Fastest ISP Available

Verizon is staying ahead of the curve with its fiber optic high-speed Internet. Subscribers can access download speeds of up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 35 Mbps. Where Internet subscribers across the nation average speeds that may range from 1.5 Mbps up to 10 Mbps, 150 Mbps can equate to a shot of adrenaline for subscribers who have had to make do with significantly less speed. Comcast and Time Warner Cable have been the only companies creating a truly competitive environment when it comes to Internet speed for this provider. However, with the tremendous volume of data that can be transmitted through fiber optic cable, the competition may have only just begun.

Comcast subscribers can access download speeds of up to 105 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps with its Extreme 105 high-speed cable Internet plan. As of June 2011, this is the fastest Internet speed offered by a cable provider in the nation. The plan can accommodate heavy Web surfers, multiplayer gaming, high-definition movie streaming and downloading and a host of other functions. You may have to pay around $200 per month for the service, but if you need access to these kinds of speeds, the price tag may be well worth it. At the June 2011 NCTA Cable Show, Comcast's CEO, Brian Roberts, showcased a cable modem possible of supporting speeds of up to 1 Gbps. Cable subscribers should look forward to even faster speeds as the years progress.

According to a PCMag.com article, Earthlink provides the fastest residential high-speed DSL service in the nation. Subscribers can access download speeds of up to 15 Mbps and "surfspeeds" of up to 882 Kbps. Surfspeeds are defined by PCMag.com as the actual speeds at which users can surf the web using an ISP's Internet service. This is differentiated from the download and upload speeds advertised by providers, which only come into play when these activities are performed.

Accessing the fastest Internet speeds in the nation will cost you significant money. Only invest in these plans if your activities will require you to possess access to an extensive amount of bandwidth. Most basic to intermediate plans cover functions like Web surfing, sending e-mails, music and movie streaming and downloads of large files. Be aware that some providers may require a credit check and commitment to a long-term contract for service. Review terms of service carefully so you do not violate monthly bandwidth stipulations and are within its limitations.