Best Internet Providers in Central, Boston, MA
All 8 providers, ranked by coverage, speed and customer ratings
Find internet availability by address in Central, Boston, MA
Central has 8 internet service providers, they are sorted by coverage, available speed, and customer rating from our unbiased internet provider report. Fiber, Cable, and Fixed Wireless internet are available in the neighborhood. Reviews are grouped by provider and the type of service they offer, covering all 3 available internet technologies in Central.
Ranks compare Central with the 20 neighborhoods in Boston.
The Best Internet in Central, Boston, MA at a Glance
Central Internet Providers, Ranked by Coverage, Speed and Customer Ratings
XFINITY
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
Cable
Astound Broadband
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
Cable
EarthLink
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
Fixed Wireless
Verizon
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
Fixed Wireless
Providers with less than 1% coverage in this neighborhood are excluded from the list. To see if one of these providers is available at your home, please use the address search above.
Speed and technology may vary by address for all providers. Please note we may have a financial relationship with some of the providers above, which does not impact the customer ratings displayed. Customer ratings listed above are national ratings, local Central ratings may vary and are shown below.
Who is the Best Internet Provider in Central, Boston, MA?
Starry is the highest-rated internet provider in Central based on 160 Massachusetts customer reviews, and Starry has the highest rating nationwide. The provider information above and the information immediately below can help you decide. Compare provider ratings and review counts above.
Which Providers are Available at my Home in Central?
Coverage changes block by block. Pick a provider and a technology to see where its service reaches: the darker the area, the larger the share of homes it covers. For your exact address, use the address search above.
Coverage map for each provider in Central, Boston
- XFINITY - cable coverage map
- Astound Broadband - cable coverage map
- Verizon - fixed wireless coverage map
- EarthLink - fiber coverage map
- Verizon - fiber coverage map
- Starry - fixed wireless coverage map
- Netafy - fixed wireless coverage map
- Astound Broadband - fiber coverage map
- XFINITY - fiber coverage map
- T-Mobile Home Internet - fixed wireless coverage map
- Starry - fiber coverage map
- AT&T - fixed wireless coverage map
- EarthLink - fixed wireless coverage map
How Central Compares to the Rest of Boston
Central's report card score is 19th of 20 and its connectivity index is tied 7th of 20.
| Measure | Central | Rank among neighborhoods in Boston | Boston | Suffolk County | US | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISP Report Card inputs: what providers offer here | ||||||
| Fiber availability | 55.1% | 19th of 20 | 78.6% | 78.0% | 71.5% | South Dorchester (100.0%) |
| Average top speed | 1,919 Mbps | 13th of 20 | 1,985 Mbps | 2,010 Mbps | 3,486 Mbps | Fields Corner (2,260 Mbps) |
| Providers at a typical address | 8.4 | Tied 6th of 20 | 6.4 | 7.7 | 7.1 | Dorchester Heights (9.1) |
| Connectivity index inputs: how much households need and use the internet | ||||||
| People per household | 1.7 | Tied 16th of 20 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 2.7 | Mount Bowdoin (3.2) |
| Workers who work from home | 30% | Tied 2nd of 20 | 21% | 19% | 15% | Dorchester Heights (31%) |
| Homes with a computer, tablet or phone | 97% | Tied 4th of 20 | 96% | 95% | 96% | Downtown Crossing (100%) |
| Homes with internet | 93% | Tied 8th of 20 | 94% | 91% | 91% | Downtown Crossing (99%) |
| Homes on fiber, cable or DSL | 83% | Tied 7th of 20 | 84% | 78% | 76% | Downtown Crossing (89%) |
| More about the households here | ||||||
| Homes with a desktop or laptop | 83% | Tied 9th of 20 | 86% | 82% | 81% | Dock Square (93%) |
| Median household income | $116,655 | 9th of 20 | $128,866 | $102,680 | $93,246 | Dorchester Heights ($191,686) |
| Residents in school (6th grade to college) | 30% | Tied 2nd of 20 | 17% | 20% | 16% | Fenway-Kenmore (61%) |
Fiber reaches 55.1% of homes in Central, against 78.6% across Boston and 78.0% across Suffolk County. Households in Central are smaller than the US average (1.7 people against 2.7); 30% of workers work from home (US 15%); and the median household income is $116,655 (US $93,246).
Our demographic data is sourced from the latest 5-year release of the American Community Survey by the US Census Bureau.
Fiber, 5G, Cable and DSL Internet in Central
Which Fiber Internet Providers are Available in Central?
EarthLink Fiber in Central, Boston, MA
Availability:
53.0%
Customer Rating:
(6)
Avg. Download Speed
980 Mbps
EarthLink offers Fiber service to 53.0% of Central homes. Across the neighborhood, EarthLink Fiber has speeds up to 980 Mbps
Verizon Fiber in Central, Boston, MA
Availability:
53.0%
Customer Rating:
(453)
Avg. Download Speed
980 Mbps
Verizon offers Fiber service to 53.0% of Central homes. Across the neighborhood, Verizon Fiber has speeds up to 980 Mbps
Starry Fiber in Central, Boston, MA
Availability:
7.3%
Customer Rating:
(0)
Avg. Download Speed
696 Mbps
Starry offers Fiber service to 7.3% of Central homes. Across the neighborhood, Starry Fiber has speeds up to 696 Mbps, with speeds from 500 Mpbs up to 800 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 100 and as high as 250, with an average of 198 Mbps throughout the neighborhood.
XFINITY Fiber in Central, Boston, MA
Availability:
7.3%
Customer Rating:
(300)
Avg. Download Speed
1,200 Mbps
XFINITY from Comcast offers Fiber service to 7.3% of Central homes. Across the neighborhood, XFINITY Fiber has speeds up to 1,200 Mbps
Astound Broadband Fiber in Central, Boston, MA
Availability:
6.5%
Customer Rating:
(21)
Avg. Download Speed
1,500 Mbps
Astound Broadband offers Fiber service to 6.5% of Central homes. Across the neighborhood, Astound Broadband Fiber has speeds up to 1,500 Mbps
Which Fixed Wireless and LTE Internet Providers are Available in Central?
Netafy Fixed Wireless in Central, Boston, MA
Availability:
92.1%
Customer Rating:
(1)
Avg. Download Speed
418 Mbps
Netafy offers Fixed Wireless service to 92.1% of Central homes. Across the neighborhood, Netafy Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 418 Mbps, with speeds from 150 Mpbs up to 641 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 150 and as high as 150, with an average of 150 Mbps throughout the neighborhood.
T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless in Central, Boston, MA
Availability:
84.0%
Customer Rating:
(342)
Avg. Download Speed
95 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet offers Fixed Wireless service to 84.0% of Central homes. Across the neighborhood, T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 95 Mbps, with speeds from 25 Mpbs up to 100 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 3.0 and as high as 20, with an average of 19 Mbps throughout the neighborhood.
EarthLink Fixed Wireless in Central, Boston, MA
Availability:
81.9%
Customer Rating:
(4)
Avg. Download Speed
43 Mbps
EarthLink offers Fixed Wireless service to 81.9% of Central homes. Across the neighborhood, EarthLink Fixed Wireless has speeds up to 43 Mbps, with speeds from 25 Mpbs up to 100 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 3.0 and as high as 20, with an average of 7.1 Mbps throughout the neighborhood.
AT&T Fixed Wireless in Central, Boston, MA
Availability:
81.9%
Customer Rating:
(205)
Avg. Download Speed
43 Mbps
AT&T offers Fixed Wireless service to 81.9% of Central homes. Across the neighborhood, AT&T Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 43 Mbps, with speeds from 25 Mpbs up to 100 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 3.0 and as high as 20, with an average of 7.1 Mbps throughout the neighborhood.
Starry Fixed Wireless in Central, Boston, MA
Availability:
80.6%
Customer Rating:
(25)
Avg. Download Speed
533 Mbps
Starry offers Fixed Wireless service to 80.6% of Central homes. Across the neighborhood, Starry Fixed Wireless has speeds up to 533 Mbps, with speeds from 100 Mpbs up to 1,000 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 50 and as high as 500, with an average of 154 Mbps throughout the neighborhood.
Verizon Fixed Wireless in Central, Boston, MA
Availability:
68.4%
Customer Rating:
(362)
Avg. Download Speed
794 Mbps
Verizon offers Fixed Wireless service to 68.4% of Central homes. Across the neighborhood, Verizon Fixed Wireless has speeds up to 794 Mbps, with speeds from 25 Mpbs up to 1,000 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 6.0 and as high as 75, with an average of 59 Mbps throughout the neighborhood.
Which Cable Internet Providers are Available in Central?
XFINITY Cable in Central, Boston, MA
Availability:
92.6%
Customer Rating:
(2077)
Avg. Download Speed
1,888 Mbps
XFINITY from Comcast offers Cable service to 92.6% of Central homes. Across the neighborhood, XFINITY Cable has speeds up to 1,888 Mbps, with speeds from 1,200 Mpbs up to 2,000 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 35 and as high as 2,000, with an average of 1,090 Mbps throughout the neighborhood. XFINITY Cable is rated the same as other types of internet service available in Central from XFINITY in terms of customer satisfaction.
Astound Broadband Cable in Central, Boston, MA
Availability:
66.4%
Customer Rating:
(97)
Avg. Download Speed
1,500 Mbps
Astound Broadband offers Cable service to 66.4% of Central homes. Across the neighborhood, Astound Broadband Cable has speeds up to 1,500 Mbps
Which DSL Internet Providers are Available in Central?
According to the most recently submitted data by internet service providers to the FCC, there are currently no DSL providers available in Central, Boston, MA.
How Central Compares to Its Neighbors
The 10 neighborhoods nearest to Central that have their own pages are all within 2 miles. Among them, Dorchester Heights has the most homes with fiber (97.8%) and East Cambridge (Cambridge) the fewest (33.8%); Central has 55.1%.
| Place | People | Homes with fiber | Average top speed | Providers at a typical address | Report card | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central (this page) | 21,469 | 55.1% | 1,919 Mbps | 8.4 | B | 70/100 |
| Fenway-Kenmore | 42,808 | 49.7% | 1,967 Mbps | 8.2 | B- | 61/100 |
| South End | 30,954 | 90.9% | 1,847 Mbps | 9 | B+ | 69/100 |
| Back Bay | 25,945 | 83.5% | 1,889 Mbps | 8.5 | B+ | 69/100 |
| Dorchester Heights | 23,400 | 97.8% | 1,885 Mbps | 9.1 | A- | 71/100 |
| South Boston | 20,016 | 78.0% | 1,862 Mbps | 8.3 | B | 67/100 |
| East Cambridge (Cambridge) | 13,390 | 33.8% | 1,916 Mbps | 6.4 | C+ | 75/100 |
| Dock Square | 12,799 | 82.7% | 1,878 Mbps | 8.2 | B | 72/100 |
| Gove Street | 7,413 | 96.5% | 1,937 Mbps | 8.4 | B+ | 54/100 |
| Downtown Crossing | 7,407 | 76.9% | 1,904 Mbps | 8.3 | B | 77/100 |
| Waterfront | 4,206 | 72.4% | 1,855 Mbps | 8.3 | B | 54/100 |
Who is the Fastest Internet Provider in Central?
According to unbiased feedback from real internet customers, they reported being happiest with speeds provided by Starry. On the other hand, based on data provided by the internet providers to the FCC, XFINITY from Comcast should have faster speeds at a local level. While we typically put more weight on real-world customer ratings, we display both satisfaction and technical maximum information for customers to decide for themselves.
Data Reported to FCC by ISPs: Average Maximum Available in Central
| XFINITY from Comcast | 2,000 |
|---|---|
| Astound Broadband | 1,500 |
| Verizon | 1,000 |
| Starry | 1,000 |
| EarthLink | 980 |
| Netafy | 641 |
| Viasat | 100 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 100 |
| AT&T | 100 |
| HughesNet | 25 |
How fast is your internet?
Test your connection here and see it next to the speeds providers advertise in Central. It takes about 20 seconds and, on a fast line, can move a few hundred MB of data.
Customer Ratings for Central Internet Providers
Based on 160 reviews from Massachusetts internet customers, Starry is the best internet service provider for Central residents. Starry was rated at an average of 3.90 out of 5 in our report for overall customer satisfaction. AT&T wins for second-place in Massachusetts, with 4.50 out of 5 stars and 81.9% coverage in Central.
At a national level, based on 4751 national reviews for any of the providers listed above, Starry is rated higher than any other provider, with a rating of 4.24 out of 5.
Local, State, and National Ratings for all Central Internet Providers
The table below shows average customer ratings from customers in Central, Massachusetts, and customers throughout the country.
| ISP / Tech Type | Central Overall | Massachusetts Overall | National Overall | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starry |  (2) | (10) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Astound Broadband | (0) |  (5) | (122) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (0) | (4) | (1051) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (4) | (342) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (37) | (816) | View Plans | ||
| XFINITY |  (2) | (100) | (2379) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Netafy | (0) | (0) | (1) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) |  (12) | View Plans |
Customer Ratings for Internet Provider Speeds in Central
Based on data reported by Central ISPs to the FCC, the fastest speeds in the neighborhood are available through XFINITY from Comcast. The company offers speeds up to 2,000 Mbps in Central. Therefore, the average customer can get up to 1,888 Mbps if they’re willing to purchase the fastest subscription tier available at their homes.
However, actual customers rated their satisfaction with internet speed highest with Starry. This indicates Starry reliably delivers speeds expected by the customer based on the plan they are paying for.
| ISP / Tech Type | Central Speed | Massachusetts Speed | National Speed | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starry | (2) | (10) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Astound Broadband | (0) | (5) | (122) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (0) | (4) | (1051) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (4) | (342) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (37) | (816) | View Plans | ||
| XFINITY | (2) | (100) | (2379) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Netafy | (0) | (0) | (1) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (12) | View Plans |
Who is the Cheapest Internet Provider in Central?
Of the providers in Central, customers rate Starry the best for price. Data comes from customers rating their satisfaction with pricing: in Central where enough of them have reviewed a provider, otherwise across Massachusetts or the country. This feedback is valuable because it considers price changes and whether the speeds paid for are worth it.
Starry is rated 5.00 out of 5 for price, which is much higher than the average across all internet providers in the country. AT&T is rated second for affordability, with an average price rating of 4.50 out of 5.
The table below shows how customers in Central, Massachusetts, and the United States rated the affordability of their internet service.
Rated Affordability in Central
| ISP / Tech Type | Central Affordability | Massachusetts Affordability | National Affordability | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starry | (2) | (10) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Astound Broadband | (0) | (5) | (122) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (0) | (4) | (1051) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (4) | (342) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (37) | (816) | View Plans | ||
| XFINITY | (2) | (100) | (2379) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Netafy | (0) | (0) | (1) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (12) | View Plans |
Customer Reviews for Internet Service Providers in Massachusetts
Customer Reviews
A Boston, MA Customer
Starry Fixed Wireless
October 16, 2023 I really like Starry because it was very hassle free and easy to get set up. I scheduled my installation a few weeks before I moved in and he was there on time. I even got a bonus few weeks of free wifi for scheduling my service ahead of time. There are also no hidden fees in their pricing of $40 per month, the price will never go up, and I don't have a minimum term agreement. I've had absolutely no complaints so far and it hasn't gone out yet.
A Boston, MA Customer
XFINITY Fiber
May 31, 2023 I'm not really a big fan of my service provider because there are constant issues. My phone doesn't connect to the wifi unless I unplug and replug the router. Anything that isn't on ethernet is a pain to get to connect. I also don't really like the pricing, I know that other providers are cheaper and perform better. Xfinity has poor customer service as well.
A Boston, MA Customer
XFINITY Cable
March 26, 2023 Overall, I would love for a chance to change internet provider. Every year, the price increases and I am stuck paying more for the same service. Also, every once in a while, the internet stops working for no reason and it takes several hours before the service is restored. Unfortunately for me, Xfinity has a monopoly over my town and I have no access to any other service providers.
A Boston, MA Customer
Starry Fixed Wireless
January 31, 2023 Pl
Verizon
November 11, 2026 Verizon is hands down the worst company I’ve ever had to deal with. Their service is shit, the prices are obscene and their customer service couldn’t possibly be more useless than it is
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Which ISP Should You Choose in Central?
The right ISP for you depends upon your needs, but in general we can make the following suggestions:
- The best all-around internet service provider in Central is Starry.
- The fastest internet provider should be XFINITY from Comcast. Considering speed for the money and reliability in speeds, Starry may be a better choice based on real-world local customer feedback.
- The most affordable internet provider in Central is Starry.
- XFINITY from Comcast, Viasat, and HughesNet has the broadest coverage in Central, available to 92.6% of homes, and is most likely to cover your home. To find out exactly what’s available at your home, please use our address search tool.