You would think that the largest city in Michigan would have more high-speed internet choices. But, as the population has been in steady decline at least for the last decade, there are surprisingly few ISPs in Detroit. While this might be disheartening if you're looking for a broadband provider, there is good news, and that is that those that are most readily available are also the largest cable, fiber, and DSL services.
If you're thinking about moving to Detroit, you can choose from AT&T, WOW, Spectrum, Xfinity, Frontier, and Ultra Home Internet. Around 4% of the population can also get fixed wireless from Air Advantage. If you're counting, you'll notice we've only listed seven providers. That's because AT&T offers both DSL and fiber service.
8 Internet Service Providers in Detroit
To avoid wasting your time, providers with less than 1% coverage in the Detroit metro area are not shown.
Choosing An ISP In Detroit
With so few options (especially in Rogue River and Grosse Pointe Park), you would think the choice between broadband services would be easy. But, things are never as simple as they seem, and you'll have to do some digging before you make a decision.
To choose an internet service for you, start by looking at our interactive cable, fiber, and DSL availability map. Off-the-cuff, you'll notice that there is one glaringly red area with zero service. Don't let this triangle alarm you, as that's the location surrounding the William Dickerson Detention Facility in an industrial area, so no residential service providers are there (although businesses, warehouses, and the jail likely have their own ISPs).
A great choice for internet throughout the Detroit area is cable service from Xfinity or Wow (although Xfinity takes the edge for being available to 45.47% more homes than Wow). Cable is fast — 1000 Mbps top download speeds — and, although it's an older technology, it continues to be as reliable as fiber in most locations.
Gilbert, Tempe, Tucson, Boulder, Boise, Albuquerque, Rochester, Tampa, Lansing, Riverside
Detroit Satellite TV & Internet Providers
DISH Satellite TV
DIRECTV Satellite TV
Not sure whether to choose Dish or DIRECTV? For most people most of the time we recommend DISH. But click here to learn more.
HughesNet Satellite Internet
Where in the Detroit metro area is internet available?
Internet Availability Key
Internet service is available in 99.60% of the Detroit metro area. Areas in green are more likely to have fiber, cable, DSL, or fixed wireless internet service. Areas in red may be more reliant on satellite service. The most widely available provider is AT&T. Call one of the companies with service in the Detroit metro area above to see who has service at your home, or click the technology to see where it can be found in the Detroit metro area.
How fast are internet speeds in the Detroit metro area?
The map below shows maximum internet speeds by area in the Detroit metro area.
Internet Speed Key
The average Detroit home can get up to 977 Mbps on their internet plan. For most people, the fastest download speed in the city is 2,000 Mbps, which less than 1% of residents can get. Some homes and apartments do not have access to these speeds. On the slower end, for example, less than 1% of homes can only purchase plans up to 0.50 Mbps. See the internet provider details below for info about their speed and coverage in the Detroit metro area.
Internet speeds tend to be faster in the central parts of the Detroit metro area, and slower in the northeast areas of the city.
What type of internet should I choose in the Detroit metro area?
The fastest internet for you may vary based on where in the Detroit metro area you live. If speed is your main concern, cable will be the fastest internet in the city.
- Fiber is the fastest internet type for 21.15% of Detroit homes.
- Cable is fastest for 76.62% of the city.
- DSL is fastest for 1.08%.
- Fixed wireless is fastest for less than 1%.
- Satellite internet may be the only option for less than 1% of Detroit homes.
Internet Market Health in Detroit
Internet Competition Key
The map shows how competitive the the Detroit metro area internet service market is. Areas in green have more alternatives, areas in yellow have a few choices, and areas in red may have only one provider. More competition usually means faster speeds and better prices for you, the customer.
Below are quick facts on internet competition and market health in the Detroit metro area based on what connections the average home has availabile:
- Average number of internet service providers to a home: 3.1 (healthy)
- Average types of service (fiber, cable, DSL, etc): 2.6 (healthy)
- Average providers with broadband (25 Mbps+) speeds: 2.9 (very healthy)
Overall, competition is healthy.
Detroit internet customers have the ability to buy internet service from 1 to 6 different providers, depending on where they live. For different types of service, Detroit homes have between 1 and 4 options. The type(s) of service available are cable, dsl, fixed wireless, and fiber, though these may vary depending on the region within the city.
When it comes to broadband download speeds faster than 25 Mbps, the situation is worse. Detroit internet customers who want faster speeds have between 0 and 6 choices of companies offering speeds up to or over 25 Mbps.
More internet companies with faster speeds means fewer monopolies and better prices for customers. In promoting a free market for internet, the Detroit metro area is doing better than most.
TV & Internet Providers in Depth
Below you'll find which TV and internet providers offer service in the Detroit metro area, along with details on where in the Detroit metro area and at what speeds.
AT&T DSL in Detroit, MI
AT&T DSL coverage
About 92.25%, or 3,796,247 people, have AT&T DSL internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Detroit area. AT&T is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of the Detroit metro area.
AT&T DSL download speeds
AT&T is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in the Detroit metro area. Versus other DSL providers in the area, AT&T DSL is the fastest. There are 13 different maximum speeds throughout the Detroit metro area. The fastest plan anyone in the Detroit metro area can order from AT&T goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 0.77 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Detroit customers is up to 72 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 54.4% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 10.7% up to 75.0 Mbps
- 13.0% up to 50.0 Mbps
- 5.2% up to 25.0 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 24.0 Mbps
- 4.1% up to 18.0 Mbps
- 2.4% up to 12.0 Mbps
- 1.3% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 3.9% up to 6.0 Mbps
- 0.8% up to 5.0 Mbps
- 2.1% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 1.2% up to 1.5 Mbps
- 0.7% up to 0.8 Mbps
AT&T DSL upload speeds
In the Detroit metro area download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for AT&T DSL. Compared to other ISPs, AT&T is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the fastest compared to other Detroit DSL providers. AT&T offers 10 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in the Detroit metro area is up to 20 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 0.26 Mbps. On average, AT&T customers can get speeds up to 15 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 65.1% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 13.0% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 4.1% up to 5.0 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 1.1% up to 2.0 Mbps
- 6.6% up to 1.5 Mbps
- 8.5% up to 1.0 Mbps
- 0.6% up to 0.5 Mbps
- 0.9% up to 0.4 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 0.3 Mbps
XFINITY from Comcast Cable in Detroit, MI
XFINITY cable coverage
About 88.14%, or 3,627,224 people, have XFINITY cable internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Detroit area. XFINITY is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of the Detroit metro area.
XFINITY from Comcast cable download speeds
XFINITY is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in the Detroit metro area. Versus other cable providers in the area, XFINITY cable is one of the fastest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout the Detroit metro area. The fastest plan anyone in the Detroit metro area can order from XFINITY goes up to 1,000 Mbps, and all Detroit customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
XFINITY from Comcast cable upload speeds
In the Detroit metro area download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for XFINITY cable. Compared to other ISPs, XFINITY is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Detroit cable providers. XFINITY offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in the Detroit metro area is up to 35 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 35.0 Mbps
WOW! Cable in Detroit, MI
WOW! cable coverage
About 42.67%, or 1,756,161 people, have WOW! cable internet available to them in the city. The company covers the southwest, east, south, central, northeast, north, and west Detroit area. WOW! is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in some of the Detroit metro area.
WOW! cable download speeds
WOW! is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in the Detroit metro area. Versus other cable providers in the area, WOW! cable is above average. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout the Detroit metro area. The fastest plan anyone in the Detroit metro area can order from WOW! goes up to 1,000 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 500 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Detroit customers is up to 997 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 99.3% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
- 0.7% up to 500.0 Mbps
WOW! cable upload speeds
In the Detroit metro area download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for WOW! cable. Compared to other ISPs, WOW! is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and above average compared to other Detroit cable providers. WOW! offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in the Detroit metro area is up to 50 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 50.0 Mbps
AT&T Fiber in Detroit, MI
AT&T fiber coverage
About 20.58%, or 846,917 people, have AT&T fiber internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Detroit area. AT&T is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a small portion of the Detroit metro area.
AT&T fiber download speeds
AT&T is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in the Detroit metro area. Versus other fiber providers in the area, AT&T fiber is above average. There are no different maximum speeds throughout the Detroit metro area. The fastest plan anyone in the Detroit metro area can order from AT&T goes up to 1,000 Mbps, and all Detroit customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
AT&T fiber upload speeds
In the Detroit metro area download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for AT&T fiber. Compared to other ISPs, AT&T is above average where upload speeds are concerned, and above average compared to other Detroit fiber providers. AT&T offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in the Detroit metro area is up to 1,000 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
Spectrum Cable in Detroit, MI
Spectrum cable coverage
About 10.85%, or 446,574 people, have Spectrum cable internet available to them in the city. The company covers the west, southwest, northwest, north, northeast, and central Detroit area. Spectrum is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of the Detroit metro area.
Spectrum cable download speeds
Spectrum is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in the Detroit metro area. Versus other cable providers in the area, Spectrum cable is above average. There are no different maximum speeds throughout the Detroit metro area. The fastest plan anyone in the Detroit metro area can order from Spectrum goes up to 940 Mbps, and all Detroit customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 940.0 Mbps
Spectrum cable upload speeds
In the Detroit metro area download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Spectrum cable. Compared to other ISPs, Spectrum is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Detroit cable providers. Spectrum offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in the Detroit metro area is up to 35 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 35.0 Mbps
Earthlink DSL in Detroit, MI
Earthlink DSL coverage
About 4.39%, or 180,684 people, have Earthlink DSL internet available to them in the city. The company covers the northwest, northeast, north, west, and southwest Detroit area. Earthlink is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of the Detroit metro area.
Earthlink DSL download speeds
Earthlink is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in the Detroit metro area. Versus other DSL providers in the area, Earthlink DSL is below average. There are 11 different maximum speeds throughout the Detroit metro area. The fastest plan anyone in the Detroit metro area can order from Earthlink goes up to 115 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 1.0 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Detroit customers is up to 35 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 12.5% up to 115.0 Mbps
- 4.5% up to 90.0 Mbps
- 2.0% up to 70.0 Mbps
- 3.8% up to 45.0 Mbps
- 13.3% up to 25.0 Mbps
- 49.9% up to 18.0 Mbps
- 9.5% up to 12.0 Mbps
- 1.4% up to 9.0 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 6.0 Mbps
- 1.2% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 1.9% up to 1.0 Mbps
Earthlink DSL upload speeds
In the Detroit metro area download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Earthlink DSL. Compared to other ISPs, Earthlink is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Detroit DSL providers. Earthlink offers 7 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in the Detroit metro area is up to 7.0 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 0.13 Mbps. On average, Earthlink customers can get speeds up to 2.2 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 12.5% up to 7.0 Mbps
- 4.5% up to 5.0 Mbps
- 5.8% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 13.3% up to 2.0 Mbps
- 60.8% up to 1.0 Mbps
- 1.2% up to 0.4 Mbps
- 1.9% up to 0.1 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet in Detroit, MI
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless coverage
About 47.61%, or 1,959,367 people, have T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Detroit area. T-Mobile Home Internet is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in some of the Detroit metro area.
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless download speeds
T-Mobile Home Internet is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in the Detroit metro area. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless is below average. There are no different maximum speeds throughout the Detroit metro area. The fastest plan anyone in the Detroit metro area can order from T-Mobile Home Internet goes up to 25 Mbps, and all Detroit customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 25.0 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless upload speeds
In the Detroit metro area download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, T-Mobile Home Internet is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Detroit fixed wireless providers. T-Mobile Home Internet offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in the Detroit metro area is up to 3.0 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 3.0 Mbps
Air Advantage Fixed Wireless in Detroit, MI
Air Advantage fixed wireless coverage
About 4.14%, or 170,418 people, have Air Advantage fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the northeast, northwest, and north Detroit area. Air Advantage is a large internet service provider internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of the Detroit metro area.
Air Advantage fixed wireless download speeds
Air Advantage is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in the Detroit metro area. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, Air Advantage fixed wireless is below average. There are no different maximum speeds throughout the Detroit metro area. The fastest plan anyone in the Detroit metro area can order from Air Advantage goes up to 20 Mbps, and all Detroit customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 20.0 Mbps
Air Advantage fixed wireless upload speeds
In the Detroit metro area download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Air Advantage fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, Air Advantage is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Detroit fixed wireless providers. Air Advantage offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in the Detroit metro area is up to 5.0 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 5.0 Mbps
Detroit Internet by Area
This information is most helpful to those looking for homes or considering moving to the Detroit metro area or any of the areas nearby.
How does internet in the Detroit metro area compare to the rest of Michigan?
Internet speeds in the Detroit metro area are comparable versus the average speeds in Michigan: 893 Mbps in Michigan versus 977 Mbps in the city. The state has similar internet availability compared to the city. Average internet coverage in Michigan is 99.43% versus 99.60% in the Detroit metro area.
What zip codes have widespread internet?
Internet coverage varies by zip code and neighborhood. Some examples in or around the Detroit metro area are shown below. You can enter any zip code here to see TV and internet providers by zip code.
What does internet service look like in other cities?
Below are cities nearby and with similar populations. This comparison can be useful if living somewhere with fast internet is important to you.
Nearby Cities
- Hamtramck, MI: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Detroit, MI: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Highland Park, MI: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Grosse Pointe Park, MI: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- River Rouge, MI: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Grosse Pointe, MI: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Grosse Pointe Farms, MI: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Melvindale, MI: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Ecorse, MI: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Hazel Park, MI: more internet coverage, faster speeds
Cities with Similar Populations
- Seattle Metro, WA: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Riverside Metro, CA: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Phoenix Metro, AZ: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Boston Metro, MA: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Minneapolis Metro, MN: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- San Diego Metro, CA: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Denver Metro, CO: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Houston, TX: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Tampa Metro, FL: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Baltimore Metro, MD: less internet coverage, faster speeds