 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

View Plans

Bayfield Wireless Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Max Turbo 25$52.9525 Mbps4 MbpsFixed Wireless
Ignite 40$67.9540 Mbps5 MbpsFixed Wireless
Power 50$72.9550 Mbps10 MbpsFixed Wireless
Ignite 60$89.9560 Mbps10 MbpsFixed Wireless
Power Plus 75$99.9575 Mbps15 MbpsFixed Wireless
Ignite 100$119.95100 Mbps15 MbpsFixed Wireless

Sourced from pricing published on Bayfield Wireless's official website, last verified June 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

View Plans

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

Brightspeed vs. Bayfield Wireless Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate Brightspeed and Bayfield Wireless based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

Brightspeed Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.84 of 5 stars

(31)

DSL

DSL: 2.58 of 5 stars

(43)

Brightspeed has an overall rating of 3.09 out of 5, with a total of 76 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Brightspeed’s ratings, their DSL service (57% of reviews) averages 2.58 / 5 stars, higher than their overall company rating. This difference suggests that customers have notably different experiences with their various service types, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our Brightspeed Internet Reviews page.

Brightspeed vs. Bayfield Wireless Fees and Details

Beyond advertised monthly rates, additional fees and service details significantly impact your total internet costs. The tables below outline equipment charges, installation fees, contract terms, data caps, and other important factors to consider when comparing these providers. Understanding these details helps you avoid unexpected costs and choose the plan that offers the best overall value.

Brightspeed Service

Fee

Standard Installation Fee

$30

Tech Installation Fee

$99

Modem Rental

$17.99

Bayfield Wireless Service

Fee

Not Provided by Bayfield Wireless

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

Brightspeed vs. Bayfield Wireless Pros and Cons

Brightspeed

From 52 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

  • Good value: praised in 15 of 52 written reviews (6 call it overpriced). "the price point is great"
  • Easy installation: praised in 5 of 52 written reviews (4 had install trouble). "installation technician was courteous and professional"
  • No data caps: praised in 4 of 52 written reviews. "I have no Data caps either"

Cons

  • Outages and drops: a complaint in 17 of 52 written reviews (9 call it reliable). "Our internet continues to fail. We have outages frequently."
  • Slower than promised: a complaint in 16 of 52 written reviews (10 call it fast). "that 5% of the time where speeds have been quite slow"
  • Poor customer service: a complaint in 15 of 52 written reviews. "The wait time for repair on their faulty lines is atrocious."

Bayfield Wireless

No written reviews yet; these lines come from our data.

Pros

    Cons

      Brightspeed vs. Bayfield Wireless Top Cities

      Brightspeed serves 7,784 cities while Bayfield Wireless is available in 19 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

      Brightspeed Cities

      Raleigh, NC
      • Availability: 29.86%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 793 Mbps
      St. Louis, MO
      • Availability: 11.21%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 284 Mbps
      New York, NY
      • Availability: 1.46%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 1,085 Mbps
      Houston, TX
      • Availability: 4.02%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 966 Mbps
      Fayetteville, NC
      • Availability: 97.18%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 817 Mbps

      Overlapping Cities

      Ashland, WI
      • Brightspeed Avg. Speed: 1,654 Mbps
      • Bayfield Wireless Avg. Speed: 248 Mbps
      Washburn, WI
      • Brightspeed Avg. Speed: 44 Mbps
      • Bayfield Wireless Avg. Speed: 249 Mbps
      Bayfield, WI
      • Brightspeed Avg. Speed: 483 Mbps
      • Bayfield Wireless Avg. Speed: 310 Mbps
      Red Cliff, WI
      • Brightspeed Avg. Speed: 288 Mbps
      • Bayfield Wireless Avg. Speed: 317 Mbps
      Ashland Junction, WI
      • Brightspeed Avg. Speed: 62 Mbps
      • Bayfield Wireless Avg. Speed: 286 Mbps

      Bayfield Wireless Cities

      Ashland, WI
      • Availability: 90.51%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 249 Mbps
      Washburn, WI
      • Availability: 97.59%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 249 Mbps
      Bayfield, WI
      • Availability: 92.51%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 309 Mbps
      Red Cliff, WI
      • Availability: 97.75%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 317 Mbps
      Ashland Junction, WI
      • Availability: 100.00%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 284 Mbps