Our Scoring Methodology

At City Broadband Guide, we believe in absolute transparency. Our localized rankings are not arbitrary; they are generated through a strict, data-driven algorithm that weighs multiple objective factors to determine the best internet service provider for your exact address.

1. Federal FCC Nutrition Label Integration

We directly ingest and aggregate data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadband Consumer Labels. When evaluating a provider, we heavily weight:

• Post-Promotional Pricing: We rank providers based on their long-term cost, not just introductory teaser rates.
• Peak Latency: We analyze typical latency during high-congestion hours (7:00 PM - 11:00 PM) to ensure real-world reliability for gaming and streaming.
• Data Caps: Providers offering unlimited data receive a significant scoring boost over those enforcing stringent data allowances.

2. Proprietary Local Speed Tests

National averages mean nothing if the infrastructure in your specific neighborhood is degraded. We utilize a rolling 60-day aggregation of real-world speed tests taken by our users to determine actual localized throughput. Providers that consistently fail to deliver their advertised speeds are actively penalized in our local rankings.

3. Infrastructure Type

The physical connection type plays a critical role in our scoring. Fiber-optic networks receive the highest baseline scores due to symmetrical upload/download speeds and lower latency, followed by Cable, 5G Home Internet, and Satellite.