Best Internet Providers in Manchester, New Hampshire

What is the best internet provider in Manchester?

For many families in New Hampshire, Comcast's Xfinity Internet is the best overall Internet service provider for Manchester. This cable provider has almost complete coverage of Manchester and offers some of the most affordable internet plans in the region. If Xfinity service is not available in your location, alternatives like T-Mobile Home Internet and Fidium Fiber are also recommendable options.

For those looking for the most affordable Internet service, Xfinity's Connect plan offers 200 Mbps for $25 per month, with no data caps or mandatory contracts. Meanwhile, for the fastest Internet service, Fidium Fiber offers a $75 plan that offers 2,000 Mbps of symmetrical speeds.

Best internet in Manchester, New Hampshire in 2024

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other internet providers available in Manchester

• Breeze: This cable provider doesn't offer coverage directly in Manchester, but it has a large presence in Deerfield, Epsom, and Franklin. If you live north of Manchester, check to see if Breezeline is available at your address.
• First Light Fiber: Firstlight coverage is sparse across the state, so it's unlikely you'll be able to utilize it in Manchester. There is a small percentage of coverage in Derry, so it might be worth investigating if you are near that city.
• Satellite Internet: No matter where you are in the country, satellite internet will always be an option. But it's probably not the best. With high prices and slow speeds, providers like HughesNet, Viasat, and Starlink shouldn't be your choice for broadband.
• US Cellular: Available to around 50% of Manchester residents, this mobile company now offers Internet via a fixed wireless network. You'll have to enter your information to learn pricing and service details, but the US Cellular homepage says plans start at $50 per month.
• Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon offers two Internet plans on its network: $50 for 300 Mbps or $70 for 1,000 Mbps. However, it's only available to 12% of households in Manchester, so you'll have to check Verizon's website to see if your home can be repaired.

Cheap internet options in Manchester

If you're looking for the cheapest internet plan in town, Xfinity offers a 200 Mbps plan for $25 per month. While Breezeline's basic plan is $5 cheaper than Xfinity's, it's not available to Manchester residents – only those who live north of Manchester will be able to be served by Breezeline.

Most of the providers we mentioned also participate in the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program, which offers qualifying low-income families a monthly discount of $30 (or up to $75 for families on tribal lands) for high-speed internet. You can use ACP on any internet plan – not just the cheapest ones – from participating providers.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find offers and promotions on the Internet in Manchester

The best deals on the Internet and the main promotions in Manchester depend on the discounts available during this period. Most deals are short-lived, but we often look for the latest deals.

Manchester internet providers like Xfinity and Fidium Fiber may offer lower introductory prices or limited-time streaming add-ons. Many, including T-Mobile and Verizon, offer the same standard price year-round.

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

How fast is Manchester broadband?

New Hampshire ranks 17th for fastest broadband speeds by state. So how is the city of Manchester? According to OoklaManchester has an average download speed of 275 Mbps, which beats New Hampshire's average speed of 206 Mbps.

If you want speeds greater than 275 Mbps, you have many options, including fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections. Fidium Fiber has the fastest plan in town, offering 2 gigs for $75 per month. If you're looking for cable connectivity, Xfinity's Gigabit Extra plan offers 1,200 Mbps of speed for $80 per month.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What is a good internet speed?

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

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

• 0 to 5 Mbps lets you do the basics: surf the Internet, send and receive emails, and stream low-quality videos.
• 5 to 40 Mbps offers high-quality video streaming and video conferencing.
• 40 to 100 Mbps should provide enough bandwidth for a user to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming, and online gaming.
• 100 to 500 Mbps allows one or two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
• 500 to 1,000 Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Manchester

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphones, laptops, routers, or kitchen tools, it's impractical to personally test every Internet service provider in a given city. What is our approach? To start, we use a proprietary database of pricing, availability, and speed information, drawn from our own historical ISP data, partner data, and Federal Communications Commission mapping information at FCC.gov.

It doesn't end there: we go to the FCC website to check our data and ensure we have considered all ISPs providing service in an area. We also enter local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We analyze sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to gauge how satisfied customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent change; All information provided is accurate as of the date of publication.

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

• Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
• Do customers get decent value for what they are paying?
• Are customers satisfied with your service?

The answer to these questions is often complex and layered, but the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for plans with the lowest monthly fees, although we also take into account things like price increases, equipment fees, and contracts. Choosing the fastest Internet service is relatively simple. We analyzed advertised upload and download speeds and considered actual speed data from sources like Ookla (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis) and FCC Reports.

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

What's the final word on internet providers in Manchester?

Although Manchester doesn't have many national broadband names, such as AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber or Cox Communications, there are still many connection options in the city. Manchester residents have access to fiber, cable and fixed wireless internet, but it all comes down to which provider is available in your location. Xfinity has the widest coverage in the city, but Fidium Fiber offers symmetrical speeds that only a fiber connection can provide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Providers in Manchester