In Illinois, approximately 79.60% of the state has internet service with speeds of 15 Mbps available for purchase through internet service providers; however, approximately 5.80% of the state’s residents have little to no internet connection readily available to them. Some of those with limited internet access have dial-up or legacy copper DSL internet service, but their internet is so slow that streaming, video conferencing, online gaming and other activities requiring high-speed internet are out of reach.
Wireless providers reach 95.30% of the state of Illinois, but other forms of internet technology are less widely available in Illinois than in other states. Only 94.40% of the population of Illinois has access to DSL internet service. Cable internet is available to 93.10%, while only 14.60% have access to fiber internet. Less than 68.30% of Illinois is served by three or more wired internet providers (DSL, cable and fiber internet).