Consumer Reports has identified the 12 worst internet providers in America based on customer complaints about reliability, pricing, and service quality. The rankings reveal that many Americans face limited broadband choices, with over a third having only one or zero real options, according to the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. This lack of competition often results in poor service.

Viasat and HughesNet dominate the bottom rankings, with satellite internet customers reporting high costs, strict data caps, and significant latency issues. Viasat plans range from $40 to $70 monthly but frequently deliver speeds below advertised rates. HughesNet faces similar complaints, with users experiencing slowdowns after data limits and poor customer support. Both providers serve rural areas where alternatives don't exist.

Regional providers like Liberty Cablevision and GCI also rank poorly due to limited competition in their markets. Liberty customers report frequent outages and inconsistent speeds, while GCI faces criticism for high prices in Alaska's challenging terrain. Optimum rounds out the list with deceptive promotional pricing that jumps after initial periods. These providers consistently receive low marks across Consumer Reports' categories, highlighting how monopolistic markets enable subpar service.