The fastest way to see what's available at your address

The quickest method is to enter your street address into the FCC's broadband map at broadbandmap.fcc.gov. Type in your full address, and the map shows which providers have reported service to that location, what speeds they claim to offer, and what type of connection each one uses (cable, fiber, DSL, satellite, or fixed wireless). This is a public tool run by the Federal Communications Commission and costs nothing to use.

If the FCC map shows no providers or seems outdated, call your city or county planning department and ask which internet providers are licensed to operate in your area. They often have a more current list than the FCC database, which updates quarterly but lags behind real deployments. A five-minute phone call can save you from chasing providers that don't actually reach your address.

Your landlord or neighbors are also a practical source — they can tell you which providers actually work at your location, which ones have reliability problems, and whether service is available to the back of the property or only the front. This matters because some providers claim coverage they cannot actually deliver to every unit in a building.

Key Takeaways

  • The FCC broadband map at broadbandmap.fcc.gov shows which providers report service to your address and what speeds they claim.
  • Your city or county planning department often has a more current list of licensed providers than the FCC database.
  • Neighbors and landlords can tell you which providers actually work reliably at your location, not just which ones claim to serve it.
  • Providers sometimes claim coverage they cannot deliver to every unit in a building, so direct contact with the provider is the final check.
  • Satellite internet (Starlink, Viasat, HughesNet) reaches almost any address but has higher latency and data caps than wired options.

Why the FCC map sometimes shows providers that don't actually serve you

Providers report coverage to the FCC at the census block level, which means a large geographic area — sometimes several city blocks or a rural area spanning miles. A provider can claim service to your census block even if they only run lines down one street or to one side of a building. The map shows what they reported, not what they can actually install at your specific address.

This is why contacting the provider directly is the essential next step. Call or visit their website, enter your address into their service checker, and ask whether they can install at your location. They will tell you whether you are in a serviceable area, whether there is a waiting list, and what the installation cost and timeline are. Do not assume the FCC map means you can order service today.

Checking each provider's service availability on their own website

Once you have a list of providers from the FCC map or your city, visit each company's website and use their address checker tool. You will find it on their homepage — usually labeled "Check availability" or "See if we serve your area." Enter your full street address, apartment number if you have one, and zip code. The tool will tell you whether service is available, what speeds you can get, and what the monthly cost is.

Write down the results from each provider, including the speed tier, price, and any contract terms. Prices and speeds vary by address even within the same city, so you cannot assume that a provider's advertised speeds explore to you. Some addresses get gigabit fiber while others on the same street get 100 Mbps cable — the tool will show you which one applies to your location.

If a provider's tool says service is not available but the FCC map shows they serve your area, call the provider's customer service line and ask to speak with someone in their service department. Sometimes the online tool is outdated or has a bug. A representative can check the backend system and give you a definitive answer.

Understanding the different types of internet connections

Cable internet runs through the same lines that carry television and is available in most urban and suburban areas. Speeds typically range from 100 to 500 Mbps depending on the provider and your plan. Cable is reliable and affordable but speeds can slow during peak hours when many neighbors are online.

Fiber-optic internet is the fastest option, often delivering 300 Mbps to 1 gigabit per second. It is less common than cable and is usually available only in newer developments or cities that have invested in fiber infrastructure. Fiber is more expensive than cable but offers faster, more consistent speeds.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) uses telephone lines and is available in many areas where cable is not. Speeds are usually slower than cable, typically 10 to 100 Mbps, and decrease the farther you live from the provider's equipment. DSL is often the only wired option in rural areas.

Satellite internet (Starlink, Viasat, HughesNet) works anywhere you have a clear view of the sky and requires no ground infrastructure. Speeds have improved significantly but are still slower than wired options, and satellite has higher latency, which affects video calls and online gaming. Most satellite plans include data caps — you pay extra if you exceed them. Satellite is the fallback option when no wired provider reaches your address.

Fixed wireless is a newer option from providers like T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home. It uses cellular towers to deliver internet without cables and is becoming available in more areas. Speeds and reliability vary depending on your distance from the tower and local network congestion.

What to do if no providers show up in your search

If the FCC map, your city, and multiple provider websites all show no service, you have a few options. First, ask your neighbors whether they have internet and which provider they use — sometimes service exists but is not widely advertised. Second, contact your city council member or county commissioner and ask whether broadband expansion is planned for your area; some areas have grants or projects in progress that are not yet live.

Third, consider satellite internet as a temporary or permanent solution. Starlink, Viasat, and HughesNet all serve rural and remote areas where wired providers do not. Satellite is more expensive and has higher latency than cable or fiber, but it is often the only option available. Check each provider's coverage map to see whether your address qualifies.

If you rent, ask your landlord whether they would allow a satellite dish on the roof or exterior wall. Some landlords prohibit them, which can block your only option for internet. If you own your home, a satellite dish is usually permitted under FCC rules, though local zoning codes may have restrictions worth checking with your city.

Comparing prices and speeds across providers

Once you know which providers serve your address, create a straightforward table with the provider name, speed tier, monthly price, contract length, and installation cost. Include any promotional pricing — many providers offer a discount for the first year that jumps to a higher price afterward. The true monthly cost is the price after the promotion ends, not the introductory rate.

Speed matters for what you actually do online. If you live alone and browse the web and stream video, 100 to 200 Mbps is usually enough. If you have a household of four people video calling, gaming, and streaming simultaneously, you need 300 Mbps or higher. If you work from home and upload large files, fiber or high-speed cable is worth the extra cost.

Do not assume the cheapest option is the best deal. A provider with slower speeds at a lower price might frustrate you enough to switch within a year, costing you time and the hassle of installation twice. Compare the total cost over a year or two, not just the monthly bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the FCC map on my phone?

Yes, broadbandmap.fcc.gov works on phones and tablets. The interface is simpler on mobile than on a computer, but you can enter your address and see which providers serve your location. Saving the results to a note or taking a screenshot is helpful so you have them when you call providers.

What if two providers serve my address but one is much cheaper?

Price alone is not the only factor. Check online reviews and ask neighbors about reliability, customer service, and whether speeds match what the provider advertises. A cheaper provider that has frequent outages or slow speeds during peak hours will cost you more in frustration. Many areas have only one or two real choices, so comparing quality matters as much as price.

Do I have to sign a contract with an internet provider?

Most cable and fiber providers offer month-to-month plans without a contract, though they may charge a higher monthly rate than a plan with a one- or two-year contract. Satellite providers often require contracts. Ask each provider about contract-free options before you commit.

What if my address is on the border between two service areas?

Enter your exact street address into each provider's tool — do not round or estimate. If one provider's tool says you are not serviceable but another says you are, call both companies' service departments with your full address and ask them to verify. Sometimes the boundary is off by a few addresses, and a phone call can clarify which side you are actually on.

Is the speed the provider advertises the speed I will actually get?

No. Advertised speeds are the maximum under ideal conditions. Your actual speed depends on your equipment, how far you are from the provider's equipment, how many neighbors are online, and what you are doing. Most people get 70 to 90 percent of advertised speeds during off-peak hours and less during peak times. Ask the provider what speed you can realistically expect at your address.