Best Internet Providers in Richmond, VA
Compare 8 internet providers serving 226,610 Richmond residents. Find fiber, cable, 5G, and satellite plans with speeds up to 5 Gbps.
Quick Answer: Best Internet in Richmond
Xfinity is the best overall provider in Richmond, VA, with 88% cable/fiber coverage and speeds up to 2 Gbps. Verizon Fios covers 65% of the city with symmetrical fiber. AT&T serves 57% of Richmond with fiber, fixed wireless, and DSL. T-Mobile 5G offers a wireless alternative covering 70% of the city at $40-50/month.
Key Takeaways
- Best coverage: Xfinity at 88% with cable/fiber up to 2 Gbps
- Best fiber: Verizon Fios at 65% with symmetrical speeds
- Best wireless: T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/mo, no contract
- 8 providers: Strong competition in Virginia's capital
- Fastest available: AT&T Fiber up to 5 Gbps where available
Richmond Internet Providers Comparison
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Call Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | Cable/Fiber | 2 Gbps | $30/mo | 1.2 TB* | No | 1-844-963-0138 |
| Verizon Fios | Fiber | 940 Mbps | $49.99/mo | None | No | 1-855-387-1456 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber/DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| T-Mobile 5G | 5G Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | $39.99/mo | Limited | 2-year | 1-855-543-5405 |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | $39.99/mo | Unlimited** | No | 1-855-463-9333 |
| Starlink | LEO Satellite | 250 Mbps | $120/mo | Soft cap | No | Online only |
*Xfinity 1.2 TB cap; unlimited for $30/mo extra. **Viasat Unleashed plan.
Top Richmond Internet Providers Reviewed
Xfinity Internet in Richmond
Xfinity dominates Richmond with 88% coverage through cable and fiber-backed infrastructure. Plans start at $30/month for 150 Mbps and scale to 2 Gbps. Xfinity includes xFi Gateway routers and Peacock streaming on select plans. The 1.2 TB data cap can be removed for $30/month extra.
Choose If:
- You want the widest wired coverage in Richmond
- You prefer bundling with Xfinity Mobile
Avoid If:
- The 1.2 TB data cap is a concern
- You need symmetrical upload speeds
Verizon Fios in Richmond
Verizon Fios covers 65% of Richmond with pure fiber delivering symmetrical upload and download speeds. Plans start at $49.99/month for 300 Mbps and scale to 940 Mbps. No data caps and no contracts make Fios the premium fiber choice in the capital city.
Choose If:
- You need symmetrical upload speeds for remote work
- You want fiber reliability with no data caps
Avoid If:
- Fios isn't available at your Richmond address
- You need speeds above 1 Gbps
AT&T Internet in Richmond
AT&T covers 57% of Richmond with fiber, fixed wireless, and DSL. AT&T Fiber delivers the fastest residential speeds in the city at up to 5 Gbps symmetrical with no data caps. Where available, AT&T Fiber is the speed king of Richmond.
Choose If:
- You want the absolute fastest speeds (up to 5 Gbps)
- AT&T Fiber is available at your address
Avoid If:
- Only DSL is available at your address
- You want the lowest monthly price
Richmond Internet Speeds and Prices
| Speed Tier | Xfinity | Verizon Fios | AT&T | T-Mobile 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps | $50/mo | $49.99/mo | $55/mo | $40-50/mo |
| 500 Mbps | $70/mo | $69.99/mo | $65/mo | - |
| 1 Gbps | $80/mo | $89.99/mo | $80/mo | - |
| 2 Gbps | $120/mo | - | $110/mo | - |
| 5 Gbps | - | - | $180/mo | - |
Prices subject to change. Check provider websites for current offers.
How Much Speed Do You Need?
- 1-2 people: 100-300 Mbps for streaming and browsing
- 3-5 people: 500 Mbps for multiple devices
- Heavy use: 1 Gbps+ for gaming, streaming, and remote work
Learn more: How much speed do I need?
Internet in Richmond: Local Market Overview
- Population: 226,610
- CBSA: 40060 (Richmond)
- Major industries: Government, Finance, Healthcare, Education
- Fiber providers: Verizon Fios, AT&T, Xfinity
Richmond is Virginia's capital and a growing tech hub with a strong demand for high-speed internet. Xfinity and Verizon Fios dominate the wired market, with AT&T expanding its fiber footprint aggressively. The city's mix of historic neighborhoods and new developments means broadband availability can vary block by block. Richmond's universities, including VCU and the University of Richmond, contribute to the demand for reliable internet among students and faculty.
Internet by Richmond Neighborhood
- The Fan/Museum District: Strong Verizon Fios and Xfinity coverage
- Scott's Addition: Multiple fiber and cable providers available
- Church Hill: Xfinity reliable; Fios expanding
- Short Pump (Henrico): Xfinity and Verizon Fios both available
Frequently Asked Questions About Richmond Internet
What is the best internet provider in Richmond, VA?
Xfinity has the widest coverage at 88%. Verizon Fios is the best for fiber with 65% coverage and symmetrical speeds. AT&T Fiber offers the fastest speeds at up to 5 Gbps where available.
Is fiber internet available in Richmond?
Yes. Verizon Fios covers 65% of Richmond. AT&T provides fiber to 57%. Xfinity offers fiber-backed plans in many areas. Fiber availability is growing across the metro.
How much does internet cost in Richmond?
Xfinity starts around $30/month. Verizon Fios begins at $49.99/month. Most households pay $50-80/month for 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps speeds.
Is Xfinity or Verizon Fios better in Richmond?
Verizon Fios is better for symmetrical speeds and no data caps. Xfinity has wider coverage (88% vs 65%) and lower starting prices but includes a 1.2 TB cap. Both perform well.
Is 5G home internet available in Richmond?
Yes. T-Mobile 5G covers about 70% of Richmond at $40-50/month. Verizon 5G Home reaches 65% of the city starting at $35/month with a mobile plan.
About the Author
Last Updated: February 7, 2026
Our team regularly reviews and updates this guide to ensure accuracy. Provider availability and pricing are verified quarterly using FCC data.
Editorial Disclosure
InternetProviders.ai is committed to providing accurate, unbiased information to help you choose the right internet service. Some of the providers listed on this page are partners who compensate us when you sign up for service through our links or phone numbers. This compensation may affect the order in which providers appear, but it does not influence our ratings, reviews, or recommendations. Our editorial team independently researches and tests each provider. For more information, please see our editorial guidelines and how we make money.
Internet Speed Requirements for Richmond Households
The speed you need in Richmond 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 Richmond 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.