In Howard County there are 8 residential internet providers covering 99.89% of the county. The average home can get speeds up to 1,787 Mbps. Note that we may have a financial relationship with some of the providers below. This does not influence rankings, and helps us provide high-quality detailed information for free.
Jump to Availability Maps
8 Internet Service Providers in Howard County
Data updated 11/14/2025, based on FCC data from 12/31/2024. This is the most current data available as of .
To avoid wasting your time, providers with less than 1% coverage in Howard County are not shown.
Howard County 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.
Viasat Satellite Internet
Availability maps for all providers in Howard County
Using the dropdown below, please select a provider. Green indicates nearly all homes have service, red indicates few homes have service, and blank indicates no service.
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Internet service is available in 99.89% of Howard County. Using our interactive availability map, you can compare service areas for different providers, we include fiber, cable, DSL, or fixed wireless internet service for all providers who offer it. You will notice that some providers might be listed multiple times for each service. If you find no providers cover the location you're looking at, you can opt for satellite service. The most widely available provider is XFINITY. Now you can call companies in Howard County with more confidence that they might be available.
How fast are internet speeds in Howard County?
The map below shows maximum internet speeds by area in Howard County.
Internet Speed Key
The average Howard County home can get up to 1,787 Mbps on their internet plan. For most people, the fastest download speed in the county is 2,048 Mbps, which 22.40% 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 25 Mbps. See the internet provider details below for info about their speed and coverage in Howard County.
Internet speeds tend to be faster in the southeast parts of Howard County, and slower in the northwest areas of the county.
What type of internet should I choose in Howard County?
The fastest internet for you may vary based on where in Howard County you live. If speed is your main concern, cable will be the fastest internet in the county.
- Fiber is the fastest internet type for 23.02% of Howard County homes.
- Cable is fastest for 76.86% of the county.
- DSL is fastest for less than 1%.
- Fixed wireless is fastest for less than 1%.
- Satellite internet may be the only option for less than 1% of Howard County homes.
Internet Market Health in Howard County
Internet Competition Key
The map shows how competitive the Howard County 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 Howard County based on what connections the average home has availabile:
- Average number of internet service providers to a home: 7.1 (very healthy)
- Average types of service (fiber, cable, DSL, etc): 3.0 (healthy)
- Average providers with broadband (25 Mbps+) speeds: 6.4 (very healthy)
Overall, competition is very healthy.
Howard County internet customers have the ability to buy internet service from 1 to 9 different providers, depending on where they live. For different types of service, Howard County homes have between 1 and 3 options. The type(s) of service available are fixed wireless, cable, and fiber, though these may vary depending on the region within the county.
When it comes to broadband download speeds faster than 25 Mbps, the situation is worse. Howard County internet customers who want faster speeds have between 1 and 9 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, Howard County is doing quite well.
TV & Internet Providers in Depth
Below you'll find which TV and internet providers offer service in Howard County, along with details on where in Howard County and at what speeds.
XFINITY from Comcast Cable in Howard County, MD
XFINITY cable coverage
About 99.24%, or 329,794 people, have XFINITY cable internet available to them in the county. The company covers the entire Howard County area. XFINITY is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Howard County.
XFINITY from Comcast cable download speeds
XFINITY is the fastest when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Howard County. Versus other cable providers in the area, XFINITY cable is the fastest. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Howard County. The fastest plan anyone in Howard County can order from XFINITY goes up to 2,000 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 1,200 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Howard County customers is up to 1,730 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 66.3% up to 2,000.0 Mbps
- 33.7% up to 1,200.0 Mbps
XFINITY from Comcast cable upload speeds
In Howard County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for XFINITY cable. Compared to other ISPs, XFINITY is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the fastest compared to other Howard County cable providers. XFINITY offers 2 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Howard County is up to 250 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 35 Mbps. On average, XFINITY customers can get speeds up to 178 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 66.3% up to 250.0 Mbps
- 33.7% up to 35.0 Mbps
EarthLink Fiber in Howard County, MD
EarthLink fiber coverage
About 98.96%, or 328,849 people, have EarthLink fiber internet available to them in the county. The company covers the entire Howard County area. EarthLink is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Howard County.
EarthLink fiber download speeds
EarthLink is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Howard County. Versus other fiber providers in the area, EarthLink fiber is above average. There are 3 different maximum speeds throughout Howard County. The fastest plan anyone in Howard County can order from EarthLink goes up to 2,048 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 75 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Howard County customers is up to 1,189 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 22.6% up to 2,048.0 Mbps
- 77.2% up to 940.0 Mbps
- 0.2% up to 75.0 Mbps
EarthLink fiber upload speeds
In Howard County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for EarthLink fiber. Compared to other ISPs, EarthLink is one of the fastest where upload speeds are concerned, and one of the fastest compared to other Howard County fiber providers. EarthLink offers 3 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Howard County is up to 2,048 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 75 Mbps. On average, EarthLink customers can get speeds up to 1,143 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 22.6% up to 2,048.0 Mbps
- 77.2% up to 880.0 Mbps
- 0.2% up to 75.0 Mbps
Verizon Fiber in Howard County, MD
Verizon fiber coverage
About 98.96%, or 328,849 people, have Verizon fiber internet available to them in the county. The company covers the entire Howard County area. Verizon is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Howard County.
Verizon fiber download speeds
Verizon is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Howard County. Versus other fiber providers in the area, Verizon fiber is above average. There are 3 different maximum speeds throughout Howard County. The fastest plan anyone in Howard County can order from Verizon goes up to 2,048 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 75 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Howard County customers is up to 1,189 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 22.6% up to 2,048.0 Mbps
- 77.2% up to 940.0 Mbps
- 0.2% up to 75.0 Mbps
Verizon fiber upload speeds
In Howard County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for Verizon fiber. Compared to other ISPs, Verizon is one of the fastest where upload speeds are concerned, and one of the fastest compared to other Howard County fiber providers. Verizon offers 3 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Howard County is up to 2,048 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 75 Mbps. On average, Verizon customers can get speeds up to 1,143 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 22.6% up to 2,048.0 Mbps
- 77.2% up to 880.0 Mbps
- 0.2% up to 75.0 Mbps
XFINITY from Comcast Fiber in Howard County, MD
XFINITY fiber coverage
About 1.95%, or 6,477 people, have XFINITY fiber internet available to them in the county. The company covers the northwest, southeast, north, southwest, west, and central Howard County area. XFINITY is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of Howard County.
XFINITY from Comcast fiber download speeds
XFINITY is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Howard County. Versus other fiber providers in the area, XFINITY fiber is the fastest. There are 3 different maximum speeds throughout Howard County. The fastest plan anyone in Howard County can order from XFINITY goes up to 2,000 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 1,000 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Howard County customers is up to 1,294 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 12.8% up to 2,000.0 Mbps
- 83.0% up to 1,200.0 Mbps
- 4.3% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
XFINITY from Comcast fiber upload speeds
In Howard County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for XFINITY fiber. Compared to other ISPs, XFINITY is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Howard County fiber providers. XFINITY offers 3 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Howard County is up to 1,000 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 35 Mbps. On average, XFINITY customers can get speeds up to 104 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 4.3% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
- 12.8% up to 250.0 Mbps
- 83.0% up to 35.0 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless in Howard County, MD
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless coverage
About 96.92%, or 322,077 people, have T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless internet available to them in the county. The company covers the entire Howard County area. T-Mobile Home Internet is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Howard County.
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 Howard County. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless is below average. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Howard County. The fastest plan anyone in Howard County can order from T-Mobile Home Internet goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 25 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Howard County customers is up to 84 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 78.5% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 21.5% up to 25.0 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless upload speeds
In Howard County download speeds tend to be faster than 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 average compared to other Howard County fixed wireless providers. T-Mobile Home Internet offers 2 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Howard County is up to 20 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 3.0 Mbps. On average, T-Mobile Home Internet customers can get speeds up to 16 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 78.5% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 21.5% up to 3.0 Mbps
EarthLink Fixed Wireless in Howard County, MD
EarthLink fixed wireless coverage
About 93.19%, or 309,671 people, have EarthLink fixed wireless internet available to them in the county. The company covers the entire Howard County area. EarthLink is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Howard County.
EarthLink fixed wireless download speeds
EarthLink is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Howard County. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, EarthLink fixed wireless is below average. There are 5 different maximum speeds throughout Howard County. The fastest plan anyone in Howard County can order from EarthLink goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 10 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Howard County customers is up to 57 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 42.5% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 50.0 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 40.0 Mbps
- 57.2% up to 25.0 Mbps
- 0.2% up to 10.0 Mbps
EarthLink fixed wireless upload speeds
In Howard County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for EarthLink fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, EarthLink is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Howard County fixed wireless providers. EarthLink offers 5 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Howard County is up to 30 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 1.0 Mbps. On average, EarthLink customers can get speeds up to 10 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 0.2% up to 30.0 Mbps
- 42.4% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 57.2% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 0.2% up to 1.0 Mbps
AT&T Fixed Wireless in Howard County, MD
AT&T fixed wireless coverage
About 93.17%, or 309,626 people, have AT&T fixed wireless internet available to them in the county. The company covers the entire Howard County area. AT&T is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Howard County.
AT&T fixed wireless download speeds
AT&T is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Howard County. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, AT&T fixed wireless is below average. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Howard County. The fastest plan anyone in Howard County can order from AT&T goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 25 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Howard County customers is up to 57 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 42.4% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 57.6% up to 25.0 Mbps
AT&T fixed wireless upload speeds
In Howard County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for AT&T fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, AT&T is the slowest where upload speeds are concerned, and the slowest compared to other Howard County fixed wireless providers. AT&T offers 2 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Howard County is up to 20 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 3.0 Mbps. On average, AT&T customers can get speeds up to 10 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 42.4% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 57.6% up to 3.0 Mbps
Believe Wireless Fixed Wireless in Howard County, MD
Believe Wireless fixed wireless coverage
About 78.58%, or 261,121 people, have Believe Wireless fixed wireless internet available to them in the county. The company covers the entire Howard County area. Believe Wireless is a large internet service provider internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in much of Howard County.
Believe Wireless fixed wireless download speeds
Believe Wireless is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Howard County. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, Believe Wireless fixed wireless is average. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Howard County. The fastest plan anyone in Howard County can order from Believe Wireless goes up to 500 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 10 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Howard County customers is up to 107 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 19.8% up to 500.0 Mbps
- 80.2% up to 10.0 Mbps
Believe Wireless fixed wireless upload speeds
In Howard County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for Believe Wireless fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, Believe Wireless is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the fastest compared to other Howard County fixed wireless providers. Believe Wireless offers 2 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Howard County is up to 100 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 1.0 Mbps. On average, Believe Wireless customers can get speeds up to 21 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 19.8% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 80.2% up to 1.0 Mbps
Verizon Fixed Wireless in Howard County, MD
Verizon fixed wireless coverage
About 42.99%, or 142,876 people, have Verizon fixed wireless internet available to them in the county. The company covers the entire Howard County area. Verizon is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in some of Howard County.
Verizon fixed wireless download speeds
Verizon is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Howard County. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, Verizon fixed wireless is the fastest. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Howard County. The fastest plan anyone in Howard County can order from Verizon goes up to 1,000 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 300 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Howard County customers is up to 300 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 0.0% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
- 100.0% up to 300.0 Mbps
Verizon fixed wireless upload speeds
In Howard County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for Verizon fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, Verizon is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and above average compared to other Howard County fixed wireless providers. Verizon offers 2 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Howard County is up to 75 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 20 Mbps. On average, Verizon customers can get speeds up to 20 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 0.0% up to 75.0 Mbps
- 100.0% up to 20.0 Mbps
Howard County Internet by Area
This information is most helpful to those looking for homes or considering moving to Howard County or any of the areas nearby.
How does internet in Howard County compare to the rest of Maryland?
Internet speeds in Howard County are slower versus the average speeds in Maryland: 2,041 Mbps in Maryland versus 1,787 Mbps in the county. The state has similar internet availability compared to the county. Average internet coverage in Maryland is 98.96% versus 99.89% in Howard County.
What zip codes have widespread internet?
Internet coverage varies by zip code and neighborhood. Some examples in or around Howard County 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 counties?
Below are counties nearby and with similar populations. This comparison can be useful if living somewhere with fast internet is important to you.
Nearby Counties
- Baltimore City, MD: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Baltimore County, MD: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Kent County, MD: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Jefferson County, WV: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Clarke County, VA: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Kent County, DE: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Winchester City, VA: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Frederick County, VA: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Hampshire County, WV: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Tucker County, WV: less internet coverage, faster speeds
Counties with Similar Populations
- Washtenaw County, MI: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- St. Charles County, MO: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Lucas County, OH: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Stark County, OH: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Sussex County, DE: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Thurston County, WA: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Union County, NC: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Warren County, OH: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Lehigh County, PA: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Larimer County, CO: less internet coverage, faster speeds