Best Internet Providers in New Hampshire

CNET recommends Fidium Fiber as the best internet provider in New Hampshire. The provider has an extensive fiber-optic network with broad coverage throughout the state. It also offers competitive pricing and customer-friendly perks like contract-free service, included equipment and unlimited data.

If you're looking for the fastest internet available, Xfinity or Fidium are worth considering, with plans up to 2,100Mbps and 2,000Mbps, respectively. Fidium also provides affordable entry-level service with 100Mbps starting at $25 per month. Breezeline has a100Mbps plan at just $25 monthly as well, making it another solid choice for budget-conscious residents.

Other providers like TDS, T-Mobile Home Internet and Spectrum may be available, depending on your address. Here’s a closer look at the best internet options in New Hampshire.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

• Consolidated Communications: DSL service from Consolidated Communications (as opposed to its fiber service, Fidium Fiber) is suitable for suburban and rural areas where cable and fiber internet connections are harder to come by.
• Netafy: Fixed wireless ISP Netafy is available in select areas northwest of Lake Winnipesaukee and the state's northernmost part. If there are no other internet options in your area, Netafy is a step above satellite internet, but check for other potentially cheaper and faster options before signing up.
• Spectrum: While Xfinity covers much of New Hampshire's lower half, Spectrum extends cable internet service to much of the north. Three plans, with speeds ranging from 100 to 1,000Mbps, are available starting at $30 to $70 per month. There are no data caps or contracts, and renting a router will only add $10 to your monthly bill.
• TDS Telecom: Telephone & Data Systems has a small DSL presence in New Hampshire, but the ISP mostly operates on a fiber network. Speeds, pricing and service terms are on par with other internet providers in New Hampshire.
• US Cellular: A brand of TDS, US Cellular's fixed wireless internet is available throughout much of New Hampshire, north to south, from Berlin to Nashua. Service starts at $60 per month for speeds of 25 to 100Mbps. Like Netafy, it isn't the fastest or the best deal, but it's still preferable to satellite internet.
• Satellite internet: Broadband availability in New Hampshire is such that few residents should have to rely on satellite internet. Still, HughesNet and Viasat are options where there are no others. Before committing to either, it may be worth checking to see if Starlink is available in your area with its faster speed potential and unlimited data.

It’s hard to cover the broadband options of an entire state and give individual cities the attention they deserve. That’s why we also compile lists of the best internet providers in cities across the US, including those in New Hampshire. We tackle details such as internet connection types, maximum speeds, cheapest providers and more. Check back later if you don’t find the location you’re looking for below. We’re working to add more cities every week.

• Best internet providers in Manchester, NH

Between Breezeline, Fidium Fiber and Xfinity, many New Hampshire residents can access some of the cheapest internet plans nationwide. Breezeline is the cheapest provider, with service starting at $20 per month. Fidium Fiber offers the same download speed potential (100Mbps) plus the advantage of symmetrical upload speeds and free equipment rental for only $10 per month.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

The best internet deals and the top promotions in New Hampshire depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.

New Hampshire internet providers, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or extra perks for a limited time. Many providers, including Fidium Fiber, Spectrum and Breezeline, run the same standard pricing year-round.

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

New Hampshire’s median download speeds in Q4 2023 were around 235Mbps, according to recent Ookla speed test data. That’s a bit lower than the national average (268Mbps) but higher than many other areas and good enough to land 5th overall among all US states and Washington, DC. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

Cable providers often gravitate toward the top when it comes to fastest median speeds. Fiber internet providers typically also offer a significantly slower DSL service that can lower speed test results for the provider overall.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

• 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
• 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
• 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
• 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
• 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

It doesn’t end there; we go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

1. Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
2. Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
3. Are customers happy with their service?

While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds, and also take into account real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

A fiber connection is often the best choice for home internet, and that’s true for broadband in New Hampshire. Fidium Fiber is the state’s top ISP, offering fast speeds at competitive rates with no-hassle service terms that include free equipment rental and unlimited data.

In areas where Fidium Fiber is unavailable, TDS is the best source for fiber internet in New Hampshire. Cable internet -- from Breezeline, Spectrum or Xfinity -- also makes an excellent choice for home internet with pricing and speeds (download speeds, at least) rivaling fiber internet.

Fixed wireless internet is best for rural areas. Netafy and US Cellular are two of the largest fixed wireless ISPs in New Hampshire. T-Mobile Home Internet still boasts greater availability, faster speed potential and a better overall value.