More and more of our daily life is transitioning online. From socialization to work to entertainment, what was not too long ago considered a luxury or novelty has become an all but essential utility.
However, finding affordable, fast, reliable internet can still be a challenge for many living in Lancaster County. Fast speed options offered by cable are not available in many rural or remote areas, and convoluted promotional pricing can make good deals seem illusive.
We want to help make the process of finding the best internet provider in Lancaster County easier for you, so we’ve compiled some data you can use to compare and contrast the offerings. Please note that these prices and packages are subject to change, and some of these packages may not be available in your area.
| Compay | Type of Internet | Available Upload Speed Range (advertised) | Price Range (per month) | Additional Benefits | Potential Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upward Broadband | Fiber-backed Fixed Wireless Internet | 10 to 100mbps | $49.95 to $299.95* *Fair, transparent pricing. Doesn’t include a one-time activation fee of $99 to $199. | A local, family-owned business with attentive service, no bundling, and gimmick-free pricing. | May not be available in your area at this time. Does not offer phone or TV options. |
| Xfinity | Cable Internet (Fiber options currently unavailable in Lancaster) | 25 to 1,000mbps | $45.95 to $299.99* *Limited time offers subject to change. Does not include additional installation fees. | A large company with fast, reliable internet. | They offer bundled packages that can make getting only what you need difficult. Promotional prices may be initially enticing, but monthly costs may increase after the promotional term ends. |
| Frontier | DSL | 6 to 25mbps | $37.99 to $44.99* *Includes monthly $10 router fee. Limited time offers subject to change. | Widely available, even in rural areas. | They may not offer high enough speeds for your internet usage. |
| Viasat | Satellite | 12 to 30mpbs | $65 to $120* *Does not include installation fees. The monthly fee will increase from $20 to $50 after 3 months. | Available nearly everywhere. | May not perform in certain types of weather, and is a relatively pricey option for the speeds available. |
| CenturyLink | DSL | 10 to 40mbps | Starting at $49 | Widely available, even in rural areas. | Doesn’t offer high-speed options. |
| HighesNet | Satellite | 25mbps | $59.99 to $150* *Higher price options give you a higher soft data limit (once you reach your limit, your speeds will slow). | Available nearly everywhere. | May not perform in certain types of weather, and is a relatively pricey option for the speed available. |
| Blue Ridge | Cable | 50 to 1,000mbps | $34.95 to $119.95 | Throughout northeastern Pennsylvania | They offer multiple services and encourage bundling. Promotional prices may be initially enticing, but monthly costs may increase after the promotional term ends. |
Lancaster County’s Best Internet Provider for High Speeds
Xfinity provides high-speed cable internet that is widely available across urban and suburban areas in Lancaster County. With packages reaching up to 1,000 Mbps, Xfinity will likely offer the fastest speeds in the county. However, cable internet is often unavailable to homes and businesses in more remote areas, meaning Xfinity may not be an option for you, depending on where you live.
Additionally, Xfinity offers entertainment bundles, meaning you can also purchase television and phone service in one, bundled package. While bundling can make managing monthly bills easier, you may end up paying for more than you need.
With cell phones and video streaming becoming more popular, many are opting to cut ties with cable/satellite television and landline phones. If you’re looking for just internet service, there may not be a package that offers just the services you need.
When shopping for services, be sure to pay attention to the long-term price. Many internet service providers offer great promotional deals. However, after a certain period, those promotions run out and the price you pay for your service will go up. Also be sure to ask what setup, installation, or router fees you will have to pay on top of your monthly bill. These can all add up to a substantial expense you won’t want as a surprise.
The Lowest Cost Options for Internet in Lancaster County
If you’re looking for the lowest price option, the popular DSL providers in Lancaster County may be your best bet. However, DSL internet as a whole cannot offer the same speed as other internet options, such as cable or fixed wireless internet.
Unlike cable internet, which requires specific cable internet lines to be run underground in your area, DSL internet is delivered via telephone lines. This means that DSL is widely available across Lancaster County – even in remote, rural areas.
As of the writing of this article, Frontier offers a 6 Mbps plan for $27.99, plus a $10/month router fee. Plans with EarthLink start at $49.95 and plans with CenturyLink start at $49.00. Just like the popular cable internet providers, these prices are often promotional and may change after a certain time. These price points compete with Upward Broadband’s 10 Mbps plan, which costs $49.95 a month.
When searching for DSL providers, you may see that some advertise fiber internet services with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. However, these are not available in Lancaster County at this time, and will likely be limited to a package around 10 to 25 Mbps.
With more and more of our life transitioning online, these lower-speed options may not be enough to fulfill your internet needs. The more people in your home or business using the internet, and the heavier their internet usage is, the higher speeds you’ll need. Check out this blog to find out just how fast your internet needs to be.
Lancaster County’s Highest Rated (by the customers) Internet Provider
Call us biased, but with over 50 5-star Google Reviews and 27 on Facebook, we are happy to claim Upward Broadband as Lancaster County’s highest rated internet provider.
We don’t operate out of a large, sometimes remote call center where you’ll get bounced from person to person (if you get to talk to a person at all). The people on our customer service and installation teams live in the Lancaster area and care about providing great service to their community.
But don’t just take our word for it! Take a look at what our customers are saying by checking out our online reviews.
Which Internet Option is Best for You?
When it comes down to it, the best internet provider for your Lancaster County home or business will vary based on your needs and location. Do you need the highest available speed, or is budget more of a concern? Which companies service your area, and which companies can provide the type of service you deserve?
With local support, fair pricing, and reliable, fiber-backed internet, the team at Upward Broadband would love to help you sort through your options to find the best internet service for you.
