Best Internet Providers in Virginia Beach, Virginia for 2026
Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in Virginia Beach, VA
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.).
Life in Virginia Beach blends coastal calm, the feel of a full-service city, and what some consider the charming jet noise from the region's military bases. It's a place where military families, longtime locals, and newcomers all cross paths. Quiet neighborhoods sit just minutes from the oceanfront, the bay, and clusters of shopping centers, all spread across a large city where people tend to stick to their own corners, whether that's Great Neck, Hilltop, or Kempsville.
Who delivers the fastest connection in this coastal hub? Based on Speedtest data collected in the second half of 2025, Cox leads in Virginia Beach with median download speeds of 297.76 Mbps, followed by Verizon at 296.99 Mbps. Across the city, typical fixed connections average 301.18 Mbps down, enough for remote work, streaming, and everyday multitasking across multiple devices.
Your internet needs depend on how you actually use your connection. For most households of three to four people watching a moderate amount of streaming video and performing simpler work-from-home tasks such as emailing, Slack, Zoom, etc., a 300 to 500 Mbps plan is more than enough. But for creators, tech professionals, or large households, gigabit speeds and strong upload performance make a noticeable difference.
How to Pick the Right Internet Provider in Virginia Beach
Here are some practical tips:
Check Your Address
Many ISPs tout citywide coverage, but the reality is more complicated (like if your building isn't wired for fiber). Use provider lookup tools or Speedtest's zip code breakdowns to verify.
Consider More Than Speed
Reliability, customer support, and data caps matter just as much. Many fiber plans, for example, include unlimited data and no equipment rental fees. Watch out for plans that include data caps and extra charges.
Think About Uploads
If you send large files, stream on Twitch, or make frequent video calls, symmetrical upload/download speeds (only offered by fiber) are a game-changer.
Match a Plan to Your Needs
Don't pay for 1 gigabit if you're just browsing or streaming a few hours a night. On the flip side, don't skimp if you're running a business from home.
Read the Fine Print
Promo rates often expire after 12 months. Check for hidden fees, contracts, or equipment rentals that inflate the total cost.

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 Virginia Beach, VA
According to Speedtest Intelligence®, as of January 2026, Virginia Beach reports the following city-wide median speeds:
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Median download speed | 301.18 Mbps |
| Median upload speed | 93.14 Mbps |
| Median latency | 17 ms |
| Top-performing ISP | Cox (297.76 Mbps median download) |
| Most widely available ISP | Cox (96% availability) |
ISP Speeds in Virginia Beach
Based on Speedtest data collected in the second half of 2025, here’s how the major providers compare:
- Cox: The coastal city’s fastest and most widely available provider with 96% coverage. Downloads of 297.76 Mbps, uploads of 53.32 Mbps, and latency around 26 ms. Its cable infrastructure is nearly ubiquitous, and some areas even have access to fiber, making it the go-to option for most Virginia Beach households.
- Verizon: Covers 67% of the city with excellent fiber performance. Downloads of 296.99 Mbps, uploads of 149.37 Mbps, and latency around 22 ms. Its fiber service offers excellent upload performance, ideal for households that need fast uploads for video conferencing, cloud storage, and creative work. DSL and 5G Home Internet extend access to more neighborhoods, though performance can vary with signal strength.
- EarthLink Fiber: Available in 78% of neighborhoods. Real-world Speedtest data is not yet available for this market. Where available, its fiber plans can be appealing to remote professionals and heavy data users who need fast upload performance.
- AT&T Internet Air: Covers 82% of Virginia Beach. Real-world Speedtest data is not yet available for this market, but it delivers quick setup and contract-free plans, ideal for renters or those who move frequently.
- Starlink: Covers 100% of the city. Real-world Speedtest data is not yet available for this market. It offers the fastest satellite performance in the region, with lower latency than traditional providers, suitable for streaming and moderate work-from-home needs in areas with limited wired options.
- Viasat: Covers 100% of Virginia Beach. Real-world Speedtest data is not yet available for this market. It offers broad coverage but slower upload speeds and higher latency, making it better suited for basic browsing and streaming.
- Hughesnet: Covers 100% of the city. Real-world Speedtest data is not yet available for this market. It delivers predictable satellite service at lower starting costs but has limited upload speeds, making it a practical option for basic connectivity.
Virginia Beach 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.
Home Internet in Virginia Beach
At the time of this writing, the average starting price for internet in Virginia Beach is around $51.79 per month. Plans begin as low as $39.99 per month from satellite-based provider Hughesnet, while terrestrial options such as AT&T Internet Air and Cox start in the mid-$40s to $50s. The price you pay and the speeds you get will depend heavily on whether your address supports fiber, cable, or 5G home internet.
Top Internet Providers in Virginia Beach
Cox
- Type: Cable, Fiber
- Max speeds: Up to 2,000 Mbps download / 2,000 Mbps upload
- Best for: Most households seeking a widely available wired connection
- Availability: ~96%
- Price range: $55–$169/month
Cox is the most widely available provider in Virginia Beach, covering nearly every neighborhood with cable service, while its fiber offering is available in certain neighborhoods. Based on Speedtest data collected in the second half of 2025, Cox delivers median download speeds of 297.76 Mbps and upload speeds of 53.32 Mbps, with 26 ms latency. Its median download speed of 297.76 Mbps provides enough performance for large households streaming and gaming. Upload speeds lag behind fiber options but remain consistent for everyday use.
Verizon
- Type: Fiber, DSL, 5G Internet
- Max speeds: Up to 940 Mbps download / 2,300 Mbps upload
- Best for: Homes that want fast uploads and reliable fiber connectivity
- Availability: ~67%
- Price range: $35–$109.99/month
Verizon delivers the city’s second-fastest real-world speeds according to Speedtest user data. Based on Speedtest data collected in the second half of 2025, Verizon delivers real-world median speeds of 296.99 Mbps down and 149.37 Mbps up, with 22 ms latency. Neighborhoods with Fios fiber see strong symmetrical performance, while DSL and 5G Home Internet options fill gaps in less densely wired areas.
EarthLink Fiber
- Type: Fiber
- Max speeds: Up to 940 Mbps download / 5,000 Mbps upload
- Best for: Households wanting a fiber alternative to Verizon
- Availability: ~78%
- Price range: $54.95–$189.95/month
EarthLink resells fiber connections across portions of Virginia Beach, offering high-speed, symmetrical plans where available. Availability varies street by street, but where offered, fiber performance can be an excellent choice for remote workers and large families.
AT&T Internet Air
- Type: 5G Internet
- Max speeds: Up to 300 Mbps download / 30 Mbps upload
- Best for: Renters or households without wired options
- Availability: ~82%
- Price range: from $65/month
AT&T Internet Air provides a wireless alternative with easy setup and no installation needed. Performance depends on signal strength, making it best for light to moderate use in homes that don’t require high upload speeds.
Starlink
- Type: Satellite
- Max speeds: Up to 350 Mbps download / 35 Mbps upload
- Best for: Rural households that need satellite internet
- Availability: 100%
- Price range: $80–$165/month
Starlink offers the fastest satellite performance in the region, with lower latency than traditional providers. It’s suitable for streaming and moderate work-from-home needs in areas with limited wired options.
Viasat
- Type: Satellite
- Max speeds: Up to 150 Mbps download / 3 Mbps upload
- Best for: Homes without access to terrestrial internet
- Availability: 100%
- Price range: $69.99–$119.99/month
Viasat’s plans offer broad coverage but slower upload speeds and higher latency, making it better suited for basic browsing and streaming.
Hughesnet
- Type: Satellite
- Max speeds: Up to 100 Mbps download / 5 Mbps upload
- Best for: Budget-oriented rural users
- Availability: 100%
- Price range: $39.99–$119.99/month
Hughesnet delivers predictable satellite service at lower starting costs but has limited upload speeds. It’s a practical option for basic connectivity.
FAQs
Who provides the fastest internet in Virginia Beach?
Cox currently leads with median download speeds of 297.76 Mbps, based on Speedtest user data collected in the second half of 2025.
Who offers the cheapest plans?
At the time of this writing, satellite-based ISP Hughesnet offers the lowest starting price at $39.99 per month. Among terrestrial options, AT&T Internet Air typically has the lowest entry price at around from $65 per month.
Is fiber internet available in Virginia Beach?
Yes. Fiber is available in many neighborhoods via Cox, Verizon, and EarthLink, though not universally across the city.
Where can I find public Wi-Fi in Virginia Beach?
Your best bet for getting online for free is to head over to a branch of the Virginia Beach Public Library.
Speedtest TL;DR
Virginia Beach has a mix of fiber, cable, and 5G home internet options, with Cox delivering the fastest recorded performance and providing near-universal coverage. Verizon offers excellent fiber performance with strong upload speeds across two-thirds of the city. Fiber is available in large sections of Virginia Beach, though not everywhere, and several satellite providers offer citywide access for rural pockets. Your first step should be to check your exact address, as connectivity can change dramatically from one part of the city to the next.
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.





