A Winter 2025 survey by Consumer Reports, based on feedback from more than 73,000 U.S. subscribers, identified several internet providers that consistently received low satisfaction scores. Customers cited recurring issues such as unstable connections, rising monthly bills, data caps, and long customer service wait times.
Below are the 12 providers most frequently criticized:
1.
A satellite provider serving rural areas. Customers report high latency, strict data limits, expensive plans, and confusing contracts.
2.
Also focused on rural coverage. Complaints center on slow speeds after data caps, lag during video calls, and lengthy contracts.
3.
Limited regional competition reportedly leads to frequent outages, price hikes, and inconsistent speeds.
4.
Serving Alaska, GCI faces criticism over high pricing, weather-related disruptions, and limited bandwidth outside major cities.
5.
Owned by Altice, Optimum attracts customers with low promo prices but is often criticized for billing increases, outages, and poor support.
6.
A newer provider that replaced older telecom networks. Customers cite unstable service and slow infrastructure upgrades.
7.
Formerly Atlantic Broadband. Known for unstable connections and poor customer communication.
8.
(Xtream)
Criticized for strict data caps, overage fees, and frequent service interruptions.
9.
(CenturyLink)
Customers complain about slow DSL speeds, high latency, missed technician appointments, and billing issues.
10.
Owned by Comcast. While capable of fast speeds, it faces heavy criticism for confusing bills, hidden fees, and difficult cancellations.
11.
(Kinetic)
Mixed reviews, with older DSL customers reporting slow speeds and delayed fiber upgrades.
12.
Offers strong technical performance in some areas but frequently criticized for high prices and inconsistent customer support.
Common Complaints Identified
- Unexpected price increases after promotional periods
- Data caps and overage fees
- Unstable connections during peak hours
- Poor outage communication
- Long customer service wait times
- Limited provider competition in certain regions
Consumer Reports based the rankings on value, reliability, speed consistency, and support quality — focusing on long-term user experiences rather than advertised speeds.
While availability varies by region, the survey suggests that for many Americans, lack of competition remains a major factor behind poor service quality.
