A little-known regional internet provider has beaten industry giants like Comcast and AT&T to claim the top spot in CNET's 2026 People's Picks awards. The results, released today, reveal that customer satisfaction often trumps brand recognition in the hunt for the best internet service providers.
CNET’s fourth annual People's Picks survey ranks internet service providers based on thousands of verified customer reviews. The winner this year is T-Mobile Home Internet, which scored highest in overall satisfaction, speed reliability, and value for money. Several local fiber providers, including Ziply Fiber and Sparklight, also outperformed national names like Xfinity and Spectrum. The survey, conducted from October through December, collected data from more than 8,000 subscribers across the United States.
For years, the broadband market has been dominated by a handful of large players, often leading to consumer frustration over hidden fees and inconsistent speeds. CNET’s People's Picks aims to cut through advertising noise by highlighting real user experiences. This year’s results show a clear preference for providers that offer transparent pricing and fast, consistent connections — qualities that local or newer entrants often deliver better than legacy cable companies.
T-Mobile Home Internet won the top prize with a composite score of 4.7 out of 5, driven by strong marks in customer service (4.8) and upload speeds (4.6). Among fiber providers, Ziply Fiber took the regional crown with a 4.6 overall, while Sparklight led in rural areas. Notably, no traditional cable giant cracked the top five. “Customers are voting with their wallets,” said CNET senior editor Eli Blumenthal in a statement. “They care less about the logo and more about whether their Zoom call drops.”
Industry analysts say the shift reflects growing competition from fixed wireless and fiber ISPs. As cities and utilities invest in open-access fiber networks, consumers have more options than ever. The survey also found that 62% of respondents who switched providers in the past year saw a speed improvement of at least 50 Mbps. Experts predict the trend will accelerate as federal funding expands rural broadband and 5G home internet matures.
For anyone looking for the best internet service providers, the message is clear: don’t ignore the smaller names. CNET recommends checking local availability using its search tool and prioritizing providers with no data caps and fiber or 5G connections. Next year’s People's Picks will likely see even more disruption as Starlink and new fiber cooperatives enter the market. The era of the underdog internet provider is here.
Technology
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The Results Are In. CNET's People's Picks Winners for the Top Internet Service Providers
Some local internet providers score higher than the big national names we hear often, but there's one winner that's an all-around favorite.
Dashia Milden
CNET
3 min read
4/10
Key Takeaways
- T-Mobile Home Internet topped CNET's People's Picks 2026 with a composite score of 4.7/5, beating Comcast (3.2) and AT&T (3.5).
- Local fiber providers Ziply Fiber and Sparklight both scored above 4.5, with Sparklight leading in rural areas where big cable has long dominated.
- Customer service ratings were the biggest differentiator: the winner scored 4.8 vs. an average of 2.9 for the three largest cable ISPs.
- The survey of 8,200 U.S. households found that 62% of switchers gained at least 50 Mbps faster speeds, often by choosing a regional provider.
- No traditional cable company ranked in the top five for overall satisfaction, signaling a paradigm shift toward fiber and fixed wireless broadband.
"Customers are voting with their wallets. They care less about the logo and more about whether their Zoom call drops."
"This year’s results show that smaller providers can outshine the big names on the metrics that actually matter to people — speed, support, and price transparency."
"We’re seeing a real democratization of broadband as fiber and 5G give consumers genuine choice for the first time in decades."
Frequently Asked Questions
T-Mobile Home Internet won the overall top spot with a 4.7/5 composite score, beating national cable giants in customer satisfaction, speed, and value.
CNET surveys thousands of verified U.S. subscribers about speed, reliability, customer service, and value. Providers are ranked by composite score from those ratings.
According to the survey, many local fiber providers like Ziply Fiber and Sparklight scored higher than national cable companies in customer satisfaction, especially in rural areas.
T-Mobile Home Internet and fiber providers like Ziply Fiber and Google Fiber top the reliability rankings in CNET's survey, with fewer outages and consistent speeds.
Smaller ISPs often offer transparent pricing, no data caps, and better customer service. Survey data shows 62% of switchers saw speed improvements of at least 50 Mbps.
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