Best Internet Providers in Portsmouth, VA
Portsmouth has 9 internet providers offering cable, fiber, 5G, and satellite service. Cox Internet leads with 77.3% coverage, supplemented by strong 5G options from T-Mobile and Verizon.
Call to get connected: 1-855-342-0684
Quick Answer: Best Internet in Portsmouth
Cox Internet is the top overall pick in Portsmouth, covering 77.3% of the city with cable and fiber speeds up to 2 Gbps starting at $30/mo. AT&T fiber delivers the fastest symmetrical speeds at up to 5 Gbps.
- Best overall: Cox Internet -- up to 2 Gbps, 77.3% coverage
- Best fiber: AT&T -- symmetrical up to 5 Gbps, 68.6% coverage
- Best 5G: T-Mobile -- $50/mo, 75.5% coverage
- Best for gaming: Verizon 5G Home -- low latency, 56.9% coverage
- Best satellite: Starlink -- 220 Mbps, no contract
Internet Providers in Portsmouth, VA
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Internet | Cable, Fiber | 2 Gbps | $30/mo | 1.25 TB | None | 1-855-342-0684 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber, DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | None | 1-855-850-5977 |
| T-Mobile | 5G, Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $50/mo | None | None | 1-844-275-9311 |
| Verizon 5G Home | 5G | 1 Gbps | $50/mo | None | None | 1-855-387-1456 |
| Spectrum | Cable | 1 Gbps | $50/mo | None | None | 1-844-481-5997 |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | $50/mo | 100-200 GB | None | 1-855-543-5405 |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | $70/mo | 40-300 GB | 2-year | 1-855-463-9333 |
| Starlink | Satellite | 220 Mbps | $120/mo | 1 TB (Priority) | None | Online only |
| Metronet | Fiber | 2 Gbps | $50/mo | None | None | Online only |
Top Internet Providers in Portsmouth Reviewed
Cox Internet -- Best Overall in Portsmouth
Cox covers 77.3% of Portsmouth with cable and fiber service. Plans start at $30/mo for 100 Mbps and reach 2 Gbps on the Gigablast tier. A 1.25 TB data cap applies to most plans.
Plans: Go Fast (100 Mbps, $30/mo) | Internet 250 ($50/mo) | Internet 500 ($70/mo) | Gigablast (2 Gbps, $120/mo)
Choose if: You want reliable wired service with wide coverage. Avoid if: The 1.25 TB data cap concerns you.
Order Cox: 1-855-342-0684
AT&T Internet -- Best Fiber in Portsmouth
AT&T covers 68.6% of Portsmouth with fiber, fixed wireless, and DSL. Fiber plans deliver symmetrical speeds with no data caps and no contracts, reaching up to 5 Gbps.
Plans: Fiber 300 ($55/mo) | Fiber 500 ($65/mo) | Fiber 1 Gig ($80/mo) | Fiber 2 Gig ($150/mo)
Choose if: You need symmetrical upload speeds for remote work. Avoid if: AT&T fiber is not yet at your address.
Order AT&T: 1-855-850-5977
T-Mobile 5G -- Best Wireless Option
T-Mobile covers 75.5% of Portsmouth with 5G and fixed wireless. At $50/mo with no data caps and no contracts, it provides a strong alternative to wired cable service.
Plans: Home Internet ($50/mo, 72-245 Mbps)
Choose if: You want easy self-setup and no commitments. Avoid if: You need consistent speeds above 300 Mbps.
Order T-Mobile: 1-844-275-9311
Verizon 5G Home -- Best for Gaming
Verizon 5G Home covers 56.9% of Portsmouth with low-latency 5G wireless service. Typical speeds range from 85-300 Mbps, making it well-suited for gaming and video conferencing.
Plans: 5G Home ($50/mo) | 5G Home Plus ($70/mo, up to 1 Gbps)
Choose if: You want low latency and no data caps. Avoid if: Verizon 5G is not available at your location.
Order Verizon: 1-855-387-1456
Speed and Price Comparison in Portsmouth
| Speed Tier | Cox | AT&T | T-Mobile | Verizon 5G | Spectrum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mbps | $30/mo | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 250-300 Mbps | $50/mo | $55/mo | $50/mo | $50/mo | $50/mo |
| 500 Mbps | $70/mo | $65/mo | -- | -- | $70/mo |
| 1 Gbps | $100/mo | $80/mo | -- | $70/mo | $90/mo |
| 2 Gbps | $120/mo | $150/mo | -- | -- | -- |
Speed Recommendations
- 1-2 users, light browsing: 100 Mbps
- 3-5 users, streaming and video calls: 250-500 Mbps
- 6+ users, remote work and gaming: 500 Mbps-1 Gbps
- Power users: 1-2 Gbps
Internet Service in Portsmouth: Local Overview
Portsmouth (population 96,201) is part of the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News metro area (CBSA 47260). The city sits across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk and is closely tied to the Hampton Roads military and shipbuilding economy, including the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
Cox has long been the dominant cable provider, but 5G services from T-Mobile and Verizon now cover more than half the city, giving residents strong wireless alternatives. AT&T fiber continues expanding aggressively in the Hampton Roads region, bringing symmetrical gigabit service to more Portsmouth addresses each quarter.
Neighborhood Coverage Guide
- Olde Towne: Cox and AT&T fiber both available
- Churchland: Cox primary with T-Mobile 5G coverage
- Western Branch: Cox, AT&T, and Verizon 5G accessible
- Port Norfolk: Cox and T-Mobile primary options
- Cradock: Cox cable available with Verizon 5G as wireless alternative
Nearby Cities
Internet Speed Requirements for Portsmouth Households
The speed you need in Portsmouth depends on how many people and devices use your connection simultaneously. A single person streaming video and browsing the web can get by with 50-100 Mbps. A household of 2-3 people with regular streaming and video calls should target 200-300 Mbps. Larger families with 4 or more heavy users benefit from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps plans, especially when multiple people are streaming in 4K, gaming online, or working from home at the same time.
Upload speed matters just as much as download speed for Portsmouth residents who work remotely. Video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Teams require at least 5 Mbps upload for stable HD video, and 10 Mbps or more for group calls with screen sharing. If multiple household members participate in video calls simultaneously, ensure your plan provides at least 20-25 Mbps upload speed. Fiber plans offer the best upload performance with symmetrical speeds.
How to Choose an Internet Provider in Portsmouth
Start by checking which providers actually serve your specific address in Portsmouth, as coverage can vary significantly even within the same city. Enter your address on each provider's website or use our comparison tool to see all available options. Compare the actual speeds offered at your address, not just the provider's maximum advertised speed, since availability of faster tiers depends on local infrastructure.
Beyond speed, compare the total monthly cost including equipment rental fees, installation charges, and price increases after promotional periods end. Providers in Portsmouth, Virginia may offer different promotions depending on the season and competition in your area. Ask about no-contract options to maintain flexibility, and check whether a provider requires a credit check, as some offer prepaid alternatives. Reading recent customer reviews specific to Portsmouth gives the most relevant picture of service quality and reliability in your neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet in Portsmouth
Who is the best internet provider in Portsmouth, VA?
Cox Internet is the best overall with 77.3% cable/fiber coverage and speeds up to 2 Gbps starting at $30/mo.
Is fiber internet available in Portsmouth?
Yes. Cox, AT&T, and Metronet all offer fiber in parts of Portsmouth. AT&T covers 68.6% of the city.
What is the cheapest internet in Portsmouth, VA?
Cox starts at $30/mo for 100 Mbps. T-Mobile and Verizon 5G both begin at $50/mo with unlimited data.
Does Portsmouth have 5G home internet?
Yes. T-Mobile (75.5%) and Verizon 5G Home (56.9%) both offer wireless home internet service in Portsmouth.
Is Spectrum available in Portsmouth, VA?
Spectrum has limited coverage at about 9.3% of Portsmouth. Cox is the primary cable provider in the area.
Explore More Internet Options
Virginia Internet
- Best Internet Providers in Virginia
- Internet Providers in Norfolk, VA
- Internet Providers in Virginia Beach, VA
Provider Reviews
Helpful Guides
Last updated: February 7, 2026
Disclosure: Some links and phone numbers on this page are from advertising partners. When you sign up through them, InternetProviders.ai may earn compensation. This does not affect our rankings, which are based on independent research and FCC broadband data.