Test Your Connection
Speed Now
Home > Cable > Broadband the Big Winner

Most Popular ISPs Revealed in Broadband Customer Satisfaction Survey

When PCWorld recently surveyed their subscribers about Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the overwhelming message was that broadband users by and large are very happy with their providers and that most broadband users get either TV or phone service from them, too.

Top Broadband Internet Access Providers

According to the customer satisfaction survey, the three top broadband ISPs were EarthLink, Cablevision and Time Warner's Road Runner. More than 70 percent of subscribers to EarthLink cable, Cablevision, Time Warner's Road Runner unit, and Cox awarded their providers one of the two highest ratings for overall satisfaction. EarthLink cable and Cablevision also scored over 70 percent when asked how likely they were to recommend their ISP and how satisfied they were with its speed.

Broadband Internet Preferred Over Dial-Up Internet Access

When compared to dial-up, broadband was an outright winner.  Out of surveyed customers, 68 percent of DSL users and 66 percent of cable users were highly satisfied with their ISP, while only 50 percent of the dial-up customers rated their service highly. Satellite brought up the rear with a meager 48 percent satisfaction rate.

While dial-up providers commonly offer software-based accelerators to help speed things up, only 30 percent of the dial-up respondents who have it are very happy with it. Considering that acceleration increases speeds by only about 20 to 50 percent for a price comparable to DSL, while DSL speeds are 10 to20 times as fast as dial-up, this is not surprising. What is remarkable is that many of those using dial-up said they didn’t plan a change in the near future because of dial-up's low cost. However, those who have made the switch are enthusiastic about the improvement.

Briadband ISPs and Technical Support

One thing all the respondents were unanimous about regardless of the type of Internet connection was dissatisfaction with technical support. The top rating was only 65 percent for Road Runner, with Cox a close second, Comcast next, and AOL, NetZero and MSN trailing behind.

Although the ISP industry is dominated by big-name cable and phone companies for broadband and a handful of national dial-up providers such as America Online, EarthLink and NetZero, you can still get service from a local provider.  While you probably won't pay a cheaper rate, you'll likely receive more attentive service because they have to be better in order to compete. At least 7,000 ISPs in the United States serve only local markets, so the chances are you have a local choice.

The bottom line is that broadband users are more satisfied with the speed, reliability and overall service.