In Sterling there are 8 residential internet providers covering 99.90% of the city. The average home can get speeds up to 1,873 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.
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8 Internet Service Providers in Sterling
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 Sterling are not shown.
Sterling 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 Sterling
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 99.90% of Sterling. 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 Sterling with more confidence that they might be available.
How fast are internet speeds in Sterling?
The map below shows maximum internet speeds by area in Sterling.
Internet Speed Key
The average Sterling home can get up to 1,873 Mbps on their internet plan. For most people, the fastest download speed in the city is 2,048 Mbps, which 62.95% 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 940 Mbps. See the internet provider details below for info about their speed and coverage in Sterling.
Internet speeds tend to be faster in the northwest parts of Sterling, and slower in the southwest areas of the city.
What type of internet should I choose in Sterling?
The fastest internet for you may vary based on where in Sterling you live. If speed is your main concern, fiber will be the fastest internet in the city.
- Fiber is the fastest internet type for 62.96% of Sterling homes.
- Cable is fastest for 36.94% of the city.
- 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 Sterling homes.
Internet Market Health in Sterling
Internet Competition Key
The map shows how competitive the Sterling 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 Sterling based on what connections the average home has availabile:
- Average number of internet service providers to a home: 5.3 (healthy)
- Average types of service (fiber, cable, DSL, etc): 2.9 (healthy)
- Average providers with broadband (25 Mbps+) speeds: 5.3 (healthy)
Overall, competition is healthy.
Sterling internet customers have the ability to buy internet service from 1 to 7 different providers, depending on where they live. For different types of service, Sterling homes have between 1 and 3 options. The type(s) of service available are cable, fiber, and fixed wireless, 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 similar. Sterling internet customers who want faster speeds have between 1 and 7 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, Sterling is doing better than most.
TV & Internet Providers in Depth
Below you'll find which TV and internet providers offer service in Sterling, along with details on where in Sterling and at what speeds.
XFINITY from Comcast Cable in Sterling, VA
XFINITY cable coverage
About 99.89%, or 53,251 people, have XFINITY cable internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Sterling area. XFINITY is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Sterling.
XFINITY from Comcast cable download speeds
XFINITY is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Sterling. Versus other cable providers in the area, XFINITY cable is the slowest. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Sterling. The fastest plan anyone in Sterling can order from XFINITY goes up to 2,000 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 1,200 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Sterling customers is up to 1,627 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 53.4% up to 2,000.0 Mbps
- 46.6% up to 1,200.0 Mbps
XFINITY from Comcast cable upload speeds
In Sterling 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 Sterling cable providers. XFINITY offers 3 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 Sterling is up to 2,000 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 35 Mbps. On average, XFINITY customers can get speeds up to 336 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 10.7% up to 2,000.0 Mbps
- 42.8% up to 250.0 Mbps
- 46.6% up to 35.0 Mbps
EarthLink Fiber in Sterling, VA
EarthLink fiber coverage
About 97.40%, or 51,922 people, have EarthLink fiber internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Sterling area. EarthLink is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Sterling.
EarthLink fiber download speeds
EarthLink is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Sterling. Versus other fiber providers in the area, EarthLink fiber is one of the fastest. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Sterling. The fastest plan anyone in Sterling can order from EarthLink goes up to 2,048 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 940 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Sterling customers is up to 1,656 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 64.6% up to 2,048.0 Mbps
- 35.4% up to 940.0 Mbps
EarthLink fiber upload speeds
In Sterling 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 Sterling fiber providers. EarthLink offers 2 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 Sterling is up to 2,048 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 880 Mbps. On average, EarthLink customers can get speeds up to 1,635 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 64.6% up to 2,048.0 Mbps
- 35.4% up to 880.0 Mbps
Verizon Fiber in Sterling, VA
Verizon fiber coverage
About 97.40%, or 51,922 people, have Verizon fiber internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Sterling area. Verizon is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Sterling.
Verizon fiber download speeds
Verizon is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Sterling. Versus other fiber providers in the area, Verizon fiber is one of the fastest. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Sterling. The fastest plan anyone in Sterling can order from Verizon goes up to 2,048 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 940 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Sterling customers is up to 1,656 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 64.6% up to 2,048.0 Mbps
- 35.4% up to 940.0 Mbps
Verizon fiber upload speeds
In Sterling 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 Sterling fiber providers. Verizon offers 2 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 Sterling is up to 2,048 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 880 Mbps. On average, Verizon customers can get speeds up to 1,635 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 64.6% up to 2,048.0 Mbps
- 35.4% up to 880.0 Mbps
Cox Communications Cable in Sterling, VA
Cox cable coverage
About 1.18%, or 630 people, have Cox cable internet available to them in the city. The company covers the south and east Sterling area. Cox is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of Sterling.
Cox Communications cable download speeds
Cox is the fastest when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Sterling. Versus other cable providers in the area, Cox cable is the fastest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Sterling. The fastest plan anyone in Sterling can order from Cox goes up to 2,000 Mbps, and all Sterling customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 2,000.0 Mbps
Cox Communications cable upload speeds
In Sterling download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for Cox cable. Compared to other ISPs, Cox is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the slowest compared to other Sterling cable providers. Cox offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Sterling is up to 35 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 35.0 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless in Sterling, VA
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless coverage
About 88.86%, or 47,370 people, have T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Sterling 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 Sterling.
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 Sterling. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless is below average. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Sterling. The fastest plan anyone in Sterling can order from T-Mobile Home Internet goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 25 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Sterling customers is up to 55 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 40.5% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 59.5% up to 25.0 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless upload speeds
In Sterling 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 Sterling fixed wireless providers. T-Mobile Home Internet offers 2 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 Sterling 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 9.9 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 40.5% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 59.5% up to 3.0 Mbps
EarthLink Fixed Wireless in Sterling, VA
EarthLink fixed wireless coverage
About 64.51%, or 34,387 people, have EarthLink fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the northeast, south, east, central, north, southwest, and northwest Sterling area. EarthLink is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a majority of Sterling.
EarthLink fixed wireless download speeds
EarthLink is one of the slowest when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Sterling. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, EarthLink fixed wireless is one of the slowest. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Sterling. The fastest plan anyone in Sterling can order from EarthLink goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 25 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Sterling customers is up to 46 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 28.4% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 71.6% up to 25.0 Mbps
EarthLink fixed wireless upload speeds
In Sterling download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for EarthLink fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, EarthLink is one of the slowest where upload speeds are concerned, and one of the slowest compared to other Sterling fixed wireless providers. EarthLink offers 2 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 Sterling is up to 20 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 3.0 Mbps. On average, EarthLink customers can get speeds up to 7.8 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 28.4% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 71.6% up to 3.0 Mbps
AT&T Fixed Wireless in Sterling, VA
AT&T fixed wireless coverage
About 64.51%, or 34,387 people, have AT&T fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the northeast, south, east, central, north, southwest, and northwest Sterling area. AT&T is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a majority of Sterling.
AT&T fixed wireless download speeds
AT&T is one of the slowest when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Sterling. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, AT&T fixed wireless is one of the slowest. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Sterling. The fastest plan anyone in Sterling can order from AT&T goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 25 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Sterling customers is up to 46 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 28.4% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 71.6% up to 25.0 Mbps
AT&T fixed wireless upload speeds
In Sterling download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for AT&T fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, AT&T is one of the slowest where upload speeds are concerned, and one of the slowest compared to other Sterling fixed wireless providers. AT&T offers 2 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 Sterling 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 7.8 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 28.4% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 71.6% up to 3.0 Mbps
Verizon Fixed Wireless in Sterling, VA
Verizon fixed wireless coverage
About 19.65%, or 10,474 people, have Verizon fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Sterling area. Verizon is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a small portion of Sterling.
Verizon fixed wireless download speeds
Verizon is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Sterling. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, Verizon fixed wireless is the fastest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Sterling. The fastest plan anyone in Sterling can order from Verizon goes up to 300 Mbps, and all Sterling customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 300.0 Mbps
Verizon fixed wireless upload speeds
In Sterling 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 the fastest compared to other Sterling fixed wireless providers. Verizon offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Sterling is up to 20 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 20.0 Mbps
Sterling Internet by Area
This information is most helpful to those looking for homes or considering moving to Sterling or any of the areas nearby.
How does internet in Sterling compare to the rest of Virginia?
Internet speeds in Sterling are slower versus the average speeds in Virginia: 1,990 Mbps in Virginia versus 1,873 Mbps in the city. The state has similar internet availability compared to the city. Average internet coverage in Virginia is 97.92% versus 99.90% in Sterling.
What zip codes have widespread internet?
Internet coverage varies by zip code and neighborhood. Some examples in or around Sterling 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
- Dulles Town Center, VA: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Dranesville, VA: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Cascades, VA: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Countryside, VA: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Lowes Island, VA: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Herndon, VA: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- McNair, VA: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Great Falls, VA: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Reston, VA: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Ashburn, VA: more internet coverage, slower speeds
Cities with Similar Populations
- Aspen Hill, MD: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Carmichael, CA: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Galveston, TX: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Gallatin, TN: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Union, NJ: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Lancaster, OH: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Liverpool, NY: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Logan, UT: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Meridian, MS: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Methuen Town, MA: more internet coverage, slower speeds