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The Best Broadband ISPs in America

Both cable and DSL connections are getting faster and cheaper, but you may not have the best one. To find out how your ISP rates, see what our readers say about their providers.

Jeff Bertolucci

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Survey's Key Findings

  • Fiber-optic Internet service is a runaway hit. Respondents who have it--a relatively small group--reported they are very satisfied with the service.
  • Cablevision Systems, which serves more than 3 million customers in the New York metropolitan area, was the overall reader favorite, earning top marks on nearly every measure. EarthLink and BellSouth rated best for DSL service, but still just average.
  • When asked about specific features of their ISP, respondents said they were least pleased with providers' ability to block spam; they also scored customer service and tech support poorly.
  • Verizon and Charter rated worst among broadband providers--ironic, as Verizon scored well for its fiber-optic service. Dial-up providers fared worst, though.

Cable, Fiber-Optic Providers Give the Best Internet Service (chart)

Our survey of more than 9000 PC World subscribers and site visitors shows that cable Internet giants Cablevision, Time Warner, and Cox are impressing customers. Fiber-optic is a winner, too. But dial-up users are an unhappy lot as a whole.

Click the image below to see how survey respondents rated major ISPs.

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"The Best Broadband ISPs in America" Comments

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