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Portland has multiple facilities-based options for home internet. Cable from Xfinity covers much of the city, with additional cable coverage from Astound Broadband (Wave). Lumen’s consumer brands provide fiber-to-the-home in some neighborhoods via Quantum Fiber and legacy DSL via CenturyLink elsewhere. Fixed‑wireless 5G Home Internet from T‑Mobile and Verizon is also widely offered. For an address‑level view, use the FCC’s map for fastest available download speeds. Xfinity and CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber reach many Portland neighborhoods, while EarthLink largely resells access over these underlying networks and availability varies by address; see third‑party estimates.
With approximately 91–92% of Oregon households reporting a broadband subscription, statewide adoption is among the highest in the U.S. (latest ACS). See U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts and detailed ACS Table S2801. The FCC’s Broadband Data Collection shows most Oregon locations have access to at least 100/20 Mbps fixed service, with remaining gaps concentrated in rural areas—confirm your specific address on the FCC Oregon map. (See also prior survey context at Statista.)
Using current 2025 provider disclosures and mapping sources, we compared Portland’s wired cable and fiber alongside fixed‑wireless alternatives to surface strong-value picks by speed, availability, and total cost. Always check your address with Xfinity, Astound, Quantum Fiber, T‑Mobile, and Verizon, then validate on the FCC National Broadband Map.
The 3 Best Internet Providers in Portland
- Xfinity – Best for Heavy Streaming
- Earthlink – Best for Data
- CenturyLink – Best Overall Value
The Best Portland Internet Providers: Summed Up
| Xfinity | EarthLink | CenturyLink | |
| Defining trait | Best for heavy streaming | Best data | Best value |
| Connection type | Cable (HFC); limited 10 Gbps fiber in select areas | Resold Fiber/Cable/DSL (varies by address) | Fiber (Quantum Fiber) where available; DSL elsewhere |
| Download speeds (Mbps) | Up to 2,000 on cable; 10,000 via Gigabit Pro (limited) | Typically 100–1,000 on fiber/cable; lower on DSL | Up to 8,000 on Quantum Fiber; lower on DSL |
| Prices starting at | ~$30–$40 promo for entry tiers (address-dependent) | ~$50+ (varies by access type) | ~$60–$75 for 1 Gbps fiber; DSL varies |
| Contract length | No annual contract on most plans; term options exist | 12 months common | None for Quantum Fiber; terms may vary on DSL |
| Data cap | 1.2 TB where active; Unlimited add‑on available | Unlimited (marketed) | No caps on Quantum Fiber; DSL policies vary |
Xfinity – Best for Heavy Streaming
With multi‑gigabit downloads available in many areas, broad coverage, and simple self‑install options, Xfinity fits heavy streamers and gamers. Address‑specific offers are listed on special offers . Where Xfinity’s data plan applies, the monthly allowance is 1 TB of data (1.2 TB) with an optional Unlimited add‑on; some regions do not enforce the data plan. Check your address on Xfinity’s Portland page for available tiers and promos.
- Price: Typical entry cable tiers run about $30–$80 per month (200–500 Mbps); around $80–$120 for 1 Gbps; multi‑gig costs more. Final pricing depends on address, promos, equipment, and any autopay discounts.
- Speed and Data: Common cable tiers 300–1,200 Mbps; 2,000 Mbps (Gigabit X2) in many markets; 10 Gbps “Gigabit Pro” (limited fiber build). Monthly data plan of 1.2 TB where active; Unlimited Data add‑on available.
- Plans/Packages:
- Entry tiers (e.g., Connect/Connect More) — address‑dependent pricing
- Mid tiers (≈200–800 Mbps) — availability varies
- Gigabit (≈1 Gbps) and Gigabit X2 (≈2 Gbps) — selected areas
- Gigabit Pro (10 Gbps fiber) — special construction/installation
- xFi Gateway equipment optional; fees vary
- Contract Options: No annual contract required on most residential plans; term agreements may be offered for additional discounts.
Earthlink – Best for Data
EarthLink markets fiber, cable, and DSL in Portland largely by reselling access over underlying networks (e.g., Lumen and cable operators). It advertises no data caps, 24/7 support, and optional security bundles. Where fiber or modern cable is available, speeds commonly range 100–1,000 Mbps; DSL areas will see lower speeds. Availability is address‑specific and depends on which underlying network reaches your location; verify on provider sites and the FCC National Broadband Map.
- Price: Commonly around $50–$100+ per month depending on access type and speed.
- Speed and Data: Typically 100–1,000 Mbps where fiber/cable is available; lower on DSL; unlimited data (marketed).
- Plans/Packages:
- HyperLink Fiber 100/500/1,000 — symmetrical where offered
- Resold Cable 300–600 Mbps — where available
- DSL up to 100 Mbps — distance‑dependent
- Optional security/backup add‑ons
- Contract Options: 12 months common.
CenturyLink – Best Overall Value
CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber deliver Lumen’s service mix in Portland: address‑specific fiber‑to‑the‑home (Quantum Fiber) with symmetrical tiers and legacy copper (DSL) where fiber isn’t lit. Quantum Fiber markets no data caps and no annual contracts; see CenturyLink’s policy details. DSL speeds and terms vary by location.
- Price: ~mid‑$60s to mid‑$70s for 1 Gbps fiber (typical); multi‑gig fiber costs more; DSL pricing varies by address.
- Speed and Data: DSL commonly 20–100 Mbps (distance‑dependent); Quantum Fiber 500 Mbps–8 Gbps symmetrical where available; no data caps on Quantum Fiber.
- Plans/Packages:
- DSL up to 100 Mbps — availability and rate vary
- Quantum Fiber 500 Mbps — symmetrical
- Quantum Fiber 1 Gig (≈940 Mbps) — symmetrical
- Quantum Fiber 2–8 Gig — limited availability
- Contract Options: None on Quantum Fiber; legacy DSL terms may differ.
How We Found the Best Internet Providers in Portland
In order to determine the best internet providers in Portland, we considered a number of key factors that impact a company’s internet service, which include:
- Coverage: Availability varies block‑by‑block, so we prioritized facilities‑based providers that directly serve Portland addresses: Xfinity (cable), Astound Broadband (Wave), and Quantum Fiber/CenturyLink. Fixed‑wireless 5G home internet from T‑Mobile and Verizon is broadly available. Always confirm at your address on the FCC National Broadband Map.
- Value: We compared total monthly cost ranges (before taxes/fees) commonly seen in 2025: cable around $30–$80 for 200–500 Mbps and $80–$120 for 1 Gbps; fiber about $60–$75 for 1 Gbps with higher prices for multi‑gig; fixed‑wireless typically $50–$70 with discounts via mobile bundles. We also weighed data policies: cable (e.g., Xfinity) uses a 1.2 TB monthly plan where active with optional unlimited, while fiber and 5G home internet generally market no hard caps but can apply network management during congestion (Xfinity policy; T‑Mobile; Verizon).
- Customer Satisfaction: We referenced current benchmarks rather than legacy figures. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) notes U.S. satisfaction has stabilized from 2022 lows through 2024–2025, though results vary by sector and brand. Consumers rely heavily on recent online reviews according to BrightLocal’s 2024 Local Consumer Review Survey (methodology and stats). For provider comparisons by region, see J.D. Power’s U.S. Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study. The Better Business Bureau maintains current profiles for Earthlink, CenturyLink, and Comcast Corporation.
FAQ
Who is the best internet provider in Portland?
The best pick depends on your exact address and priorities. Where available, fiber from Quantum Fiber (CenturyLink) delivers symmetrical uploads and strong latency for work‑from‑home and creators. Xfinity’s cable network has the broadest wired footprint and high download speeds across much of the city, with a 1.2 TB monthly plan in markets where active. In some buildings and neighborhoods, Astound Broadband is a strong cable alternative. If you prefer simple pricing and self‑setup—or lack robust wired options—fixed‑wireless 5G home internet from T‑Mobile or Verizon has no hard data caps but is subject to network management during congestion. Always verify availability at your address on the FCC map.
How much internet speed do I need?
How much internet you need depends on how many devices are in your home and how you use them. When considering your internet speed needs, consider the following recommendations from CenturyLink:
- Web browsing: 1 Mbps
- Online gaming: 1 to 5 Mbps
- HD video streaming: 5 to 8 Mbps
- Downloading large files: 50+ Mbps
What are Mbps?
Mbps is the abbreviation for megabits per second. This measures how quickly data is transferred over the internet. The higher Mbps offered in a package, the faster and more reliable the internet connection speed will be.
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