Providers we compare in Connecticut
Each of these companies serves parts of Connecticut. None of them covers the whole state, so the right choice depends on your street.
Spectrum is the new name for former Cox areas in central Connecticut. Current Cox customers keep their service during the switch. Spectrum details
Xfinity serves many Connecticut towns, including parts of the Hartford area, the New Haven area (such as Hamden, Milford and Branford), the Naugatuck Valley and New London. Xfinity details
Cox served parts of central Connecticut, including areas around Hartford and Meriden. Charter completed its purchase of Cox in August 2026, so these areas are moving to the Spectrum name and plans. Cox details
Optimum serves the western part of the state, mainly Fairfield County towns such as Bridgeport, Norwalk, Westport and Greenwich, with fiber in some areas. Optimum details
Frontier is the traditional phone company across most of Connecticut and offers fiber in many towns, plus DSL in others. Its Connecticut roots go back to the Southern New England Telephone Company (SNET), founded in New Haven in 1878. Verizon completed its purchase of Frontier in January 2026. Frontier details
Sells internet over partner fiber and 5G networks at many Connecticut addresses, with its own plans and customer service. EarthLink details
Satellite internet for wooded and hilly areas in the northwest and northeast corners of the state where wired options are limited. Starlink details
How Connecticut internet differs by region
Most Connecticut homes can get Frontier, the state’s traditional phone company, plus one cable company. Which cable company you get depends on your town: Optimum in the southwest, Xfinity in many towns across the state, and Spectrum (formerly Cox) in parts of central Connecticut. GoNetspeed, a fiber company, also serves some towns, and T-Mobile and Verizon 5G home internet are available at many addresses.
| Region | Providers often found there* |
|---|---|
| Fairfield County (Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich) | Optimum, Frontier, 5G home internet |
| Greater Hartford | Xfinity, Frontier, Spectrum (former Cox areas), GoNetspeed (some towns) |
| New Haven area | Xfinity, Frontier, GoNetspeed (some towns) |
| Meriden, Cheshire & central towns | Spectrum (former Cox areas), Frontier, GoNetspeed (some towns) |
| Waterbury & Naugatuck Valley | Frontier, Xfinity |
| Eastern Connecticut (New London, Norwich, Groton) | Xfinity, Frontier |
| Litchfield Hills & Quiet Corner | Frontier, cable in many towns, fixed wireless and satellite in rural areas |
*Every provider serves only parts of each region. Your exact options depend on your street address.
Two big changes in 2026
Frontier is now part of Verizon. Verizon completed its purchase of Frontier on January 20, 2026. Frontier still operates under its own name, and Verizon says current plans, prices and equipment didn’t change because of the deal. Read Frontier is now Verizon for what to check on your account.
Cox is becoming Spectrum. Charter, the company behind Spectrum, completed its purchase of Cox in August 2026 and began moving Cox markets to the Spectrum brand in September. If you had Cox in central Connecticut, your service keeps working. Our guide Cox is now Spectrum explains what changes.
Fairfield County and New York commuters
Fairfield County has many residents who commute to New York City or work from home part of the week. Here the main choice is usually Optimum or Frontier. Both offer fiber in some neighborhoods, so ask which technology reaches your street. Fiber’s matching upload speeds help with video calls and large files. Read our fiber vs cable guide to compare. Curious where else Optimum operates? See our Optimum service areas guide.
Rural Connecticut and new broadband funding
Connecticut received federal approval in November 2025 for $144 million in BEAD funding to expand high-speed internet to homes that still lack it. Most gaps are in the hilly northwest and northeast corners of the state. If you live in a rural town, check your address again over the next year or two, as new options may arrive.
Plan for storms and outages
Nor’easters, ice storms and tropical storms like Irene and Sandy in 2011 and 2012 caused long power outages across Connecticut, especially in wooded towns. Your modem and router stop when the power does. A battery backup (UPS), a phone plan with hotspot data, and a second connection such as 5G home internet can keep you online.
Compare your options
Learn more about Frontier, Optimum and Xfinity, or compare nearby states on our New York and New Jersey pages. Not sure what speed you need? Read how much internet speed do I need. Or share your address and a specialist will compare every provider that serves it, for free.
