Best Internet Providers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for 2024
Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in Milwaukee, WI
Not all plans are available in all areas. Provider plan, availability, and speed tier data provided by BroadbandNow.com. Speedtest real-world data is only present where sample size has reached significance within a region. Additionally, averages may include aggregated tests across multiple Internet Types (Fiber, DSL, Cable, etc.).
At Speedtest, we are dedicated to delivering accurate and trustworthy data that structures our ISP advice. Our insights are derived from real-world data amassed from millions of Speedtest completions worldwide. This rigorous collection of data guarantees that our ISP performance evaluations are reliable and up-to-date, facilitating the provision of a straightforward, neutral overview.
Analyzing an ISP's performance involves three principal metrics: download speed, upload speed, and latency. Download speed is paramount for actions like streaming and downloading, indicating the rate at which data travels to your device. Upload speed is essential for uploading content and providing for online interactions, representing how swiftly data is transmitted from your device to the internet. Lastly, latency or ping is crucial in online gaming and video calling, affecting the responsiveness of your connection.
The technology underlying an ISP significantly impacts the caliber of your internet experience. Technologies such as fiber optics regularly offer the fastest speeds, making them prime for those with heavy online demands. Cable internet typically avails commendable download speeds, albeit potentially slower upload speeds. DSL (digital subscriber line) delivers moderate speeds, sufficient for basic web browsing and streaming, whereas satellite internet, generally the sole option in remote areas, faces challenges with latency and slower speeds.
How Much Speed Do I Need?
Download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 10 Mbps are widely considered fast enough to handle nearly any online activity. A quick guide to what speeds you need for different online activities is below, and you can read our full guide to internet speeds and performance for more information. Keep in mind that the numbers below are the bare minimum for one device at a time. If you’re trying to use multiple devices on a network at the same time, you’ll want higher speeds.
0–5 Mbps (Slow)
- Stream SD video
- Connect on Slack
- Use Microsoft Teams
- Write and read email
- Scroll social media
- General web browsing
5–20 Mbps (Better)
- Stream HD video at 1080p
20–40 Mbps (Solid)
- Stream 4K video
- Play games online
40–100 Mbps (Good)
- Stream HD games
100+ Mbps (Fast)
- Engage in multi-player gaming
- Download huge files
1+ Gbps (Very fast)
- Do anything you want on multiple devices
ISP Speeds in Milwaukee, WI
Based on our proprietary real-world Speedtest data, AT&T Internet has emerged as the fastest ISP in Milwaukee, boasting the highest recorded median download speed of 257.01 Mbps - just barely edging out Spectrum's 246.43 Mbps. Notably, AT&T Internet's service includes Fiber and IPBB (a technology built on DSL), each of which offer very different theoretical max speeds. If top speed is your goal and AT&T Fiber is not available for you, Spectrum's strong cable offering has 96% availability in the region.
The ISPs with the fastest advertised maximum download speeds include AT&T Internet promising speeds up to 5,000 Mbps due to its Fiber service, and both Spectrum and Verizon, each advertising up to 1,000 Mbps download speeds. It's crucial to note a possible discrepancy between these advertised and the actual speeds consumers might encounter.
A good rule of thumb suggests that download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps are substantially adequate for almost any online activity, from streaming 4K HD videos across multiple devices to downloading significant files for work or engaging in online gaming on several devices. Determining your speed requirement involves considering network usage and the number of people using it.
Milwaukee Fixed Speeds
Download Mbps
Median download speed
Upload Mbps
Median upload speed
Latency ms
Median latency
To be added to this list for mobile or fixed broadband, 75% of a city's monthly unique user totals over a 13-month period must have a minimum of 200 monthly unique user results. To be updated for mobile or fixed broadband, 75% of a city's monthly unique user totals over a 13-month period must have a minimum of 100 monthly unique user results.
An operator or ISP must account for 3% or more of total test samples in the market to be on this list. We display data if at least two operators or ISPs meet this threshold in a designated region or city.
Internet Providers in Nearby Cities
- Allouez
- Appleton
- Ashwaubenon
- Baraboo
- Bellevue
- Beloit
- Brookfield
- Burlington
- Caledonia
- Cedarburg
- De Pere
- Delafield
- Eau Claire
- Fitchburg
- Fond du Lac
- Fox Crossing
- Fox Point
- Franklin
- Germantown
- Glendale
- Grafton
- Green Bay
- Greendale
- Greenfield
- Howard
- Hudson
- Janesville
- Kenosha
- La Crosse
- Lake Hallie
- Madison
- Manitowoc
- Marshfield
- Menasha
- Menomonee Falls
- Mequon
- Middleton
- Milwaukee
- Mount Pleasant
- Muskego
- Neenah
- New Berlin
- Oak Creek
- Oconomowoc
- Onalaska
- Oshkosh
- Pewaukee
- Platteville
- Pleasant Prairie
- Plover
- Racine
- Rice Lake
- Sheboygan
- South Milwaukee
- Sparta
- Stevens Point
- Sun Prairie
- Superior
- Verona
- Watertown
- Waukesha
- Waunakee
- Wausau
- Wauwatosa
- West Allis
- West Bend
- Weston
- Whitefish Bay
- Wisconsin Rapids
Home Internet in Milwaukee
Positioned in Wisconsin, Milwaukee residents have access to a diverse range of internet services including Fiber, 5G Internet and other fixed wireless, Cable, Satellite, and IPBB (sometimes referred to as high-speed DSL). This assortment ensures that, no matter the area within the city, there's likely a service meeting household internet needs.
Satellite providers like Viasat Internet and HughesNet feature the highest citywide coverage with 100%, theoretically. Close behind, Spectrum provides 96.17% coverage with its cable internet. For residents, these coverage levels alongside the type of internet provided are critical to consider when choosing the most suitable ISP, with options like Fiber potentially offering more rapid speeds for those in covered areas.
A crucial disclaimer for potential customers is that an ISP's maximum advertised speeds may not always mirror the speeds users ultimately experience. Real-world factors such as network congestion, hardware constraints, and the type of service can significantly influence achievable speeds. Therefore, while advertised speeds serve as a useful baseline for comparison, they should not be regarded as a guarantee of actual performance.
How we test the speed of ISPs
Speedtest is the definitive way to test the performance and quality of an internet connection. Millions of users like you use Speedtest.net and our Android and iOS apps every day to test internet performance (including bandwidth, latency, coverage, video metrics, and more) in real world situations. We then use rigorous scientific approaches to aggregate and anonymize those results to empower people like you with content like this so you can understand and optimize your internet experience.
The data found within has not been subjected to the rigorous Speedtest marketing claims and data methodology, and therefore cannot be used in commercial applications. Additionally, promised speeds and plans offered are always subject to change.
How to test your internet speed
Speedtest can help you test the speed and overall performance of your internet for free from any device. Click here to open a new page and take a Speedtest. You can then compare your results with what you’ve learned about internet performance near you. If you aren’t getting the results you expect, you can either use this guide to use your Speedtest results to talk to your internet provider or you can shop for a new provider.